Hope's Chance

by Jennifer Foor

  When I got to the car Chance was all but passed out. I had to literally pull him out of the car. He tried to speak, but I held my hand over his mouth as we passed the window where the dinner party was taking place. Once I managed to make it to the pool house, I reached in his pockets and grabbed his keys. When I unlocked the door he automatically went tumbling inside. I closed the door behind us and kept the lights off.

  Chance was laying on the floor laughing. I didn’t know whether to be mad at him or feel sorry for him. “Get up. I need to get you into the shower.” I suggested.

  “Will you get in with me?” He asked.

  “I can’t Chance. My father is right across the yard.” I explained.

  “Please baby. Don’t you want to?”

  “Chance please don’t beg. You know I can’t.” he tried to grab me, but I pulled away enough to where I could push him toward the bathroom.

  He smelled like vodka and vomit with a hint of cologne. It was wretched.

  When we finally made it into the bathroom he whipped it out and started peeing in the toilet with no regard for me even being in the room. I started the shower and helped him out of his clothes. When I tried to get him inside, he wouldn’t budge.

  “Chance please. You are covered in throw up. Just get in and get cleaned up.” I ordered.

  “Please come with me.” He said as he pulled me in. He was much stronger than me. I tried to stay out, but ended up tumbling down on top of him. The shower curtain and rod fell down with us. When I finally got up, and fixed the curtain, the best I could, I helped him up. He tried to pull me in again. “Please baby. I need you. I just want to feel your skin against mine. Please Hope.”

  “I can’t Chance. I want to, but I can’t.” Instead I leaned in and started to get him cleaned up. After having him spin around a few times, I decided he was clean enough to get out.

  I held out a towel and waited for him to step out of the tub before wrapping it around him. He decided to brush his teeth for at least ten minutes, in which I told him they were clean at least five times, but he continued to brush. Finally, he followed me into the bedroom and pulled me down on the bed.

  His body leaned over mine and his hands played with my cheeks. “You are so perfect to me Hope. You make me want to live. You are all that I want. You are all that I need. You are everything. God I love you so much.”

  Tears filled my eyes. I kinda knew how he felt but to hear him say it like that was unbelievable.

  He wiped away my tears. “Why are you crying?”

  “Nobody has ever said something like that to me.” I confessed.

  “It is the truth. I am so in love with you. I know you think I am just drunk, but I swear it is true. You make me so happy Hope.”

  “Chance.” I whispered as his lips hit mine.

  He pulled away. “Yeah baby?”

  “I love you too.” I didn’t wait for him to respond. His lips found mine again and we were too caught up in each other to discuss anything more.

  Chapter 27

  Chance

  I woke up in my boxers on my bed. I sat up and realized that my head was pounding. While still holding the back of it, I stood up and headed to find the Tylenol. To my disappointment there wasn’t any left. I grabbed a pair of shorts, and after relieving myself in the bathroom, I headed to the main house.

  When I got to the kitchen door I realized I had no idea what time it was. I didn’t want to wake up the whole house so I peeked in and saw it was after ten. I walked inside but didn’t hear any movement.

  Thankfully, my sister had made coffee. I made myself a cup and grabbed four Tylenol. There still wasn’t any sounds coming from around the house. I walked to the foyer and looked outside. Only Hope’s car was sitting out front.

  I climbed up the stairs and headed to her side of the house. Her door was shut, but I opened it slowly. She was still sound asleep and I couldn’t help but take in her beauty. I walked in and leaned over to give her a kiss, but as I stood to get up she grabbed my arm. Still groggy from her sleep she tried to focus. “What are you doing in here?”

  “What happened to me last night?” I whispered. “Where is my bike?”

  She sat up and I couldn’t help but noticed the small tank top she had on. “Stop staring at my chest.” She said as she adjusted it, hiding some of her cleavage. “You got drunk off your ass at the bar, so on my way home from my mother’s I picked you up and brought you home. I got you cleaned up and stayed with you until you fell asleep. Your bike is at the bar still.”

  “You took care of me? Did my sister and Mark see us?” I asked.

  “No. Once you fell asleep I went inside through the front. They still had company and thought I just got home.” She explained.

  “I don’t remember anything.” I confessed.

  Hope looked upset. I couldn’t understand why. Her eyes filled with tears. “I knew it was too good to be true.” While grabbing her I tried to remember what would make her so upset.

  “What are you talking about? What did I do?”

  “It wasn’t what you did. It was what you said.” She admitted.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, it was perfect.” She said quietly.

  “Well whatever it was, I meant it.” I announced.

  Hope turned around and put her head in her pillow. “Forget it Chance it doesn’t matter.”

  “Please don’t be mad at me baby.” I tried to reach for her, but she pulled away.

  I was hurt, but I had no right to be. I was an ass. What had I been thinking? I should have never gone out to a bar. I was such a loser.

  I left Hope in her room and walked back downstairs. On the counter I found something that might make her smile. I got out a pen and a piece of painters tape and walked back upstairs. I sat the object on her dresser and walked back out without saying a word.

