“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 got 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 and 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 plan 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.
“Yes I know her and no you can’t talk to her,” he says before turning to say something else to me, “What are you doing here Haley?”
“I told you, I’m hanging out. I told you I wouldn’t go to your house for any parties, but this isn’t your house Liam,” I say as I grab four beers out of the fridge.
“Damn baby girl, you trying to get drunk?” the same guy asks.
“Spence shut up,” Liam says coldly. “You need to leave,” he says as he pierces me with cold dark blue eyes.
Just then Austin walks into the kitchen, “Hey, I wondered what happened to you,” he says as he spots me. “What’s up Masters?” he says to Liam.
“You know her?” Liam asks Austin, as he points to me.
“Yeah, she’s my date tonight,” he says as he comes to grab some beer from me. “Everything alright?” he looks to me to see if I’m okay.
“Everything’s great,” I say quickly before flashing a fake smile.
“Hey Masters, you coming over this weekend or what?” Austin asks.
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” he says as he gives me a knowing look that says I better not be wherever there is.
“Alright, then I’ll catch you later,” he says as we walk back towards Rebecca and Rob. “How do you know Masters?” he asks me looking confused.
“I grew up with him,” I admit.
“I take it he’s the reason we didn’t go to the party at his house tonight,” he says sounding amused.
“That would be why.”
“What’s he have against you?”
“Just some miscommunication, that’s all.”
“He looked pissed.”
“You should have seen his face when I first walked into the kitchen then,” I say with a smile.
“I don’t usually see him mad, especially at girls, so what happened?”
“I told you it was just a miscommunication. I’m sure it will straighten itself out sooner or later.”
“Well good luck with that, he’s not really someone you want on your bad side.”
“Why’s that?” I ask confused.
“He’s the starting quarterback; if he hates you, he can have everyone hate you. If he wants you to have a life of hell, all he’d have to do is say the word.”
“Well I guess it helps that I’m in the sorority with his girlfriend.”
“She likes you?”
“Yeah, she does.”
“Then at least there’s that. I think you’re pretty cool Haley.”
“Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself,” I say with a smile.
“So tell me about yourself,” he says as he passes Rebecca and Rob their beers.
“Umm…I’m from Delaware, I have a sister, I’m in a sorority. Yeah that’s probably about it,” I say laughing.
“I doubt t
hat. Does your sister go here to?” he asks looking thoroughly interested.
“No, she’s at West Virginia with Brody, Liam’s brother.”
“So your sister dates Masters’ brother?” he asks looking confused.
“Yeah, they’ve dated since middle school.”
“Nice. So is your sister younger than you?”
“Oh no, she’s my twin sister.”
“Twins,” he says surprised, “Identical?”
“Yeah, except I have dark hair and she has blonde.”
“Why is that?” he asks with a look.
“I dyed mine when I got here.”
“Ahh, wanted to be different?” he says calling me out.
“You could say that,” I say with a smile.
“So how does it feel to be here on your own?”
“Great, I love it. Have you been here all four years?” I ask making conversation.
“Yep, it was my only choice growing up.”
“Why’s that?”
“I wanted to play ball here.”
“Ball?” I ask confused, because there’s football, basketball, and baseball.
“Basketball, sorry,” he says with a smile.
“So you’re on the basketball team?” I ask surprised.
He starts laughing, “Is that hard to believe?”
“No, I figured you were in some sport or club or something.”
“Why’s that?”
“You can tell you work out,” I say pointing to his muscular arms.
“Yeah, I guess you can. Do you want another drink?” he asks as he looks at my empty can.
“Sure.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” he says as he stands up.
“Haley, we’re heading out,” Rebecca says, as she appears out of nowhere with Rob, “Are you going to be okay here or do you want me to walk you back?”
“I can walk you back,” Austin says sweetly.
“Thank you,” I tell Austin. “Have a good night Rebecca,” I tell her as she leaves with Rob.
Austin shows up a few minutes later with my unopened beer. I crack the top and take a swig. “Thanks,” I say feeling thirsty.
“No problem. So I just got lectured,” he says out of nowhere.
“What? Lectured for what?”
“About treating you with respect,” he says all serious.
“You are, you’ve been nothing but great tonight.”
One Chance (Part One) Page 12