One Chance (13 page)

“Well
, we don’t have to worry about that yet, because summer isn’t over.”

“Thank goodness,” she says as we go towards the back where I can smell the fire already.

“Looking good,” I praise Brody.

“Thanks, dad actually helped,” he says laughing.

“That’s fine,” I say as I take a seat on the chair by the fire, “I brought stuff for s’mores,” I state setting the supplies on the empty seat beside me.

“We need to do this more often,” Brody
declares as he gets adjusted in his seat.

“We sure do,” Kenzie says as she sits down on the chair beside him.

“What’s going on out here?” Isaac asks with Liam right behind him.

“Relaxing by the fire,” Brody
mumbles like it’s no big deal.

“You guys should join us,” Kenzie
states quickly.

“Absolutely,” Isaac says sitting down on the chair beside Brody, leaving one chair open; the one beside me, “Take a seat,” Isaac motions his lead to
ward Liam.  He sits but doesn’t say a word.

“What’s wrong with you?” Brody asks Liam right away.

“Nothing,” he says as he lounges back in the chair.

“Could have fooled me,” Kenzie says in a snooty voice.

“I’m fine,” he says sounding slightly irritated.

“You’ve been acting weird for the past few weeks, what gives?” Brody pushes.

“I just have a lot on my mind, with school, college, moving in with Meg, it’s a lot.”

“So
, then don’t live with her,” Kenzie says like it’s a no brainer.

“Have you met Meg?” he asks amused.

“Yes.”

“She’ll have this shit all figured out in like
a month,” he says harshly.

“So then
, what do you need to worry about?” Isaac asks.

“Just the thought of it, makes me nervous.”

“Why are you going to live with her?” Kenzie asks confused.

“It’s the next step I g
uess.”

“Seriously?” she asks horrified.

“Yeah.  Don’t girls usually want that kind of shit?”

“No,
not always,” she retorts.

“Oh, well
I’m pretty sure that’s what she wants.”

“She does
,” I say quietly.

“What?”
he asks annoyed.

“You assumed right.  She’s planning everything,
she’s been looking at places online.  You’ll probably only need to sign the papers and pack to move in.”

“How do you know?” Kenzie asks confused.

“Meg’s been talking about it nonstop,” I admit.

“That makes it
easy,” Isaac says as he grabs the supplies to start making himself a s’more.

“So when’s the big day?” Brody asks me instead of Liam, because he clearly doesn’t know.

“August 10th,” I state.

“What?” Liam shrieks.

“That’s the date she’s been telling everyone.  That way, it’s before classes start.”

“That’s
like a month away,” he says looking pissed.

“
When did you plan on moving in?” Brody asks softly.

“I don’t know, I guess I didn’t really think it through.”

“So then, don’t live with her,” Isaac says.

“You don’t just ask someone to
live with you and then turn around and take it back,” Liam says annoyed.

“Then why the hell did you
agree to live with her?” Brody asks.

“I’m not having this conversation right now,” he snaps as he grabs the stuff to start making his own s’more.

“Hey Hails, is Quinn coming here before going back to school?” Kenzie asks me out of nowhere.

“Yeah, she’s going to come within the next week or so, why?”

“Just curious.  I like her,” Kenzie says.

“You met her?” Liam asks surprised.

“Yeah, when we came to watch one of your football games,” Brody says like it’s no big deal.

“Great,” he says looking anything but happy.

“You don’t like her?” Kenzie asks confused.

“No, not really.”

“You don’t even know her,” I spit out before thinking.

“I know enough,” he says with an evil glare.
  Clearly Liam thinks the so called bet to sleep with him was Quinn’s doing, but wow, he’s so wrong.

“What don’t you like about her?” Kenzie asks.

“She’s a hard core partier.”

“So what’s wrong with that?”  I ask pissed off.

“That causes trouble and rumors to happen,” he says looking irate.

“What rumors happened?” Kenzie asks all consumed with this new found knowledge.

“Nothing, there aren’t any rumors, he’s being a jackass,” I shout.

“Not yet, but I’m sure there will be soon enough.”

“Then it would be you that started them,” I quip back.

“You need to be careful with who you hang out with, rumors could start about you too,” he says before getting up and heading inside without another word.

“What the fuck just happened?” Brody asks.

“Your brother is an asshole,” I spout
, causing the three of them to laugh at me.  If I go back to school and that fucker starts shit about me, he will regret it.

The rest of the night we reminisce on old times before I decide to call it a night and head home.

Chapter Nine

Before I know it, summer is over and I’m heading back to school.  I can’t believe how quick time flies. I drive
eleven hours back to school, enjoying the quietness that I have this time.  Liam ended up leaving a little over a month ago because of football, which I was actually grateful for.  He started to be a downright jerk about everything.

Quinn ended up coming down for a week before she went back to school.  Family life isn’t the best for her
, so she decided to visit, and then headed back to school early to move in the sorority house and start unpacking.

After the long drive
, I pull into the sorority house, parking on the side and grab a few of my bags before making my way inside the house.