  I stood in her bathroom across the hall waiting. The anticipation was killing me and for a moment I figured she didn’t hear me go back into her room.

  Hope

  I couldn’t believe he didn’t remember last night. I was a fool to think someone sober would say that to me anyway. I heard Chance come in my room, but I didn’t want to talk to him. I wasn’t really mad, just disappointed. As I stood up to head into my bathroom something caught my eye.

  A red apple sat on my dresser. Taped to it was a note.

  I don’t remember what I said last night, but when I woke up this morning I knew I missed you.

  I love you so much. Please don’t be mad. I can’t be without your smile for long. I miss you already.

  I had to choke back the tears. I ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth, so that I could find him and kiss him right away. As I walked in I saw him leaning against the sink. My arms wrapped around him.

  “Does this mean you forgive me?” He asked with his hands cupped around my face.

  I nodded my head yes. He leaned down and kissed me.

  “So much Hope.” He whispered in my ear, before leaving me alone to get myself cleaned up.

  When I looked in the mirror I couldn’t believe he hadn’t changed his mind. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I managed to get a brush through my hair. I ran back into my room and put on some clothes I wore to run in and headed downstairs.

  Chance was outside, skimming leaves out of the pool. I jumped when Buffy walked into the room. “Hey Hope, what are you doing?”

  I grabbed my heart. “Buff you scared me. I was just...”

  “Looking at my brother. Yeah I noticed.”

  “Please don’t say anything.” I said in a panic.

  She smiled and sat down. “Hope, I may be his sister but I am not blind. I know girls think he is attractive.”

  “Where is my dad?” I asked trying to change the subject.

  She was looking straight at me with her hands across her chest. “He had to meet with investors on the new building today. He won’t be home till late. So let’s get back to my brother. How long have
you been seeing him?”

  I choked on the glass of milk I was drinking. “What? I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Oh really. Then do me a favor. Walk out there and hug him.”

  “What? Buffy you are crazy. I couldn’t do that.” I pleaded with her.

  “Sure you can. If it’s nothing I will see it for myself, but I am pretty sure I have things all figured out now. Come on Hope lets go.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me out the door.

  She pushed me ahead of her and watched as I walked over to Chance. He looked up and saw the tears in my eyes, but I couldn’t say a word. She would hear me. I wrapped my arms around him and at first he didn’t react, but as I pulled away I felt his arms around me. I knew that she knew. I pulled myself out of his arms and looked into his eyes. His look of concern was all I could see. “I am so sorry Chance.” I whispered.

  “I think that both of you need to get your asses over here and explain some things to me right now.” She demanded.

  Immediately Chance knew. He looked so hurt as we walked over to the picnic table.

  She stood up and began pacing back and forth. “So how long has this been going on?” She asked.

  “What are you talking about Buffy? What’s going on?” Chance asked.

  “Don’t you dare do that little brother? I have known for weeks that you were different. I sat up at night wondering what could have changed in your life. You never go out and you don’t have any friends anymore. Then when I got back from my vacation, I went into the pool house and grabbed your laundry. I found a bra under your bed that was white lace and a bag of sandy bathing suits, one of them belonging to me.”

  “So what. I took Hope to the beach. That doesn’t mean anything.” Chance explained.

  “Did you hear me say I found the bra?”

  I sat there shaking with my head in my hands.

  “Yeah so what? I brought some chick home from the bar I told you that.” Chance said.

  “That isn’t how I figured things out Chance. The other night I pretended to be asleep when we were watching movies. I saw you two so close and I know you were holding hands under the covers. Then last night I was in the kitchen and saw Hope getting you inside the house. I checked and your bike was nowhere to be found.”

  “So what. We are friends Buffy. That is it.”

  “Hope look at me.” Buffy ordered. “Are you and Chance just friends?”

  I looked up at her and then over to Chance. He looked furious. “I said leave her alone Buffy.” Chance warned.

  “Just one more question. Hope, how many times have you slept with my brother?”

  Chance put his body in between mine and Buffy’s so that I couldn’t see her. “Leave her the fuck alone!”

  “Calm down. I just wanted you to admit it.” She sat back down across from me. When she looked at me she could see the tears in my eyes. “Did you guys really think you could hide this forever? If Mark finds out he is going to freak out.”

  “Are you going to tell my father?” I finally asked.

  “Of course not. He would kick Chances ass and make him move out.” She answered.

  “Thank you Buffy.” I said.

  “How serious is this thing between the two of you? Is this just something fun for you Chance, because I can’t let this continue if this is you just using her.” Buffy explained.

  Chance looked over at me. He sat beside me and took my hand into his. “She has never been a game to me, and for the record we fought this. We tried so hard to avoid each other when she first moved in, but we had already been together and...”

  Buffy cut him off. “What do you mean? How did you know her?”

  I lay my head down on the table. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

  “Remember when we first met and you and Dad said I could look around? Well, I kind of walked into the pool house when Chance was getting dressed.” I explained but Chance cut me off.

