Taking Chances
Page 62

'You made your choices, you'll have to live with them. If you keep it, you are no longer allowed in my house. This semester is already paid for, but if you want to continue your education you can find your own way. I'm busy now Harper, I don't have time to deal with you.'
I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach, but I knew being upset over the dad that never wanted me was pointless. I forced a smile when Bree and her mom came back in. “Well, that's two down...three more to tell.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears but she nodded her head, “Your appointment is a week from Wednesday sweetie.”
“Thanks for helping Mom.” I mumbled.
We spent the rest of the day moving out of the dorm, even though they didn't let me do much. I kept assuring them that I felt fine, but despite my attempts, I ended up supervising everything. Mom gave me the guest bedroom and said if the father ended up being a prick, I could live with them and set up the nursery in there too. I looked to Bree who was all smiles; at least she was sure Chase wouldn't bail. I didn't think his parents would let him not be there for the baby, but whenever I got the nerve to tell him, I would make sure he knew he didn't have to be anything if he didn't want to.
I didn't see, or hear from Chase until that next Wednesday. I had already been so flustered all day about the appointment, I didn’t even notice he was there until I ran into him. Literally. Bree, Mom and I were texting back and forth, they were trying to calm me down, and I had been so focused on my phone I plowed right into him and a group of other guys.
“What the he– Princess?”
Retrieving my phone from the ground, I stood back up and turned to leave as fast as possible. I couldn't see him, not today.
“Harper, wait up!” He caught my arm and spun me around so I was facing him. “You're not even going to say hi now?”
“Hi.” My voice cracked and I kept my eyes to the ground.
Chase gently placed his hand under my chin and lifted until I was staring at him through unshed tears. “Baby what's wrong?”
God I didn't want to hear him call me that. Memories of our times together flashed through my mind and my cheeks instantly filled with heat. “Nothing,” I cleared my throat and blinked back the tears, “it's just allergies or something.”
His look told me he wasn't buying that, but didn't push that subject further. Stepping back he hung his head and sighed roughly, shifting his weight a few times, “I haven't seen you around my house much. I know you don't want to be with me, but don't feel like you can't be there, I won't bother you and Brandon.”
“That's not why I haven't been there. I um, I broke up with him.”
Chase's head snapped up, “You did? When, why didn't you tell me?” He was failing miserably at trying to hide his elated smile.
“A little over a week ago. But it hurt me more than I could ever explain to do it, and I need time to get over that. I can't just rush back to you because Brandon and I aren't together anymore.”
He cupped my cheeks and hunched down so he was almost eye level, “I love you, I'll give you all the time you need. Unless. Unless you don't want me anymore?”
I pressed my face harder into his left hand and closed my eyes, inhaling his clean masculine scent. “I've told you, I will always love you Chase, but I'm still not sure you won't eventually leave me. Because of that fear, I don't know if I can be with you. And some things have changed since we talked last, you might change your mind about me altogether.”
“That's not possible.”
I pulled his hands off my face and wrapped his tattooed arms around my shoulders. After placing a kiss on his throat I buried my head in his chest, “I wish that were true.” My life had drastically changed in such a short amount of time. For obvious reasons, I'd had to break up with Brandon and now Chase and I were going to have a baby. Because of the turn of events, I found myself wanting a life with Chase more and more, I wanted him to be there for me and his baby. Here, wrapped up in his strong arms, I could almost let myself believe it might happen. But Chase was about to graduate college, he was a tattoo artist and spent most of his mornings surfing. I couldn't see him settling down with me and our baby.
“It is Harper,” his voice cracked when he said my name, and tears started falling down his face, “I love you so damn much, why can't you see that?”
Oh God no, please don’t cry again. My eyes instantly watered again looking at him. I couldn’t mean this much for him to start crying in public at the thought of us not being together, could I? “I have to go, I'm sorry.”
“Harper please. Please don't just walk away, talk to me baby.”
I kept my head down and walked around the corner to meet Bree near the parking lot. Her eyes widened when she saw the two of us together and took in the trails of tears on both our faces. I glanced around and people were looking in confusion as Chase begged me to stop. I probably would have stared too, if I saw a six foot three inch gorgeous man covered in muscles and tattoos crying. He didn't seem to notice or care. I shook my head once at Bree and she reigned in her expression.
“Harper, please talk to me!”
I reached Bree's side and turned to him, “I will. We will talk, but right now I have to go.”
A choked sigh escaped his throat when I lifted my hands to wipe away his tears. “Promise?” I nodded and he whispered, “I love you.” kissed the inside of my wrist and watched me step back. Bree lightly brushed her hand against his arm and he jumped back, he looked nervously between the two of us but slightly relaxed when she smiled at him. He hadn't even known she was there though her arm was wrapped around my waist. Now that he'd seen her he took in the few people staring at us and ducked his head as he walked away.