I smile, then stand from the couch and head to the small kitchen just off the living room. “Say, are you thirsty; I have tap water and juice?”
“Water’s good, thanks.”
I grab us both a glass of water and head back to the living room. “So, are you ready for the student to out-master the teacher?”
“Whoa there, Kemosabe. Chess is a game that takes time to truly master,” Chase replies with an animated wise tone.
“Kemosabe? That’s Mr. Ed, right? I’ve always loved that talking horse.”
Chase palms his forehead then looks to me; his brow arched high. “Mr. Ed? Really? It was Tonto…you know the Lone Ranger’s trusty sidekick.”
I look to him unconvinced. “Yeah, no, I think it was Mr. Ed. I can see it as clear as day; his big white teeth with his lips wide and prominent mouthing the word Kem-o-sab-ee.”
Chase holds my gaze, slowly shaking his head. “There’s absolutely no hope.” He shrugs. “But you can still be my bestie.” Leaning over to his suitcase, he pulls out the chessboard. “Where should we set up?”
I look around then turn back to Chase. “The kitchen table’s probably the best place.”
He stands to grab the little men we put on the board and heads over, placing it down.
“Sit and get ready to learn the skilled art of chess, dear—” He stops mid-sentence and holds his breath. “Yeah, no. I was going to make another pop culture reference but decided I don’t want to get into another twenty-minute debate as to who said it.”
“Ha-ha, funny,” I reply dryly.
Chase falls to the kitchen chair in a fit of giggles. “I thought so.”
I take my seat across from him, ready to absorb all this wiseass kid has to teach me, because one day, I will take him down.
Chapter 7 Dylan
“I thought you told me to ask the redhead here so you could hook up with her, not to ignore her all night while you watch out to see when your brother gets home…no wait, I should say to check out his little girlfriend when she drops him off?”
I shoot Jordan a glare. “I’m not watching out for anyone.”
“Sure, and I’m not going to hook up with that little cherry bomb that’s been eyeing me up all night.”
Turning away from the window, I look behind Jordan to the blonde that’s definitely eyeing something. “Dude, she’s looking at me.”
Jordan whips around. “Bullshit, she’s been giving me the eyes all night.”
“The eyes?”
He turns back to me with a brow wiggle. “Yeah, you know, the eyes.”
“You’ve been hanging out with your dad and his friends at the club again, haven’t you?”
Jordan’s shoulders fall. “So, what if I have; at least they appreciate my company. Lately, all you’ve been doing is campus stalking your brother’s girlfriend.”
I move from the window and head toward the keg on the other side of the room. “First off, I haven’t been ‘campus stalking’ anyone, because what the shit is that anyway? And second—she’s not my brother’s girlfriend.” The last part comes out as more of a growl than the assertiveness I had intended for.
“Touchy, touchy. Someone’s got his briefs in a knot,” Jordan mocks.
I stop and turn to him. “What the—? Go home, old man. Briefs in a knot—I’m going to put your balls in a knot if you don’t leave me alone.”
Jordan throws his hands up in surrender and without another word, turns to walk away. I start back over to the keg but pause when I see the redhead standing there. Spotting me, she gives a little wave of her fingers—great. I continue to make my way over then decide last minute that it’s not happening and veer off toward the back-patio doors.
It’s dark when I step into the backyard, and the temperature’s dropped to a light chill. “Where the hell did they go?” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about my brother and Miss Adler since they left. I’m positive Chase said they were only going to that new museum, but it’s now after midnight, and they should’ve been back by now.
I take in a deep breath, trying to relieve the tightness in my chest.
“What’cha thinkin’ about, handsome?”
Turning to acknowledge the voice, I spot redhead standing behind me, looking all too deliciously sinful in nothing more than her barely-there and way too tight black dress.
“Just getting some fresh air, beautiful.”
She saunters over with her hips moving in a mesmerizing sway. “I know you saw me back in there.”
“I did.”
“Why didn’t you come over? I’ve been waiting all night for you to come and say hi.” Redhead’s now standing close enough that I can almost feel the heat off her body.
“Look, sweetheart, I know I had Jordan ask you here, but it turns out I’m just not feeling it tonight.”
Her eyes open wide then just as quickly slant in anger. “Excuse me? Do you have any idea how many opportunities I’ve turned down tonight because I was waiting for you?”
I chuckle. “No worries, I know all those guys here, and pride’s not an issue with any of them. I’m sure they’d jump all over the chance at a roll-around with my seconds.”
Her face reddens, and her top is just about to blow.
Shit!
Before I can smooth over the blast of my words, her fist is making contact with my face. Not a first, but undeniably one of the hardest I’ve felt in a while—redhead has a killer left hook.
“You’re an ass, and to think I was considering dating you.”
Rubbing out the last of her punch to my chin, I look down at her with a prominent smirk. “Sweetheart, dating never had to be a consideration whether that’s what
