Hope's Chance(44)

“I am going to finish watching the movies I got and then return them. I think that Mark had invited some people over to discuss business. Do you think you can find somewhere else to eat tonight? Maybe like at your new love interests or something?” Buffy asked.

“You are fishing for something that doesn’t exist Buff.” I tried to explain.

“Chance, you are my brother and I love you, but I know you are seeing someone. You have had this spark in your eye ever since that morning I found you sleeping naked.” Buffy announced.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re crazy Buff.”

She stopped her stretching and walked over to face me. Her hands were on her hips and she squinted her eyes like she was trying to read my mind. “No, I’m not, but you are if you think you can hid her from me for much longer. What is the big deal? Is she ugly or something?”

I turned and started walking away from her. “I don’t have time for this Buff.”

“Being that I am kind of your boss, I would say you can have all the time in the world. Now tell me the truth. When have you ever kept a relationship from me? Is she married or something?” She just kept pushing.

“Jesus Christ Buffy, please stop it already.” I looked directly into her eyes. “It was a one time thing okay?”

I was an idiot.

“Why couldn’t you just tell me then?” She asked.

“Because there was nothing to tell. I picked someone up at a bar and took her home with me. We had a great time and then she left. That is it.” I explained.

“Was it the woman who went missing?” Buffy asked.

“Hell no! I never even saw that woman. From her picture in the paper she looked like she was over forty. Why would I take someone that old home with me Buffy? Please say you believe me.”

She grabbed my arm and pulled me to sit down next to her. “I always believe you Chance, but I also know that you have been acting different. All of the sudden you seem…I don’t know, like happier. I just don’t understand how a one night stand could result in that.”

I looked her directly in the eye. “I will find someplace to eat tonight, and when I get home I will stay in the pool house. It really isn’t a big deal.”

I got up and walked away from Buffy, but my nerves were now shot. I went inside and changed my clothes. Then I jumped on my bike and headed to the nearest bar that was open at eleven am on a Tuesday.

The bar was empty and it was just how I wanted it to be. I pulled out my license and slid it across the bar before ordering my first beer.

“Bad day kid?” The male bartender asked.

“Bad life.” I answered back while I handed him cash for the beer.

A female voice said something right before slipping beside me. “Did you hear me?” She asked.

“No. Sorry.”

“I said my name is Chelsea.” She replied.

“Chance, my name is Chance.” I blurted out.

The woman twisted a straw around in her mixed drink while she looked at me from top to bottom. “I’d love to take a CHANCE with you.” She confessed.

I swallowed hard. “No you really wouldn’t.”

“I beg to differ. In fact I am sure that you and I could find something better to do than sit here at a bar all day drowning our sorrows. What do you think?” She offered.

I gave her a half smile. She was built nice and had long blonde hair. She was wearing short jean shorts and a shirt that tied at the bottom, exposing her navel. She pulled a piece of ice out of her glass and ran it over her lips before putting it in her mouth.

“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t.” I admitted.

“You don’t want to, or you can’t? Because in my book they are two different things.” She asked as she placed her hand on my thigh.

I grabbed her hand and removed it from my leg. “I’m gay.” I blurted out.

“Well that is just a cryin shame.” She retorted.

“Guess we have to just hang out here.” I said, even though I wanted to bust out laughing. I couldn’t believe I had said it. I also couldn’t believe I was passing up on a no strings attached sex fest with this chick, but I was. She may have been very attractive, but she couldn’t even compare to Hope. There was no use even trying to make my feelings for her go away. It wasn’t going to happen, and I wasn’t about to be THAT GUY, who sleeps with one person to get rid of another.

For the rest of the afternoon I planned on sitting at this bar, alone.





Chapter 25


Hope



After noticing the large For Sale sign in the yard, I approached the front door to my grandparent’s house and took a deep breath. I was so afraid to face my mother and break her heart. It may have been the hardest thing that I ever had to do. I stood my ground and pushed open the door.

“In here honey.” My mother called out from the kitchen.

I walked toward the back of the house to find my mother doing the dishes. When I noticed how many were in the drainer I had to ask. “Was someone else here?”

“What do you mean honey?”

Realizing I couldn’t be this way when it was obvious I had my own agenda I brushed it off. “Nothing, never mind.” I said as I walked over and gave her a big hug.

“You look so beautiful Hope. Have you done something different with yourself? You are just glowing.” My mother noticed.