A Hope and a Chance(50)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Do you want to break up with me now?” I asked.

“Are you kidding? I just told you I loved you and I’m sure I said it last night. When you’re drunk you say the truth, and that’s also how I knew you really wanted to be with me that first night.”

“Actually, I think I wanted you ever since I first saw you. I couldn’t get that picture out of my head until that night we were together, and then I just had a better image to keep in my mind.”

I leaned my head against his chest. “Loving you makes me happy. This mess with my parents and having to move in with my dad, who ignored me for so long, it wouldn’t have been nearly as easy if you weren’t here.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Chance said as he kissed me in broad daylight right on the lips.

We both jumped when Buffy yelled out the door. “I can see you two!”

We both laughed. Chance stood up and held out his hand. He looked back at his sister, laughing as she shook her head at us. “See you later, Buffy.”

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Hopefully to get my motorcycle, if it’s still there,” he teased.

29

It was obvious Hope was worried about my sister, but one thing that I knew for sure was that she always had my back. The fact that I loved Hope made me more sure that she would keep our secret. It was honestly easier for me now that she knew. I think that it was harder for Hope though. She hadn’t said much since Buffy’s confrontation.

She sat on my couch with her hands on her knees. “Hope, is everything okay, beautiful?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I think I’m just a little freaked out right now. I mean, don’t get me wrong. In a way I’m glad she knows, but what are we going to do if she tells my dad? I can’t let you get kicked out of here. I would rather stop what we’re doing and have you here than have to lose you all together,” she explained.

“Baby, there’s no way in hell that I’m going to let you walk away.”

She looked up at me with those shining eyes.

“Hope, this isn’t some fling for me. If it was then I never would have told you about my past. You have to know how important you are to me,” I explained.

“I do know. Sometimes it’s just so hard hiding it. Why can’t everyone just understand that we care about each other?”

I knelt down in front of her and covered her hands with mine. “It’s just six months, Hope. We get to see each other every day and now we don’t even have to hide it from Buffy. This is a good thing. Besides, it was only a matter of time before she figured it out. Everything will be fine.” I leaned in and waited halfway for her to kiss me. She met me and pressed her lips against mine. “Don’t you want this? Do you still want me?”

“I get that you think I’m too young, but I know what I want. Yes, of course I want this. I want you.” She smiled and traced her fingernails over the skin of my arms. “I love you.”

Hearing her say it would never get old. Unfortunately, it only showed me that she was going to take risks to be with me. That could be so dangerous for our relationship. “Maybe we should slow down some. Things have gotten really intense between us. I don’t want you to get freaked out, but we’ve got to be more careful,” I explained.

Hope stood up and staggered past me. She held out her hand and led me into my bedroom. Once inside, I cupped my hands around her face and pulled her lips into mine. She backed away and lifted off her shirt. I did the same. She gave me a quick smile and removed her shorts, and I followed her lead.

“We need to talk about this, Hope. This isn’t going to solve anything.” I wanted her, but knew this didn’t resolve any of our problems. If anything, it made them worse.

Then Hope unhooked her bra.

I watched her breasts fall out from within the lacey fabric. She leaned down and removed her panties, before climbing on top of my bed. I removed my boxers and got under the covers after her. When I found that warm body, I nestled myself against it. I loved how she smelled like honey, and I couldn’t get enough of her smooth skin.

“We’re supposed to be getting my motorcycle,” I said in between kisses.

“I just need to be close to you for a little while. I feel weird, like something bad is going to happen.”

“Please don’t even talk like that. Everything is going to be fine.”

She made sure she was touching me. “Please just hold me. I need to be close to you. Pretend you never have to let go.”

I did as she requested, but after only a few minutes I realized being naked next to her made me want more. It was impossible to rationalize with myself when we were in this current predicament. “Hope, I don’t know how much longer I can lay naked next to you, and not get some. I’m so turned on right now it isn’t even funny,” I explained.

I felt Hope’s hand feeling around between my legs. Her head disappeared from on top of the covers, and then I felt her lips, right there, so warm and pleasant. Her hands began to explore around down there and just when things started getting good, I heard my front door opening. Hope froze in place and I actually had to grab her arms and pull her up to the top of the bed.

“Chance, it’s me. Mark just called. He’s on his way home. I’m not kidding about you and Hope. You two can’t be in here when he gets home.”

“OKAY!” I yelled.

Hope looked over at me. “Do you want me to finish?” She reached down under the covers with her hand.

I stopped her before she made it any worse. “Let’s just go and get my bike. We can finish this later.” It was a promise.

“All right,” she said as she leaned over and kissed me.

Hope and I got dressed and headed out to get my motorcycle. I met her in her car while she ran inside to get her purse and keys. When she climbed into the driver’s seat, she had a weird look her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing. I just feel like Buffy is the one acting funny now. She kept staring at me, like I was hiding a million dollars or something.”

“I think you’re just panicking. Everything will be okay. Please trust me.” I had to believe that we were going to be okay, because any other outcome would be terrible.

Hope started her car and we headed out of our long driveway. “I do trust you. You’ve never given me a reason not to,” she explained.

“I appreciate that.”