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" I tried to live without you Harper, I tried to let you go and I couldn’t. To me, there is no one else, it’s only been you since the day I met you. I love you, which means I love him too. Those flashes you get? I have them all the time.” He cupped my face gently and leaned back to look in my eyes, “It doesn’t matter to me that he isn’t mine. If you let me, I’ll raise him like he is, I’ll take care of both of you for the rest of my life, and I promise I’ll be right there with you to tell him about Chase, and how great his dad was.” Tears "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
144
" Baby, please say something.” He pleaded as he rubbed soothing circles into my back. “Brandon will be back in a couple hours.” I finally spoke. He hissed a curse through his teeth and sagged into the headboard with a thud. “I thought he wouldn’t be back ‘til tomorrow night.” “He got scared when I didn’t answer the phone. Bree told him I was sick and alone, and since no one could get a hold of me …” “Bree called me a few times, begging me to come check on you. Looks like they’re all heading home today too.” “Chase, what should I do?” I began to search his face for answers, but he looked so pained I had to stare at my hands instead. “I can’t answer that for you Princess. No one can.” After a few minutes of intense silence he continued hesitantly, “Who do you want?” “I don’t know!” I blurted out quickly, “I want you Chase, but I can’t hurt him. I won’t hurt him anymore than I have. I love him too much.” He flinched away like I’d slapped him. “No matter who I choose, people will get hurt. And then what happens if I leave him? He lives in your house Chase. He’ll have to see us together, it will kill him, I can’t do that to him! He loves me, he hopped the first flight he could because he was scared for me and wants to come back to take care of me. How am I supposed to tell him I’m in love with someone else after that?” I took three deep breaths in and out in an attempt to calm my shaking, “If I left him for you, it would be bad for us. He’d come after you, the guys in the house would take sides. We would be miserable. My body craves you Chase, but I feel like I’m being torn in two. I just – I need a few weeks to think about this. Can you please give me that?” His jaw was clenched so tightly I thought it might break, “Are you going to ask him to give you time too?” “No, I can’t.” Chase’s eyes turned to ice and his mouth popped open, “So you’re just going to go back to him? Pretend like last night never happened? You’re so worried about hurting everyone else, do you even realize you’ll be hurting me?” He shot up off the bed and started pacing back and forth, “Damn it Harper, don’t you see that? I’m the one that will have to watch you with your boyfriend while waiting for you to figure out what you want!” I flinched when the bedroom door slammed shut behind him. He was right, and I didn’t want to hurt him either, but I didn’t know what else to do at the moment. I was more in love with Chase than I’d realized, but I couldn’t live without Brandon. If I thought I’d hated myself for kissing Chase, I now felt like I was dying thinking about how I’d just betrayed the man I love more than my own life. Even if I thought it was too soon, I’d overheard him talking to his mom telling her he thought I was “the one”, and I couldn’t help but smile at thoughts of our future together. I briefly considered a future with Chase, it didn’t go far. There’s no way Chase felt the same way I did for him. I’m not saying he doesn’t love me, but it can’t mean the same as it does for me. If I were to choose him, would he go back to being hot and cold once I did, and would he want to be with me for any length of time? As much as I wanted to believe everything he said to me last night, deep down I was terrified he’d up and leave me like he has every other girl. "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
145
" Why him Harper?” “What do you mean?” “Why Brandon? You’d never been kissed, why’d you choose him to change that?” It was weird to have him not making fun of me, I almost didn’t know how to respond. “Why not Brandon?” I replied simply. He snorted a laugh but didn’t say anything. “Why does that bother you so much Chase?” “Because you deserve someone who realizes how amazing you are. You shouldn’t have just let the first guy who gave you the time of day kiss you.” “You’re acting like I gave him everything and all we’ve done is kissed!” I unwrapped my arms and sat down on the bed. “And who are you to judge who I do and do not kiss?” “Please don’t. Don’t give him everything.” He placed a hand on either side of my body and brought his face back to mine. “He doesn’t deserve you Harper.” My breath was coming faster, and though I knew I should lean away, I couldn’t make myself actually do it. “And who does Chase … you?” My voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes flashed before he closed them and hung his head. “No. I don’t deserve you either. You need someone who will cherish you, protect you and take care of you. Someone that realizes they’d never be able to find another you in the world, no matter how hard they looked.” He looked back up into my eyes and we just stared at each other. I was blown away, the emotion in his voice when he’d said that was unlike anything I’d ever heard. But we barely knew each other, there was no way he could think all this about me. He moved until his lips were hovering just above mine, and I thought my heart would stop. “Chase …” His voice was husky, and I could feel his breath against my lips. That alone was enough to make my eyelids flutter shut and my mouth open slightly. “That first night, I did realize I would never