“Observant. Yes, and the name’s Velyn,” I offer with a smile.
“Nice! Well, maybe we can be study buddies or something, Velyn?”
I look to the lanky guy standing next to me and as I get closer to him, I realize he’s just a kid. “Chase, how old are you?”
He lets out a sigh. “I just turned seventeen at the beginning of the summer.”
“Just turned seventeen? As in you were only sixteen a couple of months ago? Shouldn’t you still be in high school?” I question.
He looks to me and shrugs. “Yeah, I was moved ahead a couple of grades in school. They felt that when I was correcting the teachers in front of the other students, it caused them to lose credibility.”
Eyes wide, I laugh. “Yeah, I can see why they may think that. So, you’re a prodigy of sorts.”
“Oh, not of sorts, I most definitely am.”
I let out another laugh. “Good, then I accept your offer to be study buddies because God knows I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
Chase smiles, pointing to the door just ahead. “This is us.”
We head into class and I take a seat in the middle of the auditorium-style room, Chase taking the one next to me.
“Did you do the assigned readings?” he whispers as others make their way into class.
I nod. “Yeah, finished them up last night so that it would be fresh for this morning.”
He faces forward as the prof enters the room, and in a whisper says, “Good, I prefer when my study buddies are well prepared.”
As the prof begins, Chase straightens right up, giving her all his attention. I can’t help but admire his enthusiasm. Joan was all concerned with me making friends, so she’ll be so pleased when I let her know that not even minutes into my first day, I made one with the only other person that’s as much of a keener as me. Granted, he’s barely old enough to drive and may still have a curfew, but he’d probably make a great fourth for Canasta night…I’ll have to run it by him.
After class, I say goodbye to my new friend as he scurries away to his next lecture. Opting for a light course load, I’m done for the day, so I start to make my way back to the diner. As I’m walking across the Quad, I see a large mass gripping my new friend in a headlock.
Are you kidding me—I thought they only did this shit in high school?
Instantly my walk turns into a run, and when I reach them, I use all my force to push the douche off my new friend. I quickly glance over to Chase to make sure he’s okay, then up to the ass who just had him pinned under his arm.
“Velyn—” Chase starts, but I stop him.
“No, he needs to hear this,” I sneer, then turn to the oversized goon. “You know, I’m pretty sure you have a good foot on him and about a hundred and fifty pounds. How about next time before that less than brilliant brain of yours decides to act like a douchebag, you take a minute and consider your next step because I promise you this; if I ever catch you so much as laying a finger on him again, it will become my mission to make your life a living hell. And let me tell you, my jackass quotient is pretty full, so I have a well-stocked arsenal.”
“Velyn, really—” Chase starts once again.
“Chase, don’t say it’s okay because it’s not,” I add and step to the dirty blond-haired giant.
Standing only inches from what I now realize is a good six-foot-five wall, I swallow hard past the lump in my throat.
I’m not going to back down.
Bringing up what courage I can muster, I get right in his face. “Do you hear me?”
Blondie, whom I’ve yet to know his name, straightens, making himself appear even larger. He plants a broad smile across his face and speaks. “Oh, I heard you…loud and clear, but I’m starting to think I’d like to see what’s in this arsenal of yours now that you have my curiosity piqued and all.”
I push in a little closer, and with the sun out of my eyes I have a perfect view of his face. I hate admitting this, but for a moment, I’m left breathless. He’s gorgeous—a perfect specimen with a flawlessly chiseled jawline, sun-kissed skin, and the brightest emerald green eyes.
Velyn, snap out of it; he’s an ass!
“You’re a jerk,” I let out in frustration.
He laughs, his eyes roaming rhythmically over my body. “And you’re feisty. But as much as I’m enjoying this oh, mousy one, I need to get to class. So much to your misfortune, I’m going to have to cut this delightful encounter short.”
Mousy one? What the—
He slides by me, lightly brushing his chest against mine and heads down the walkway. But before he gets too far, he turns around. “Chase, I’ll be waiting in the parking lot after class for you. Don’t be late, or I’m letting your ass walk home, little brother,” he finishes with a chuckle, then heads on his way.
Eyes wide, I turn to Chase. “He’s your brother? Why on earth did you let me go off on him like that if you guys were just goofing around?”
Chase shrugs. “In all fairness, I tried to tell you, but you kept cutting me off. And honestly, I was quite enjoying watching my brother have his ass chewed out.”
“You know I have half a mind to put you in a headlock myself,” I scold.
He chuckles, offering a goofy brow wiggle. “I actually might enjoy that.”
“Don’t push it, little boy,” I groan, finally allowing the embarrassment to fade away.
Already running late because of the attempt to defend my new friends’ honor, I turn to Chase. “I’ll see you in Econ tomorrow?”
“Be there or be square.”
I look to him, amused. “What are you? Forty?”
“Nope, just bringing back the oldies,” he replies as a sweet smile of innocence lingers at his lips. “See you tomorrow, Velyn.”
He sends me off with a mock salute, and as I watch him walk away, I can’t help but shake my head, thinking what an odd little character—yep, we’re most definitely going to be the best of friends.
