Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(34)
“Then why are you making him wait?”
She rolled onto her stomach, facing away from the water, and I followed, “I don’t know. I mean I’ve had boyfriends before, but I just started college. I don’t know if I want to be tied down right away. I’d like to explore my options.”
I only sort of understood that, I hadn’t come to San Diego even looking for a guy, let alone a boyfriend. But there was no denying whatever was going on between Brandon and me. With him around, I couldn’t see myself not being with him. My phone chimed and I had to dig through the huge bags we’d brought things in to find it.
J. Carter - ‘Where are you?’
Me - ‘At the beach’
J. Carter - ‘Ditching classes then?’
Me - ‘I don’t have classes on Fridays. What are you up to?’
J. Carter - ‘What beach?’
I don’t know why that mattered to him, there were tons of beaches in the area. He wouldn’t know the difference.
Me - ‘It’s just a beach that’s literally all the way down the street from the school.’
“Why are you frowning?”
I looked up at Bree and put my phone away, “Carter’s been weird the last few days.”
“Weird how?”
“Well we usually talk every day. But we didn’t talk at all yesterday, and the three days before that he wouldn’t answer my calls, he would just text me back right after. And now he’s asking weird things. I don’t know, it’s just not like him.”
“And nothing’s going on there?”
“No…I told you that. I just don’t understand what’s going on with him.”
“Well maybe he has a girlfriend now.” Bree reasoned, “I’m sure it would bug her if he was always talking to you. Does Brandon know about him?”
“He knows of him, but I don’t think he knows how close we are. Or were.” I trailed off, I didn’t know moving here would mean losing his friendship.
“Does he know about Brandon?”
“Yeah, well he knew we went on a date. I haven’t talked to him much since then.”
“Well there you go!”
I looked at Bree confused, “There I go, what?”
She propped herself up on her elbows, “I bet he likes you, and now that you’re obviously interested in other guys, he’s pulling away from you.”
“Nice try.” I laughed and sat up to take my shirt off, leaving me in only my tiny shorts and bikini top. “I’ve told you, it wasn’t like that between me and Carter. He dated a lot of girls while I knew him. It just hurts that he’s being distant. I mean we went from seeing and talking to each other every day, to this. I feel like I lost my best friend.”
Bree looked at me like I wasn’t getting it.
“Would you ever date Brad?”
“God no!” She said a little disgusted, “He’s like a brother to me.”
“Exactly. Carter and I were exactly how you are with Brad.”
She flipped onto her back, “Oh…well then I don’t know what to tell you. Just ask him next time you talk.”
“Hey babe!”
I turned to look at Brandon and smiled, “Hi! We thought we’d hang out for the day.”
He grabbed one of the towels and bent down to kiss me, “Should I thank Bree for this one too?” He trailed a finger along the fabric of the top. I nodded and he kissed me again, pressing his wet body to mine. If it hadn’t been for the rest of the guys coming back and talking loud, I would have forgotten we weren’t alone in his bed.
“Brandon,” Konrad walked over to us, “come help me get the coolers out of Bree’s car.”
“Coolers?” Brandon looked at me, his head tilted to the side.
“I brought lots of food for you guys, figured you’d be hungry after surfing.”
He kissed me soundly before jumping to his feet, “You’re pretty perfect Harper.”
My heart beat wildly as I watched him walk toward the car. My phone rang when they were headed back.
“Carter!”
“How’s my girl?” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Well speak of the damn devil.” Bree muttered next to me.
“I’m good. I feel like we haven’t talked in a long time. Is everything okay?”
“It’s better than okay now.” He said mischievously.
“Really?” I smiled at Brandon as he sat down next to me. “And why is that?”
“I’m at the beach with some of the guys.”
I really had to focus on what he was saying, I was currently getting lost in Brandon’s brown eyes, “The beach huh? Glad you guys got out early for the weekend. Tell them I said hi.”
“I don’t think you know these guys, but I’ll be sure to pass along the message. So how’s your beach?”
I bit my lip as I looked at Brandon, “Amazing. Yours?”
“It’s got the best view. You know, I bet if I yelled loud enough, you could hear me from here.”
I laughed, “You’re so dumb.”
“No really…put down the phone and I’ll yell. You can tell me if you hear me or not.” He waited a few seconds, “Come on Harper, I said put the phone down.”