Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(11)
Author: Molly McAdams

I stood up and tried to shake all feelings for Chase away before going to the bathroom to freshen up for when Brandon returned. When I walked back into his room he was sitting there with an iced coffee and blueberry muffin. I grinned and practically bounced over to kiss him. His stone face broke into a brilliant smile right before he caught me and lifted me off the carpet. That boy seriously liked picking me up.

“Did everything go okay?”

“Yep, he was really nice. Just apologized profusely, said it wouldn’t happen again.” I’d already decided what to tell him when I was in the bathroom.

“It better not.” He grumbled into my hair and set me back down.

I laughed and turned to my coffee, “Thank you for this.”

“You’re welcome. It’s not much, but I was kind of hoping I could take you out tonight.”

I almost choked, “Out? Like a date?”

He chuckled and grabbed my hand pulling me towards the bed, “Yes a date. I know it’s cliché, but how does dinner and a movie sound?”

“Sounds perfect!” I said a little too enthused. I slapped my hand over my mouth and turned beet red. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled into my hand, “I’ve never been on a date.”

He smiled and brushed the hair out of my face, “What was yesterday then?”

“What, at Starbucks? I thought we were just hanging out.”

“God you’re adorable.” He kissed my forehead then lay back on his pillows. “Okay, well tonight is a date.”

I bit my lip and tried to avoid bouncing up and down. I was way too excited for just a date. “When do you want to go?”

“It’s almost two, we can leave at six if that’s okay.”

“Four hours? I gotta go then!” I leaned over and kissed him chastely before running out of the room to find Bree.

Bree was so excited for me that she left Konrad in bed to go with me to get our nails done. I’d have to apologize to him later, but I was glad she was such a good friend. I don’t know why I was nervous, but I had butterflies in my stomach as I thought about tonight. She continued to tell me not to worry since I no longer had to worry about whether or not I should kiss him on the first date, to which she got a swift elbow in her ribs. Her only real advice was to not make out in the movie theater because it was annoying and unnecessary and I would most likely be sleeping in his bed again since she planned to do more than sleep with Konrad. I thought it was bad that I was already so comfortable kissing Brandon after just a day, but when she talked like that, all I could do was shake my head. At least I wasn’t like that. I doubted I would ever be so comfortable with sex. We stopped by the dorm to get an outfit Bree thought would be perfect for the night, before heading back to the house so I could shower. I was almost done shaving when I heard the door open.

“Uh…Bree?”

I heard the toilet seat close and someone sit down on it. “Nope, just me.”

“Chase! What the heck are you doing in here?” I tried to cover different body parts, but my chest alone needed two arms to cover everything, so it wasn’t working out too well.

“Calm down Princess, I won’t peek.”

“I could’ve sworn I locked that door.”

“You do realize how easy it is to unlock my bathroom door when I have the key right?”

“Can you please leave so I can get out of here?” I whined as I shut off the water. A towel was thrust through the side of the curtain and I gladly wrapped myself in it, but still didn’t open the only thing separating us.

“Answer one thing first, and I’ll leave.” He waited for my reply, but went on when he didn’t receive any, “Are you going out with him tonight?”

“Yes Chase, I am.”

“Is that what you want to do, or are you trying to get back at me for telling you not to?”

“I thought I only had to answer one question?”

“Harper.” He deadpanned.

“Ugh, no I’m not doing it to get back at you. Yes, I really want to go out with Brandon tonight. And if he asks me out again after tonight, I’m telling you right now I will say yes. I don’t see why I shouldn’t go out with him, and since you clearly don’t want me, I don’t think you’re allowed to have a say in the matter.

He flung the curtain open and I jumped back, almost slipping in the tub. “I didn’t say I don’t want you. I said I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s practically the same thing.” I glowered at him, “We both know how you are Chase, you screw every female you come in contact with. I don’t want to be just another girl to someone, and when it comes to Brandon, I won’t be.” I waited for a response from him, but didn’t receive any. “If you can convince me right now, that I have a reason to not be with him, then start talking. Otherwise, you and your confusing words need to stop.”

“As long as he is what you want, I’ll stop bothering you.” He reached out to brush his fingers across the main bruise and I watched as his eyes clouded over.

Like that wasn’t confusing.

He leaned in to press his lips to the finger marks, then on my left shoulder and finally my right. Chase’s eyes were dark by the time he looked back into my eyes. “I’m so sorry Harper.” he whispered and leaned in close to kiss the corner of my mouth.

My knees started shaking but I somehow managed to stay standing.

“Get my number from Bree, I have to go into work tonight but if anything happens, call me and I’ll be there.”