  “Then when she left I went out for some smokes. She had pulled over the side of the road and this guy was harassing her. He was trying to coax her into his truck. I got him to leave and stayed with her until she could calm down.” Chance said as he looked over to me. “Then, you and Mark took me out to that bar.”

  “Okay you are losing me. You told me you hooked up with some random chick.” Buffy stated.

  Chance looked to me and smiled. “That wasn’t exactly the truth. You see, Hopes stupid friend scored them some fake I.D.s. I spotted her in the bar and let her know that you and Mark were there too. She had been drinking and her friend wouldn’t leave because she met some guy. I brought her back to the pool house so that she could sober up, but one thing led to another and the rest is history.” Chance explained.

  “Oh my God. You two hooked up before Mark even knew that you knew each other. So this had nothing to do with you living here together?” She asked.

  “No, in fact up until last weekend we never even talked really, but finally we couldn’t stand it anymore. Well, at least that is how it was for me.” I admitted.

  “So my brother is in love with my soon to be step-daughter. Should we call the Maury show now or wait until your father finds out?” Buffy asked.

  “He can’t find out. He won’t understand. Please Buffy, if you care about me at all you won’t tell him.” I begged.

  She shook her head and ran her hands through her hair. “You guys are really putting me in a bad situation.” She got quiet for a second. Chance held my hand and rubbed his thumb against mine. “This is what is going to happen. I don’t want to see it. Do not do anything that would make him think there was something between you. And that goes for you Hope, I saw how you looked at him and that is how I tied it all together. He can’t know. When you turn eighteen you two can decide what to do. I am not going to let this ruin my wedding. Do you both hear me?”

  Chance and I both nodded our heads.

  “For the record, I think you are made for each other, but if anyone else asked I would lie.” She added as she left us outside alone.

  Chance turned to face me. “Are you okay baby?”

  “Maybe I am just dreaming. Did that really happen?” I asked.

  He kissed the top of my head. “It happened, but she won’t tell. I considered telling her a while back, but then you moved in and it just wasn’t that easy.”

  “Do you want to break up with me now?” I asked.

  “Are you kidding me Hope? I just told you I loved you and I am sure I said it last night. When you are drunk you say the truth and that is also how I knew you really wanted to be with me that first night.”

  “Actually I wanted you ever since I first saw you. I couldn’t get that picture out of my head until that night we were together, and then I just had a better view to keep in my mind.” I laughed out.

  I leaned my head against his chest. “Loving you makes me happy. This mess with my parents and having to move in with my dad, who ignored me for so long, it wouldn’t have been nearly as easy if you weren’t here.” I added.

  “I am not going anywhere.” Chance said as he kissed me in broad daylight right on the lips.

  We both jumped when Buffy yelled out the door. “I can see you two!”

  We both laughed. Chance stood up and held out his hand. He looked back at his sister, laughing as she shook her head at us. “See you later Buffy.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “Hopefully to get my bike, if it’s still there.” He joked.

  Chapter 28

  Chance

  I knew Hope was worried about my sister, but one thing that I knew for sure was that she always had my back. Knowing that I loved Hope made me even more sure that she would keep our secret. It was easier for me now that she knew. I think that it was harder for Hope though. She hadn’t said much since Buffy’s confrontation.

  Hope sat on my couch with her hands on her knees. “Hope is everything okay baby?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. I think I am just a little frea
ked out right now. I mean, don’t get me wrong. In a way I am glad she knows, but what are we going to do if she tells my dad? I can’t let you get kicked out of here Chance. I would rather stop what we are doing and have you here than have to lose you all together.” She explained.

  “Baby, there is no way in Hell that I am going to let you walk away from what we have. “

  She looked up at me with those beautiful eyes.

  “Hope this isn’t just some fling for me. If it was then I never would have told you about my past. You have to know how important you are to me.” I explained.

  “I do know. Sometimes it is just so hard hiding it. Why can’t everyone just understand that we love each other?” Hope asked.

  I knelt down in front of her and covered her hands with mine. “It is just five months Hope. We get to see each other every day and now we don’t even have to hide it from Buffy. This is a good thing. Besides, it was only a matter of time before she found out. Everything will be okay.” I leaned in and waited halfway for her to kiss me. She met me and pressed her lips against mine. “Do you still want this Hope? Do you still want me?”

  “Chance, I know you all think I am too young, but I know what I want. Yes, of course I want this.” She confirmed.

  “Maybe we should slow down some. Things have gotten really intense between us. I don’t want you to get freaked out.” I explained.

  Hope stood up and walked past me. She held out her hand and led me into my bedroom. I cupped my hands around her face and pulled her lips into mine. She backed away and lifted off her shirt. I lifted off mine. She gave me a quick smile and removed her shorts. I did the same.

  “We need to talk about this Hope. This isn’t going to solve anything.” I suggested.

  Then Hope unhooked her bra.

  I watched her breasts fall out from within the bra. She leaned down and removed her panties and then she climbed on top of my bed. I removed my boxers and climbed under the covers after her. When I found her warm body I nestled myself against her. I loved how she smelled like honey and I couldn’t get enough of her smooth skin.

  “We are supposed to be getting my bike.” I said in between kisses.