"They're called strikes, not goals," he muttered.
"Oh excuse me. You didn't score the winning shot, get a hole in one, or hit a touchdown on your first try—"
Chase's lips twitched.
"—so now, you're going to bury your head in the sand. Or book, in your case. Gah, Chase, it was one game. Pull on your big-girl panties and do better next time. Why do guys have to be such crybabies?"
"I don't even know where to start," he said on a laugh. "In one breath, you referenced a handful of sports, but I don't think any of them was baseball. That's impressive."
I narrowed my eyes. "And?"
"You totally called me out."
Chase shook his head as he closed the book in his lap, and I considered that a win.
"You're right," he said. "I was sulking. But in my defense, I wanted to stay in my room and wallow alone, reliving every mistake I made today."
"How'd you end up down here then?" I asked.
"Dex. He came in and told me that Emmy would be devastated if I didn't show up."
I nodded. "Sounds pretty accurate."
"He also convinced me that I should think of this as a form of punishment for that poor performance today."
"Savage," I said, "and brilliant. He hit you on two fronts, played on the love you have for your little sister and your own guilt."
Chase held out his hands. "Yep. So, here I am."
I cocked my head, giving him one of my best angles. "Well, at least you're talking to me. So things can't be that bad, right?"
"Good point."
"Thanks," I said.
He let out another laugh. "Pretty sure I should be thanking you. This is the first time I haven't relived my crap pitching since the end of the game."
"You didn't look so bad to me," I said honestly. "Not that I know much about baseball. But I thought you could've stayed in the game longer."
"You did?"
"Yeah."
Chase crossed his arms. "Was this your plan? To come over here and cheer me up?"
"Now, why would I want to do that?"
"I'm not sure," he said. "But it's working."
I gestured to the book, resting on his thigh. "Honor says books make people happy."
"She's right." Chase tapped the cover in front of him. "I chose this one specifically to help me escape."
"The woman on the cover looks pretty kickass."
"Oh she is," he said. "Kate Daniels is a total badass. Urban fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and this series is amazing. I'm up to at least five re-reads. You want to borrow it sometime?"
I bit back a smile. "No thanks, Chase. I don't read much, but when I do, they're usually high heat level with plenty of naughty scenes."
His brows rose. "Really?"
"Oh yeah," I said. "Maybe you should try one. Sexy romances are a great way to take your mind off things."
I leaned closer to him then lowered my voice.
"Then again, so is talking to pretty girls."
Chase leaned forward to meet me.
"Did you just call yourself pretty?" he asked.
"I was actually talking about the women you've been ignoring all night," I said then flipped my hair over my shoulder. His eyes followed the movement before coming back to my face. "Not going to lie though. Every now and then when I need a confidence boost, I look in the mirror and tell myself I'm pretty."
Chase grinned. "That's tragic."
"You have something against good self-esteem?" I asked.
"No," he said. "What I have a problem with is you calling yourself 'pretty' when you're one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen in my life."
My breath hitched.
"It's not enough, Charlie. You should never settle for pretty," Chase said. "If a guy calls you anything less than beautiful, you come tell me, and I'll talk some sense into him. Okay?"
I nodded without thinking.
"Good."
Chase sat back and crossed his arms while I tried to regain my voice.
"And if you like sexy romance, I have a few recommendations."
"I didn't think nice guys like you read naughty books," I said.
"Shh, don't tell anyone," he said with a wink. "We're not supposed to, but I do it anyway."
Gah, could he be any cuter?
My eyes widened as I had the thought. Where the heck did that come from?
"And I still say you should try Kate Daniels," he added. "That series is fire. Shifters, magic, romance, danger, killer battle scenes, characters you'll never forget. You have to read it."
I lifted my chin. "Maybe I will," I said. "If I have a free moment, I mean. I'm a very busy person."
"Glad you could spare a second for me," he said then looked at something past my shoulder. "Baylor and Dex are coming this way. If they say anything offensive, I apologize in advance."
I was about to respond, but his brothers beat me to it.
"Chase," Baylor said, holding out his hand for a fist-bump. "Why are you still sitting in that chair? In case you forgot, the party's for you."
"At least he's not reading anymore," Dex said.
"True." Baylor turned to me with a grin. "And Charlie. What brings you here? I noticed you've been keeping my twin company."
"We were just talking," I said.
"But Chase hates talking—especially to hot girls. Be honest. Did you mistake him for me? It's been known to happen."
I shook my head. "No. If I thought it was you, I definitely wouldn't have stayed so long."
His hand went to his heart as if I'd scored a direct hit, but the guy was smiling wide.
"Ouch," Baylor said. "So the girl has claws."
"I could've told you that," Dex muttered.
Chase spoke up then. "Charlie and I were having a perfectly decent conversation before you two showed up. Please, feel free to leave at any time."
Baylor and Dex looked at each other and grinned.
"Did he just ask us to leave?" Baylor said.
"Sounded like a clear dismissal to me," Dex remarked.
"Yeah. I think we should stay, though."
"Agreed."
"Wouldn't want to miss anything."
"Guys." Chase sighed. "This isn't funny."
