Chasing Rainbows (4 page)

Mrs. Jones had worked in the cafeteria forever. She had been here when I started high school and was a permanent fixture at this place. A smile always graced her face, and she wore her graying hair tucked into a tidy bun beneath her hair net.

My mood only continued to tank when I noticed there weren't any more apples left. I tried not to pay attention to what the three of them were talking about behind me, but it was so hard to concentrate with Chase and Chance there and both of them so close.

I grabbed a juice and rattled off the lunch number I'd committed to memory to Mrs. Jones, who quickly punched it into her computer. Hurrying through the exit, I walked toward the table where Kara and Brandon sat waiting.

"About time," Brandon snapped impatiently and laid his fork down on the white foam plate next to the half-eaten pile of yellowish orange goo that remained.

"What is that?" I asked, and Kara started laughing at my horrified expression. It was awful.

"Hash brown casserole," they both said in unison and snickered.

"Mystery hash," Brandon piped, as he arched his eyebrows at me which reminded me of his favorite after school activity.

My mood lifted at the sight of those two joking and laughing. Kara glanced around me as if she were searching for someone. "Here he comes," she said, smiling back at me. "I invited Chase to sit with us, but it's almost time for class to start."

"I know," I murmured, feeling somewhat disappointed at losing the opportunity to talk to him without any brotherly or asshole interference. I turned around in my seat and watched him walk across the cafeteria toward us. It was a sight to behold.

"Holy hotness," Brandon whispered. I knew exactly how he felt. "I still have fifteen minutes before I have to be in art class."

"He's not for you, Brandon," Kara said, stubbornly noting his dreamy expression. "He's Addie's."

"Shush, he'll hear you," I whispered and shot Brandon an obvious warning glare. He'd better not say anything or else I would deal with him later.

"Hear what?" I heard Chase reply as he walked up beside me.

"Nothing," I said, rather too quickly and by the smile on his face, he'd figured out we'd been talking about him. "Chase, this is Brandon," I said, introducing the two. It was obvious Brandon was held spellbound by the sight of him. He smiled back as if in a trance nodding his head. Brandon was sinfully cute with blond hair and blue eyes, but he preferred guys. He was also a part of our wayward group. Kara and I both adored him.

Chase walked past me, and placed his tray on the table. He pulled out a chair and sat down next to me. I focused on the clock and decided to give my nerves a chance to settle before I risked another peek at him, let alone….. attempted conversation. If I left now and ran, I'd probably make it to class on time. But when I looked at him, he was watching me with a warm gleam in his eyes. I decided maybe I could stay for just a little while longer.

"Well," Kara said rather loudly and glanced over at Brandon, but he didn't seem to take the hint. At times, Kara was so obvious, but I'm not even sure if Brandon was aware that she spoke. He was lost in Chase Land, and I could sympathize because Chase was mesmerizing. While Kara was trying her best to give me some much needed alone time with him, Brandon was way too busy eyeballing Chase from across the table to have a clue. "It's about that time," Kara said; her voice even louder, but Brandon still didn't move.

"I've got… Ouch! Shit fire, Kara. Alright!" he suddenly exclaimed, then abruptly stood and grabbed his tray frowning at her. It was crystal clear she'd either kicked him underneath the table or stomped his foot. "We gotta split. Later."

"I'll take care of Mrs. Watkins for you," Kara promised. She had every teacher at Crawley High, except for Mr. Shilon, wrapped around her little finger. "I'll save you a seat."

"Thanks, Kara." I replied, and she smiled knowingly back at me.

When she caught Chase not looking, she arched her eyebrows suggestively up and down making me giggle. "That's what besties are for," she said as she grabbed Brandon by the arm and dragged him away. They headed for the trash can near the exit while Brandon cast wistful glances back in our direction.

When we were alone, I peeked at Chase. He made my stomach feel as if it were filled with a thousand tiny fluttering butterflies.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked, and at his urging, I peeled off the lid of my juice, forcing myself to act reasonably normal and took a small sip.

I eyed his plate filled with one of our famous mystery lunches. "I'll share," he offered, as he held up a forkful of the golden orange concoction.

