Free The Promise by Kate Benson Page A

genuine one. “I’ll be ready in just a minute.”
    I wa lk into my room to brush my hair, changing into something more suitable to leave the house in. It amazed me that I’m comfortable enough around Chase and Drake that I‘d forgotten I’m still in my very unflattering pajamas.
    I’m wearing Jack’s Rolling Stones T-shirt and a pair of short sleep shorts, but usually I don’t let anyone except Ana see me like this. I opt for simple since I’m only going to be running errands. Coffee is still in the forefront of my mind.
    I thr ow on my jeans and a blue and white striped tank top before grabbing my white flip flops from beside my door and slipping them on. I wash my face and re-braid my hair quickly and am ready.
    I’d taken a bath last night so aside from this it does n’t take long until I’m ready to meet Chase by the truck. However, I’m surprised to find him patiently waiting on the other side of my bedroom door when I open it.
    “Ready?” he asks, smiling warmly.
    “Yep,” I answer , grabbing my keys off of the counter and throwing my phone into my bag. Chase holds the front door open for me, shutting it behind us as we make our way to the truck. I climb in before reaching across to unlock the passenger door for Chase and say a silent ‘ love you’ to Jack. I’ve never allowed another man in his truck. Even though the feelings between Chase and I are completely platonic, it still feels weird having him in here with me.
    “Thanks. This is a really nice truck, Sophie. I would’ve never pegged you for a Dodge girl but it suits you,” Chase says with a smile.
    “Thank you,” I say. As I put the truck into reverse, I realize I have no idea where I’m headed. I’ve seen a Starbucks down the road but I don’t remember a hardware store. “Um…where to?”
    “Oh, sorry!” he chuckles . “Just take a right out of the complex and then you’re gonna go all the way to the stoplight before taking another right. I’ll tell you what to do next when you get there.”
    “Okay,” I say as I turn onto the street. For a few minutes we ride in comfortable silence until I come to the light Chase had mentioned. As I make the turn, his voice breaks the silence in the cab of the truck.
    “Okay, once you get up here to the second stop sign, you’re gonna see a shopping center with an Albertson’s in it . You’re gonna want to take a left into that parking lot.” As he explains the directions, he stretches his arm across the back of the seat, pointing so I can see clearly where he’s directing me to go. I think he’ll move his arm from the seat when he finishes but he doesn’t and I find it a bit unnerving.
    “Okay,” I sa y nervously.
    “So tell me about yourself, Sophie. Why did you and Ana mov e out to Rockport?”
    There it i s. The end to the uncomplicated friendship I’ve been enjoying with Chase. Shit.
    “Um, just needed a change of scenery is all. How long have you and Drake lived here?” I ask , trying to steer the conversation away from me.
    “I’ve lived here my whole life and so has Drake but he actually lives in Corpus now though,” Chase explain s. “He has a lot of business, but most of it is out here so he spends a lot of time traveling and overseeing all the jobs we do.”
    “What kind of work do y’all do?”
    “Well, Drake’s company, Mitchell Construction, does a lot of different things, a lot of residential work but mostly commercial construction. We build homes and businesses and Drake oversees all of it,” he speaks animatedly with his hands. “What kind of work do you do, Sophie?”
    “Well, I actually haven’t found anything yet but back in Camden I worked at a bookstore and I really enjoyed it. I’ve waited tables a few times and I think Ana said they were looking for help up at the bar so I guess if I have a hard time finding someth ing I could work there.” I pull into the parking lot as Chase points out the Starbucks that is placed conveniently across