"I think it's hilarious," Dex said.
"Funny as hell," Baylor put in. "Besides Chase, what you need isn't more conversation. I told you already. Find a girl to distract yourself with, take her upstairs and have some fun."
Chase looked like he was in pain.
"It'll take your mind off baseball," his twin went on. "And there are a ton of good candidates here. Nice, brainy girls who'd be more than happy to spend a few indecent hours with you."
I held up my water in a mock toast. "I'll take that as my cue to leave."
Chase frowned. "No, stay."
"It was nice talking to you," I said.
"You, too."
I looked to his brothers. "Baylor. Dex. Don't let him open that book again, okay? He's already read it five times anyway."
"You got it," Dex said.
Chase opened his mouth to speak again, but I turned away, throwing him a wave over my shoulder. "See you around."
His brothers were right. Chase should find a nice, brainy girl to hook up with. I didn't want to stand in the way of that. Besides, I'd accomplished my goal—well, one of them. Chase hadn't kissed me (yet), but he'd left the book behind for at least a little while, said I cheered him up and smiled a couple of times. Come to think of it…I'd been smiling, too.
You should never settle for pretty.
I shook my head as another smile pulled at my lips. Baylor might've been the big player on campus. But with lines like that, Chase could give him a run for his money if he wanted to.
Chase O'Brien, I thought. A heartbreaker just waiting to happen.
CHAPTER 11: Chase
My gut clenched as I watched Charlie walk away.
Sh
e didn't look back once.
Turning to my brothers, I said, "Thanks for that."
My voice was full of sarcasm, but of course, they ignored it.
"No problem," Baylor said.
"Happy to help," Dex said.
Baylor rubbed his hands together, moving his gaze over the room. "So, do you see anyone? That girl over there by the door looks like a solid choice."
"You mean the one in the glasses?" Dex said. "Yeah, she's cute. A little bookworm-ish for my taste."
"Well, we're not looking for you. We're looking for Chase."
"Oh then, totally. I could see her and Chase together."
They both glanced to me, but I shook my head.
"No?" Bay said. "That's okay, man. We'll find you someone."
Dex shrugged. "Maybe he likes brunettes."
"You guys are something else," I mumbled.
"What about that one, over by the stairs? Dark hair, red shirt, nice-fitting jeans?"
I scoffed.
"Not her either, huh?"
"Just stop. My problem isn't with them," I said, looking from Dex to my twin. "I'm pissed at both of you. Why the heck did you do that?"
"Do what?" Baylor held up his hands. "Listen, I know books are your thing, and that's cool. But you can't just block everyone out. You've been pouting all night, and we thought you could use a little fun and some female company."
"I was having fun."
He lifted a brow. "Oh really?"
"Yeah," I said. "And I had a girl—before you scared her off."
Baylor's forehead pinched as he looked to Dex. "Hey D, you know what he's talking about?"
Dex's eyes were on me as he said, "I think he means Charlie."
"No way." Baylor laughed. "Chase, you can't be serious."
Feeling my blood cool, I cocked my head. "Why not?"
My twin stared at me for a long moment. His voice was completely serious when he said, "Because that girl will chew you up and spit you out without a second thought."
"You don't even know her," I said.
"Like you do?" he challenged.
"No," I said, "but I want to."
Baylor shook his head. "That's not a good idea, bro."
"I think it is."
Dex tried playing intermediary. "Hey guys, how about we get back on track. Bay's right—for once. There are a lot of fine women here. Just pick one, Chase, and go get her."
"Thanks, I will," I said.
Patting them on the shoulders, I turned and started walking, following the same direction Charlie had gone minutes before. She was easy to find. It took me less than five seconds to spot her in the crowd. Part of that was because she hadn't gone far. But even if she had, I knew it wouldn't be hard. Something drew my eyes right to her.
And I wasn't the only one.
Several guys, at least three by my count, were gazing at Charlie from afar. They seemed to be working up the courage to go and talk to her.
My steps didn't falter.
"Hey," I said as I stopped at her side.
"Hey," Charlie said. "Didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
I shrugged, stuffed my hands into my pockets. "Well, here I am. My brothers held me up, but—"
Another voice cut in before I could finish.
"Oh Chase, I'm so glad I found you."
Charlie and I both turned to look at the girl who'd spoken. She was standing next to me, had light brown hair and was wearing a white tank top and jean skirt. I couldn't remember ever seeing her before. But I must've, right, because she knew my name? Ugh.
"I've been looking all over," she added. "I had a question about Dr. Harrington's philosophy class. Do you know what pages he assigned earlier this week?"
Okay, now I didn't feel so bad. That class had stadium seats, dim lighting and like a hundred people in it. I couldn’t possibly remember everyone.
"Ah no," I said. "Not off the top of my head. Sorry."
"Darn," she said, looking down and then up at me from beneath her lashes. "I was really hoping you could help me out. You seem like you'd take really good notes."
How could she possibly know that? I wondered.
Charlie bit back a smile as I glanced to her then to the girl-whose-name-I-still-didn't-know.
"I think Dr. Harrington puts the assignments online," I offered, hoping to help her but also not wanting to look like a jerk in front of Charlie.
