Chances Are

Chapter One

The brownstone was more than I could have imagined. It stood two stories stacked next to identical brownstones on either side, standing out only because of the bright yellow door with the big sunflower on it. I parked my yukon on the curb in front of 7 King St., parallel parking with the trailer was a bitch but i managed. I stare out at my new neighborhood through my windshield, leaning over my steering wheel. Three houses down across the tree lined street, a squat older woman was walking her ferret, waving to another neighbor like it was all perfectly normal.

As I was laughing at the absurdity, I leaned a little too hard and honked the horn with my boobs. My face instantly turned red, but I didn't really feel the embarrassment until I noticed the hot guy watching me. He was leaning against his motorcycle about four spaces in front of me. The smirk on his face confirming I had indeed just honked the horn with my tits. I covered my face, mortified. I reached across and grabbed my overnight bag and purse, and as I was getting out of my truck, I glanced back at the man. He was no longer looking at me, but down at his cell phone. 

I took full advantage, and pursued him thoroughly. He was wearing jeans that fit him well, yes i noticed how they hugged him nicely in the rear end when he bent down to pick something off his boot. His leather vest was layered over a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal colorful art on his left arm and pure black tribal art on the other. As if sensing being watched he glanced over at me and smirked. I was obviously beyond mortified already so I decided to make a bee line to my front door, ducking my head in embarrassment.

"Wait!" He waved at me and started to kick off from his leaning post when the door to the brownstone in front of him burst open and out ran a child, no more than five, hauling full speed and jumping at the man, knowing he would be caught. He grabbed the child, that looked a lot like him I noticed, both sporting chocolate brown hair in similar cuts, shorter on the sides longer on the top, and spun him around in circles, kissing his neck and face all over. A tall older woman stood in the doorway watching them with a smile on her face. I smiled at the reunion of the hot man and this adorable child and made my way into the house feeling light and giddy and in need of a drink.

~~~~~~~

The foyer was beyond gorgeous, even under the clutter that followed my best friend Tallulah Shaw everywhere she went. She was a force of nature with her long blonde hair and bright green eyes, so full of life. It was about four in the afternoon, so she should be home from school by now, but the house was silent and empty. I toted my bag from the foyer to the stairs and dropped them on the landing, then made my way into the kitchen at the back of the house, fishing my phone out of my pocket.

Me: Where are you? Baby's first steps inside the house and you're not here to celebrate. :(
Lu: Lecture running late, sorry. 
Lu: HEY! You should meet me down at the pub for some drinks to celebrate, a couple people from class wanna meet you!

I sigh, because I just drove roughly six hundred miles and the last thing I want to do was meet new people, but having a nice cold beer sounded good and honestly, I was still antsy from the drive. Sitting still wouldn't be easy for quite some time. I text her back that I would love to, and she texts me the info for the pub.

I make my way up the stairs to my new room, throw my bags on the bed and make my way to the attached bathroom to take a long, hot shower. Forty minutes, three razors and some strategically placed bobby pins later, I was ready to choose my outfit and head to the pub.
The bright red pumps laying in the bottom of my overnight bag were evidence that I was prepared for this. I knew Lu would plan something like this, she was so excited to show off her hometown best friend. I paired the six inch pumps with my favorite skinny jeans and a black lace blouse over a red camisole. I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like my mother, though I wore my black hair long where she wore hers short. My hazel eyes looked greener than normal thanks to some strategically placed eyeshadow. Whenever I look at myself too close, I see the scar on my temple, the mark that cuts above my ear and around the back of my scalp. Some days it's a reminder of a dark time and a stupid decision to trust the wrong person, but today it's a reminder that I am still alive and i am here to live.