Chasing Each Other

by J. D. Rivera

  “So, did you go home with one of those girls?” Justin asked a little too loudly.

  I pulled my eyes from Miranda to a smiling Justin. Glancing back at Miranda, I found her watching me out of the corner of her eye. “Seriously? No,” I answered, raising my voice. I didn’t want Miranda to think I had went home with some girls.

  “I thought for sure you were. Clown makeup is always a turn on,” he joked as Kate slapped his chest playfully, rolling her eyes.

  “Is that really the type of girl you like? Didn’t you date Maria Santos?” David asked from the lawn chair on my other side.

  Fuck! Why did he have to bring her up? Why didn’t they just take Miranda in another room and regale her of all my past girlfriends and one-nighters. “Yeah. But she’s not my type either.”

  “She’s hot!”

  “Hot doesn’t change the fact that she’s a bitch,” I informed him, adding, “and she’s not that hot,” for Miranda’s benefit.

  David’s mouth fell open and Kate laughed.

  “What the hell do you think is attractive, man?”

  I took another drink of beer. “What are you sixteen?” I asked.

  “Whatever. Maria’s hot. I’d totally do her,” David stated, staring off into space, as if dreaming about my ex.

  Done with the conversation, I got up and walked over to the grill. After grabbing a bun and a hot dog, I placed them on a plate, along with a handful of chips.

  “Your friend is great,” Miranda said, placing a handful of chips on her plate as well.

  I laughed. “Yeah.”

  “He still lives with his mom, doesn’t he? Probably the basement.”

  I choked on the bite I had just taken. Coughing around my laughter, I finally regained my composure and swallowed. She had no idea just how right she was. “Holy shit. I’ll let him know you’d like a date.”

  She shrugged and took a bite of a chip. “Well, at first it was his beer belly that attracted me to him. Then I heard him talking about your ex being hot and…I’m not sure I can control myself much longer. He’s the total package.”

  I finally quit laughing long enough to spit out, “Miranda Clark, you are something else.”

  “Thanks...I think.”

  I winked as I walked back to my seat. If I could just get over my attraction, she’d be someone I’d want to spend time with. Hell, I wanted to spend a lot of time with her. My only problem was I wanted to spend time with her naked.

  As the night wore on, I alternated between pretending I was listening to people and watching Miranda. I couldn’t seem to get enough of her and if I didn’t think she was having the same problem toward me, I’d feel like a stalker.

  “It’s cake time!” Mackenzie yelled as she sat a sheet cake down on the patio table. “Sorry, I only put two candles on the cake. One for each. I didn’t think there would be enough room for all of them.”

  “Did you really buy a cake like we are little kids?” Miranda asked playfully.

  “Yes,” Mackenzie replied. “I’ve been craving some since Harley’s birthday and this was the perfect excuse.”

  I stepped beside Miranda as all of our friends stood on the other side of us, laughing and joking about singing the birthday song. I placed my arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. “You ready, beautiful?” I asked, letting the word tumble out.

  Her eyes widened a bit, but I wasn’t going to take it back. It wasn’t a lie—she was beautiful. After a few seconds, she nodded, and I counted to three before we blew out the two candles together. I left my arm around her until someone handed us our plates.

  She sat down in a random chair and I sat down next to her. Fuck staying away from her—I was going to be her friend.

  Chapter 11

  Miranda

  He called me beautiful. I was sure he used it as a term of endearment, like how he used the word sweetheart, but the butterflies he had caused to take flight inside my stomach were unmistakable.

  I sat down in a random lawn chair and he sat down next to me. I tried not to fidget—it wasn’t the first time we had been together—but I couldn’t help it. He had called me beautiful.

  “How’s your car? Still working properly?” he asked as he took a huge bite of cake, exposing his tongue. Gosh, I wanted to feel that tongue on my lips. My neck. My...

  His eyebrows lifted, letting me know I still hadn’t answered his question. “Oh…um…yeah. I guess it was just the battery.”