"Maybe I can call you sometime," she said. "We could discuss the class, form our own private study group."
"Uh, I have a lot going on with ball."
"Still. Let's exchange numbers," she said with a smile. "In case you change your mind."
"Sorry again," I said. "I just don't have a lot of free time. Plus, I've got an A in that class, so no real need for a study group."
The girl blinked. "Okay…well, bye, Chase."
"Bye." To her back, I said, "And hey, good luck."
Charlie coughed, and when I looked at her, she was laughing silently.
"What?" I asked.
"You really don't know?" she said.
I shook my head. "Seriously, what's so funny?"
Charlie pulled herself together then squinted at my face. "You truly don't get it. Chase, that girl was hitting on you."
"Nah," I said, "she just needed the assignment."
She raised her brows. "And how many people are in that class?"
"A lot," I said slowly. "So?"
"She could've asked anyone," Charlie said. "And she wanted to form a private study group with you. Even though you couldn't remember her name."
I winced. "Was it that obvious?"
"Yeah," she said, "not that I think she cared. She would've been happy as a clam just to get your number."
Looking through the crowd, I was thinking about going to apologize, when I found the girl standing with Baylor and Dex across the way. They were chatting. Probably about me.
"Pretty sure my brothers set that up," I said to Charlie. "Jerks."
As if he'd heard, Baylor lifted his head and our eyes clashed. He gave me a little salute, and I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to flip him off. Nice try, Bay.
"Can you blame them?" Charlie said and I felt her tap the book in my hand. "I didn't think anyone besides my best friend brought books to parties."
I looked back at her with a grin. "Honor's cool."
"That she is," Charlie murmured. "She's over there with your other brother now—he's like what the first of a thousand of you O'Briens? June and your sister are there, too, watching us."
"Hey, I'm sorry for what happened earlier," I said. "My family is the best, but they like to meddle."
"You don't say."
I ran a hand over my hair. "It's the only drawback of having a big family. We're all up in each other's business."
"Having people care for you and worry about how you're doing," she said drily. "Sounds awful."
A small smile found my lips. "More like annoying. Like Baylor and Dex. They wanted me to distract myself with a girl."
Charlie lifted a brow. "Who? Miss study group?"
"Nah, it could be anyone."
I definitely didn't mention Bay warning me away from her. He was full of it. Plus, I didn't want to hurt Charlie's feelings.
"The issue is they think I need help in that area."
"Again, can you blame them? Look at what happened with that girl just now."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You're so oblivious," Charlie said. "I'd be worried, too, if we were friends."
"Charlie, you've kissed me, seen me with my shirt off and talked books with me for at least five minutes. I'd say we're friends now. Wouldn't you?"
Her smile was slow. "I guess."
Baylor and Dex started walking this way, and Emmy looked like she was about to head over, too.
"Speaking of family," I said, "I think we're about to be interrupted again."
; "You don't sound too happy about it," she said.
"Honestly? I'm partied out. I just want to go back to my room."
Charlie smiled, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
"Want to shock them?" she asked.
"I'd love to," I said.
"Then follow me, O'Brien."
Charlie took my hand, and it was like a jolt ran through me. She gave no sign that she felt it, too. But how could she miss it? Electricity ran from the place where our palms connected all the way up my arm. I could've sworn it even hit my heart. Trying to ignore the feeling and reveling in it at the same time, I walked behind Charlie as she led me through the crowd, all the way to the stairs and up them. Before they were lost from view, I noticed the surprised looks on my family's faces.
We reached the landing, and Charlie glanced at me in question.
"Which one's yours?" she asked.
"Second door on the right," I said.
"Awesome."
When we got there, Charlie didn't stop. She walked right in, pulled me inside and shut the door behind us. Of course, that meant, we ended up close together. Like super close. She was facing me now, her hand on the doorknob, and my body was between her and the door. If she leaned forward an inch, she'd be resting against my chest.
"There," she said. "No more party. It's just you and me."
I cleared my throat. "I'm good with that."
Charlie turned her wrist, and the lock slid into place.
"So we won't be disturbed," she said.
I nodded. "Thanks for the save back there."
"Eh, no problem. There's something I wanted to ask you about."
"Oh yeah?" I said, trying not to think about the fact that she was so close. It was hard, though, because with every inhale, I breathed her in.
"Hmm. You seem nervous, Chase," she said. "It's almost like you've never had a girl up here before."
I laughed. "Am I that transparent?"
"So, you haven't?"
"Nope. Only you."
Charlie stepped away, and I resisted the urge to pull her back. She kept walking and then sat on the edge of my bed, crossed her legs. I had no idea how she knew which one was mine—though I guess there were some tells. Dex's side of the room was messier, his bed unmade, and darker with a few posters of the fighters and bands he liked. Mine looked a little plainer by comparison, mostly sports oriented, three banners on the wall (Yankees, Mets and my personal favorite the Braves) and multiple stacks of books on the floor, taking up most of the space. Both of us had pictures of the family on our desks, though we'd picked different ones to feature.
The Perfect Play (Southern U O'Brien Brothers) Page 9
