Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(59)

9


“So Chase isn't here again.”

“I know, Mom and Dad have to be getting annoyed with him. He's missed the last few family days.”

He has missed five, not like I was counting or anything. I haven't seen him once since over a week ago when I passed out, and other than that I'd only caught a glimpse of him three times since our goodbye one month and two days ago. I know, I'm pathetic. “Maybe I shouldn't come to family day Bree. I might be the reason he doesn't come around anymore.”

That made her finally look up from her laptop, “Why would you say that?”

“I don't know, maybe he doesn't like that I'm intruding on family time.” My heart ached for him, and I wish it didn't. I wanted to marry Brandon, it finally hit me two weeks ago and I'd never been more sure of anything in my life; so the fact that Chase still had a hold on me at all frustrated me to no end. Since the night Brandon had come back from Arizona, I'd never once regretted my choice in choosing him. I don't know how to explain it, but when I thought about my future, he's the only man I ever saw. But I needed to say good bye to Chase for good, I just didn’t know how to do that yet.

“You're not intruding,” She huffed a laugh and went back to some video she was watching, “I swear you fit in this family better than he does. I wish I had another brother, I'd make you marry him so you could be my sister.”

I choked on the chip I'd just put in my mouth and walked out of the pantry to gulp down some water. When I got it dislodged from my throat, I hopped onto a barstool and dug into the bag again.

“You're eating again Harper?”

I paused for a second, then shoved the handful of chips in my mouth. “Yeah?”

“You just ate two burgers not even thirty minutes ago.” Bree was looking at the bag with disgust. “I've never even see you finish one.”

“I know,” I sighed and rolled up the chip bag, “I'm just so freaking hungry these last two days, I think I'm going to start soon.”

“No you're not,” She said sure of herself, “We still have a little over a week.” Bree and I were together so much, we had synchronized. And trust me it wasn't a fun week for anyone.

“You sure?” I swear I felt like it had been forever since I had one.

“Mhmm.” She burst into laughter and started clicking on the video again, “Oh my God Harper, come watch this.”

I stood next to her but didn't register what we were watching, I was too busy trying to remember when my last one had been. Bree had to be wrong, because I don't remember having our monthly chocolate and romance comedy fest lately. I hated them and she never let me get out of that, but when was the last time we'd had one? I had to go find my phone, I had a calendar on there where I tracked my periods. I unconsciously started eating the chips again thinking about times when I avoided anything other than chaste kisses with Brandon. It didn't hurt his feelings, he knew what was going on when I got in those moods.

“Well look who decided to join the party. Mom and Dad are already asleep.”

I slowly turned to look down at Bree, was she talking to me? She had paused the video and was leaning back in the chair, arms folded across her chest, shooting daggers towards the living room. Following her line of sight, I dropped the bag when I saw him standing there.

“I was busy, Harper can I talk to you?”

“Uh,” I glanced back at Bree's annoyed but confused expression, “yeah. Yeah I guess.” I took two steps before gripping the counter, “Whoa.” Crap not again.

“Are you okay?” They both rushed to me and I held a hand up to stop them.

“I'm fine, I just got dizzy for a second.” I took a calming breath, “Thought I was going to faint again.”

Bree tilted her head to the side and looked at me curiously, Chase was in a fight with himself on whether to help me stay standing or not touch me at all.

“How do you feel now?” Bree questioned.

“Fine, I guess. That was really weird.”

“Chase, maybe now isn't a good time.”

“No I'm good Bree, I'll be right back.” I followed Chase out to the driveway, and though I wanted to close the distance between us, I stayed a few feet away. “Hi.” I said pathetically. How would I ever tell him goodbye if I was already struggling with myself to not kiss him?

He blew out through his nose, “Hey Princess.”

“Where have you been?”

“Working a lot, classes, surfing. That's about it.”

I nodded my head and looked at my feet, “Your family misses you.”

“Do you?”

“Of course I do Chase.” How could he think I didn't?

“Harper I've given you more than enough time. I can't stand to stay away from you anymore, I need to know who you choose.”

“You're really going to do this now? Bree could be listening from the front door!”

“Yes, now. I need to know.”

“Chase how can you even ask me to choose between you two?” I hissed through my teeth and met his glare, “You left me, like you always do. You expected me to think you still wanted me after you've completely avoided me for a month?”