Take Heart Read Online Free

blame her. But before I can apologize, she’s sliding past me to get through the door. Raven follows her inside and Eric cocks an eyebrow at me.
    “What just happened?” he asks, skeptical.
    “I don’t know, man,” I lie. I know exactly what happened. One second everything was going smoothly, and the next it all went straight to hell. I don’t need Eric, or anyone else, trying to get involved. They’ll only end up making things worse. If I’m not careful, I’ll blow my chance with Mia. I need to find a way to get her alone so we can talk some more, if that’s even possible now.
    Eric fills up the plate and goes inside, giving Christa and me some much needed privacy. I grab the beer from her hand and try to figure out how to get rid of her without sounding like an ass. By doing this, I realize that I’m forfeiting my guaranteed lay for the night, but I’d rather talk to Mia some more than sleep with Christa. Most guys would never pass up a night of guaranteed sex, and honestly, I usually wouldn’t either. But this is an exception. Mia was interested. I saw it in her eyes.
    I’d also be lying if I said her whole stand-off attitude didn’t make me want her more. I already found her sexy and intriguing to begin with, and now that she’s trying to make herself unattainable, well, there’s nothing hotter than that. Challenge accepted, Mia.
    Christa boldly presses her body into mine, and cups my face in her hands. She looks into my eyes, smiling a little too eagerly. I can tell she’s feeling the effects of the alcohol. “Wanna get out of here soon, baby? I know you just got here, but I’m ready to go whenever you are.” She trails a finger suggestively down my chest.
    “Did you drive here yourself, or did you come with a friend?” I ask.
    “I drove. Why?” She looks puzzled.
    Shit. I can’t make her drive herself home like this. “Grab your purse along with whatever else you brought, and meet me by the front door in two minutes. I’m taking you home.”
    “You’re staying the night, right?”
    “No, not tonight. I’m tired and you’re tipsy.”
    “Those things have never stopped you before,” she says sharply.
    I let out a frustrated sigh and run my hands through my hair. I’m trying to stay patient, but I don’t do well with neediness and whining. I also don’t like explaining my actions to someone else. It’s the exact reason why I’ve stayed single and never chosen to pursue anything more serious with Christa, or anyone else, in a really long time.
    “Christa, babe, just grab your stuff and meet me by the door, please. We can talk about this in the car. I don’t want to argue with you out here.”
    “Forget it, Chase. I’ll drive myself home.”
    She tries to shove her way past me, but I reach out and grasp her arm and pull her back before she can make it any further.
    “Why are you acting like this?”
    “Acting like what? You’re the one who doesn’t see a good thing when you have it right in front of you. Instead of coming home with me, you’d rather stay here and try to bullshit your way into that girl’s pants. Am I right?”
    I glare at her, and she rips her arm from my grasp.
    “Yeah, I saw the way you two were looking at each other. Chase, you don’t even know her. All of a sudden, she shows up out of nowhere, and you’re going to treat me like shit now? How noble of you,” she snarls sarcastically.
    Okay, now she’s starting to piss me off. I take a deep breath and step toward her. “Don’t you dare sit there and try to turn this around. You knew from the get go that I wasn’t looking for anything serious, and you wholeheartedly agreed. This has been working well for us, and until now, there has never been a problem with overstepping a boundary.”
    “Excuse me? I’m not overstepping a boundary.”
    “Yes, you are. You’re trying to hold me accountable for my actions as if you’re my girlfriend or my mother, and you’re neither. You are a friend, Christa.