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CHAPTER 34: MATTERS OF THE HEART
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Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 35: CONFRONTATION & CONSEQUENCES
Avoiding someone whose best friend is dating your best friend and frequents the same places as you can be quite the challenge. It didn't help that even when I attempted to drown my thoughts in schoolwork, Max was often studying in the same library. It felt like he was omnipresent, always wherever I wanted to be. Fortunately, my conversation with Ethan at the beach the night after my talk with Avery and Kalix had saved me from complete boredom. Ethan had an excellent sense of humor, which made the evening enjoyable.However, the following morning, I realized that Max and I shared not one but two classes that week. To make matters worse, Avery had an excuse to skip our first class that day due to an important rehearsal, leaving me to face Max on my own. The walk to the English department building was filled with dread, and the closer I got to my class, the worse it became.That is until a familiar face I hadn't seen in a while stopped me...."Hey, Isabella," he greeted me with the same
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 36: UNSPOKEN UNDERSTANDING
Later that Evening"So, wait a minute. You're telling me that Ethan had a lake house out in the Santa Ynez Mountains all along, and we're just hearing about it now?" Avery raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the revelation."That's what I heard," she replies. "Kalix mentioned that Ethan and his buddies throw a huge party on the weekend before Thanksgiving break. They're having it on a Monday this year because Ethan had to wait until this morning to get the keys from his parents, or something like that. Anyway, they're picking us up in about half an hour, so you better get ready."I consider the idea for a moment. "Actually, I think I'll just text Ethan and have him send me the address. I'll drive up there on my own." Avery fixes me with an incredulous look."Seriously, Isabella?""What?" I sigh as I sit down on my bed."How long are you planning to keep up this 'avoiding Max' act? I get it, he said some things he shouldn't have, but you yourself admitted that he didn't mean it.
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 37: INTERRUPTED CONFESSIONS
After a brief internal debate, I decide to take his outstretched hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. I start removing my clothes until I'm left in just my bra and underwear.Of course, Max couldn't resist smirking at the sight of my Betty Boop underwear. In my defense, Avery had picked them out, and given the time constraints and my disinterest in getting involved with anyone tonight, I hadn't bothered to change into a different pair.Please, like you'd ever change them regardless.Touche."Adorable," he remarks, winking at me. I roll my eyes."I was in a hurry," I reply with a slight smile forming at the corner of my mouth before playfully pushing him off the dock.We both laugh as he resurfaces with a wet head, and I dive into the lukewarm water, relishing the sensation of it enveloping me from head to toe. Moments later, I feel Max's hands on my back, helping me stay afloat. I open my eyes to see him smiling down at me, and I stretch my arms out, leaning back in the water."I
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 38: THE INTERVENTION
Max had initially seemed willing to cut the guys some slack, even smirking during their banter. However, at the mention of a name I had learned Max despised, his demeanor transformed into one of complete fury, his jaw clenching tightly."What?" Mason mumbled, lowering his head to look at his laced fingers. "Better him than us.""Get off the jet skis and get the hell home, all four of you," Max ordered in a low, dangerously strict tone, leaving no room for further discussion.The guys wasted no time, jumping into the water and swimming back to the dock as quickly as possible, leaving the jet skis behind."I'm going to tear him apart," were Max's final words before he started swimming back to the dock. I did my best to keep up with his rapid pace.Max effortlessly hoisted himself up from the water, his back muscles contracting and loosening within a single glance. He swiftly dressed himself and headed back to the party with his fists clenched, clearly intent on confronting Ryan. As I dr
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 39: UNLEASHED FRUSTRATION
I may not have been a time management expert, but waiting two hours for someone who promised to meet me once they finished their task felt like pushing the limits. Max had never specified how long it would take to sort things out with Ryan, but my patience held as I waited. It wasn't until I received a message from Kalix that everything changed....Kalix Miller: Change of plans, call me when you can.I dialed Kalix's number, curious about the sudden change."Isabella," Kalix answered in hushed tones. Why the secrecy? "We managed to leave the lake house without a major confrontation, but Max," he paused, "he's absolutely furious. He told me to call you and tell you to take his car back to your dorm because he needs solitude right now. But I can't leave him like this, Isabella. I've known him for seven years, and I've never seen him like this. 'Angry' doesn't even begin to describe his current state.""So, you're most likely holed up somewhere, whispering, to get me to come over withou
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 40: FEISTY
"Did you make sure to handle all your last-minute assignments?" Avery inquires as we approach the final ATO party of the semester.Today is Tuesday, November 22nd, also known as the eve of the notorious five-day Thanksgiving break. Following tradition, ATO is throwing their last extravagant party of the semester since when classes resume, all students—including myself—will be engrossed in studying, either to maintain their current grades or perform academic miracles to reach their desired grade thresholds. Since we'll sorely miss the ATO parties, Avery and I easily agreed there's no way we could skip this one."Yes, ma'am, even that torturous analysis of Wright's Sonnet 106," I reply, recalling the painstaking task."Tell me about it," Avery sighs. "Between that and submitting the final draft of my Winter Showcase composition for approval before the big event, this half-week has been brutal.""Yeah, in more ways than one," I add, fully agreeing."Hey," Avery says, nudging my arm as we
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 41: CONFESSIONS IN THE BATHROOM
I've been incredibly patient, waiting for him to address this draining situation, hoping he'd do or say something, but it's been nearly a month of tension between us. I'm at the point where I'm ready to move on, with or without him."First of all, you locked us in here, not me. And secondly, 'not do' what exactly? We're not even doing anything in the first place, and that's the problem. You were busy with your business downstairs, and I was doing my thing upstairs until you came up here and messed everything up. Right now, the only thing we should be doing is having an honest conversation to sort out whatever's happening between us. But it seems like that's the last thing you want.""You don't know what I want," he whispers at first, his words barely audible. Then, he raises his voice, saying, "You really don't know what I want. If you had any idea, you wouldn't be saying all this bullshit right now."In that moment, I see an opening to do something I've been wanting to do ever since
Thrill of the Chase CHAPTER 42: UNWANTED LETTER
He has an affection for me, and upon reflection, that's the clarity I sought—to confirm I wasn't imagining things. I never expected Max to desire a committed relationship with me, especially when I struggled with commitment myself. That understanding predated my decision to confide in him."I've wanted to share my true feelings with you for a few days now, and I finally have. I won't deceive you; I harbor no expectations. I never did. I grasp that you have principles, just as I do, so I genuinely wish the best for you, Max. I can't be more sincere," I conclude. Max stands a few steps away, and I close the distance, placing a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek, savoring the sound of his breath catching as my lips meet his skin."Goodnight, Max," I murmur before turning to unlock the door and exiting the bathroom, hearing Max's exasperated cry of "God damn it" and the door slamming shut behind me.I don't have much time to dwell on it because as soon as I reenter the bedroom, I find Loga
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