“It’s about damn time you go
t here,” Quinn says rushing up to me to grab a bag.

“Thanks,” I say handing her one, “I hit some traffic today,” I say as we make our way to our new room.

“I am so happy you’re back,” she says as she enters our room.

“Holy shit,” I say taking in the completely decorated room.

“I had some spare time,” she says with a shrug.

“No
, it looks great,” I say taking in the décor and pictures, “You didn’t have to put any of my stuff out though.”

“Again
, I was bored and had time.”

“Well
, thank you.  Makes it less things I have to do,” I say excitedly.

“Oh and just so you know
, Liam is a real douchebag.”

“Oh no
, what happened?” I ask as I plop on my newly made bed.

“He’s a dick to me and I don’t know why.”

“He thinks you put me up to the bet.”

“I figured as much.  I just ignored his dumb ass.”

“Do you see him often?”

“No, only when he comes to get Meg.”

“Okay, so not that often,” I say feeling relieved.

“It’s often enough.
  He still being an ass to you?”

“Yep
, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.”

“Well
, screw him then.  It’s his loss.”

“Isn’t Meg moving out soon?” I ask, thinking her and Liam would be living together by now.

“No, I guess they aren’t moving in together yet.”

“Why not?”

“Something about him not liking the places she found.”

“Oh.”

“Who knows,” she says annoyed.

The rest of the day is spent hanging out and unpacking.  It’s only Thursday and classes aren’t starting up until Monday.
  Some of the other girls are already in the house, so we spend the entire night catching up on how our summers went and talking about the fun and exciting things that are yet to come this year.

“Hey Haley, so how do you like the house?” Meg asks the following morning.

“I love it.”

“Good, I’m glad.  I was wondering if you would be able to help me with something?” she asks looking hopeful.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Well,
Liam is taking his good ol’ time trying to find the right apartment.  Do you know what he’s looking for in a house, because he’s not really telling me anything?”

“Umm I wish I knew, but I haven’t got a clue,
” I say truthfully.

“
Oh, okay.  I guess I’ll just have to wait until he decides to tell me what he wants,” she says looking bummed.

“I’m sure it will be soon,” I say giving her some type of hope.

“Thanks.  I hope it’s soon,” she says before rushing out of the room to do something else I suppose.

“There you are.  What are your plans for tonight?” Rebecca one of the sorority sisters asks me.

“I don’t have any plans,” I admit.

“Well you do now, and it’s to go on a date with me,” she says a little too excitedly.

“What?” I ask confused.

“A double date, sorry.  I’m a little excited.  I’m going out with Rob and he’s bringing his friend Austin
.  I told him I would bring a friend, so will you please, please, please come along?” she pleads.

“Sure,” I say excited.  I’m definitely up for something different.

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much Haley,” she screams while she jumps up and down.

“So when and where?”

“Tonight, we are going to meet them at Mistro’s at 6:00 p.m., so be ready!”  I glance at the clock and see I’ve got plenty of time.

“Sounds good, I’ll be ready.”

“Be ready for what?” Quinn asks as she walks in the room.

“Haley’s going on a double date with me tonight,” Rebecca says excitedly.

“Nice, well good for you,” she says approvingly.

“Should I wear anything specific?” I ask curiously.

“No, whatever you want is fine,” Rebecca says, “Okay, well I’m off to start getting ready,” she says before she leaves the room.

“What time’s the date?” Quinn asks.

“Six.”

“So why is she getting ready now?” she asks confused, because it’s not even 3:00 p.m. yet.

“No idea.   So you want to hang out before my big date?” I joke.

“Hell yeah.”

“We head into the social room, which is a huge living room in the sorority house.  There are multiple couches and a television.  This is where we gather to hang out.  We hang out with a few of the other girls whom are already sitting so we sit and gossip.  What else is there to do?”

Before I know it, I need to get ready for my night out with Rebecca.  I grab a quick shower before I decide on a red plaid skirt with a black tank top since it’s hot outside.  I match it with
my black sandals and go light on my make-up. After blow-drying my hair I let it down and straight.

“Damn you look hot,” Quinn announces as I walk out of the bathroom.

“Thanks,” I say as I take a look at myself in the mirror one more time.

“I need to borrow that skirt.”

“It’s not too short is it?” I ask as I try to get a better look at the back in the mirror.

“No, you’re covered, it’s good.”

Just then Rebecca rushes into our room, “You ready? Holy shit you look hot,” she says as she takes in my appearance.

“Thanks.  You look great yourself,” I state.  Rebecca’s in a navy shift dress that has spaghetti straps.  It fits her perfectly though and she has silver flats on that match her jewelry.  She has her blonde hair curly tonight a
nd the curls are calm and cute. “Yes I’m ready,” I say as I grab my wristlet quick.

“Have fun ladies,” Quinn says before Rebecca and I head out the door.
  A couple of the girls stop us before we get out of the house to compliment us on our outfits, but thankfully, we are able to get out and on our way.

“Should I drive separately?” I ask confused.

“No why?”

“Are you going to be leaving with Rob?”

