A Hope and a Chance(48)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I held out a towel and waited for him to step out of the tub before wrapping it around him. He decided to brush his teeth, for a taxing ten minutes, in which I told him they were clean several times, but he continued doing it. Finally, he followed me into the bedroom and pulled me down on the bed with him.

His body hovered over mine as his fingertips played with my cheek. “You’re so perfect to me, Hope. You make me want to live. You’re all that I want, all that I need. You’re everything. God, I love you so much.”

It was impossible not to feel overcome. Those words were such a big deal in any relationship. Ours, yet brewing for a long period of time, had been a struggle. For him to have deep feelings for me left me speechless.

He wiped my cheeks. “Why are you crying?”

“Nobody’s ever said something like that to me,” I embarrassingly admitted.

“It’s the truth. I’m so in love with you. I know you think I’m just drunk, but I swear it’s true. You make me smile again.”

“Chance,” I managed to whisper as his lips hit mine.

He pulled away. “Yeah.”

“I love you, too.” I didn’t wait for him to respond. Our next kiss was intense leaving us too caught up in each other to discuss anything more.

28

I woke up in bed with only a pair of boxers on. When I sat up I realized that my head was pounding. While still holding the back of it, I stood up and headed to find the Tylenol. To my disappointment I was all out. I pulled on a pair of shorts, and after relieving myself in the bathroom, I headed to the main house.

When I got to the kitchen door I realized I had no idea what time it was. I didn’t want to wake up the whole house so I peeked in and saw it was after ten in the morning. I crept inside, but didn’t hear any movement.

Thankfully, my sister had made coffee. I made myself a cup and counted four Tylenol, tossing them back with the hot brew. There still wasn’t any sound coming from around the house. I walked to the foyer and looked outside. Only Hope’s car was sitting out front.

I climbed up the stairs heading to her side of the house. Her door was shut, but I opened it slowly. She was sound asleep, and I couldn’t help but take in her beauty. I strode in and leaned over to give her a kiss, but as I stood to walk away she snatched my arm. Still groggy from her sleep, she attempted to focus. “What are you doing in here?”

“What happened to me last night?” I whispered. “Where’s my bike?”

She sat up and I couldn’t help but notice the small tank top she had on. “Stop staring at my chest,” she accused as she adjusted it, hiding some of her cleavage. “You got drunk off your ass at the bar, so on my way back from my mother’s I picked you up and brought you home. I got you cleaned up and stayed with you until you fell asleep. Your motorcycle is still at the bar.”

“You took care of me? Did my sister and Mark see us?” I asked.

“No. Once you fell asleep I went inside through the front. They still had company and thought I’d just got home,” she explained.

“I don’t remember anything,” I admitted.

Hope looked upset. I couldn’t understand why. “I knew it was too good to be true.” While grabbing her, I tried to remember what would make her so upset. It was coming back to me in small pieces.

“What are you talking about? What did I do?”

“It wasn’t what you did. It was what you said.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, it was perfect,” she said quietly.

“Well whatever it was, I meant it,” I assumingly announce.

Hope turned around and put her head in her pillow. “Forget it, Chance, it doesn’t matter.”

“Please don’t be mad at me.” I tried to reach for her, but she pulled away.

I was hurt, but had no right to be. I’d acted like an ass. What had I been thinking? I should’ve never gone out to a bar.

I was such a loser.

I left Hope in her room and went back downstairs. On the counter I found something that might make her smile. I got out a pen and a piece of painters tape and hiked back upstairs. I sat the object on her dresser and walked out without saying a word.

I hid in her bathroom across the hall waiting. The anticipation was killing me, and for a moment I figured she didn’t hear me come back the second time.

I couldn’t believe he didn’t remember last night. I was a fool to think someone sober would say that to me anyway. I heard Chance come in my room, but I didn’t want to talk to him. I wasn’t really mad, just disappointed. As I stood up to head into my bathroom something caught my eye.

A red apple sat on my dresser. Taped to it was a note.

I don’t remember what I said last night, but when I woke up this morning I knew I missed you.

I love you so much. Please don’t be mad. I can’t be without your smile for long.

I had to choke back the emotions. I quickly ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth, so that I could find him and kiss him right away. As I ambled in I saw him leaning against the sink. My arms wrapped around him.

“Does this mean you forgive me?” He asked with his hands cupped around my face.

I nodded my head yes, before he leaned down and kissed me.

“So much, Hope.” He whispered in my ear, before leaving me alone to get myself cleaned up.

When I looked in the mirror I couldn’t believe he hadn’t changed his mind. After washing my face, I managed to get a brush through my hair. I ran back into my room and put on some clothes I wore to run in then headed downstairs.

Chance was outside, skimming leaves out of the pool. I jumped when Buffy marched into the room. “Hey, Hope, what are you doing?”

I held my heart. “Buff, you scared me. I was just…”

“Looking at my brother. Yeah I noticed.”

“Please don’t say anything,” I said in a panic.

She smiled and sat down. “Hope, I may be his sister, but I’m not blind. I know girls think he is attractive.”

“Where is my dad?” I asked trying to change the subject.

She was looking straight at me with her hands across her chest. “He had to meet with investors on the new building today. He won’t be home till late. So let’s get back to my brother. How long have you been seeing him?”

I choked on the glass of milk I was drinking. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really. Then do me a favor. Walk out there and hug him.”