Текст книги "Taking Chances"

Автор книги: Molly McAdams

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 27 страниц)

“Don't be like that Harper, this fight could easily win me three grand.”

My hands paused with my shirt halfway over my head. Holy hell. “Three grand?!” I still had never heard an amount until now. The wads of cash were usually pretty big, but they could have been ones for all I knew.

“Yeah, I haven't had that high of a night in almost a month.”

“In a month? How much do you normally make?”

“I don't know it changes every time.” He shrugged as he pulled me out of the house, “Average is usually sixteen or seventeen hundred.”

I was so shocked I stopped walking. Brandon fought anywhere from one to three times a week, and his average was that? “What do you do with all that money?”

He sighed and picked me up as he continued outside since I wasn’t moving, “Other than some bills and buying my Jeep, I've saved all of it.”

Crap. I seriously would have never known. Brandon wasn't one to talk about his money, and he didn't come across as someone that had a lot of it either. He didn't appear poor, just seemed like your normal college student, so this was blowing my mind. “Well regardless,” I said with a huff and crossed my arms after we were on our way, “I can't believe you stopped that just for a fight.”

When we came up to a red light he looked to me and ran his fingers over my jaw, “I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't mean to offend you like that. I promise after this fight we can go back and not leave the room until Monday.” He started driving again and reached for my hand to kiss my palm, “Besides the call came at a good time, I had been trying to force myself to stop. I would've had to soon.”

I frowned and looked out the window, I was glad he kept the top up during the winter so it wasn’t too cold, but I kind of wished it was down so we couldn't talk right now. “I hadn't been planning to let you stop this time.”

Brandon's hand tightened around mine and he cursed, “Harper I didn't know, I'm sorry. I swear if I had I wouldn't have taken that call.” He cursed again, “I shouldn't have taken that call even if we were about to stop. That was our time together.”

“I get you to myself all the time, it's fine.”

“No it's not. I really am sorry, please don't be mad at me.”

I smiled but it felt wrong, “I'm not. Let's just finish this and go back to the room like you said.” Honestly, I wasn't trying to be rude, but I had finally decided tonight was the night. I know he hadn't been aware of that yet, but the fact that I was ready to go there with Brandon and it got interrupted set me on edge. Like maybe I still shouldn't have sex with him. I wish I'd kept my mouth shut and not told him that I had been wanting to. How did we go back to stopping ourselves after I just said that? Even though I knew I was, I wasn't trying to make him feel bad, I was just mad at myself.

He was quiet the rest of the drive, instead of his happy energetic self before a match. He held my hand and silently walked with me through the labyrinth of halls in this place. When we got to the doors that would put me in the room he kissed me softly and walked away to meet with Crow. I felt awful, he'd been so excited about this fight, and I'd put him in this sullen mood. Walking into the basement with the loud music and crazed atmosphere felt wrong after the last forty minutes, but I stood next to the box Scarecrow would be on, like I did every other fight so Brandon would know where I was.

Scarecrow gave me a big hug and started the fight, he noticed Brandon wasn't his usual carefree self but soon forgot when a seriously pissed off Brandon went to town on whoever this other guy was. I hadn't been paying close enough attention before they started. It looked like this was an oddly matched fight since the other guy wasn't doing much, and I didn't understand how it could bring in so much money. All of a sudden the guy grabbed Brandon's left hand and twisted it behind him, fully outstretched and planted a hard kick in the middle of Brandon's back. I screamed when his hand was dropped and his arm was left hanging out of socket. He slammed Brandon to the ground, his head bouncing off the extremely thin mat covering the concrete and Scarecrow had to hold me back from running to him. The last thing Brandon needed was me running out there, but it was instinctive to go to him.

Brandon's leg came up around the other guy’s chest and he slammed him down to the ground as well. Using both legs now, Brandon was choking the guy and I knew he would pass out soon. After a few tense moments the other guy tapped out and Brandon released his hold on him, slowly bringing himself to his feet. Without acknowledging the crowd screaming and cheering, he shuffled to me and Crow, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the room he'd waited in before the fight. When we got in there, he fell into a chair and gasped in pain as he unsuccessfully tried to put his shoulder back in place, I sat there covering my mouth in shock as I watched him.

“I need you.” He gritted his teeth and huffed, “To take me.” He huffed again twice.

“Stop talking baby, I know, I'll take you to the hospital.” I grabbed his shirt and sat on the floor against his legs, “Do you want to put this on at least one arm, or leave it completely off?”

“Try to get it on.”

I pulled the shirt over his head and got his right arm through the hole, I pulled it around his left arm so at least it wouldn't swing everywhere and kissed his forehead, “Is your head okay?”

