Hope's Chance(52)

“Yes, sorry. Here let me take that out for you.” I suggested.

I grabbed the tray of steaks and walked them out to the grilling station. My father was standing there waiting for me. “Thanks Sweetie.”

“Can I have a beer Dad?” I asked obnoxiously.

“No you can’t young lady!” He replied.

I rolled my eyes. The two *s were drinking and one of them was the same age as me.

I caught Trevor looking at me, before calling me to come over where he and his brother sat. “What have you been up to Hope?” He asked.

“Nothing much. Just hanging out here for the most part.” I said.

I saw Chance come out of the pool house. Our eyes caught for just a second and it was so hard not to smile. He gave me a quick wink before anyone noticed he was there.

Trevor wasn’t paying any attention to our new company. “Have you been to the beach lately? I could take you sometime if you wanted.”

“Actually, I just went last week. It was the best day of my life.” I said loud enough that Chance could hear.

He gave a half smile before I heard my father calling us all over from across the patio.

“Greg I would like you to meet Buffy’s little brother Chance.”

Chance extended his hand out to the old man. “Nice to meet you.” He said.

Trevor’s older brother jumped in. “Hey is your last name Avery?” He asked.

I could see Chance tense up. “Yes, it is.”

“I saw you play ball once. Man you are an awesome short stop. Where do you play now?” Michael asked.

Chances jaw clenched. “My mother died not too long ago and I decided to take some time off from everything.”

“Man you played like Ripken himself. I bet you could get picked up by a triple A team easy.” Michael announced.

“Thanks man. I haven’t played in a while though.” Chance admitted.

“My name is Michael by the way, but you can call me Mike.” He held out his hand and shook with Chance. “So are you going to school around here this fall?”

He glanced over at me for a second. “Actually, I was considering it.”

That is why he asked me. He wanted us to go together.

“You should check out Virginia Tech man, it is great there. I have some friends on the team and none of them can play like you.” He admitted.

“Maybe I will.” Chance replied.

I sat down in a chaise lounge about six foot away from the guys. They seemed consumed in their baseball talks and I started to relax knowing that Chance was being sociable.

I closed my eyes for a second and felt someone sit beside me. When I opened my eyes I was met with Trevor. His hair was lighter from being at the beach, but those lying blue eyes were exactly how I remembered them. “Hey sexy. So what were we talking about before?” He asked.

“I don’t remember!”

“Oh yeah, the beach. So who gave you the best time of your life?” He asked.

“None of your business Trevor. Did you forget that we weren’t together? Did you forget me telling you that you would never have any part of this again.” I waved my hands around my body.

“Oh I remember. It turned me on. “

I rolled my eyes. “Trevor please just leave me alone. We are not friends. We were never really friends.”

“I never asked you to be my friend Hope.” He admitted before walking toward the guys.

Buffy finally came outside with two margarita glasses in her hand. She handed me one and winked. My father noticed right away. “What are you doing giving her alcohol?”

“There isn’t alcohol in hers Mark.” She said.

I took a sip and knew right away that she was lying. The tequila burned going down my throat. Buffy grabbed me by the arm and led me to the pool. “Come on Hope, let’s get in and relax.”

I gave her a smile before realizing I was wearing the ugliest bathing suit. “Hey Buff, where is that suit that I borrowed for the beach?”

“It is still in the laundry room. Why?”

“I will be right back.” I announced.

Trevor was an ignorant bastard and he was never going to touch me ever again. He didn’t deserve me, or anyone for that matter, and I felt like rubbing it right in his face.





Chapter 30


Chance



I didn’t feel like talking to these rich guys about how easy they had it, but Buffy asked me to be nice. She also told me that Trevor was Hopes ex. I could read between the lines. I saw what Mark was trying to do and I didn’t appreciate it. That was his daughter and he thought he could get in good with the father if the kids got along.

I was surprised Buffy hadn’t caught on to that. She was usually really good about reading people.

I didn’t understand what Trevor had said to Hope, but after he walked away I noticed she was gone. Buffy was climbing into the pool so I walked over to talk to her. “Hey, where did Hope go?” I whispered.

“She um, you will see I guess, but Chance please remember to keep your cool tonight. I can’t have you losing your cool and costing Mark this deal.”

“You are scaring me Buff.”

“She is putting on a bathing suit.” She blurted out.

“What suit? Not the? Tell me it isn’t that one.” I asked, but my worst fears were confirmed when hope came back out of the house. She immediately started removing the cover-up to reveal the skimpy bikini she wore for me at the beach. Every single one of her perfect curves were accentuated. I wanted to run over and hide her.