  “Brad, I don’t think you’ve introduced me to your friend.” I peered up at the sound of Brad’s friend’s voice. He was great looking, but he oozed douchebag. He was the type of guy you could take one look at and know he slept with a lot of women and didn’t give a fuck about them.

  “You’re right, I didn’t,” Brad said, sounding irritated. Instead of introducing us, he shoveled more food into his mouth.

  “Well then,” his friend extended his hand, “I’m Rob. I work with this asshole.”

  I smiled, but it was completely fake, and it probably showed. “I’m Miranda.” I took another bite of cake so I wouldn’t have to say anything else.

  Brad’s eyes narrowed at me, followed by a small smile. “Miranda isn’t your type. Amelia might be, though. Maybe you should go find her,” he stated, locking his eyes with mine.

  “What the hell, man?” Rob shouted.

  Brad shrugged as a huge grin spread across his face. He finally turned to look at his friend. “I’m just saving you some time.”

  “Bastard,” his friend replied, but he was grinning as well. “Which one is Amelia?”

  “That one.” Brad pointed.

  Rob walked toward Amelia and I laughed. “Why did you do that?”

  He took a drink of his beer. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m right, though. Maybe he’s Amelia’s type. I may have just set up a match made in Heaven.”

  I shook my head. “Oh my gosh.”

  His other friend and his wife or girlfriend, I wasn’t sure, made their way toward us. “We’re going to take off.”

  “Yeah, okay. Thanks for showing,” Brad said as he stood up to give his friend some sort of man hug before hugging the woman. “Thanks for coming, Kate.”

  “It was fun. It was nice talking to Mackenzie. I haven’t seen her in a while.”

  Brad nodded and they said goodbye again before his friends walked away. “I guess I should go tell the other two dipshits the party is over and they aren’t getting lucky.”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Did they really think they would? It’s a backyard barbeque, not a kegger.”

  “If they aren’t working, they’re looking.”

  “Hmm,” I replied. “I didn’t realize they were teenagers.”

  He placed his hand on my upper arm and lightly squeezed. “It was good seeing you again. Happy early birthday.”

  “Thanks,” I told him as he walked toward his friends. I looked around the backyard and realized everyone but Brad and I had been gathered around together, listening to Carson tell one of his animated stories.

  I smiled and instantly cursed myself. It meant nothing. I mean nothing to him.

  You’re so pathetic. Preston’s words instantly rang in my ears. Preston was right. I am pathetic. A smart, sexy man like Brad would never want me.

  I stood and watched as Brad and his friends walked up the steps, back into the house. He took one last look over his shoulder, waved in my direction, and then he was gone.

  I made my way over to my friends and sank down on an empty bench. Carson eyed me skeptically but didn’t say anything as Amelia glared at me. What had I done to her? And then it hit me. She wanted Brad and he had chosen to sit with me. If only she knew what was really inside me, she’d know she had zero competition.

  “Mackenzie, do you need me to stay and help clean up?” Brad’s mom, Tina, asked her.

  “Of course not. Besides, there isn’t much to clean up.”

  Tina stood from her chair. “Okay. I’m going to take off then. Come by the dine
r and see me sometime this week.”

  Mackenzie stood up and hugged her. “I will. Promise.”

  Tina waved to the rest of us as she said goodbye. As soon as the door shut behind her, Carson bellowed, “Let’s get this party started. Where is the beer?”

  “We don’t have any,” Hayes replied, rolling his eyes.

  “What the hell? We used to drink all the time!”

  “And I have a kid now. Drinking is the last thing on my mind. And did you not notice the cops who were just here? I don’t think they’d be okay with underage drinking.”

  I laughed as they argued back and forth. It occurred to me then that Carson was the only one of us who hadn’t been forced to grow up. He was still the same as he was back in high school.

  A thunderous boom exploded in the distance, breaking them from their argument. “Well, hell. I guess the party’s over,” Carson said playfully.

  “You could just come inside,” Mackenzie suggested.

