3. Scandals between Friends

Chase knew he was in deep shit when the mere thought of LaCienega brought a smile to his face. He had no idea how he had fallen for her in the short month that he had known her. It wasn't just the fact that her looks fulfilled his most intimate sexual fantasies, but the fact that he enjoyed being in her presence altogether.

He loved listening to her babble about her day, loved watching her smile when she was in a cheerful mood, loved hearing her laugh when she thought something was funny and even loved the way she gave him that look when she thought he was 100% bullshit. He couldn't get enough of her---especially since the only time he really got to see her was when he was with Jace.

It was probably the cruellest feeling in the world, knowing that what you want is out of reach, but even more so because it was wrong to even pursue it. As much as he liked spending time with Jace and being rewarded with an occasional glimpse or conversation with LaCienega, he hated seeing her snuggle up to him or when they kissed.

Even hanging out with Seth had become painful. While Chase was still bed hopping on a daily basis, Seth was happily engaged and planning his wedding that was to be held sometime next year. It seemed like everywhere he went someone had a girlfriend or a fiancée that they can cuddle up to on a night in. He was the only one he knew who never had a serious relationship and so came when he was feeling lazy and had a night in, he was utterly and completely alone.

Or at least that was what happened up until Jace showed up at his door. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asked with raised eyebrows. "I thought it was LaCienega's birthday today and you were spending the night together."

Jace frowned and let out a breath of exasperation. "I know. We were. Except something came up last minute at work and I have to drive down to Santa Monica to meet a client right now," he said with a look of dejection. "I hate not being able to give her something for her birthday, but if I drive home now, I'd be really late and since I was driving by your place, I thought I could drop this off."

Chase took the small, delicately wrapped box from Jace's hands and scowled. "And what do you expect me to do with it?"

"Well, I was thinking you could drive by my place and give it to her for me."

"Give it to her yourself." He angrily shoved the gift back. "It's her birthday tonight and she's not spending it with her family or friends---just you. There's a reason for that you know and I don't think it's for some half-ass present."

Jace stood back, momentarily shocked by the intensity of his words before desperation took over. "Please Chase," he said pushing it back into his friend's hands. "She's all dressed up waiting for me to pick her up at home. I really don't want her to spend her birthday alone. I didn't cancel the reservation for dinner so maybe you can take her out in my place instead? Please. Just do this one thing for me. I don't want her loitering around the house by herself on her birthday."

Sighing, Chase finally gave in. He had also picked up a present for LaCienega, but was waiting till the next time he saw her to give it to her. Now might as well be a good time. "Aren't you worried I'm going to make a move on her at all?" He asked out of curiosity. "You know I think she's hot."

"She's my fiancée Chase and you're my best friend. Seriously, what's going to happen?" He said laughing light-heartedly. "Anyways, I completely trust you not to do anything. I've got to run so thanks so much for doing this!"

"You trust people too easily," Chase mumbled to himself as Jace ran down his driveway and got back inside his car. "One of these days, you're going to eat those words."

After another sigh, Chase returned inside his house and quickly got dressed before driving to Jace's house. When LaCienega opened the front door, she wasn't dressed up like Jace had mentioned. Her hair was done and so was her makeup, but she was dressed in a fuzzy pink robe and an unsatisfied frown. "So you heard," he murmured. "Jace called you."

Without a word, she snapped the present from his hands and violently opened it. Chase watched her apprehensively as she tugged out a charm bracelet before slipping it carelessly inside her pocket. "So I guess I should go," he said a moment after. "Seeing as you've already changed, I doubt you want to go out for dinner and especially alone with me."

Shrugging, he pulled out his present and handed it to her. "It's obviously nothing as expensive as Jace's gift," he said. "But I thought you might like it. Happy birthday."

LaCienega's expression softened as she took the gift. "Thank you," she murmured. "I really don't feel like going out, but you can come in if you like."

"Are you sure?" He asked, surprised by her sudden warmth towards him.

"Yes, come in. I've nothing better to do so keep me company if you don't already have plans."