It’s shortly after eleven when I arrive at the diner, and the place is already out the door busy with
people. I quickly make my way past the line, shuffling in behind the counter and taking over the till for Joan.
“Perfect timing,” she says, then without a second of delay heads off to take orders from the tables while I work the counter.
After wrapping my apron around my waist, I look up to the next person in line—blondie!
You have got to be kidding me.
“I thought you had class,” I mention, still somewhat annoyed that he let me play out that little scene before making it known he was Chases’ brother.
“I do, but a man has to eat,” he replies.
“What can I get you?”
He looks up to the board above my head. “I’ll have the twelve-inch meatball sub, a large fry, an order of onion rings…oh, and maybe throw in some of those cinnamon twist things.”
I look past him just over his shoulder; following my line of sight, he asks, “What are you looking at?”
Brow raised; I look back to him. “Just checking to see if you brought the football team in with you.”
He lets out a full laugh, crossing his arms over his puffed chest. “Are you insinuating I overeat?”
I shrug, taking in his perfectly toned body. “Hey, if you're all about the empty calories served up
on a cardiac platter, then don’t let my observations stop you.” He pops out his chest a little more lightly, flexing his arms just enough to make it known that he’s in impeccable shape. I cock my brow, rolling my eyes. “That’ll be fifteen-eighty.”
Handing me a twenty, I give him the change. “You can pick up your order at the end of the counter—next.”
He shifts down to the end so I can take the next order, but his eyes never leave me. By the time his food’s ready, the line has thinned out, and I finish up with the last customer.
He walks over as I grab a cloth to wipe down the counter. “I’m having a little get together this weekend.
Chase usually just stays up in his room; he doesn’t care much for my friends, but maybe if he had a friend there of his own, he’d like it more.”
I look up to him. “Yeah, I’ll have to decline. I’m not much of the party going type.”
“Come on, everyone likes a party now and again,” he replies.
I shoot him a smile. “Nope, not me. Besides, I already have plans.”
“No, you don’t,” Joan lets out as she passes by.
“Um, yes, I do. Remember?” I turn to her, exaggerating a wink.
Joan completely ignores my signal and looks over my shoulder. “She’s free.”
“Thanks, Joan,” I groan softly under my breath, then turn back to blondie.
“Great, I’ll have Chase give you the address,” he says. “Oh, and the name’s Dylan, just in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
Just as he turns to leave, a little cocky smirk appears on his face. “Not yet anyway.”
I swear, if it weren’t for the view of his perfectly toned ass as he walks out, I would’ve thought he had no redeemable qualities.
“Oh, he’s most certainly not horrible to look at,” Joan comments as she walks up beside me.
I turn to her. “I’m not talking to you, traitor.”
She laughs, keeping her eyes locked on the door until he’s entirely out of sight. “Oh, that’s okay, I have a funny feeling you’ll be thanking me soon enough.”
Chapter 3
Dylan
I’m relaxing on the couch going over today’s class notes when Chase walks through the living room, being his usual cheerful self.
“Pizza’s on the counter,” I call out as he makes his way to the kitchen.
“I’m impressed you managed to save me some. What do you want?” he asks suspiciously, peeking his head around the corner.
I look to him with a contrived offense. “What, I can’t offer my brother dinner?”
“Sure, but every other time you manage to polish off the whole thing before I can even smell it, so once again, Dylan, what do you want?”
Resting against the back of the couch, I grin. “Well, since you seem so eager to offer your services, there may be a little something I need you to do for me.”
Chase looks to me trying to get a read on what I might ask, and it takes only a moment more before he starts shaking his head. “Nuh-uh, no way. I won’t be your spy, Dylan. She’s my friend, and I won’t be a party to your trying to seduce her. Forget it. I’d rather die a horrible death from starvation then do that to her.”
“Come on, little brother. All you need to do is talk me up to her a little. You know, mention how I’m a good guy and a great brother, I’ll take care of the rest with my undeniable charm.”
“Nope, not happening. As I said, she’s my friend. One doesn’t willingly subject friends too…well, the likes of you,” he replies.
“Chase, she’s been your friend for a whole seven hours, I’ve been your brother your entire life. Come on, do me a solid and I promise I’ll make it worth your while,” I plead.
He makes his way to the kitchen, then returns to the living room with a plate, taking a seat on the couch opposite me. “Dyl, if you have so much charm, why can’t you get her to go out with you on your own?”
“Honestly, I don’t think this one’s going to be an easy hook.” My brother shoots me a displeased glare. “Sorry, I mean, I think she’s going to take some convincing. I invited her over here on Saturday for the party, she refused at first, but I told her that you’d
think it’s cool to have her here. All I need you to do now is get her to at least consider that I’m a good guy.”
Chase looks me over for a moment before answering. “Why are you so interested in her, Dylan? She’s nothing like the other girls you bring around—Velyn actually has a brain. And I know for a fact that you noticed her clothes had seen better days; they weren’t your standard couture ensemble.”
“Obviously by that comment, you did too,” I point out.
Chase nods. “Yes, but my observation comes from wanting to learn more about the people I surround myself with. Yours comes from wanting to weed those same people out.”
