Bree’s index finger went to tap Harper’s lips, and Harper grabbed her wrist, pulling it back “Breanna!”
“Shh!” Bree covered her own lips with her index finger this time. “Harper, don’t tell them!”
Harper looked up, and her jaw clenched as she took in Brad, Drew, Derek, and Zach bursting out laughing. I wanted to punch every single one of them.
Derek was wiping tears from his eyes. “Oh my God! Princess, is she serious?”
I growled again. That was my name for her.
She swallowed roughly and disentangled herself from Bree before heading straight toward me. My heart started pounding until I realized she hadn’t seen me yet, and I was standing in the way of the front door.
Jolting back slightly when she realized I was in her way, her eyes looked everywhere but at me. “Please. Move.”
And let her leave? Hell no. I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around at the same time I started walking us toward my room.
“Don’t touch me!”
“Just trust me,” I growled, and walked her through the living room, where everyone was still laughing.
“Looks like Chase is gonna take care of that problem for you, Princess!” Brad yelled, and I’ve never wanted to punch my friend more than I did then. I paused and cursed, but knew I’d rather take care of her right then than let all of them know how much they were pissing me off.
I unlocked my door and pushed her in; as soon as the light was on, she gasped and started bucking against me. I held her by pushing her elbows into her side so her jerking arms couldn’t hit me.
“No! Get off me!”
“Not until you stop trying to hit me!”
Instantly, Harper stopped moving, but her body was practically vibrating with tension. I waited almost a minute before releasing her and feigning indifference.
“Calm down, Princess, I’m not going to do anything to you.”
“I really wish you would stop calling me that.”
I rolled my eyes. Why else did she think I still called her that? I opened up one of my drawers and pulled out a pair of mesh workout shorts before throwing them at her and walking toward my door. “Put those on, I’ll be back.”
“Why?”
“Did you want to sleep in that skirt?” I raked my teeth over my bottom lip as I thought about her sleeping in nothing at all. “I swear I wouldn’t mind it, but I figured you’d be uncomfortable, though.”
“Breanna said I would be in a room with her tonight, and if that’s not happening, I’d rather just go back to the dorm.”
“I can assure you she’ll be sleeping in the bathroom. I’ll give you a minute to change; I’ll be right back.”
“I am not sleeping with you in here.”
“Look, you’re seriously hot; that alone is going to have them chasing after you. But top that off with the few words you’ve even said that shows me just how snarky and sweet as hell you are, that is one hell of a tempting combination. Trust me when I say they’re going to want to change what they just found out about you. So if you don’t mind, I’d rather make sure that doesn’t happen.” I’d already vowed to make it my mission in life to make sure that didn’t happen.
I slammed the door with more force than necessary and stalked out to the living room, “What the hell is wrong with all of you?”
“She putting up much of a fight, Chase?” Drew sneered, and put more bottles of liquor away.
My hands balled into fists again, “You’re all assholes, and you just embarrassed the shit out of her.” I turned to look at Bree, who looked like she was five minutes from passing out. “You’re on your own tonight, sis. Or ask one of the other guys to take care of you.”
“Chase,” Brad said with a confused look, “seriously? She’s your sister, that”—he jerked his head toward one of the hallways—“is just some chick that ain’t gonna put out for you.”
Don’t punch him. Don’t freaking punch him. “She’s your problem tonight,” I said through clenched teeth and went back to my room.
“That was rude, she’s your sister. She should be in here, too.”
Harper, too? Did no one else realize how much of a bitch Bree just was? “Are you serious? You’re gonna defend her after she just spilled that?”
“She’s drunk. I’m sure she didn’t realize it.”
“That’s not an excuse.” I almost groaned; there she goes being sweet as sin again. “Come on, Harper, get in.”
I watched her crawl onto my bed, and my heart started hammering. Bree slept alone in my room when we had parties, but other than that, no girl had ever been in any of my bedrooms, and definitely not in my bed. And I was about to get in it with her. I could easily go crash on the couch or Brad’s floor, but the thought of waking up next to Harper was too tempting. When she was under the covers, I switched off the lights and crawled in beside her; she immediately flew up into a sitting position.