Chase nodded and walked inside the house. She led him to the living room and then disappeared for a moment before coming back with an extra glass. There was already an opened bottle of Pinot Noir on her coffee table along with a half---empty glass making it obvious that she had been drinking alone before he showed up.

After plopping down beside him on the couch, she poured him a glass of wine and opened up the gift. Her entire face lit up as she saw the first edition J.K Rowling book inside. "Oh Chase, you shouldn't have," she bubbled. "It's even signed, 'Happy birthday LaCienega! J.K Rowling.' Did you meet her?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, I ran into her the other week and remembered she was your favourite author. The book, I've had for forever so it's not like I went out of my way to get it or anything. I just stalked her outside her hotel room until she signed it."

LaCienega laughed as she finished the rest of her wine. "I didn't know you were so attentive," she remarked. "You give people bad first impressions, you know? If you get off your high horse once in a while, less people will hate you."

Chase shrugged, a smirk growing on his face that he had finally somewhat gotten her approval. "There's going to be people who hate you in this world no matter what you do," he said. "At least this way I know that the people who are willing to take the time and get to know me are worth my time in return." 

She looked at him for a moment-almost as if she were studying him---before she leaned over and softly pressed her lips against his. The sparks on Chase's lips as she touched him was undeniable, but so was his conscious at the back of his mind. Gently nudging her away, he said, "It's the wine LaCienega. You don't want to continue this."

Her brown eyes regarded him with misery before she ignored his words and kissed him again. It took every muscle in his body to push her away the second time and his heart cringed realizing that she would never be his to touch. "LaCienega. We probably shouldn't. You're Ja-"

"I know," she murmured. Pulling her legs up onto the couch and getting to her knees, she made her way over to him, straddling his body beneath hers. Tears pricked her eyes as she locked onto his gaze. "But I feel so empty tonight. Please don't reject me Chase."

And when she kissed him the next time, he lost all of his self-control. The need to be with her, the need to hold her, kiss her and make love to her overwhelmed every nerve in his body. Before he knew it, they were in the bedroom---clothing falling after clothing, lips brushing against lips, skin grazing against skin---mistake after mistake. All of it lasted too short and ended too late.

Chase laid beside her when they were done, feeling the intense complexity of pleasure mixing with guilt in the pit of his chest. LaCienega got up soon after and found her clothes on the floor. "You should probably go," she said before disappearing inside the bathroom.

The shower turned on from inside and Chase quickly dressed, but he didn't go. He couldn't go-not after that. Patiently, he sat on the edge of the bed and waited until she came out. It felt like she was in there for hours, but eventually she came out wrapped in a white towel---her body red from excessive washing. "Why are you still here?"

"I think we need to talk about us."

LaCienega shook her head in hysteria. "No Chase, you don't get it. There's no 'we' and there's no 'us.'"

"Then what just happened there?" He asked angrily, waving towards the bed. "What? A moment of weakness? You couldn't be with Jace so you just settled for the next available thing?"

"I don't know," she screamed, tears pouring out of her eyes as she dropped to her knees. "I love him so much! I want him to love me so bad, but no matter what I do, I always come in last place. I'm just so tired of pretending to be considerate, pretending to be okay when he stands me up for work at the very last minute. He got me something with no sentimental value for my birthday. Even you did better than that! I just-"

"I get it," he said mockingly. "You don't have to keep explaining." Standing up, he walked passed her. "I just thought that something might come out of this, that maybe 'we' could happen, that maybe you'd realize Jace might not be the right guy for you-so much that I risked my friendship with him to do something like this. I'm so much of an idiot that I'm speechless. That I'm actually fucking embarrassed."

LaCienega sobbed his name as he made his way to the door, but he didn't look back. There really wasn't much to see. She was a pitiful mess. "Don't worry," he said gently, knowing all too well that she wasn't calling his name to beg him to stay. "I won't tell him."

~*~*~

A/N.:

A HUGEEEEEEEE Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to check this story out! Thanks a a billion for the votes, likes, and tweets! =D Also, I realize this is marked as PG-13 but its probably more along the lines of 17. So just a heads up before you get way too into it! ^_^

Also, for easier reference, just call LaCienega "LC" as it is easier to spell and note.