Taking Chances

“Uh, good morning.” It almost sounded like a question.

Bree glanced around Chase, her smile widening, “Morning doll! How'd you sleep?”

Chase barely cast a glance over his shoulder, saying nothing. That hurt.

“Pretty well, you?”

“Excellent.” She bit her lip and her face flushed.

“Ugh, seriously Bree? Save it until I'm gone at least.” Chase made a gagging noise and walked out.

My dream hadn't done his voice justice, at all. That was the first time I'd actually heard him say anything in weeks, and unfortunately it wasn't directed towards me. I watched him retreat down the hall then turned to start the coffee pot.

“So Harper, anything you want to share?” Bree asked suggestively.

I froze. Crap. He'd told her, how could he do that to me? And why did she sound so freaking happy? My voice shook, “What do you mean?”

“Hmm...let me see. You and Brandon were pretty cozy and he carried you away at seven last night, your lips completely locked the whole time. What do you mean 'what do I mean?'”

Oh thank God. I exhaled and the tension left my shoulders, “We were tired.”

“Oh come on! Don't even try to tell me you guys didn't finally do the bu

“The what?” I turned to face my friend and burst out laughing, “Brea

“That’s beside the point! Fess up!”

“Sorry Bree, we really didn't do anything.” I smiled and grabbed the now full pot.

“Still?!” Her head fell heavily into her hands, “Harper, how can you still be torturing that poor boy?”

“I'm just not ready yet, and he respects that. Unlike some people I know.” I looked pointedly at her, she just rolled her eyes.

“I have a feeling you just don't want to tell me about it. Keeping all the juicy details to yourself.” She hmphed and crossed her arms over her chest.

She had no idea how right, and yet how wrong she was.

“Well, I have a feeling you're going to continue to be disappointed for a while longer. I'm not ready to be with him like that, end of story. You'll be the first person to know when I finally decide to have sex with Brandon. I'll even give you the heads up before I tell him.”

“Promise?”

I had chosen my words carefully so I wouldn't be lying to her, “Promise.”

She sat there studying me as I poured creamer into the mug, “Maybe it's just because you don't know what to do!”

“So tell me, how's your sex life Bree?”

“Ohmygodamazing!”

I smiled and leaned against the counter. Yep, I was now a pro at getting the attention off myself. I listened to her not-so-private life until Brandon came into the kitchen to grab his cup of coffee as well.

“She talking about Konrad again? I swear she brings it up more than he does, and that's saying something.” He kissed the tip of my nose and moved so he was against the counter, my back against his chest. I wiggled into him more, trying to mold myself to his warm body that could have only been made for mine.

“To be fair, I brought it up, but I think she's trying to make up for our lack of a sex life.” I laughed lightly and turned to look at him.

“We'll get there when we're ready.” He shrugged, but I saw the hunger and longing in his face. We still had close calls, but hadn't brought it up again since that night in his Jeep. Torture was definitely a good word for what I was always doing to him.

Bree finally got onto a different subject a few minutes later when I was on my second cup of coffee, but I could barely focus on what she was saying anymore. I shook my head as if to clear it and leaned forward a little, hoping it would somehow help. It didn't. I swear it felt like I was in a Charlie Brown episode, but in slow motion. It now sounded like she was talking under water and I was confused when she started to get up from the table and walk towards me, her face alarmed. Why did she look so scared? I heard a muffled crash and something hit my leg, it stung but I couldn't look down at it, though I was definitely leaning forward enough to try. Brandon caught me just before my face hit the tile and I lost consciousness.

I heard people saying my name and figured I must be asleep again, I thought I'd opened my eyes to see who was in this dream, but I still could only see darkness. Suddenly, someone was yelling my name in my ear and my eyes shot open.

“Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened?!” Bree was right in my face and if I could have moved back, I would have.

Why was Brandon suddenly so uncomfortable? I mean, his body is hard as a rock, but it was a comfortable rock that I curled into practically every night. Not whatever this was behind me. I turned my head and my cheek met the cold tile. “Am I on the kitchen floor?”

Brandon came ru

“She's awake?” Brandon looked to Bree as he knelt down next to her.

“Yeah, just happened.” She replied.

I tried to sit up but my head was so heavy I barely got it two inches off the ground before I gave up, my head smacked against the tile, “Ow.”

“You need to stay down there sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

I looked at Brandon's hand reaching to cup my cheek, then back to Bree. “Did I fall asleep in here?”

Bree actually laughed and grabbed my hand. “Not quite. You passed out.”

“I did?”

“Yeah Harper, scared the crap out of us too.” She scolded me, but looked relieved.

Brad walked back into my line of sight, “Couch is ready, get her over there.”

I knew from experience any of these guys could lift me by themselves and carry me around, but for some reason all three decided to move me to the couch.

“I'm fine, you're all being ridiculous.”

“Sweetheart, you were out for –”

“I get that, but I'm fine now.” And I was. I felt like I could get off the couch and go make breakfast. Speaking of...my stomach growled as I thought of food. I pointed at my stomach and smiled at the four of them, “See, I'm fine.”

Brad was pressing on my leg, making me wince, Bree was watching his hand and Chase and Brandon were staring at me. Both clearly still worried.

“Uh, Brad? Could you ease up? You're hurting me.”

He smiled sheepishly and removed the bloody towel away from me.

“What the –”

“You dropped your mug and a big chunk sliced your leg pretty good.” Brandon filled me in as he pressed his lips lightly to my neck. “How are you really feeling? And don’t lie to me.” He whispered into my ear.

I looked up in time to see Chase hang his head and step away, slowly shaking it back and forth. One half of me yearned to go comfort him, and I tried not to let it show.

“I'm great, really. I feel like nothing happened.”

He seemed to consider that a moment before finally helping me sit up.

“See? Just fine.” My head swam and I felt nauseas for a second.

Brandon smiled and kissed me softly, “I'll go make you something to eat then, that's probably what it was. You didn't have di

“Or lunch.” Bree interjected and I blushed as Brandon scowled at me.

 “Bree?” He said.

“Yeah?”

“Can you go with her while she takes a shower? Just in case it happens again.”

“Sure, come on Harp, you look disgusting.”

I smiled at her, “I love you too Bree.”

I took a shower, without incident, and practically inhaled the eggs and toast Brandon made, even though it was enough for Bree and I put together. By the time we were finished, I'd already missed my only class of the day, so naturally Bree and I decided to go shopping. Brandon wasn't ecstatic, he was trying to keep me in bed, but once I had eaten, I felt better than I normally did so he reluctantly let me go. We'd barely gotten into the second shop when Bree put a hand on my arm and turned me towards her.

“Are you okay Harper?”