“Are you trying to say that I’m judgmental and have a type?” I ask.
“Oh, no, I’m not trying, Dylan, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” Chase replies with not even an ounce of guilt in his tone.
I let out a sigh. “Chase, the only real criteria I have is that they’re female and hot; Velyn fits both of those categories. Well, she could use a lesson or two on whatever girls learn to make themselves worthwhile to look at, but even a fixer-upper can surprise you. What do you say, are you going to help me or not?”
“Dylan, in good conscience, I have to decline. If I was to help you, I know exactly how it would play out. You’re going to get her to go out with you a few times and show her that classic Dylan charisma. She’ll fall for you because they always do, then when you’ve decided that you’ve had enough, you’ll cast her aside with all the others. You’ll move on, and I’ll be without a friend because she’ll refuse to talk to me. No, sorry, but you’re on your own with this one.”
I shake my head in disappointment. “And here I thought you were my brother.”
“Oh, I’m your brother, that’s why I’ll give you this piece of advice. Velyn’s not your typical college party girl—there’s more to her. Dylan, I’m serious when I say I’d rather you didn’t go for her, but if you decide to, at least take into consideration that maybe, just maybe, she could be more than just a fling.”
Taking the last bite of pizza, Chase heads to his room, leaving me with his one-sided words of wisdom.
“Not a party girl.” I laugh. “They’re all party girls.”
The party’s in full swing, and I’m sitting in my father’s study. I like to come in here now and then, so I can try and get a feel for the kind of power he has and other times just to escape the droves of people I’ve opened my doors to. I don’t know why I let Jordan talk me into throwing these things. I mean sure, freshman year and even up to last summer I was all into it; still am. But every weekend? It’s just getting old. I mean, what’s wrong with just having a few of the guys over, cooking up steaks on the barbeque and throwing back some beers? Hell, they can even bring their women if they have them; we could always use a clean-up crew.
I guess this is our final year, our last hoorah, so to speak. After June it’ll be time to play hardball with the big hitters, which means long lost will be the nights of squandered youth, replaced with long nights of mergers and last-minute deals. The thing is, coming into this room lately has made me realize that I’m scared shitless about the change.
“Douchebag, what the hell are you doing in here? Redhead just arrived. She’s not a twin, but she’s got a couple of really hot friends.”
I turn the chair to look at Jordan. “Do you ever just not want to do this?”
His expression turns quizzical, and I can see he’s lost. “Huh, do what?”
“This.” I throw up my hands, gesturing past him outside the door. “Do you ever not want to be on overdrive all the time?”
“Dyl, man, are you feeling okay? Do you need me to get Chase or some shit?”
I let out a breath; I love Jordan, but at times he can be wearing. “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”
“Well, can you think out here? I’m going to snag one or maybe two of the trio, and I
need my wingman.”
This is a pointless discussion to have with Jordan. He was right to ask if I wanted him
to get Chase, because as much of a pain in the ass my little brother can be, he’s still always been the voice of reason. It’s about one of the only traits he inherited from our father, all his other hippy-dippy mannerisms and quirks come from the egg donor—his biological mother. The same woman that decided after having him that she wasn’t cut out for domestic life. She just up and left him—she left me.
Shaking it off,
I look up to Jordan, who’s still standing in the door, his ugly mug holding the same dumbfounded expression.
“Buddy, I’m no one’s wingman.” I stand and make my way into the hall, patting him on the shoulder as I pass. “Come learn a thing or two from the master.”
The next couple of hours fly by, and as the night goes on, I can feel my body become heavier—I’m definitely going to feel this one in the morning.
“Well, holy shitballs! Did little Chasey bring a girl to the party?”
I look in the direction Jordan’s sights are set, smirking internally. “Yeah, she’s his new bestie.”
Jordan takes his usual size’em up stance, so I wait to see what he thinks. “Ehn, she’s not horrible but definitely not at our caliber—I’d give her a solid five.”
“Five?” I look over to Jordan then back to where Chase and Velyn are standing. “Come on, man, she’s at least a seven–eight. I don’t know, she’s kind of cute, no?”
Jordan slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Since when do we do cute? But I guess we are talking about your brother here, so, yeah, I can let her pass with a light seven.”
He gives me a final tap then starts to make his rounds again. Jordan may never take over for his father, but he could certainly have a career in campaigning.
I look back over to where Chase and Velyn were, but they’ve disappeared.
Where did they go?
I lift my head to scan the room, but I don’t see them. Maybe he took her outside. I start to head in that direction, but I’m stopped when redhead grabs me by the arm.
“Hey, you!”
I look down to her and smile. “Hey there, beautiful, I’m glad you could make it.”
She shrugs. “Yeah, well, it was either here or Greek row for the night, but your friend convinced me that if I came here, I wouldn’t be disappointed. He wasn’t lying, was he?”
I look down to her eyes noticing that ever so familiar glint of a sure thing. But before I commit, I give a final scan of the area and, once again, nothing. I grab redhead by the waist, throwing her over my shoulder, and a squeal sounds from her mouth.
Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel Page 2