Hope's Chance(48)

I stood in her bathroom across the hall waiting. The anticipation was killing me and for a moment I figured she didn’t hear me go back into her room.



Hope



I couldn’t believe he didn’t remember last night. I was a fool to think someone sober would say that to me anyway. I heard Chance come in my room, but I didn’t want to talk to him. I wasn’t really mad, just disappointed. As I stood up to head into my bathroom something caught my eye.

A red apple sat on my dresser. Taped to it was a note.

I don’t remember what I said last night, but when I woke up this morning I knew I missed you.

I love you so much. Please don’t be mad. I can’t be without your smile for long. I miss you already.

I had to choke back the tears. I ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth, so that I could find him and kiss him right away. As I walked in I saw him leaning against the sink. My arms wrapped around him.

“Does this mean you forgive me?” He asked with his hands cupped around my face.

I nodded my head yes. He leaned down and kissed me.

“So much Hope.” He whispered in my ear, before leaving me alone to get myself cleaned up.

When I looked in the mirror I couldn’t believe he hadn’t changed his mind. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I managed to get a brush through my hair. I ran back into my room and put on some clothes I wore to run in and headed downstairs.

Chance was outside, skimming leaves out of the pool. I jumped when Buffy walked into the room. “Hey Hope, what are you doing?”

I grabbed my heart. “Buff you scared me. I was just...”

“Looking at my brother. Yeah I noticed.”

“Please don’t say anything.” I said in a panic.

She smiled and sat down. “Hope, I may be his sister but I am not blind. I know girls think he is attractive.”

“Where is my dad?” I asked trying to change the subject.

She was looking straight at me with her hands across her chest. “He had to meet with investors on the new building today. He won’t be home till late. So let’s get back to my brother. How long have you been seeing him?”

I choked on the glass of milk I was drinking. “What? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Oh really. Then do me a favor. Walk out there and hug him.”

“What? Buffy you are crazy. I couldn’t do that.” I pleaded with her.

“Sure you can. If it’s nothing I will see it for myself, but I am pretty sure I have things all figured out now. Come on Hope lets go.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door.

She pushed me ahead of her and watched as I walked over to Chance. He looked up and saw the tears in my eyes, but I couldn’t say a word. She would hear me. I wrapped my arms around him and at first he didn’t react, but as I pulled away I felt his arms around me. I knew that she knew. I pulled myself out of his arms and looked into his eyes. His look of concern was all I could see. “I am so sorry Chance.” I whispered.

“I think that both of you need to get your asses over here and explain some things to me right now.” She demanded.

Immediately Chance knew. He looked so hurt as we walked over to the picnic table.

She stood up and began pacing back and forth. “So how long has this been going on?” She asked.

“What are you talking about Buffy? What’s going on?” Chance asked.

“Don’t you dare do that little brother? I have known for weeks that you were different. I sat up at night wondering what could have changed in your life. You never go out and you don’t have any friends anymore. Then when I got back from my vacation, I went into the pool house and grabbed your laundry. I found a bra under your bed that was white lace and a bag of sandy bathing suits, one of them belonging to me.”

“So what. I took Hope to the beach. That doesn’t mean anything.” Chance explained.

“Did you hear me say I found the bra?”

I sat there shaking with my head in my hands.

“Yeah so what? I brought some chick home from the bar I told you that.” Chance said.

“That isn’t how I figured things out Chance. The other night I pretended to be asleep when we were watching movies. I saw you two so close and I know you were holding hands under the covers. Then last night I was in the kitchen and saw Hope getting you inside the house. I checked and your bike was nowhere to be found.”

“So what. We are friends Buffy. That is it.”

“Hope look at me.” Buffy ordered. “Are you and Chance just friends?”

I looked up at her and then over to Chance. He looked furious. “I said leave her alone Buffy.” Chance warned.

“Just one more question. Hope, how many times have you slept with my brother?”

Chance put his body in between mine and Buffy’s so that I couldn’t see her. “Leave her the f*ck alone!”

“Calm down. I just wanted you to admit it.” She sat back down across from me. When she looked at me she could see the tears in my eyes. “Did you guys really think you could hide this forever? If Mark finds out he is going to freak out.”

“Are you going to tell my father?” I finally asked.

“Of course not. He would kick Chances ass and make him move out.” She answered.