Boredom washed over me around eleven a.m. the next day but nothing, not even my boredom, could get me to do what I really wanted to do- clean Chase's house.

I wanted to get on my hands and knees and scrub every surface of his bathroom and kitchen but I didn't want to do him any favors. He doesn't deserve my services. I don't think he's done a thorough cleaning since he moved in. There's a thin layer of grime covering every surface and you can see the dirt buildup in the grout throughout the bathroom. I thought military men were supposed to be clean, but I think I saw a buildup of gum stuck to the side of his kitchen trashcan. He's a neanderthal and I understand why Ryan was so adamant that I wear my shower shoes. My mother would keel over if she saw the bathroom sink I was sharing at the moment. I understand Chase has to be freshly shaven every morning, but he does a poor job of cleaning his five o'clock shadow off the sink and counter.

I wandered into the kitchen after Ryan left to cook me a proper breakfast, but all Chase had in his refrigerator was a jar of pickles, expired milk and a block of cheese. I rummaged through his cupboards but didn't find much else that would be filling. The man doesn't even own any plates that aren't plastic or paper. Even Gus owns a set of ceramic dishes and has fresh fruit.

I wondered how far the commissary was but realized I probably shouldn't be wandering a military base alone and uninformed. I didn't need to get lost and have them track down Chase to come and find me.

After realizing I was going to starve to death while I was here, I decided to turn the monstrosity that is his television on in the living room. The surround sound nearly blasted me out the back door and there were too many buttons on too many remotes that I gave up and decided to take nap instead.

A knock on the bedroom door pulls me awake and I notice the bedroom is now covered in darkness. I must have slept the entire afternoon. I hear the rap of knuckles again and Chase's voice follows, "Sawyer? You in there?" I moan, not wanting to get out of bed, but I pull myself up and quickly walk over to the door. After I pull it open, I find Chase blocking the doorway with his arm resting against the door frame

"Oh, you was sleepin'?" He asks me and I give a slight nod but don't say anything. "Oh, sorry. Well wake up! I'm takin' you out!" Chase says with a smile and I frown in response.

"Out? Out where?"

"A bonfire, unless you want to stay holed up in your room like last night?" He asks with a smirk and I shake my head.

"Not a good idea. I don't think I am supposed to leave."

Chase shrugs, "Fine. Stay here again. I'm going out." He starts to turn away and I realize I really don't want to stay cooped up in this pigsty any longer than I have to. Before he trots downstairs, I ask, "Will there be food there?" Chase looks back to me and says, "Hell yeah girl. We gonna barbecue and roast hot dogs on sticks." I think back to the jar of pickles and cheese and quickly reply, "Okay, I'm in." My eyes run over his fitted jeans and black tee as I ask, "So it's casual? I should dress casual?" He squints his eyes while staring at me and answers, "Yeah, but if I was you, I would wear something...conservative. I'm bringing fresh meat to the pack so, you might want to cover up." He smiles that wicked smile that makes me queasy before turning and trotting downstairs. From the landing, he yells, "Be ready to go in thirty."

I quickly pull all of my clothing options from my trunks and rifle through the items to get an outfit together. I decided a pair of black skinny jeans with a yellow cotton tank was casual enough and I grabbed my jean jacket to be fully "covered." My mother would be pleased to know I brushed my long blonde hair out but I was far too lazy to curl or straighten it. It hung in waves past my shoulders and I scrunched it with my fingers to give it some volume. After gliding eyeliner on, I plumped my lashes and headed downstairs to meet Chase. I haven't gotten this dolled up since Founder's Day but I wanted to enjoy a night out. Between the boredom at Jackson's and the boredom here, I needed to get out and have some fun, even if it is with an ass.

My Converse are right where I left them and after slipping them on, Chase finds me by the front door. I stand up after adjusting my shoes and as I tug at my jean jacket, he says, "Oh dear God. I don't know if I can bring you out."

