Taking Chances

I hated that I knew Chase was looking at me, or where he was in the room. Why does my skin have to tingle over a guy like him? It's not that I didn't want it to, because to be honest, he's all I could think about the last two weeks. But I've already heard all about his one-night-stand reputation from people at school, and from the stories his sister told me, I shouldn't even want to be with someone like him. He was with different women all the time, I knew what happened in the café was completely normal and Bree said he hadn't been in a relationship for four years because it “just isn't his thing”. Apparently girls felt privileged to have been with him at all, I would hate to be anyone's one nighter. He walked over to the couch and I tried to still my heart when he lifted up my legs and sat down, putting them back on his lap. No need to let him know how being near to him had me coming undone.

“So I see my sister is already influencing you poorly.”

Not like I expected a deep meaningful conversation, but I hadn't been expecting that. “Do I even want to know what you're talking about?”

“This.” He leaned over to touch just above my lips. Damn the stupid shivers that course through my body when he touches me.

“What, you don't like it?”

“I never said that, it's hot as hell.” He let his fingers trail across my jaw before sitting up with a smirk, “But I'm disappointed you'd let her start talking you into stuff already. Figured you weren't one to give in to people like that.”

My mouth dropped and I pulled my knees up to my chest so I was no longer touching him. “Not that it's your business, but I was the one who wanted them and brought it up. I didn't know at that time that she would want to get them too, and I certainly wouldn't let someone talk me into something like that. Glad to know you think so highly of me.” With that I left for his room only to find it locked. I didn't want to go back in there and face him, but I didn't want to stand here like an idiot either. I heard his phone ring and listened to his voice retreat as he went outside before deciding to go back to the couch. I had barely sat down when he was next to me, arm extended with phone in hand.

“It's for you.” His mouth was set in a firm line and I noticed his jaw tick from the pressure.

“He-hello?”

“Sorry to have to go through Chase, but I wanted to talk to you.”

I glanced back at the phone and saw Brandon's name, smiling I brought it back to my ear and relaxed into the cushions. “I don't mind, what's up?”

“I have a few hours before my last class, would you like to grab a coffee with me before?”

I wanted to say something along the lines of Yes, please! I want nothing more than to sit there and look at your smile for the next couple hours! Instead, I kept it simple. “I'd like that. Did you want me to meet you somewhere...?” Does he know I don't have a car?

“I'm on my way to the house, I'll be there in five.”

“See you.” I smiled and handed the phone back to a stone-faced Chase. I ran back to his door and pounded on it so Bree would unlock it.

“Brandon's coming to pick me up for coffee!” I all but squealed.

“I'll call you back!” She pressed end and pointed at me, “I knew it!”

“You knew he was going to call?”

“No, I knew you liked him!”

I scoffed. “Bree, I don't even know him.”

“But you want to?”

“Uh, did you not see him?” He was ridiculously attractive, and had that rugged look that made me quiver. “And oh my goodness that smile.”

“Oh sweetie, you are so falling for him already.”

“Crap, Bree I'm nervous. I don't know how to talk to guys.”

“You talk to Chase and the other guys just fine...?”

“Yeah, but that's because they're more a

“Just try to see him like the rest of them, they all love you, and I'm pretty sure he's already completely taken with you; so you have nothing to worry about!”

“If you say so. Do I look okay?”

“Yeah you do! I meant to say something at lunch, you look stu

I laughed at the fact that just this morning I'd been dressing for Chase, and now here I am getting excited about going to coffee with Brandon. And by excited, I mean frantically nervous.

“What's fu

Oops. “Nothing.”

She wasn't buying it.

“It's just no one's ever asked me to go anywhere with them,” I lied, “and I'm getting all excited over coffee. I feel stupid that I'm eighteen and I still haven't been asked on a date.”

“Well I have a feeling that isn't going to be true much longer.” Just then we heard Brandon calling for me. “See you when you get back!”

I took a deep breath before leaving the room to meet up with him. Heat zinged across my cheeks when he smiled at me. Did everyone here have to have an absolutely perfect smile and teeth? Thankfully, I'd inherited my mom's teeth, they naturally looked like I'd had braces for years.

“You ready?”

I nodded and ducked my head in an attempt to hide my blush. Unfortunately, I'd also inherited that from her. I followed him out and jumped into the passenger side of his black Jeep that looked perfect for off-roading. There wasn't much of an opportunity for talking, unless I wanted a mouthful of hair, so I sat quietly until we pulled into a parking lot. I grabbed the door handle but stopped when his hand touched mine.

“Wait.” He said with a smirk before jumping out and jogging to my side and opening my door.

Dangerous-model-looking god and a gentleman? I raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Well thank you.”

“Of course.” He tucked my hair behind my ear and a slow smile spread across his face as he took it all in. “Maybe I should put the top back on.”

My face fell and my eyes grew wide.

“Oh! No, I didn't mean it in a bad way. Far from it, I swear.”

I was suddenly fascinated with the pavement.

He put his hand under my chin until I looked at him again. “Harper, I'm sorry for the way that came out. You're already the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but I swear the way your hair looks right now…” he trailed and his eyes heated, “I'm go

He said I was beautiful. My smile grew wide and I put the rubber band I’d been digging out of my purse back in, “I doubt that, but thanks.”

Brandon just shook his head and led me towards the doors with a hand behind me. I wanted him to touch my back with his big hands, to feel their warmth on me. But he never closed the distance, just guided me. We got our drinks and went back outside to sit on the patio before we said anything else. It was nice that he didn't feel the need to fill the silence, plus it gave me some time to calm my nerves.

“So tell me about yourself.” He began.

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything.” One corner of his mouth turned up, his dimple barely showing.

I shrugged, “There's not much to tell, my life has been incredibly boring.”

He laughed softly before continuing, “Okay fine, family?”

“I grew up with my dad, no siblings. Was home-schooled my whole life, I think just so he could keep an eye on me.”

“Wait, you were home-schooled?”

“Yes...?”

“I'm sorry, you're just not what I'd pictured a home-schooler to look like.”

I laughed. I wonder if he saw how I looked when I showed up a couple weeks ago, he would still think that. “I guess I'll take that as a compliment?”

His warm eyes and smile confirmed that I should. “Where was your mom?”

“She died giving birth to me.” I was expecting him to get awkward and start apologizing profusely, instead his eyes were soft and his mouth barely tipped up in a smile.

“My dad's gone too. He was on one of the planes that crashed into the twin towers.”

My heart sunk. I never understood why people felt sorry for me. Yes it hurt knowing I'd never meet my mom, but I hadn't had the chance to lose her. She was already gone. But this? I would never understand Brandon's hurt, and I didn't know how to try, but I wanted to take it away. What I did know, was that he didn't need my condolences right now, so I reached my hand across the table and rested it on top of his. He made slow circles on my thumb causing my entire hand to heat up.