I just nodded and watched him walk out. I didn’t even know he had a job, but I was positive I wouldn’t be calling him tonight. Nothing good would come of it if I did. If my heart was already twisting from what just happened, he would surely break it when I saw him with his next girl. I couldn’t let myself get any closer to him. No matter how much I wished he was different, he wasn’t, and he would probably never change. I needed to stop thinking about him and focus on my date with Brandon. I dried my hair and curled the ends before doing my make-up with Bree. She said we had to pick carefully because my green shirt was being used to bring out the red highlights in my hair, and we didn’t want to take away from that. Whatever that meant. She settled for a neutral goldish color and thankfully let me do my eyeliner and mascara. I wasn’t too keen to have someone else putting pointy objects near my eyes. My phone chimed and I reached for it, smiling when I saw who it was from.

J. Carter – ‘Blaze! How’s California?’

Me – ‘AHHHmazing. When are you going to come visit? ;)’

J. Carter – ‘Soon as I get the okay.’

Me – ‘Promise?!’

J. Carter – ‘Of course. What’s my girl up to?’

Me – ‘I met someone and he’s taking me on our first date tonight!’

J. Carter – ‘Uh…really?’

Me – ‘Yes, really. What, am I not dateable?’

J. Carter – ‘Never said that…just wasn’t expecting you to meet someone, or date or anything like that.’

Me – ‘You could at least be excited for me.’

J. Carter – ‘I am. Call me later. Miss you’

Me – ‘Miss you too.’

“Let me guess…Jason?”

I looked up at Bree, “Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Every time he calls or texts you, you stop paying attention to anyone else.”

“Well I don’t get to talk to him often.” I shrugged.

“Uh huh. Does Brandon have some competition?”

“What? No way. Carter’s my best friend. There’s never been anything like that between us.”

Bree just raised a blonde brow at me and turned me toward the mirror.

I was dressed in a green shirt that was loose at the top but form fitting where it rested on my hips, faded jeans with the bottoms rolled up to my calves and flip flops. After getting Bree’s approval of my appearance, I left the room to find Brandon.

“You look gorgeous Harper.” He breathed when I walked into the living room.

“Not so bad yourself.” I winked. That was a lie, he looked downright delicious. He had on a pair of reefs, dark tan cargo shorts and a black button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to his tan, muscled forearms.

He led me outside and I laughed when I saw the top had been put back on, “I don’t feel like fighting guys off you tonight.” He kissed me once and helped me into the Jeep. I wasn’t complaining, I’d actually done something with my hair today, I didn’t want it messed up.

Bree had been right, I shouldn’t have been nervous about the date. We’d had so much fun laughing and getting to know each other during dinner, and the movie was hilarious. As promised, we didn’t make out in the theater, but the few tender kisses he’d stolen throughout the night left me wanting more, and honestly I couldn’t wait to get back to the house. Chase was long forgotten by the time we were on our way back. We walked into a party much like the first one I’d been to, and I stifled a groan. Hopefully this one didn’t end the same as the others. Brandon squeezed my hand reassuringly as we made our way to the kitchen. I was whisked away by Bree to get the play by play of the date, and though she’d told me to keep it clean, she was frowning with my lack of juicy details.

“Uh, who’s that?” She pointed over my shoulder and I turned and searched through the sea of people. It didn’t take long for my eyes to land on a leggy blonde hanging off Brandon. I smiled when I saw him repeatedly take her hands off him.

I looked back to my friend, “Well what do you say we go find out?”

When we got close enough, I could hear her whiny voice, she was obviously intoxicated. “But Brandon I’ve missed youuu.” She pouted at him and tried to run a finger down his chest, but he caught it and once again put her hand by her side. “We’re so good together, remember? I’m sorry about this summer honey but I want you back.”

Even with him pushing her away, I was starting to get insanely jealous over this girl who was most likely his latest ex. “Kendra, seriously you need to stop. We’re done.”

“Come on Brandon, I know you miss me too. Let’s just pretend the last few months didn’t happen.” She leaned in to try to plant a kiss on his neck but he pushed her back and held her away at arm’s length.

No wonder Brandon tried to beat the crap out of Chase. I wanted to punch this girl and she was falling over drunk. I decided it was my time to cut in, and yes I was going to lay it on thick. “Hey baby.” I purred as I stepped in between the two and pulled his face down so I could cover his lips with mine. Letting my tongue trail across his bottom lip, I whispered loud enough so Kendra could still hear. “I have something for you in your room.” I said suggestively.

He grabbed behind my knees and lifted me into his arms as he walked me towards his room. I caught a glimpse of the girl one more time, and couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. Game over bitch. I win.

“Tease.” Brandon whispered in my ear, “But you are adorable when you’re jealous.”

“Well I wasn’t going to let her keep touching you. That’s my job.”

He grinned and pressed two loud kisses to my cheek before locking his door and setting me on the ground. He threw a pair of boxers at me and I held them up confused.

“Unless you want to fight your way to Chase’s room, that’s all I have for you.”