A Hope and a Chance(44)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Hope, I won’t be mad if he asked you not to tell me. I know he’s been seeing someone. He’s acting different, and last month I found him naked in his bed, after he left a bar we were all at together. Now I know my brother and he doesn’t sleep without clothes.” She sounded certain. I knew otherwise.

“I swear to you that I didn’t see anyone over the weekend or ever.”

She gave me a quick smile. “Damn. Did he ever leave and stay somewhere else over night?”

I shook my head. “No! I saw him everyday at least a couple times. If he went anywhere I didn’t notice. I wasn’t his keeper though. If you wanted me to keep tabs on him you should have said something.”

Buffy stood up and headed toward my door. “It was worth a try I guess. He won’t talk to me about it. Maybe it’s my imagination.” She started walking out of the room. “Sorry I woke you up. I just didn’t want to ask in front of your father or Chance.”

“It’s fine. I’ll see you downstairs,” I announced.

Well that sucked. I obtained my cell phone and texted Chance.

Buffy just asked me if I saw you with anyone while they were gone. She mentioned the morning she found you naked when I was hiding in the shower. I didn’t tell her anything. Just wanted you to know. ~Hope

Wow, she won’t give up will she? Thanks! C-ya soon. ~C

Definitely! ~ Hope

I climbed out of my bed and got dressed. Today I was going to visit my mother. I hadn’t seen her in weeks and I wanted her to be informed about my father’s plans. Maybe it wasn’t my place to tell her, but she would kill me if she found out from someone else. I threw on some sweat shorts and the white t-shirt that smelled like Chance. Then I headed into the bathroom to wash up, and finally make my way downstairs. Buffy was outside doing what looked like Yoga. My father was in his office talking on the phone.

Finally, Chance came walking into the kitchen as I opened the refrigerator.

I felt a hand brush over my butt. “Good morning, beautiful.”

“Hey, yourself.”

He was eating a banana and I couldn’t help but watch his lips as he did it. “What are you doing today?”

“I am going to see my mother. It’s been a while, and I really need to get out of this house.”

Chance knew not to take it personal; well I hoped that he didn’t.

“I guess you’re going to spill the beans to her?” Chance asked.

“That is the plan.”

I heard my dad coming into the room. “What’s the plan?” He asked.

“I um, I’m going to have lunch with Mom today,” I confessed.

“Hope, it’s okay. It’s fine. She needs to know.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, sweetie. I know you’re going to tell her sooner or later.”

“Thanks, Dad. I just don’t want her hearing about it from anyone else.” I ambled outside toward my car, not really wanting to be in the same room with my dad yet.

I couldn’t stay inside with either of them. Being around Chance and not being able to touch him made me want him more. My father was keeping us apart; well he thought he was at least. The last thing I wanted was for Chance to have to move out. If I couldn’t see him I’d go insane.

Once I started driving, I realized I wasn’t prepared to face my mother with the information I had on my dad and Buffy.

She was going to freak out. It wasn’t because she was still in love with him, in fact she hated him. I think she would be hurt and possibly feel jealous. She had lost everything while he was living it up, becoming wealthier than when they were together.

I pulled into the driveway behind my mother’s car and took a deep breath. It was going to be a long day. Suddenly, I wished I was back at the pool house in Chance’s arms.

My sister was fishing around trying to figure out who I was involved with. I couldn’t be pissed at her, because I knew she was just looking out for me. The problem was I wasn’t sure how deep she was going to be looking. I had to start being more careful about being around Hope. If Buffy suspected it was her she would freak out.

As much as I cared for Hope I had to keep thinking about the big picture. In just a few months she would be eighteen, and could make her own decisions about who she wanted to be with. I was fully aware that she wanted to be with me, but I found myself wondering if we wouldn’t just be better waiting it out. If we did then nobody would get in any trouble.

I lit up a cigarette and watched my sister doing some ridiculous stretches. “You look so stupid. Is that supposed to make you lose weight?”

Buffy shot me a dirty look. “What’s your problem today?” She asked.

“I was just kidding. Get a grip. What are you doing today?”

“I’m going to finish watching the movies I got and then return them. I think that Mark had invited some people over to discuss business. Do you think you can find somewhere else to eat tonight? Maybe like at your new love interest’s place or something?”

“You’re fishing for something that doesn’t exist, Buff.” I tried to get her to drop it.

“Chance, you’re my brother and I love you, but I know you’re seeing someone. You’ve had this spark in your eyes ever since that morning I found you sleeping naked.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re crazy. It gets hot in the pool house. I drank myself into a stupor, showered, and passed out in my bed. No harm no foul, sis. Get over it.”

She stopped her stretching and marched over to face me. Her hands were on her hips and she squint her eyes like she was trying to read my mind. “No, I’m not, but you are if you think you can hide her from me for much longer. What’s the big deal? Is she ugly or something?”

I turned and started walking away from her. “I don’t have time for this shit.”

“Being that I am kind of your boss, I would say you have all the time in the world. Now tell me the truth. When have you ever kept a relationship from me? Is she married or something?” She just kept pushing.

“Jesus Christ, Buffy, please stop it already.” I looked directly into her eyes. “It was a one-time thing, okay?”

I was an idiot.

“Why couldn’t you just tell me then?” She asked.

“Because there was nothing to tell. I picked someone up at a bar and took her home with me. We had a great time and then she left. That’s it.” I explained.

“Was it the woman who went missing?” Buffy asked.