"No thanks," I replied, smiling back at him and shaking my head. "I actually like my food to look like food, not a science project."

He laughed, and I decided even his laughter was attractive. Then, the forkful of goo disappeared in between his killer lips and he smiled making me feel all warm and tingly inside. "Hey, don't knock it till you've tried it," he advised, and from the heated look that had suddenly crept into his eyes, I suspected we were no longer just talking about the cafeteria food. "So, tell me about yourself, Addie."

I drew in a deep breath and exhaled then took a sip of my pineapple juice and sat the cup back down on the table. I was nervous. Only inches separated us, and I liked the way that he looked at me as if I were the only girl in the room. The way his body leaned in toward mine as if his whole being anticipated what I would say next. "There's not much to tell," I told him. "I've lived here my entire life. It's not very exciting. I hate to disappoint you."

"I don't think you could."

Taken by surprise at his words, my lips parted slightly, and I looked back at him feeling as if I were in a daze.

"You know, you're gorgeous, don't you?"

"No. No, I'm not," I murmured, denying his words and suddenly feeling slightly guilty when I remembered that Chance had said almost the exact same thing to me earlier that morning. "Pretty is as pretty does. That's what my mom always told me and my sister."

Natalie had been beautiful inside and out. That rule didn't apply to her. She had been the sun; while I had and always would be but a shadow in comparison to her. Natalie should've been the one sitting here instead of me, sitting with the gorgeous hot guy feeling as nervous as hell. I had no clue as to how to handle Chase or his brother. If Natalie were here, she'd know what to do. She'd always been braver than me. She was the strong one. There was no way she would ever do what I did just to cope with life. I was weak.

"Is your sister as beautiful as you?" Chase asked, drawing my attention.

Sadness filled me, and I tried to smile through the tears that misted my eyes. I missed Natalie, and it hurt. "She was the most beautiful girl I've ever known," I replied in a small voice. I had no intention of bringing her up right now or discussing her with him, but it seemed lately, she was never far from my thoughts.

"I'm sorry," he said. His broad callused finger slid slowly across my cheek.

It was barely a whisper of a touch, but it resonated all the way down to the tips of my toes. He had that look in his eyes, one that was recognizable since I'd seen it one too many times before. I couldn't stand people's pity. So, I took a deep breath and turned the conversation back around to him. "So, enough about me," I said, forcing myself to smile. "Tell me something about yourself."

"Well, you've met my brother," he said rather wickedly, and smiled back at me over the next forkful of food he'd scooped up and was about to place into his mouth. "Has he hit on you, yet?" he asked, taking me by surprise.

Before I could even answer Chance confirmed his suspicion. "Yes, he has," he replied, and at the sound of his voice, I glanced up to meet his eyes before he turned his attention to his brother.

This was awkward.

Desperate to escape, I averted my gaze to the clock that hung on the wall near the exit. Damn it! I was already ten minutes late for my next class. "I really need to go."

I definitely needed to get out of there. I couldn't think with the two of them together, nor could I sit idly here with them both feeling like my heart was going to explode at any moment. Anyway, Mrs. Watkins would only buy Kara's story for so long before she came looking for me. Heaven help me, if she already had.

"Well, don't let me chase you away," Chance said, and I noted the sardonic curl of his upper lip which seemed to match his recent bad mood.

Chase was watching us with an intent look in his eyes. Suddenly, he stood pushing his seat back and I jumped to my feet joining him. "I'll walk you to class."

He grabbed the empty cup from my hand before abruptly turning and heading for the trash can. Suddenly, I was alone with Chance.
Trapped!
Why hadn't I gone with Chase? I could have avoided this.

"Addie, what am I going to do about you?" Chance murmured, and my eyes jerked from Chase's retreating form to settle on him.

He was sitting at the table wearing an almost thoughtful expression that made me want to wrap my arms around him, despite my caution, and tell him everything was going to be okay. He was gorgeous, an exact replica of his brother, but he was the dangerous one, and I needed to remember that. I didn't need the drama that would surely accompany him. It was almost as if he wore an imaginary sign across his broad chest that read: "Proceed with Caution."