  I rose from my chair. “Actually, I think I’m going to take off. Do you need help with anything before I go?”

  Mackenzie shook her head as she replied, “Absolutely not. This was your party.”

  “Thanks. It was really fun. And sweet of you to do this.”

  She stood up and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. “Of course. Maybe we can have lunch or something on your real birthday?”

  “That would be great.” I hugged her back and yawned. “Ugh. I have to work tomorrow. I better get home and get some sleep.”

  ***

  As soon as I arrived back to my apartment, it started pouring down rain. I ran from my car as fast as I could, but I was still soaked by the time I opened the door. I flicked on the light and noted Kristin wasn’t home before trudging toward my room like a sopping wet dog.

  I checked my phone as I placed it on my nightstand. One missed call and text from the same number.

  Poco Richard: Call me. Stop ignoring my calls.

  What a douchebag.

  I peeled off my clothes as I marched to the shower, needing to warm up. I took my time afterwards, wrapping my body in the oversize towel and winding my hair above my head with another. Pulling my pajamas out of the drawer, a loud bang on the front door startled me. I jumped, my hand flying to my chest, my heart pounding. What the hell?

  I quickly threw on my pink pajama pants and matching tank top before unwinding my hair and dropping the towel on my bedroom floor. I grabbed my glasses and was halfway down the hall when a frightening thought hit me. What if it was Preston? Who the hell else would be at my door at midnight?

  I crept as slowly as possible to the front door and peeked through the hole. All the air in my lungs escaped me as I stared at the man on the other side.

  Brad.

  What in the hell is he doing here?

  I slid my fingers through my wet hair and took a deep breath. Slowly, I unlocked the door and opened it as my eyes took in the sight before me. Brad was dressed in the same jeans he had on earlier, but now he was wearing a black hoodie that was wet and clinging to his chest. The hood was over his head, setting off his shining hazel eyes as he leaned against the outside wall, a small smile playing on his lips. Holy shit. He looked hot.

  He ran a hand over his dark blond facial scruff. “Hey,” he offered.

  “Hi.”

  “So…” He placed his hand on the doorframe and continued, “I don’t have your number.”

  “Oh.” It was a stupid reply, but I couldn’t really form any coherent thoughts, let alone words.

  Rain dripped from his hood and rolled onto his face. “Yeah. And I was thinking maybe we could have those shooting lessons we had talked about.”

  I pulled my eyebrows together. “Now?”

  “No,” he said, chuckling. “It’s a little wet for that, but how about tomorrow?” Thunder clapped over our head and I jumped. He placed his hands on my upper arms. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine,” I said as a shiver ran down my spine. “I, um…I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Call in sick.”

  “Um....”

  He dropped his hands and ran one over the top of his hood. “Can I come inside?”

  I blinked and shook my head. I was such an idiot. “Oh my gosh. Yes,” I said as I stepped aside.

  He walked inside and I closed the door behind him, locking it. I turned around and my mouth went instantly dry. He was taking off his hoodie and his T-shirt clung to the wet fabric, exposing his six pack and amazing chest.

  As soon as he pulled the hoodie over his head, he pulled the white T-shirt down and noticed me staring. He smirked but didn’t say anything as he dropped his hoodie on the tile floor of the entry.

  I licked my lips and tried to think of something to say. “I don’t know if I can call in sick.”

  He plopped down on the couch like he belonged there. “You don’t know if you can call in sick? Do you plan getting sick in advance?”

  I sat down next to him, pretending the whole situation wasn’t getting to me. “Well, no. But…”

  “But what?”

  “Well, I guess I could have a cold or something. It is raining.”

  He smiled and if I had been wearing panties, they would have melted. It was in that moment realization dawned. I had been so focused on answering the door, I hadn’t put on panties or a bra. Great. Just fucking great. Immediately, I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling how hard my nipples were under my thin tank top. This keeps getting better.

  “So, what time should I pick you up?”