“I'll be fine, I can't believe that even happened, I was just too distracted.”

 “Oh my God Brandon, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have talked to you about that before a fight. I wasn't upset with you, I promise. I was just mad at the whole situation.”

“It's fine sweetheart, this isn't your fault.”

“Brandon,” I gently kissed his cheek, “I love you, I'm sorry.”

“I love you too, come here.” He kissed my lips hard and I helped him out of the chair.

We started walking out when Scarecrow came running in, “Hey man, are you okay? That looked rough, you need to get checked out.”

“She's taking me, I'll let you know how it goes.” Brandon handed me the wad of cash he'd just received and shook Scarecrow's hand.

Five and a half hours later, we were finally getting back to Chase's house. Brandon had a slight concussion and had torn some ligaments when his shoulder dislocated, he was supposed to be wearing a sling, but he'd taken it and the wrap off as soon as we'd gotten back in his Jeep. I'd had a mental freak-out when they showed us the X-Rays of his shoulder and explained he'd eventually need to have surgery on it, but kept my mouth shut. Which probably was just as bad as vocalizing my rant, because Brandon took one look at my wide eyes and clenched jaw and knew I was flipping out.

“Sweetheart, tell me what you're thinking.” Brandon pleaded while I nuzzled his neck.

I sighed and rolled onto my back, “I'm just worried about you.”

“I told you, I'm fine. I don't want you to worry about this, it's nothing.”

“Brandon, please don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think I can watch you fight anymore. I just –” I fumbled for a few seconds trying to put my thoughts into words, “seeing that happen to you, I freaked and Scarecrow had to stop me from running out there. I can't watch something like that happen to you again. Would you hate me if I didn't go to them anymore? I'll wait for you in your bed for when you get back, but I can't watch them.”

He pulled me close to his right side and kissed my forehead, “I could never hate you, especially over something like that. I'm sorry you were worried. I'm sorry you had to see that.”

“Don't apologize, I'm just glad you're okay. Well, as okay as you can be right now” I sighed into his chest and he squeezed me tight.

“I love you Harper.”

“I love you too. So much.” I kissed him softly and settled in to finally sleep.

***

I smiled against Chase's kisses while he led me back to his room, which we had barely left an hour ago. Gasping when I realized where we were, I pushed him a little bit away from me and looked around confused.

“Chase, we can't do this here! What if one of the guys walks in? Oh my God, what if Brandon comes home early?!” I could have sworn we were at his parent's house, when did we get to his?

“Don't worry Princess, no one will catch us.”

A part of me was screaming that it was extremely likely someone would catch us, but when his lips touched my naked body, I couldn't seem to care enough to stop him again. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled his head away from my stomach and back to my face.

“I guess we'll just have to try to be quiet this time.” I whispered huskily.

Chase groaned and brought himself between my legs, just as I was feeling the pressure I was craving, he called my name but his lips never moved. I blinked and looked closer at his mouth when I heard my name again. That was definitely not Chase's voice. Oh God, Brandon was here!

“Chase!” I hissed, “Chase we have to stop, he's going to come in here!”

He smiled crookedly and pressed further into me, “Let him.”

The door opened then, and my boyfriend's head peered in, “Brandon! No!”

Brandon simply smiled and looked at me, “Wake up sweetheart.”

Huh?

“Come on sweetheart, we need to go to class.”

I looked over to Chase who was now shaking my shoulder, then back to my boyfriend. What on earth was happening?

“Harper. Get. Up.” I had no idea who said that last one.

My eyes flew open and I sat upright, my face smashing into a naked chest. “Brandon!” I nearly screamed.

“Jesus Harper! Calm down.” Brandon's arms wrapped around me and he kissed the top of my head. “Are you okay?”

I pushed back on his chest to look at his face, then around the room. Brandon's room. “I think...I was dreaming.”

Dreaming was an understatement. Up until the end, everything had seemed so real. Everything felt so real. I was still completely turned on for crying out loud! I felt sick to my stomach that I'd had a dream of cheating on Brandon. I was still fully dealing with the guilt of actually cheating on him, I didn't want this too.

“Was it bad?”

“Um, no. No it was fine.” Not fine, not okay. Why can't I stop thinking about him?

“Are you sure? Your heart is racing and you're drenched in sweat babe.”

“I'm good, it just freaked me out a little.”

Brandon shrugged, “Okay, well go get ready, we have to leave for school soon.”

