Chase's POV

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest as I laid in bed with Gabriella. I've been awake for about an hour now, watching the sunrise over the lake as my sleeping beauty slept soundly beside me. I need to make a mental note to take Gabby out on the lake so we can watch the sunrise together.

Who am I to be even thinking those thoughts? Gabby has turned my world upside down in a matter of months. I'm not the same man that I once was and I'm so thankful for that. We've all experienced a time in our lives when we weren't who we we're supposed to be, I just hate that I met Gabby during that time in my life. But then again, if I hadn't, she wouldn't be lying here in my arms.

So in a sadistic type of way, I'm grateful.

Gabby stirred in her sleep, her arms tightening around my stomach before she looked up at me. "Morning sleepyhead," I cooed unable to keep the smile off my lips. She stretched and mumbled a morning before wincing. I suddenly remembered last night was her first time and that she's going to be hurting a little bit today.

It made me feel guilty even though last night was incredible. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

"I'm so sorry you're hurting today, let me draw you up a bath."

"It's okay, Chase, it was worth it." Gabby bit her lip as her eyes glazed over, no doubt remembering how I touched her. My body instantly reacted to that thought as well, but now isn't the time for that.
"I promise it won't hurt as bad the next time."
"The next time?" She questioningly looked at me like this is news to her. It made me feel sad in a way that she doesn't realize that I want to do this with her, indefinitely.

"Of course there's going to be a next time." I pressed my lips to her so she knows this is what I want. "I honestly can't wait until we can do it again." She giggled, hiding her head in the crook of my neck and I swear it made my heart soar.

"I can't believe I just had sex with a Greek God." She shook her head in amazement.

"What? Greek God?" Instantly her skin turned crimson. "You're blushing." I trailed over her cheek and down her neck until the duvet cover met my fingertips at the top of her breast.

"I'll take that bath now." Gabby rolled away from me but I stopped her.
"Not so fast. Wanna tell me about this Greek God?" I smiled deviously at her, already making the connections. "Is that what you call me behind my back?" God this confession drove me crazy in the best way possible.

"Ummm."

"It is!" I'm beaming like crazy. "I think you need to call me that from now on. Greek God Chase Elliott. I like the sound of that!" She slapped me and rolled her eyes. I just laughed and cuddled her close to me. "You drive me absolutely wild and I love it." I kissed her on her forehead as she just rolled her eyes at me again.

"I should have never said anything."
"But you did!"

"You're not going to drop this, are you?"
"Now why would I do that? I am a Greek God after all."
"You're despicable!" She threw a pillow at me and crawled out of bed, wrapping the covers around her still naked body. I just smiled at her, admiring the way the sunlight made her skin glow.

"Gosh you're so beautiful, I can't believe you're mine." I sat up in bed and admire the way she bashfully looked at me before disappearing into the bathroom. I sighed, getting up myself when I heard the water in the bathtub turn on.

My Saturday morning routine usually include a 5 mile run around the lake or a 30 mile bike ride. If I didn't do any of those, I was at the gym bright and early to catch up on any paperwork that I had, then I would help train those who could only get to the gym on the weekends. That's what I did. My life outside of the gym was nonexistent, until now. Now I'm in the kitchen with music playing softly through the bluetooth speakers as I cooked breakfast for Gabby and I. My new normal was something I wanted to get used to.

My doorbell ringing brought me to the hereto. Confused, I padded over to the front door and opened it without a glance to see who it was.

I froze as my heart dropped and shattered into a million pieces.

"Josie?"

"Hey there big boy, missed me?" I swallowed, blinking my eyes and not believing who was standing on my doorstep. "Oh, you made us breakfast? How sweet! Blaney must've told you I was coming over, didn't he? I knew I still liked him." Josie stood up on her tippy toes and kissed my cheek as she walked right past my dumbfounded expression and into my house.

"Blaney told me shit, now what are you doing here?" I crossed my arms and glared down at the objection of my old heartache and watched as she lifted up the lids to the pots and pans on the stove.

"You made my favorite!" She clapped her hands and looked at me with such happiness, but I knew better, her eyes were tight. The smile did not reach them one bit.

"Josie, you better tell me why the hell you're here or."

"Or what?" She laughed, "kick me out? You don't have the balls to do that, and we both know how much you want me here. I can see it in your eyes. You always had a lustful thing for me." I closed my eyes out of spite and grind my teeth. "See, even now that I'm here in your kitchen you can't resist me. This is why we need to get back together, Chase." I stopped breathing the moment her hands came up to my cup my face. "I miss you." I felt her breath before she tried to kiss me, but I roughly pushed her away and cursed that I even had to do that. "Playing hard to get?" She took this as a challenge, but I wasn't going to play this game.

"Leave. Now." I crossed my arms and glared at her, a new edge of anger pressing at the seems.

