Taking Chances

“Harper, please move.”

“No.” I stood there with my hands still stretched toward both of them for another minute; when I felt confident he wouldn't charge Chase, I moved closer and rested my hands on Brandon's naked stomach. “He's not worth it.” I whispered.

The way he was breathing reminded me of a bull. “You have got to be kidding me! He –”

“I know,” I whispered so only he could hear, “I saw them Brandon. But please, don't do this right now.”

“Will someone tell us what's going on?” I didn't look to see who asked the question, I'm guessing one of the housemates.

I wrapped a hand around Brandon's neck and forced him to look at me. “We'll handle it, but not like this, okay?” I kissed him softly and looked back into his soft eyes. “Let me talk to him, I'll meet you in your room in a minute.”

His eyes flickered between me and Chase before he blew out a hard breath. “Not a chance.” Without waiting for a reply, he scooped me up in his arms and walked us back to his room. I wanted to remind him I was perfectly capable of walking myself, but I kept my mouth shut, “I'm sorry but I'm not leaving you near him without me.” He pressed his lips to mine fiercely and set me on the ground.

“I figured as much.”

“I know I'm probably pissing you off right now, but –” He glanced under the sleeve of his shirt on my body and sighed, “Why did you stop me?”

“I told you, he's not worth it.” I replied, “You guys live together, and if you got in a fight, I'm almost positive it wouldn't end with just you two. I don't want to be the cause of that fight Brandon.” I absolutely hated that I was worried about Chase. He was a big guy too, and I'm sure he wouldn't go down easily this time, but I didn't want him hurt and I had no doubt Brandon could do serious damage to him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled deeply again as he sat on the bed, “You have bruises Harper. Bruises. Why didn't you tell me he was holding you that tight?”

“I hadn't realized he was.” I lied.

Just then there was knock on the door and Chase stuck his head in. Brandon stood up with a huff but I kept a hand to his chest and hoped he got the hint. Thankfully he did, because Lord knows I wouldn't be able to actually stop him.

“Well you just woke everyone in the house, care to clue me in?”

I felt Brandon's chest rumble beneath my fingers, ugh these guys needed to calm down. “Chase,” I began calmly, “how drunk were you last night?”

“Not drunk enough to forget why my jaw hurts.” His eyes wouldn't leave Brandon, I could practically see the ways he was thinking of getting back at him.

“Well you deserved that one, you were being rude.”

He flung his arms out and finally looked at me, “I was just talking to you!”

Brandon brought my body to his and slowly raised the sleeves of the shirt over my shoulders, “This is just talking to her?!”

Chase's gaze dropped to my arms and his face paled as he took in the three distinct bruises. One on my left arm from the begi

“Oh God, Harper. I di– I.” He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his shaggy hair, “Harper I'm so sorry. I had no idea, I swear I didn't mean to hurt you.”

I had known, even when it happened, that Chase wouldn't physically hurt me on purpose. But there was no way to convince Brandon of that, and it looked like Chase was mentally beating himself up worse than Brandon could have with his fists. Despite Brandon's warning, he stepped up to me and placed his fingers on my left arm, lining them up with the biggest bruise.

“Harper,” Chase cleared his throat twice before continuing, “can I please talk to you alone?”

Brandon bristled behind me but slowly turned me so I was facing him. He kissed my neck, whispering in my ear, “I'll go get us something to eat. If he does anything, call me and I'll come right back okay?”

I nodded and watched as he put on a shirt and searched for his wallet and keys. Before he left he kissed me so passionately, I almost forgot Chase was there. I knew he'd done that on purpose by the smirk on his face. After one last silent warning to Chase, he was gone.

Chase waited ‘til we heard the front door close before saying anything. “Are you okay? God that's a stupid question, of course you're not.”

“No, I am. I'm fine.”

“How can you even say that?”

“Because I am!” Jeez, did these guys think I was that fragile? I mean, I know I'm small, but my dad is a Marine for crying out loud, I did daily drills and work outs with the guys in his unit. When they weren’t doing anything, they were constantly teaching me how to defend myself. “They don't hurt, I didn't even know they were there until Brandon saw them.”

“I just – I never meant to hurt you, I swear.”

The pain in his eyes was too much, he hadn't done this on purpose. Before I could think about what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pressed his face into mine. “I know you didn't Chase. It really is okay, you were drunk, and I was being stubborn.”

Groaning he leaned back far enough to look at me like I'd lost it, “Don't do that. Don't act like it's okay when it's not. You do this with everyone. And please don't make excuses for me. Yes I was drunk, and I don't always realize what I'm doing after I've been drinking, but that's no excuse Princess.” His voice wrapped around my nick-name lovingly, and though it threw me off for a second, I'd have to think about that later.

“Well maybe you shouldn't drink then.” I joked to lighten the mood.

“Maybe I shouldn't.” His eyebrows furrowed together, but he didn't look angry, just thoughtful. “Why him Harper?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why Brandon? You'd never been kissed, why'd you choose him to change that?”

It was weird to have him not making fun of me, I almost didn't know how to respond. “Why not Brandon?” I replied simply. He snorted a laugh but didn't say anything. “Why does that bother you so much Chase?”

“Because you deserve someone who realizes how amazing you are. You shouldn't have just let the first guy who gave you the time of day kiss you.”

“You're acting like I gave him everything and all we've done is kissed!” I unwrapped my arms and sat down on the bed. “And who are you to judge who I do and do not kiss?”

“Please don't. Don't give him everything.” He placed a hand on either side of my body and brought his face back to mine. “He doesn't deserve you Harper.”

My breath was coming faster, and though I knew I should lean away, I couldn't make myself actually do it. “And who does Chase...you?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

His eyes flashed before he closed them and hung his head. “No. I don't deserve you either. You need someone who will cherish you, protect you and take care of you. Someone that realizes they'd never be able to find another you in the world, no matter how hard they looked.” He looked back up into my eyes and we just stared at each other.

I was blown away, the emotion in his voice when he'd said that was unlike anything I'd ever heard. But we barely knew each other, there was no way he could think all this about me. He moved until his lips were hovering just above mine, and I thought my heart would stop.

“Chase...”

His voice was husky, and I could feel his breath against my lips. That alone was enough to make my eyelids flutter shut and my mouth open slightly. “That first night, I did realize I would never meet another girl like you. But you deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can't Harper.”