I grumbled, but he lifted me out of the bed and set me down in the bathroom. Brandon had been doing a few physical therapy workouts with his trainer for his shoulder and was doing much better. There was only pain after working out but he was taking it easy and had told Scarecrow he had to miss the last two fights. I didn't know when he was going to go back, and didn't ask. Honestly I didn't want him to, but there's no way I would ask him to stop doing something he loved. After I was mostly ready for the day, I walked into the kitchen and froze. Chase was standing with his back to me, talking to Bree. He must have heard me enter the room because his back tensed and he straightened from crouching down to speak with his sister.

“Uh, good morning.” It almost sounded like a question.

Bree glanced around Chase, her smile widening, “Morning doll! How'd you sleep?”

Chase barely cast a glance over his shoulder, saying nothing. That hurt.

“Pretty well, you?”

“Excellent.” She bit her lip and her face flushed.

“Ugh, seriously Bree? Save it until I'm gone at least.” Chase made a gagging noise and walked out.

My dream hadn't done his voice justice, at all. That was the first time I'd actually heard him say anything in weeks, and unfortunately it wasn't directed towards me. I watched him retreat down the hall then turned to start the coffee pot.

“So Harper, anything you want to share?” Bree asked suggestively.

I froze. Crap. He'd told her, how could he do that to me? And why did she sound so freaking happy? My voice shook, “What do you mean?”

“Hmm...let me see. You and Brandon were pretty cozy and he carried you away at seven last night, your lips completely locked the whole time. What do you mean 'what do I mean?'”

Oh thank God. I exhaled and the tension left my shoulders, “We were tired.”

“Oh come on! Don't even try to tell me you guys didn't finally do the bunny dance in bed last night.”

“The what?” I turned to face my friend and burst out laughing, “Breanna. Where the heck do you get these things?”

“That’s beside the point! Fess up!”

“Sorry Bree, we really didn't do anything.” I smiled and grabbed the now full pot.

“Still?!” Her head fell heavily into her hands, “Harper, how can you still be torturing that poor boy?”

“I'm just not ready yet, and he respects that. Unlike some people I know.” I looked pointedly at her, she just rolled her eyes.

“I have a feeling you just don't want to tell me about it. Keeping all the juicy details to yourself.” She hmphed and crossed her arms over her chest.

She had no idea how right, and yet how wrong she was.

“Well, I have a feeling you're going to continue to be disappointed for a while longer. I'm not ready to be with him like that, end of story. You'll be the first person to know when I finally decide to have sex with Brandon. I'll even give you the heads up before I tell him.”

“Promise?”

I had chosen my words carefully so I wouldn't be lying to her, “Promise.”

She sat there studying me as I poured creamer into the mug, “Maybe it's just because you don't know what to do!”

“So tell me, how's your sex life Bree?”

“Ohmygodamazing!”

I smiled and leaned against the counter. Yep, I was now a pro at getting the attention off myself. I listened to her not-so-private life until Brandon came into the kitchen to grab his cup of coffee as well.

“She talking about Konrad again? I swear she brings it up more than he does, and that's saying something.” He kissed the tip of my nose and moved so he was against the counter, my back against his chest. I wiggled into him more, trying to mold myself to his warm body that could have only been made for mine.

“To be fair, I brought it up, but I think she's trying to make up for our lack of a sex life.” I laughed lightly and turned to look at him.

“We'll get there when we're ready.” He shrugged, but I saw the hunger and longing in his face. We still had close calls, but hadn't brought it up again since that night in his Jeep. Torture was definitely a good word for what I was always doing to him.

Bree finally got onto a different subject a few minutes later when I was on my second cup of coffee, but I could barely focus on what she was saying anymore. I shook my head as if to clear it and leaned forward a little, hoping it would somehow help. It didn't. I swear it felt like I was in a Charlie Brown episode, but in slow motion. It now sounded like she was talking under water and I was confused when she started to get up from the table and walk towards me, her face alarmed. Why did she look so scared? I heard a muffled crash and something hit my leg, it stung but I couldn't look down at it, though I was definitely leaning forward enough to try. Brandon caught me just before my face hit the tile and I lost consciousness.

I heard people saying my name and figured I must be asleep again, I thought I'd opened my eyes to see who was in this dream, but I still could only see darkness. Suddenly, someone was yelling my name in my ear and my eyes shot open.

“Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened?!” Bree was right in my face and if I could have moved back, I would have.

Why was Brandon suddenly so uncomfortable? I mean, his body is hard as a rock, but it was a comfortable rock that I curled into practically every night. Not whatever this was behind me. I turned my head and my cheek met the cold tile. “Am I on the kitchen floor?”

Brandon came running into the kitchen with Chase and Brad, all three looked concerned.

“She's awake?” Brandon looked to Bree as he knelt down next to her.

“Yeah, just happened.” She replied.