“Oh, crap, maybe, do you mind driving?”

“That’s fine,” I say feeling happy with me behind the wheel.  I drive us to the pub and park outside.  The parking lot isn’t full, which goes to say there probably isn’t a crowd yet.  This is a restaurant slash bar type of place, but at night it can get pretty busy for those who are legally allowed to drink.

“Shit, you aren’t 21 are you?” Rebecca asks.

“No, I’m 19.”

“You won’t be able to drink here.”

“That’
s fine,” I say as we head inside.  It doesn’t take long for Rebecca to spot Rob, because she starts walking faster towards him and the guy I’m assuming is Austin.

She makes introductions and we end up sitting at a booth, me beside Austin and Rebecca beside Rob.  It makes it a little difficult to talk when you’re sitting side-by-side to your date.

“You look amazing,” Austin states as he clearly checks me out.

“Thanks,” I
say to Austin who is actually a real, good looking guy.  We make small talk before the waitress comes to take our orders. “May I have a water?” I ask as the rest of the table except for Rebecca stares at me.

“She’s not 21 guys,” Rebecca tells the two of them.

“How old are you?” Austin asks with a curious look.

“I’ll be 20 soon.”

“So you’re a sophomore then?”

“Yep.
  You’re a junior or a senior?” I ask curiously.

“A senior,” he states matter of fact.

The waitress ends up taking the rest of the orders before heading off to fetch our drinks.

“So what’s the p
lan for after dinner?” Rob asks all of us.

“Not sure, do you guys have anything in mind?” Rebecca asks.

“Well we were going to hit up a few bars, but Haley can’t get in,” he says slightly annoyed.

“That’s fine
, you guys can go.  Don’t let me stop you,” I say, hating the feeling of holding anyone back from what they really want to do.

“No,
its fine, we can find something else to do,” Austin says quickly.

“There’s always frat or sorority parties,” Rebecca says sounding frustrated with Rob already.

“Yeah, there’s to be a big party tonight at Masters’ house, we can check that out,” Rob says impressed with himself.

“I won’t go to that house,” I say nervously, knowing that
he’s referring to Liam’s house.  I promised I wouldn’t go to any parties at his house and I’m not about to go now.

“Why
, did something happen?” Rebecca asks quickly.

“No, I just don’t get along with some of the guys there,” I lie, only
one in particular and that’s cause he can’t stand me.

“Are you sure something didn’t happen?  We can take care of it if it did,” Austin says kindly
as he looks at me intently.

“No, nothing happened in particular.  I just said I won’t go back there, but again don’t let me stop you guys,” I say apologetically.

“Nah, its cool, there’s a party in the house beside Chi Phi, we can head there,” Austin says like it’s no big deal.

Thankfully, the waitress comes back with our drinks and food.  Not surprised
, it didn’t take long to cook because this place is pretty dead.  We eat and have minimal conversation, but I must say that Austin seems like a really nice guy.  He’s also very nice to look at.

Austin
has brown hair with brown eyes and perfect dimples on each cheek.  He’s muscular and tall, so I’m not sure if he’s in a sport or a club, but the man definitely works out.  He’s wearing a pair of plaid shorts with a green V-neck shirt, which shows his muscular arms.  I must say I’m impressed.

After dinner
, we decide to head to the party to check it out. Since it’s not far from the sorority house, I park my car and the guys follow suit.  We end up walking to the party, which is much safer considering we plan on drinking.

“This place doesn’t look like they are having a party tonight,” I say at the lack of people around.

“No, its invitation only, it’s usually a smaller group of people,” Austin says as he makes his way to the door.  He opens it and holds it for me, Rebecca, and Rob to enter.

Some guy comes rushing up to give a fist bump and a manly hug to Austin and Rob before looking at Rebecca and me.

“Can I get you sexy ladies a drink?” the guy asks.

“I got it Nick,” Austin says to the guy who was just fist bumping him.

“You know where they’re at dude,” he says before walking away.

“Come on,” he says as he throws his arm around my shoulders
, leading me to where the alcohol is.  Rebecca and Rob are behind us.

We each grab a beer before deciding to take a seat in the living room. 
There are not many people here, but enough to have a good time.

“They playing cards downstairs?” Austin asks Nick.

“Yeah, they should be up soon, I know a couple of the guys were tired of it and the girls were bitching,” Nick says.

“
Sounds like fun,” I joke.

“Do you play cards?  I’m thinking maybe a game of strip poker later,” Nick asks as he eyes me closely.

“Watch it man, she’s my date,” Austin says sticking up for me.

“
Had to try,” he quips while Austin just shakes his head.

After a few beers
, I decide to get the next round and I head to the kitchen to grab us drinks.  I can hear some guys laughing and joking, but don’t expect to walk into the kitchen where Liam is with a few of his friends I’m assuming.

“Whoa
, look at this hot little thing,” one of the guys joke, as I walk towards the beer.

“What are you doing here?” Liam asks bitterly.

“I’m hanging out,” I say as I walk past him to get to the fridge to get some beer.

“You know her dude?” a guy asks quickly.