Confused I ask him, "What? You just invited me." He walks over while folding his arms across his chest and replies, "Yeah but you look too...I can't control what the guys might say alright?" I nervously run a hand through my hair and ask, "Why? Do I look bad? I covered up."

He laughs, "Girl, you could be in a nun's outfit and I still wouldn't be able to control the beasts. I still just don't understand how you're with Ryan." He pulls the front door open and kicks the screen door out with his boot. I follow behind him to his shiny beast of a truck and I stop short at the passenger side. He looks to me and asks, "You need help up?" I look to the lifted maroon truck and even with my long legs, it will be a struggle to climb inside. I glance to him and he immediately walks over and hoists me into the seat. I use all of my upper body strength to pull the door shut and Chase is quickly in the seat next to me. The truck roars to life and Chase becomes giddy pulling it out of the neighborhood. I glance to him when we are off the base and ask, "Is this what Ryan's truck is like? All-new, supped up and loud?"

Chase lets out a bold laugh and replies, "I ain't got a clue what Ryan drives anymore. Isn't that something you should know?"

I glance back to him and answer, "No, I haven't been to South Carolina with him yet. We met in Mississippi." I watch Chase whip his face over to me and in shock asks, "What? Ryan said he's only been in 'ssippi a few weeks. You're telling me that you've only known him a few weeks?"

I nod, "Yeah, we've done things a little...backwards but we're enjoying getting to know each other."

Chase shakes his head, "Well alright. From how you two were around each other I reckoned you had been together a while."

I shake my head, "Nope. It feels like we have though. And speaking of Ryan, I don't think we should let anyone at the bonfire know who I really am. I don't think he'd like knowing I was out telling everyone I am staying with you and dating him. I don't know who I can trust ya know?"

Chase frowns while glancing to me and replies, "Hmm, glad to know my brother still doesn't trust me. I'm not going to sleep with any of his girlfriends again. It's fine if you are staying with me."

Confused I look back to him, "I meant, I shouldn't tell people I am staying with you because I shouldn't disclose my location to anyone. I am currently in witness protection remember?" Not being able to simply drop his last comment I add, "You've slept with one of Ryan's girlfriends?" He looks to me with his foot in his mouth but doesn't respond. He puts his focus back to the road and I wonder which of Ryan's ex-girlfriends Chase hooked up with. I can see why Ryan was reluctant to have me stay with him if that's what had him all bothered the night he told me I was coming here.

I watch as Chase pulls off a main road to head down an unpaved one and I have to hold on to the handle above the window to keep from bouncing out of my seat. Chase smiles while he drives over the rough terrain and I see us going deeper into the woods. He flips on his truck's floodlights and it's the only thing guiding us down the narrow dark path. I spot an orangish glow coming through the trees up ahead and other trucks quickly come into view. I hear screams and squeals growing louder while Chase continues past parked trucks up to the flood of people. His truck must be recognizable because the closer to the fire we get, the more people call out Chase's name.

"It seems you're pretty popular at this here shindig," I joke as we slowly crawl to a stop. Before opening the door, Chase looks to me and says, "Sawyer, this group here is a...more laid back group. Hardworking, blue-collar folk that come out here to unwind. I know you think you might be a down-to-earth county sweetheart, but it's pretty apparent you are accustomed to a uh, finer lifestyle. So, if you want to fit in, you might want to fib a bit."

"What do you mean?" I ask, "I am laid back and all...that stuff."

Chase smirks and says, "You come off a bit hoity-toity, maybe slouch some and let your twang come out a bit. Where do you work? What's your job?" He asks me and I shake my head, "Job? I've never had a job, why?" He puts his head in his hand while shaking it in disbelief.

"Of course you haven't. That makes sense," he says with a laugh. "Well, I know you don't want people knowing who you are, so maybe say you do have a job. Like a waitress or something. Just relax and try and blend in."

He pushes his door open and gives me a quick smile before dropping down to the ground. He greets a bunch of people waiting by his truck and someone thrusts a beer into his hand. I bite my lip and wonder what I got myself into. I can be laid back and hardworking. I'll just think to myself, what would Gus do?