I tried to sit up but my head was so heavy I barely got it two inches off the ground before I gave up, my head smacked against the tile, “Ow.”

“You need to stay down there sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

I looked at Brandon's hand reaching to cup my cheek, then back to Bree. “Did I fall asleep in here?”

Bree actually laughed and grabbed my hand. “Not quite. You passed out.”

“I did?”

“Yeah Harper, scared the crap out of us too.” She scolded me, but looked relieved.

Brad walked back into my line of sight, “Couch is ready, get her over there.”

I knew from experience any of these guys could lift me by themselves and carry me around, but for some reason all three decided to move me to the couch.

“I'm fine, you're all being ridiculous.”

“Sweetheart, you were out for –”

“I get that, but I'm fine now.” And I was. I felt like I could get off the couch and go make breakfast. Speaking of...my stomach growled as I thought of food. I pointed at my stomach and smiled at the four of them, “See, I'm fine.”

Brad was pressing on my leg, making me wince, Bree was watching his hand and Chase and Brandon were staring at me. Both clearly still worried.

“Uh, Brad? Could you ease up? You're hurting me.”

He smiled sheepishly and removed the bloody towel away from me.

“What the –”

“You dropped your mug and a big chunk sliced your leg pretty good.” Brandon filled me in as he pressed his lips lightly to my neck. “How are you really feeling? And don’t lie to me.” He whispered into my ear.

I looked up in time to see Chase hang his head and step away, slowly shaking it back and forth. One half of me yearned to go comfort him, and I tried not to let it show.

“I'm great, really. I feel like nothing happened.”

He seemed to consider that a moment before finally helping me sit up.

“See? Just fine.” My head swam and I felt nauseas for a second.

Brandon smiled and kissed me softly, “I'll go make you something to eat then, that's probably what it was. You didn't have dinner last night.”

“Or lunch.” Bree interjected and I blushed as Brandon scowled at me.

 “Bree?” He said.

“Yeah?”

“Can you go with her while she takes a shower? Just in case it happens again.”

“Sure, come on Harp, you look disgusting.”

I smiled at her, “I love you too Bree.”

I took a shower, without incident, and practically inhaled the eggs and toast Brandon made, even though it was enough for Bree and I put together. By the time we were finished, I'd already missed my only class of the day, so naturally Bree and I decided to go shopping. Brandon wasn't ecstatic, he was trying to keep me in bed, but once I had eaten, I felt better than I normally did so he reluctantly let me go. We'd barely gotten into the second shop when Bree put a hand on my arm and turned me towards her.

“Are you okay Harper?”

“Yeah. Why? What's up?” I breathed heavily.

“Um, well we just walked like one hundred feet and you're practically doubled over trying to catch your breath.”

I raised an eyebrow and started to speak.

“Okay fine, that was a little exaggerated. But you're bright red, sweating and you are breathing hard.”

“Well, it's really hot today, but other than that I feel fine.”

“Harper, you're wearing a short sleeved shirt and it's fifty degrees outside.”

I paused, “Really?” My heart had finally slowed down so I took a deep breath, relishing in the feel of my lungs filling to their capacity.

She grabbed my hand and towed me towards the car. I couldn't even complain, I felt fine but man all I wanted to do was take a nap. When we got back, Brandon jumped up to greet us, worry etched all over his face as he took in my heavy breathing and red face.

“Did she pass out again?” He asked Bree.

“No, but she wasn’t doing well.”

“What do you mean? Did something else happen to her again?”

“She is right here, and nothing happened. I just need to take a nap. If you guys are done treating me like a child, I'd like to get to that.” I pushed past him and headed for his bed.

It wasn't either of their faults, and they really didn't deserve to have me snap at them. But I was frustrated with how rapid my awesome feeling had turned into barely being able to keep my eyes open and practically drooling at the thought of taking a nap. I climbed into Brandon's bed, fully clothed and was out before I could consider taking my shoes off.

The rest of the weekend consisted of me feeling fine, and Brandon and Bree fluttering around me like I was going to collapse at any given moment. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when Sunday came and went. Bree, Claire and I had a girl’s day since Chase bailed on family day again, and Monday I was back in class. Things were already calming down with Bree and Brandon since there were no more weird episodes, and I was certain they'd get over it completely if I made it through the day. And get through it, I did. I'd had so much energy that day, I practically skipped to each class and Bree had to hold me tight enough to keep me walking. Thankfully, Brandon seemed to be completely over the fainting spell too, because when I got back to his room that night, he immediately tossed me on the bed and attacked my mouth and clothes. I hadn't had one of these steamy sessions with the love of my life since Wednesday, and it was long overdue.