“You son of a bitch!” Brandon boomed as he charged towards the living room.
“Brandon!” I was standing close enough to the door that I stepped in front of Chase, who of course wasn't having that. He gently moved me behind him and I saw his entire frame tense up, ready for whatever was coming at him. “No. Brandon just stop!” I moved back in between them and held one hand out towards Brandon and put another on Chase's chest. I didn't care what Brandon did for a living, or that I had only known him for a day. I knew there was no way he would hurt me. His gentle touch just a minute ago when he was livid was proof.
“Harper, please move.”
“No.” I stood there with my hands still stretched toward both of them for another minute; when I felt confident he wouldn't charge Chase, I moved closer and rested my hands on Brandon's naked stomach. “He's not worth it.” I whispered.
The way he was breathing reminded me of a bull. “You have got to be kidding me! He –”
“I know,” I whispered so only he could hear, “I saw them Brandon. But please, don't do this right now.”
“Will someone tell us what's going on?” I didn't look to see who asked the question, I'm guessing one of the housemates.
I wrapped a hand around Brandon's neck and forced him to look at me. “We'll handle it, but not like this, okay?” I kissed him softly and looked back into his soft eyes. “Let me talk to him, I'll meet you in your room in a minute.”
His eyes flickered between me and Chase before he blew out a hard breath. “Not a chance.” Without waiting for a reply, he scooped me up in his arms and walked us back to his room. I wanted to remind him I was perfectly capable of walking myself, but I kept my mouth shut, “I'm sorry but I'm not leaving you near him without me.” He pressed his lips to mine fiercely and set me on the ground.
“I figured as much.”
“I know I'm probably pissing you off right now, but –” He glanced under the sleeve of his shirt on my body and sighed, “Why did you stop me?”
“I told you, he's not worth it.” I replied, “You guys live together, and if you got in a fight, I'm almost positive it wouldn't end with just you two. I don't want to be the cause of that fight Brandon.” I absolutely hated that I was worried about Chase. He was a big guy too, and I'm sure he wouldn't go down easily this time, but I didn't want him hurt and I had no doubt Brandon could do serious damage to him.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled deeply again as he sat on the bed, “You have bruises Harper. Bruises. Why didn't you tell me he was holding you that tight?”
“I hadn't realized he was.” I lied.
Just then there was knock on the door and Chase stuck his head in. Brandon stood up with a huff but I kept a hand to his chest and hoped he got the hint. Thankfully he did, because Lord knows I wouldn't be able to actually stop him.
“Well you just woke everyone in the house, care to clue me in?”
I felt Brandon's chest rumble beneath my fingers, ugh these guys needed to calm down. “Chase,” I began calmly, “how drunk were you last night?”
“Not drunk enough to forget why my jaw hurts.” His eyes wouldn't leave Brandon, I could practically see the ways he was thinking of getting back at him.
“Well you deserved that one, you were being rude.”
He flung his arms out and finally looked at me, “I was just talking to you!”
Brandon brought my body to his and slowly raised the sleeves of the shirt over my shoulders, “This is just talking to her?!”
Chase's gaze dropped to my arms and his face paled as he took in the three distinct bruises. One on my left arm from the beginning of the party. You could actually see the individual fingers on it. And the other two from where his thumbs pressed into my shoulders during our confrontation in his room. He shook his head slightly and tore his eyes from my arms to search my face.
“Oh God, Harper. I di– I.” He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his shaggy hair, “Harper I'm so sorry. I had no idea, I swear I didn't mean to hurt you.”
I had known, even when it happened, that Chase wouldn't physically hurt me on purpose. But there was no way to convince Brandon of that, and it looked like Chase was mentally beating himself up worse than Brandon could have with his fists. Despite Brandon's warning, he stepped up to me and placed his fingers on my left arm, lining them up with the biggest bruise.
“Harper,” Chase cleared his throat twice before continuing, “can I please talk to you alone?”
Brandon bristled behind me but slowly turned me so I was facing him. He kissed my neck, whispering in my ear, “I'll go get us something to eat. If he does anything, call me and I'll come right back okay?”