  “Huh?” I asked, clearly still thinking about the girls being on full display.

  He barked out a laugh. “I asked what time I should pick you up.”

  “Oh. Whatever time you want, I guess.”

  “Give me your number and I can text you in the morning.”

  I rattled off my phone number and he added it to his phone. “I’ll text you and then you’ll have my number. That work, beautiful?”

  Beautiful.

  It doesn’t mean anything.

  “Yep, that works.” I held up my index finger. “I’ll be right back, okay?” I said as I made my way down the hallway, toward my bedroom. Before I shut the door, I hollered, “Make yourself at home and help yourself to anything in the kitchen.” I closed the door and raced into my closet, digging out a pair of panties and a bra from the chest.

  I slipped on the ice blue undies and matching bra before throwing on a cute pair of purple yoga pants and a shirt that had “Make Me” across the front. Grabbing an elastic band from my nightstand, I shoved my hair into a messy bun. It wasn’t my best look, but it was better than stringy wet hair.

  Taking two deep breaths, I opened my door and looked at him. He was sitting on the couch with his legs stretched out in front of him and his head resting on the back.

  He glanced in my direction. “You seriously changed? I really liked what you had on.”

  My entire body clenched at his words and smoldering eyes. I shrugged and sat down next to him. “I had just gotten out of the shower when you knocked, so I had to throw something on. This is more comfortable.”

  “This is good, but I liked the tank top better. At least you kept the glasses.” He smirked, his eyes smoldering as they roamed over my chest and…lower. My insides lit up and I shivered.

  “Brad…” I started, but I had no idea what I wanted to say. In over a year, I hadn’t once lusted over a guy. But with Brad, it was like I couldn’t turn it off. My body reacted on its own accord and I liked it. I liked it a lot. The problem was, I shouldn’t.

  He took a deep breath. “I am a man. I may not be trying to get into your panties, but I can still see you’re insanely beautiful.”

  Chapter 12

  Brad

  That was a lie. I was this close to hauling her into the bedroom and fucking her senseless.

  Her big, brown eyes rounded and she swallowed hard. “Um. Thank you.”

  I cocked my head to the side and studied her. Sh
e acted like she had never been told she was beautiful before, which didn’t seem possible. She was absolutely breathtaking.

  “You don’t believe it, do you?”

  Her eyes shifted quickly. “Believe what?”

  “That you’re beautiful.”

  “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Um. I don’t know. I don’t think I’m hideous or anything, but I’m more average.”

  I shook my head and chuckled. “Trust me. You’re gorgeous.”

  I needed to leave before I started professing my undying love for her. But it made me sad that she didn’t know this about herself. Did she not own a mirror?

  I stood up and stretched, noticing for the second time tonight she was staring at my abs. “I should probably go. I’ll be over sometime in the morning.”

  “Okay.” She pulled her eyes from my stomach and looked at me. “Um, where are we going again?”

  “About twenty minutes south of here. My grandparents had a house on some land I inherited when my dad passed away. I really just use it when I go hunting or fishing.”

  “So, we aren’t going to be roughing it?”

  I laughed. “Well, considering we’re only going to be twenty minutes away, no. But we’ll have electricity and plumbing.”

  “Okay,” she said, nodding.

  I shouldn’t have, but I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Tomorrow.”

  She nodded and I opened the door and left.

  Once I climbed in my truck, I sent her a quick text—just to mess with her.

  Me: I bet I could make you.

  I wanted to know how long it would take her to realize I was referring to her shirt. She hides it well, but I knew she had a dirty mind and that statement would leave her puzzled for a while. I pulled out of the parking lot and drove a few blocks before my phone beeped with a text. Once I stopped at a traffic light, I checked it.

  Miranda: ???

  I chuckled, placed the phone back in the cup holder, and drove home.

  ***

  I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face. I knew I was treading a dangerous line, but hell if I could stop myself. Last night, I had decided to be Miranda’s friend and I was determined to be the best damn friend she ever had.