meet another girl like you. But you deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can’t Harper.” I had to bite back a frustrated groan when he moved his face away from mine. My arms gave out and I flopped down to the bed, trying to control my erratic breathing. It couldn’t be healthy to feel this way for someone. A whimper escaped my mouth when he pressed his full lips to my throat. “You’re amazing Harper. There will never be anyone good enough for you.” I secured my fingers in his hair, but didn’t pull him closer. To be honest, I was a little terrified of what would happen when I did. If I kissed him right now, I don’t know if I’d be able to stop. And what would that say about me? I finally had my first kiss just last night, and not fifteen minutes ago Brandon had me pushed up against the wall. The way my heart would pound for each guy separately was already frustrating me to no end, I didn’t want to complicate things further by kissing Chase. And even though I hadn’t known Brandon long, I couldn’t stomach the thought of hurting him. Before I could move my arms back, Chase skimmed his nose up the inside of my forearm and kissed my wrist and palm before setting down my hands and walking out the door. I "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
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" My face twisted when another one hit, but I kept my fingers from curling around Brandon’s large hands. A few tears escaped my eyes and I let out a sigh when it was over again. Brandon’s thumb started making slow circles against my palm and I opened my eyes to see him watching my face, his head still resting on his other hand. He looked like he was in as much pain as I was by just having to watch me. He rose out of the chair, bending over to brush the tears off my cheeks, and then rest his forehead against mine. “Is there anything I can do for you sweetheart?” “You’re doing it.” I replied. I wouldn’t have been able to do even this part of it without him. He was my rock. “What time is it?” Brandon glanced at his phone before shoving it back in his pocket, “Almost eleven. Try to sleep, he’ll be here before you know it.” He kissed me softly once, then pressed his lips harder to mine. “As long as you get some sleep too.” He sat back in the chair and put his head back on his hand, this time it was next to mine, so our noses were touching. His other hand cupped my cheek and his jaw fell slack within minutes. I smiled at him and braced another fierce contraction before dozing off as well. Loud "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
147
" Thank you for this.” “You’re welcome. It’s not much, but I was kind of hoping I could take you out tonight.” I almost choked, “Out? Like a date?” He chuckled and grabbed my hand pulling me towards the bed, “Yes a date. I know it’s cliché, but how does dinner and a movie sound?” “Sounds perfect!” I said a little too enthused. I slapped my hand over my mouth and turned beet red. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled into my hand, “I’ve never been on a date.” He smiled and brushed the hair out of my face, “What was yesterday then?” “What, at Starbucks? I thought we were just hanging out.” “God you’re adorable.” He kissed my forehead then lay back on his pillows. “Okay, well tonight is a date.” I bit my lip and tried to avoid bouncing up and down. I was way too excited for just a date. “When do you want to go?” “It’s almost two, we can leave at six if that’s okay.” “Four "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
148
" I don’t know how you never seemed to realize this, but I was madly in love with you Harper.” “I did know that.” I said softly. “I’ve never loved anyone that way, I know it was early in our relationship, but I knew I was going to marry you someday. I’ve dated plenty of girls, and held long relationships with a few, but none that ever could be compared to you. That’s not something you just move on from, no matter how badly I want to.” He took a deep breath as his face fell and stayed silent for a while, “I still can’t see my life with anyone but you. I still love you Harper, baby included.” Why "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
150
" I couldn’t. I couldn’t do anything Harper. All I could do or think about was finding you and hating myself for pushing you away.” “I was being rash,” I whispered into his chest, “I shouldn’t have left, it was immature and hateful. I just thought if you would put yourself in a position where we could lose you, I wanted you to know what it felt like to have us gone.” His breath caught in his throat and his arms tightened around me. “I’m so sorry baby, but I also needed you to have time to figure out if you would rather have a life without us. Because that’s what it felt like you wanted when you made your mind up. And so, of course, I made it worse by trying to hurt you back, instead of talking it out with you.” “Don’t apologize. Don’t leave me again, but don’t apologize.” “I’m –” “Nope.” He pressed his lips against my own, and spoke around our kiss, “No more sorrys.” I "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
152
