Chase put down the binoculars he always used to watch Megan. He'd been watching her for years. He couldn't help it. She was hot. Not in an obvious way like Bailey. Hot in her own way. He'd bet his entire allowance she had no idea how great her ass looked in jeans, or the way her t-shirt emphasized her chest. The thought split his lips into a smile. But her hot body wasn't the only reason he watched her.

She amazed him. She was strong and smart, capable and funny when she wasn't deliberately trying to piss him off.

She confused him. On so many levels, he thought with half a laugh. Maybe he watched her to figure out why. All he had were more questions.

She'd spent the entire afternoon painting him. They hadn’t talked — not since Saturday when she wouldn't be with him. What the hell was wrong with him - what was wrong with her? He knew she liked him. After that kiss, he had to believe he was in her system. Maybe he confused her, too. The thought boosted his battered ego.

He picked up the binoculars again. She was cleaning her brushes. His attention shifted to the canvas and just stared. God, she was so good. Too good for him. He rubbed at the tight ball of queasiness in his gut. With talent like hers, she should be traveling all over Europe, or doing shows in some trendy New York City gallery. He couldn't give her that life. He was rooted right here, with his parents and grandparents and brothers.

His family was tight. His parents met in junior high school, got married right out of college and had been together ever since, working in the store his grandfather started, where he and his brothers would be expected to work as they grew. His dad told him often that he'd taken one look at his mother and just knew she was the one. His mom, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. Mom said she thought Dad was a total moron back then, but thought it was sweet he was willing to work so hard just for her. At this part in the story, his dad would grin, tug his mom into his arms for a kiss, and say something lame like how it was a lot of work, but she was worth it.

Chase never told them this – hell, he never told anyone this -- but he wanted what they had and was a hundred percent certain he’d have it with Megan, had been that certain since he’d first seen her.

God, he was so lame. Guys at school only talked about two things – getting their hands on tits and inside panties –whose didn't matter much. Hell, he wanted the T and A, too. But he wanted all of it with Megan. Only Megan.

He'd probably never leave this town and that was the bottom line, wasn't it? Megan didn't want this life. And because she didn't, she didn’t want him either.

He'd give it all up in seconds to follow her around the world, if she'd ask.

He watched her unwind the towel she had tied around her hand – must be there to wipe her brushes - and the binoculars fell from his hands when he saw what was under it. 

"Dad!" He ran downstairs. "Oh, God, get the car!"