Taking Chances

“Don't be sorry, you're here now, that's all that matters.”

He smiled and lightly pressed his lips to mine, cradling me against his chest. After a few minutes he finally spoke again, “Do you need more time alone, or can I take you back to the house?”

“You can take me back, if you promise me something first.”

“Anything.” He said without missing a beat.

I raised an eyebrow and smirked at him.

He nudged me playfully, “Anything reasonable.”

I huffed but winked so he knew I was kidding, “If something like this happens again, you need to tell me right away. My heart broke when I saw that, I don't want to go through that again.”

“Done. I didn't mean to break your heart.” He kissed me thoroughly before murmuring against my lips, “Anything else?”

“Yeah, I want it to just be you and me tonight.”

“It will be.”

“Like lock the door, stay wrapped up in each other’s arms and forget about everyone else kind of night. Do you think you can handle that?”

A sexy grin spread across his face, “I'm sure I can manage.”

5

“Bree, are you ready?”

“Freaking Konrad hid my bag.”

“Okay?” I drew out the word.

“He didn’t want me to be able to get dressed.”

I laughed, “Nice. Check in the washer or dryer.” I wasn’t surprised that she’d replaced Ryan with Konrad at some point last night.

Bree ran through the kitchen in only a thong. Good thing all the guys had gone surfing this morning. She came back holding her bag, her eyes narrowed, “You knew he put this there?”

“Was it really there?” I laughed louder and shook my head, “No I had no idea, but a few times the guys on base would do that if someone was in the shower. Take not only the clothes they had to put on, but all the other ones in their locker and hide them in the laundry room. I saw way too many butts that way.” I thought of Carter and pulled out my phone.

Me - ‘Miss you :(’

J. Carter - ‘;-)’

I waited to see if he’d say anything else, but he didn’t. I went back to putting the blankets and food in the car while Bree changed for the beach. Brandon had made good on his promise last night. When we got back from the dorm he’d taken me into his room, not saying anything to anyone. He turned both our phones off, locked the door and curled around me on the bed. I wanted to spend time talking to and kissing him, but I’d been so exhausted from crying, I’d fallen asleep soon after. We were woken up early this morning by Brad banging on the door so they could go surfing, and although Brandon started to tell him we were having time to ourselves, I’d kicked him out of the bed and told him to have fun. Bree and I decided to go down to the beach later to surprise them, figuring we could eat lunch and relax for a few hours. I’d made dozens of sandwiches, grabbed numerous large bags of chips and drinks and loaded them all into the coolers while Bree had been looking for her clothes.

We got to the beach and were glad to see the guys still out in the water. After setting up the blankets and towels, we sat down to watch them.

“So…Ryan?”

“Pfft, that guy was way too into himself. I need my guy to be more into me.”

“And did Konrad know he was your replacement last night?”

She shrugged, “Obviously he didn’t mind.”

“Obviously. Have you decided if you’re going to date him?”

“I think I am.” Bree smiled, Konrad had asked her to be his girlfriend, and she told him she’d think about it…while they were in the middle of having sex. I swear I didn’t get her. “I really think I like him Harper. I’m used to guys getting bored after we hook up, but he’s not like that. It’s like we just can’t stop going back to each other.”

“Then why are you making him wait?”

She rolled onto her stomach, facing away from the water, and I followed, “I don’t know. I mean I’ve had boyfriends before, but I just started college. I don’t know if I want to be tied down right away. I’d like to explore my options.”

I only sort of understood that, I hadn’t come to San Diego even looking for a guy, let alone a boyfriend. But there was no denying whatever was going on between Brandon and me. With him around, I couldn’t see myself not being with him. My phone chimed and I had to dig through the huge bags we’d brought things in to find it.

J. Carter - ‘Where are you?’

Me - ‘At the beach’

J. Carter - ‘Ditching classes then?’

Me - ‘I don’t have classes on Fridays. What are you up to?’

J. Carter - ‘What beach?’

I don’t know why that mattered to him, there were tons of beaches in the area. He wouldn’t know the difference.

Me - ‘It’s just a beach that’s literally all the way down the street from the school.’

“Why are you frowning?”

I looked up at Bree and put my phone away, “Carter’s been weird the last few days.”

“Weird how?”

“Well we usually talk every day. But we didn’t talk at all yesterday, and the three days before that he wouldn’t answer my calls, he would just text me back right after. And now he’s asking weird things. I don’t know, it’s just not like him.”

“And nothing’s going on there?”

“No…I told you that. I just don’t understand what’s going on with him.”

“Well maybe he has a girlfriend now.” Bree reasoned, “I’m sure it would bug her if he was always talking to you. Does Brandon know about him?”

“He knows of him, but I don’t think he knows how close we are. Or were.” I trailed off, I didn’t know moving here would mean losing his friendship.

“Does he know about Brandon?”

“Yeah, well he knew we went on a date. I haven’t talked to him much since then.”

“Well there you go!”

I looked at Bree confused, “There I go, what?”

She propped herself up on her elbows, “I bet he likes you, and now that you’re obviously interested in other guys, he’s pulling away from you.”

“Nice try.” I laughed and sat up to take my shirt off, leaving me in only my tiny shorts and bikini top. “I’ve told you, it wasn’t like that between me and Carter. He dated a lot of girls while I knew him. It just hurts that he’s being distant. I mean we went from seeing and talking to each other every day, to this. I feel like I lost my best friend.”

Bree looked at me like I wasn’t getting it.

“Would you ever date Brad?”

“God no!” She said a little disgusted, “He’s like a brother to me.”

“Exactly. Carter and I were exactly how you are with Brad.”

She flipped onto her back, “Oh…well then I don’t know what to tell you. Just ask him next time you talk.”

“Hey babe!”

I turned to look at Brandon and smiled, “Hi! We thought we’d hang out for the day.”

He grabbed one of the towels and bent down to kiss me, “Should I thank Bree for this one too?” He trailed a finger along the fabric of the top. I nodded and he kissed me again, pressing his wet body to mine. If it hadn’t been for the rest of the guys coming back and talking loud, I would have forgotten we weren’t alone in his bed.

“Brandon,” Konrad walked over to us, “come help me get the coolers out of Bree’s car.”

“Coolers?” Brandon looked at me, his head tilted to the side.

“I brought lots of food for you guys, figured you’d be hungry after surfing.”

He kissed me soundly before jumping to his feet, “You’re pretty perfect Harper.”

My heart beat wildly as I watched him walk toward the car. My phone rang when they were headed back.

“Carter!”

“How’s my girl?” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Well speak of the damn devil.” Bree muttered next to me.

“I’m good. I feel like we haven’t talked in a long time. Is everything okay?”

“It’s better than okay now.” He said mischievously.

“Really?” I smiled at Brandon as he sat down next to me. “And why is that?”