" I was almost done shaving when I heard the door open. “Uh … Bree?” I heard the toilet seat close and someone sit down on it. “Nope, just me.” “Chase! What the heck are you doing in here?” I tried to cover different body parts, but my chest alone needed two arms to cover everything, so it wasn’t working out too well. “Calm down Princess, I won’t peek.” “I could’ve sworn I locked that door.” “You do realize how easy it is to unlock my bathroom door when I have the key right?” “Can you please leave so I can get out of here?” I whined as I shut off the water. A towel was thrust through the side of the curtain and I gladly wrapped myself in it, but still didn’t open the only thing separating us. “Answer one thing first, and I’ll leave.” He waited for my reply, but went on when he didn’t receive any, “Are you going out with him tonight?” “Yes Chase, I am.” “Is that what you want to do, or are you trying to get back at me for telling you not to?” “I thought I only had to answer one question?” “Harper.” He deadpanned. “Ugh, no I’m not doing it to get back at you. Yes, I really want to go out with Brandon tonight. And if he asks me out again after tonight, I’m telling you right now I will say yes. I don’t see why I shouldn’t go out with him, and since you clearly don’t want me, I don’t think you’re allowed to have a say in the matter. He flung the curtain open and I jumped back, almost slipping in the tub. “I didn’t say I don’t want you. I said I don’t deserve you.” “That’s practically the same thing.” I glowered at him, “We both know how you are Chase, you screw every female you come in contact with. I don’t want to be just another girl to someone, and when it comes to Brandon, I won’t be.” I waited for a response from him, but didn’t receive any. “If you can convince me right now, that I have a reason to not be with him, then start talking. Otherwise, you and your confusing words need to stop.” “As long as he is what you want, I’ll stop bothering you.” He reached out to brush his fingers across the main bruise and I watched as his eyes clouded over. Like that wasn’t confusing. He leaned in to press his lips to the finger marks, then on my left shoulder and finally my right. Chase’s eyes were dark by the time he looked back into my eyes. “I’m so sorry Harper.” he whispered and leaned in close to kiss the corner of my mouth. My knees started shaking but I somehow managed to stay standing. “Get my number from Bree, I have to go into work tonight but if anything happens, call me and I’ll be there.” I just nodded and watched him walk out. I didn’t even know he had a job, but I was positive I wouldn’t be calling him tonight. Nothing good would come of it if I did. If my heart was already twisting from what just happened, he would surely break it when I saw him with his next girl. I couldn’t let myself get any closer to him. No matter how much I wished he was different, he wasn’t, and he would probably never change. "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
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" Brandon walked back over to me and gently placed Liam back in my arms. He kept one hand on him, the other on me. “You were amazing. I love you so much Harper.” “I love you too. So much.” Liam let out a soft cry, and we both looked quickly back to him. “Look at him Brandon. He’s perfect.” “He is.” Brandon agreed, “He’s finally here.” “I know, this is so surreal.” Liam started crying harder, sounding so precious, and so sad. But with his little arms waving and finally hearing him, I still couldn’t stop smiling. Brandon put one of his fingers near his shaking hand, and as soon as Liam touched it, he grasped it again and fell silent. “Daddy make everything better little Liam?” Brandon looked at me, his expression full of pride, love and so much joy I started tearing up again. “I’m a dad.” His voice was thick as he tried to speak around the lump in his throat. He pressed his lips to mine and pulled away slightly, “Thank you sweetheart, you have no idea how happy this makes me. How happy you make me.” With the hand that wasn’t holding Liam, I ran my fingers down his jaw before cupping his cheek. “I think I have an idea. You are my world Brandon, I couldn’t do any of this without you, nor would I want to.” Mom "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
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" Liam started crying harder, sounding so precious, and so sad. But with his little arms waving and finally hearing him, I still couldn’t stop smiling. Brandon put one of his fingers near his shaking hand, and as soon as Liam touched it, he grasped it again and fell silent. “Daddy make everything better little Liam?” Brandon looked at me, his expression full of pride, love and so much joy I started tearing up again. “I’m a dad.” His voice was thick as he tried to speak around the lump in his throat. He pressed his lips to mine and pulled away slightly, “Thank you sweetheart, you have no idea how happy this makes me. How happy you make me.” With "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
159
" Well hello Liam.” She said like she was just seeing her husband for the first time in years, “You sure know how to make an entrance.” My heart tugged as I recalled stories she had shared with me. The night she first met Liam, it was pouring rain outside and she’d just been about to leave a coffee shop with her girlfriends. Liam opened the door and stepped in, his foot sliding on the wet tile floor and knocking into Carrie causing her to fall on him. They had laughed so hard it took them almost two minutes to finally get standing again and when they did he apologized and held out a hand to her, introducing himself. She took his hand and shook it lightly saying, “Well you sure know how to make an entrance Liam Taylor.” When she turned to leave, Liam looked at her and said, “You’re really going to leave after something brought us together like that?” Instead of leaving with her girlfriends that night, she decided to take a chance on a stranger and had another coffee with him. They talked until the shop closed and were married six months later. That first sentence she spoke to him became a joke in their relationship as well as their family once the boys were born. And now, our little Liam was carrying it on for her. “Sweetheart, "
― Molly McAdams , Taking Chances (Taking Chances, #1)
