“To be honest with you, I think they just wanted to go, and she was the perfect reason to do it. Please stop worrying.” Chance leads me to the bed. “Bree brought you a couple sundresses to wear if you want. Come out when you’re ready.” He kisses me hard and then disappears.
I look down at the two dresses. They’re the kind of dresses I like to wear. The red one with white polka dots and spaghetti straps hits me mid-thigh. The blue tank top dress is slim-fitting and hits a little above the knee.
After deciding on the red one, I slip it on. His sister is just a little shorter than me, and it hits me a little higher on my thigh. I grab my strawberry body spray and quickly spray myself.
I step back into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. My cheeks and nose have a tiny tinge of pink from our day at the beach. I swipe some lip gloss on and then head out in search of Chance.
When I find him, desire pools in my belly because he’s so fucking gorgeous. He’s in khaki shorts that hug his gorgeous ass. The blue button-up shirt with tiny white anchors all over it hugs his lean muscular chest.
I step outside, and he smiles when I approach him. “Wow. You look amazing.” He leans down, kissing my lips. “Are you hungry?”
We head back inside so I can grab my purse and he can lock up. He leads me to my car and opens the door for me. “Such a gentleman.” I slide in and smile as I watch him around the front end.
Chance pulls into the parking lot of Joker’s Bar and Grill. Once inside, the hostess seats us facing the ocean by the doors that lead to the outdoor bar and dancefloor.
“Your waiter will be right with you,” she says, of course only looking at Chance, but I can’t blame her; he’s gorgeous.
I look toward the window. “This view is gorgeous.”
“Yeah…”
“Chance Bateman! What’s up, bro?” A guy with dark brown hair pulled back in a bun approaches our table with a smile.
Chance stands and hugs him. “It’s so good to see you. I thought you were in New York.”
“Uh… yeah, it didn’t really work out the way I wanted. This is just temporary until I get some better paying jobs.” He looks at me. “Who are you?”
Chance smiles at me before reaching down and pulling me up to wrap his arm around my waist. “This is my girlfriend, Laken. Laken, this is Noah; we grew up together.”
“Girlfriend? Wow, man, I didn’t think I’d ever see Mr. Hit It and Quit It settle down.” I stiffen. “I’m just kidding. Chance is a good dude.” He takes our drink order and then disappears.
I sit, and Chance grabs my hand. “I’m sorry. It’s no secret I was a little wild, but I never led anyone on. I always told them the truth.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation.” I meant it too. He really didn’t have to explain himself. A good looking, smart, athletic guy probably had girls throwing themselves at him.
Luckily that guy was not our waiter; although, he did keep coming over talking to Chance.
After we finish eating, he leads me out onto the patio where we have another drink. While Chance drinks his beer, and I drink my sangria. I use a bit of liquid courage and turn to him.
I’m ready to tell him about Ava’s sperm donor. I open my mouth to start talking, but a girl squeals his name. The next thing I know a whole group of guys and girls our age surround him, and I’m shoved back.
I stand there waiting for him to introduce me, to grab my hand … something, but he does neither of those things.
Chapter Fourteen
Chance
I take a sip of my beer and glance around the crowd. I don’t spot Laken anywhere. Honestly, I haven’t seen her since she stepped inside. I stop a couple of my buddies I grew up with. “Have you seen the girl I was here with?”
“No, sorry,” Sean says.
My phone dings, and I see it’s a text from my dad—they must be home.
Dad: Where are you?
I quickly type out a return text.
Chance: We’re at Joker’s. Is something wrong?
The dots begin bouncing immediately.
Chance: Is there a reason Laken was sitting on our front steps when we got home? Is there a reason you’re not here with her?
Fuck, when did she leave? Why didn’t she tell me she wanted to go? I don’t even say bye to my friends. I rush out to the parking lot and climb into Laken’s car. The restaurant is only four blocks from my parents’ house, and it takes no time to reach it.
I pull into the driveway and climb out. Dad steps outside and sits on the steps. That’s his signal for “sit your ass down”
“How was Disney?”
“We had a lot of fun. She’s a sweet girl. Laken’s done well with her.” He’s silent for a moment. “She told your mom that she tried to tell you she was ready to leave, and you ignored her multiple times. When your friends showed up they basically shoved her out of the way, and you let them. I raised you better than that.”
“I didn’t mean to ignore her like that. I wasn’t expecting to run into a bunch people I knew. Everyone was in my face, and I just got caught up in catching up with them.” I scrub my hands over my face. “Did I mess this up too much?” I turn to look at my dad. “This is why I don’t have relationships. I suck at them.”
“Son, everything has always come easy to you; your grades, sports, girls. Laken is far from easy. I don’t mean that in a bad way. You’re just
