Stealing Harper by Molly McAdams Page A

Brandon stood up and walked calmly over to them, but when I saw his hands curl into fists, I looked down at mine and realized I was doing the same thing. I dropped the towel on the sand near the rest of the group’s and stood waiting to see what would happen. After all, I hadn’t gotten as much of a fight as I’d been wanting.
    I watched as they all made their way back over to us, and I couldn’t help but glare at this guy I’d never seen before. I already had my best friend dating her, I didn’t need whoever this son of a bitch was who couldn’t take his eyes off her chest coming into the mix. Brandon must’ve been real pissed, because instead of standing with Harper, who was currently holding on to this new prick’s arm, he came and stood directly next to me.
    “Who’s this clown?”
    “Her best friend from back home. Carter.” He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest as he continued to burn holes through him.
    “Carter. Clown. Same thing.”
    Brandon snorted, and Harper looked at us. “And that’s Chase. He’s Bree’s brother.”
    Clown held his hand out, and I didn’t even bother looking down at it. I just kept my eyes on him and almost smirked when his arm dropped, and he took two steps away. That’s right, prick. Step back. Brandon grabbed Harper and sat down on the main blanket, and I took my seat next to him so I could continue glaring. For once, I was glad Brandon was here with her. Princess kept leaning forward and touching Clown’s arm, hand, or leg, and each time, Brandon pulled her right back into his chest. Did she not see the way this guy was devouring her? I sat silently while he said things about Harper he really shouldn’t, and even insulted Brandon. When he tried to turn around Brandon’s being one of my housemates as us being partners, I swear I almost laughed out loud at how hard he was trying to piss us off. I was trying so hard to hold back, my whole body was shaking with silent laughter, but then he said the one thing that should never be said in front of Brandon, or me, and I went rigid.
    “Consider this your warning, tool, the minute you touch my girl, I will end you.”
    Oh fuck this. Brandon and I both started to stand, but my fierce princess grabbed the clown’s arm and practically started dragging him away before he was able to stand and follow her. Brandon started going after them, but I put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t, let her handle it.”
    We watched as she clearly ripped into him, and I couldn’t help but smile. She really was something else. Brandon laughed, and whispered softly, “That’s my girl.”
    Right. His. Because I’d messed up, like Brad said. With a heavy sigh, I turned and went back to sit on the blanket and attempted to ignore Harper, Clown, and Brandon for the rest of the afternoon. I wanted to punch Brandon in the face when he invited him over to the party that night. But hell, I’d be at work, and, anyone was invited. So I gritted my teeth and kept quiet until I finally left.
    “M OM, D AD— I ’M HERE, so stop having sex.”
    “That was earlier.” Mom laughed as she leaned around the kitchen to look past the bar.
    “Ugh, Ma, seriously? I was joking, I don’t wanna know about that.”
    “Well! You asked for it.”
    I gagged and took a seat at the bar. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”
    “Just hanging out.” She shrugged. “How are you? You sure have been spending a lot of nights here, which is weird and all because you know, I could have sworn you had your own house.”
    “If you don’t want me here, I won’t—”
    “Oh hush, Chase, you know we want you here. But it’s odd, don’t you think? You have this massive house, and yet you’re sleeping here most nights? What’s going on, baby boy?”
    I bit on the inside of my cheek and drummed impatiently on the marble countertop. “Well, uh . . . Harper?”
    Mom’s eyes got wide, but she stayed silent, even holding up a finger when my dad walked in so he