Stealing Harper (Taking Chances #1.5)(81)

He let me pass and I made my way back outside, to where most of the activities happening didn’t make me want to shut my eyes and turn away. Bree said we’d be here all night, and I know it’s childish, but all I want to do is hide out. I found a couple chairs in a dark corner of the backyard and plopped into one. It’s obvious I’m not going to be a fan of parties. I pulled out my phone and texted Carter.

Me: So . . . I don’t understand why you guys get so excited about parties

J. Carter: You at one?

Me: Yep.

J. Carter: Are you drinking?

Me: A little.

J. Carter: . . . please be careful. I know better than anyone that you can take care of yourself. But you’ve never had alcohol before. Don’t let anyone hand you an open drink, and don’t set yours down ever.

Me: Okay Mom.

J. Carter: I’m serious Blaze. Be careful.

I smiled at his nickname for me. I was known for blushing.

Me: I will. Miss you already.

J. Carter: Same here. No one left this weekend, we’re all too upset knowing you’re gone.

Me: I doubt that. You’re probably on a date right now, already forgetting about me.

We texted for hours and I realized the party had thinned out immensely by the time Breanna found me.

“Harper! What are you doing out here by yourself? I’ve been looking for you forever.”

“Sorry, guess I’m not as good at this as you.”

Huffing, she fell into the chair next to me. “You’ll get used to it, once you know more people you’ll have fun. Did you talk to anybody?”

I shook my head, “After I left you I only saw Drew and some other guy.”

“There were a lot of guys here, you’re saying you only saw two in the last few hours?”

“Not that, he just . . . stood out I guess.” Not only because he’d given me a nickname I’d lived with and hated my entire life, but he is easily the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen. He had that bad boy model look going for him, and unfortunately he knew it.

“Really? And who is this mystery guy?”

“Apparently he isn’t really a mystery.” I laughed, “I saw him with three different women in like thirty minutes. He was kind of a jerk too.” Not exactly, but I didn’t like his entitled attitude.

“Sounds like my kind of man!”

I looked over at her, shocked.

“Kidding Harper! Kidding, oh my God you are too fun to mess with. Well, not to say I didn’t have my hands all over a few guys myself, but at least that was over the course of four hours.” She laughed and stood up, offering me a hand. “Come on, practically everyone’s already gone.”

“Are we going back to the dorms?”

“No way, crazy! I never drive if I’ve had anything to drink within the last three hours. It’s a rule.”

“Sooo . . . where are we going then?”

“Well first we’re gonna find my brother, and then we’ll crash in his room.”

“What? No! I’m not sleeping in his room.”

“Chill Harp, it’ll just be you and me in there. I always get his room after these parties.” She pulled me across the lawn toward the back door.

I groaned and tried to keep up, almost losing my flip flops on the way.

“YYYEEEAAAH, Bree and fresh meat are sleeping over tonight!” Breanna bounced over to where Drew and another guy I didn’t recognize were pouring shots and grinning while staring at my chest.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the princess.”

My body tensed and I frowned when I saw him approaching. Narrowing my eyes, I plastered on a fake smile. “I almost didn’t recognize you without a tramp attached to you.”

Drew and the other guy snickered.

Leaning into my ear he harshly whispered, “Would you like to change that? I’m not up to my limit tonight yet.”

Gah, why did he have to be so hot? My body was practically humming with how close he was. I leaned away and replied with the most innocent expression on my face, “Oh I’m sorry, but I don’t have any STDs, I’m not your type.”

Drew started choking and Breanna spit her next shot all over the counter. Sputtering and choking, she finally composed herself enough to chime in, “Chase, you better stay away from my roommate. I told the guys she’s off limits.”

I tore my eyes away from his to look at Bree, “You know him?”

Everyone started laughing except for the guy standing next to me. His eyebrows were raised and his perfect mouth was slightly open. I guess women don’t turn him down often.

“Well I’d like to think so, he is my brother.”

Oh. Crap. Heat instantly spread to my cheeks and I took a step away from him. Now that I’d been informed, I realized I should have known it. They had the same blond hair, blue eyes and killer smile.

“Wait, Harper is this the guy you said was a jerk?”

My eyes widened and I looked at the ground.

“You said I’m a jerk?” Chase laughed and turned to the bar, “She’s the one that just practically called me a dirty man-whore.”

“Don’t be rude to my friends Chase!” Breanna took another shot then punched his arm, I doubt he felt it though.

Without saying anything else I went back outside to my chair in the dark corner of the yard, and stayed there until the music was turned off. As a rule, I don’t let guys push me around, but I felt horrible that I’d said that to my new roommate’s brother. Not to mention we were currently at his house and about to stay in his room. I planted my face in my hands, elbows on my knees and groaned at myself. I should have just kept my mouth shut. As if he knew I was thinking about him, Chase fell into the seat next to me. I removed a hand and looked into his dark blue eyes.