"Still see you have anger issues."
"Only because I don't want you here."
"C'mon Chase, I know you still want me." Josie sauntered up to me, unzipping her jacket until she revealed that she had nothing on underneath it.

It made me completely sick to my stomach.

I turned away and fell short. Gabby was standing in the doorway of the kitchen watching everything unfold. She didn't say anything and I was so scared that she would run off.

"Gabriella," I whispered, pleading with her this isn't what it looks like.

"Who is that?" I looked over my shoulder to see Josie glaring at Gabby with a look of disgust on her face. I can't believe I was ever with someone who looks at people like that.

"That's my girl," I said with tenderness.

"You're joking."

"Why would I joke? I shouldn't even have to explain myself to you, Josie. I want you out of my house, now." Josie huffed and pouted, a tactic she used so many times to get her way.

"But Chase! I thought we could get back together. I messed up walking out of your life. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"You leaving was the best thing that ever happened to me, Josie. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have met Gabby and she's the best damn thing that has ever happened to me. Now get out."

This information clearly took Josie by surprised because she shouldered pasted me, but then stopped short and glared at Gabby. "You know, he's only using you as a rebound. Fucking enjoy it whore because you know he's gonna come crawling back to me the moment he's done with you. He does it every time. You're absolutely nothing to him. Fucking pig."

Hot white anger filtered through every nerve ending of my body at this comment. I wanted nothing more than to throw Josie out of my home and out of my life forever, and make her pay for what she just said to Gabby.

"You have no right to talk to me like that." I stared at Gabby, not believing she was talking back to Josie. "Chase isn't yours honey, nor will he ever be. So please leave before I physically pick you up and throw you out myself because I will."
"Bitch, please."

"Yeah, no." Gabby stalked up to Josie until she was eye to eye to her. I stood in shock, not sure what to do. "I'm tired of pretty little princesses who think the world revolves around them because they're skinny and popular and think they can get what and who they want. I'm also tired of people like you looking down on me because of the way I fucking look, but you know what? You don't win in the end, I do. I have Chase now and I'm not going to be stupid enough to let him go. And besides, you don't deserve a man like him. Chase upgraded when he met me and I'll never treat him like a rug you walk all over like you did to him. You were right about one thing, you lost something good and you're never going to find anyone who even compares to Chase. He's a better man now that you're gone; he's happy, living life to the fullest and has a women by his side who praises him instead of bringing him down. You were crazy to walk out of this man's life, but I'm glad you did or I wouldn't be here right now standing up for the man that I love."

I gasped in surprise at Gabby's confession.

"Wait. You love me?" All I saw was Gabby in this moment. I no longer cared that Josie was here trying to stir up trouble. Last night she told me she was falling, I had no idea that she actually fell.

"Of course I do. How can I not fall in love with you, Chase? You're everything to me." Her confession brought me to my knees, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. "You're the best damn thing that happened to me, Chase. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be in a good place." She walked over to me and placed her hand on my cheek. "I'm so grateful for you. I hope you understand that." I leaned into her touch and closed my eyes.

"This is fucking disgusting. When did you become someone who cares so much about emotions? I was completely wrong coming here today. God. And to think I thought you would be a lost puppy waiting for me like you've always done in the past. Blaney was fucking right. You did move on, but he failed to tell me it was onto bigger things. Don't come crying to me when the stank breaks your heart, Chase, because you know she will. They always do."

I watched wordlessly as Josie walked away from me while Gabby followed her out of the room. I could feel the impending blackness suffocating me as the front door slammed shut. I tried to fight off the anxiety and the panic, but I couldn't. They embraced me like long lost friends and wrapped their greedy little fingers around my heart and lungs.

The wall I built to protect myself from my old feelings came crumbling down; the pain and strife hit me like a pile of bricks. All of the hard work I put into pushing Josie out of my life for good vanished in a heartbeat.

All was left was the heartache that never mended and the overwhelming feeling of abandonment.

Why does everyone leave me?

I could no longer see as tears stung my eyes. I could no longer tell you if I was standing, sitting, or if I fell to the floor. All I know is that I have an anchor wrapped around my body and I was falling into the black depths of the ocean.

I finally welcomed the blackness with open arms in hopes that it will relieve me from this pain. 

~*~

A/N: I like to imagine the smile Chase is making in the gif is the smile he gives Gabby when she admits she calls him a Greek God.  Chase Elliott's smiles can melt the ice in my freezer. 

But how about Josie coming back?  Who saw that coming? (Only one of you predicted it!)

I apologize for posting this chapter a week late.  I don't know if everyone saw my message I posted last week, but I've had some personal things happen in my life that halted my writing.  I don't know if I will post next Sunday, but I hope to.  The next chapter is currently being written when I'm able to get to it. 

Thank you for reading and leaving lovely comments. They mean the world to me.