Montana and Chase (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty Four

Chase's POV
"Do you want me to stay?" Brody asks, pushing me into Toni's.

"No," I answer. "I'm having lunch with Sophia."

"That's why I want to stay," Brody says. "What if James is with her?"

"Then you can stay," I state.

He stops and I presume we are at the table. "Hey Chase," Sophia greets, hugging me.

"Hi," I say.

"Hey Brody," Sophia says, once she's pulled away from me. "Will you be joining us?"

"No," Brody answers, gruffly.

"Oh okay," Sophia says.

"I'll be back in an hour," Brody grumbles. He pats my shoulder and then I think he walks away.

"What happened to your nose?" Sophia asks.

"Your boyfriend," I Answer, without thinking.

She gasps. "What?"

I groan. "Shit."

"Why did he punch you?" Sophia asks, concerned.

"You know the usual," I say.

She sighs. "You made a remark about fucking Montana?"

"He started it," I argue. "He made remarks about my blindness and me being paralysed."

"I'm so sorry," Sophia whispers.

I shrug. "I'm fine."

"Do you want me to read you the menu?" Sophia asks.

I shake my head. "They have Braille."

She hands me a menu and I read the Braille. "I'm gonna have the Mixed grill," Sophia states. "You?"

"I think I'll have the same," I answer.

The waitresss, Renee, comes over and gets our order, before leaving us in comfortable silence.

Then Sophia broke it.

"It's his birthday in two weeks," Sophia says.

"I know."

"I-Is Your Mum doing anything?" She asks.

I shrug. "Probably."

"I-Is it all right if maybe I could tag along?"

"I don't know," I Answer. "Mums not really fond of you."

"I know," Sophia sighs. "I-it's Just I haven't been to his grave since his funeral."

"Why?" I frown.

"Because I've felt so guilty," she croaks. "I blamed myself for his death."

"I've told you a million times it's-"

"Yeah you have," Sophia says. "You and James are the only people who don't blame me."

"Oh."

"I need to go," she says.

"Maybe we can go after lunch," I suggest. "Unless you can't push a guy in a wheelchair?"

She giggles. "I think I can manage."

*
I felt sick.

I sat here in my wheelchair, staring at what I presume is Nick's grave. I can hear Sophia rustling, so I think she's putting the flowers she bought, into his grave.

"Nick Austin Owens," Sophia whispers. "Loving son of Emily Owens and Stanley Owens. Older brother to Chase Owens. 15-6-1999 - 20-5-2016."

"You Alright?" I ask.