"What do you mean?" I asked, slightly confused. There wasn't anything for either one of us to do except steer clear of one another.

He shrugged his shoulders not bothering to answer. I shifted uncomfortably beneath his gaze and glanced over my shoulder, frantically searching for Chase. Thankfully, he was walking this way and back to rescue me as if I were a damsel in distress.

"You can run for now," he whispered, his voice low, and the underlying threat implied by his words made my stomach clench. My head whipped around, and my mouth went dry. My thoughts scattered.

"You ready?" Chase asked. I turned around to face him, and forced a smile to my lips. Chance was getting to me, and I didn't want him to.

He reached out and took my hand right in front of his brother. Chase's fingers slid in between mine anchoring me to him, and I looked down at our joined hands taking in the tattooed stars along his knuckles and the fine dusting of faint dark hair below each one of them. His palm was callused. His grip firm but gentle. His skin was just a shade darker than mine. He was either naturally tan or like me, he had spent every single moment of his summer vacation outside soaking up the sun.

Without saying goodbye, Chase and I walked toward the exit. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that Chance was watching us. I could feel the heat of his stare in between my shoulder blades. Near the doorway, Chase stopped and let go of my hand. Such an act of chivalry was unheard of from guys. He even held the door open for me, and allowed me to go first. His hand settled dangerously low on my back as if to guide me. His touch was so warm that it burned through the fabric of my shirt branding my skin.

Once outside the door, he snagged my hand again, and I smiled at him as we walked down the hallway heading for my classroom. It was just around the next corner, but there was no way I could let him walk me the entire length to the room. "This is as far as we can go together," I told him. "Mrs. Watkins thinks I'm in the bathroom sick, and if she saw us, Kara and I will both be in big trouble."

"I kind of expected that from the two of you. I've seen you both in action," he replied with a sexy grin.

"Hey," I protested, smiling. Chase was being playful.

He stood there silently watching me wearing an amused expression. He took me by surprise when he raised our joined hands and lowered his head. His lips brushed against my skin. They were softer than silk. In that moment, my lungs ceased to function. I might have imagined it, but I could have sworn the darting brush of his tongue caressed my skin.

All of a sudden, he smiled at me and let go of my hand. "I'll see you later," he promised.

I nodded numbly in reply right before he turned and walked away. For a moment, I stood there and contemplated just exactly what I'd gotten myself into. If I let Chase into my life, I would also be allowing Chance entry. I needed to be careful. I was playing with fire.

Chapter four

E
VERYTHING WAS GOING JUST FINE UP
until seventh period when unfortunately, I got held up in the traffic on the stairs. I'd walked into class right as the peal of the bell sounded, and there were no more empty seats, except for the one right in front of him. My facial expressions must have given me away. Chance smiled. He seemed to enjoy my discomfort. I shot one more frantic glance around the room, but there was no other choice. So, I walked quickly across the floor and took the seat directly in front of him.

Since it was study hall, I'd brought along my history book so I could finish reading the pages Miss York had assigned because I hadn't been able to concentrate earlier. I'd barely been able to breathe let alone think. He tapped me on the shoulder, but I pretended to ignore him.

After roll call, I'd settled in my seat and tried to read the words on the page in front me, but it was hopeless with Chance sitting right behind me. I could smell him, his scent so much like Chase's, but strangely more enticing and different. It called to me and even though I resisted, my hand automatically sought the comfort of the scars hidden beneath my jeans.

This was my thing. It calmed me. Whenever life didn't make sense, the scars were always there; reminders of just how easy it would be to make it all go away. This was how I had coped; especially right after the accident, which had turned my world upside down and had taken Natalie away from me. Ever since then, my life had been nothing more than one big shit storm.

I hadn't cut myself in over two years, but suddenly the urge was so strong I bit my lip and looked up from my book to stare blankly out the window. The year following Natalie's death, I'd gone to counseling. When I started failing all of my classes, it had been the school guidance counselor who had suggested the idea to my parents. Neither my mom nor my dad had ever attended any of those sessions with me. They were always too busy.