Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabella Read Free Book Online Page B

arrow whizzing and hitting its target filled
my ear. “And you called because?”
    “ Well, since you want me to
be honest, I called because you said you would be my friend. And
friends hang out…so I was wondering if you wanted to do something.”
I hurriedly added, “I’m not asking you out, like on a date. No
pressure. Just two friends being bored together.” I winced. “You
know, I’m not usually this inept.”
    “ You said it a lot better
than I ever could.” He chuckled, taking me off speakerphone. “So,
what did you have in mind?”
    “ Food. I haven’t eaten
dinner. Have you?”
    “ Yeah, but I’m always
hungry. Where is this dance?”
    “ In school in the
gym.”
    “ Great, I’ll meet you in
the parking lot. Ten minutes.”
    I climbed down the bleachers and picked
my way across the field. The driver my mother hired was easily
called off, and I even told him to double his usual tip, just
because I was in such a good mood now. The dance was still going
strong, music hyped and practically shaking the windows. I stayed
in the shadows, hoping no one saw me. I didn’t need any more
problems tonight.
    The lights of Chase’s truck lit the
parking lot as he pulled up. I slipped down the front steps,
smiling. He was wearing a white cowboy hat. It suited
him.
    “ Briar?”
    I jerked to a halt, glancing over my
shoulder.
    It was Alex’s best friend,
Nathan.
    “ Yeah?”
    He pushed his shirtsleeves up, nodding
at my dress. “That’s nice.”
    “ Uh, thanks.” I said,
glancing back at the truck. Chase parked and sat patiently,
watching me.
    “ Look, I heard what
happened between you and Alex.”
    I grimaced, thinking at this rate, I’d
need to transfer to an out of state school to get away from the
gossip. “Who hasn’t?”
    “ Can I offer you some
advice?” really? since when was he the helpful kind?
    “ I think I’m past the stage
of needing it.” I headed for the truck, but Nathan kept on my
heels.
    “ Alex has a lot riding on
him…the team, family stuff. Maybe you could work with
him.”
    My back went ridged. I spun to face
him. “Are you kidding me? Is this a sick joke you’re
playing?”
    “ No. You don’t know what
it’s like to be under all this pressure. It’s hard.”
    “ Hmm, sounds excruciating.”
I crossed my arms and waited for him to finish what he wanted to
say. It was obvious I wasn’t going anywhere until he
did.
    Nathan seemed to take offense to that,
and hit me with a real zinger. “If you would have done what Alex
wanted, then he wouldn’t have slept with Rachel.”
    “ So it’s my fault? Rachel
could have told him no.” Nathan was just trying to make himself
feel better. I wasn’t the problem, but I was the easiest person to
take it out on.
    Nathan flinched at that remark. “She’s
done with him now.”
    “ If you say so.”
    “ Why are you walking away?
I’m not done talking.”
    “ Too bad, I’m done
listening.” I ran the rest of the way to the truck. Chase opened
the door and slid out so I could get in.
    Nathan glared through the windshield.
“We will finish this Monday.”
    I shook my head and glanced
away.
    “ Maybe if you weren’t such
a stuck up, snotty bitch—”
    “ Hey, watch your mouth.”
Chase snapped.
    I turned in my seat, realizing he was
still outside, and he took a step toward Nathan.
    “ Can we go, please?” I
asked, hoping he wouldn’t confront the quarterback. Not that Chase
couldn’t take him. Nathan was all hot air. Still, I didn’t need my
new friend fighting with my old one.
    Chase got in and shut the door,
reluctantly. I watched him watch Nathan stomp back into the
gym.
    “ Wanna tell me what that
was about?” Chase asked, curling his fingers around the steering
wheel. It wouldn’t surprise me if he imagined the wheel was
Nathan’s neck.
    “ Not right now.”
    “ Later then.”
    I agreed with a stiff nod, wrapping my
arms around my middle. It was only so comforting to hug yourself.
And I could use a hug right