Page 17 of Give Love a Chance

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Chance had to breathe in and out a few times after he got Chase’s phone call. He wanted to hunt Carly down, but his temper was out of control. He was also angry and hurt that Noelle had not called him herself. Even though he didn’t like being stuck in friend mode, she had to know she could count on him. He felt optimistic, but Carly was going to ruin everything.

Chance parked his car down the block and got out. When he got to the store, he saw her shattered window. He surveyed the mess inside the store all over the carpet and stepped over a large pile of glass. Noelle and Quinn looked up, startled by the ringing over the door when he entered. Noelle had a broom in her hand, and she looked pale. She looked up. “Chance? What are you doing here?” Her voice was low and shaky. He hated the look of fear in her eyes. He hugged her to him and felt her body tremble. The broom fell to the floor.

“Why didn’t you call me? Chase let me know what was going on.” She burrowed into his body, and he wanted to keep her this way forever. He could hear her sniffing as if trying to hold in her tears and be brave. Obviously it shook her up.

“I thought you were at work. I didn’t want to bother you.” Noelle stepped back, and he missed having her in his arms.

Quinn spoke up, sounding more furious than afraid. “Some idiot threw a brick through the window about thirty minutes ago. Chase thinks it was Carly. I doubt she will confess though. She’ll just play stupid.”

Chance’s fury rose another level. Was this because he rejected her in front of everyone?

Quinn went to go and get the vacuum cleaner. Chance grabbed the broom from the floor.

“Next time, call me, Noelle,” he said firmly, looking at her hazel eyes that were shining with unshed tears. “You are important to me, and I will be here for you. I was serious about that.”

“You never believed me before, Chance. You told me I was immature any time I told you Carly wasn’t so innocent,” she explained. “We have been getting along so well I didn’t want to ruin it by causing an argument.”

Chance’s gut felt like it was tied up in knots. Regret burned through his stomach. “I will believe you from now on, Noelle.”

Quinn came back and vacuumed the carpeted floor while he picked up the large glass pile with the dust pan.

“Let’s see if we can board up this window for tonight,” Chance said. “Call Steve Nelson. He’ll come by first thing in the morning. He is an honest guy.”

Mr. Sanchez’s son Jesse came in to the store. “Miss Carrington, Dad says he has extra wood in the back of the store you can have.”

“Thank you, Jesse.” Noelle smiled at the teen boy. He looked to be about sixteen.

Chance smiled at the boy. He shook hands with him. “Hey, Jesse. I haven’t seen you at the gym lately. Did my slaughtering you at basketball scare you away, son?”

Jesse laughed, obviously knowing Chance. “Yeah right. You beat me by three points. My dad had someone quit on him. I have been here lately,” Jesse complained. “Do you know how boring it is to talk wood and screws for hours? How can I practice for the basketball team if I am stuck here all day?”

Chance patted Jesse on the back. “Cheer up, kid. Your dad will hire someone soon. Let’s go take a look at this wood.”

Chance looked at Noelle. “Be right back, angel.”

Chance and Jesse walked to the store and to the backroom. Piles of wood panels were stacked on shelves.

“Hey, kid. I’d really appreciate it if once in a while you could look in on Noelle and make sure she is okay,” Chance said to him. He hated knowing he couldn’t be here with her all day. He doubted Noelle would like that anyway. He had a bad feeling in his gut about this whole thing. He heard people saying Carly was drinking heavily. Had the alcohol warped her mind? He had no idea if it was true, but it did put fear into him.

Jesse grinned widely. “Sure. A lot of the high school girls go shopping there. Now I have an excuse to play the big, tough guard.” He put his arms up to show off his muscles.

Chance rolled his eyes, but he knew Jesse would call him if something went down.

Getting Noelle back was going to be his greatest mission. He had to do it soon.

Chapter 8

Chance went to see Carly at her parent’s home on his next day off. Th

ey had a large estate just outside of the city limits. Her stepfather was on the city council and liked to have the best of everything. A huge house and the latest cars. Chance never spoke to the man himself. They were snobby and didn’t have many fans in Willow Springs.

“I knew you would come looking for me.” Carly smiled happily, sitting on the porch swing next to him. It was awkward since there was nowhere else to sit. Her skirt was hiked up higher than necessary to show off her thighs. He kept his eyes on her face.

“I knew you returned my feelings.” Her eyes were red, but he couldn’t smell any alcohol on her breath. Her skin looked pale and unhealthy, and her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. She looked hungover.

“That is not why I am here, Carly,” he stated firmly. “I want to make it clear to you again. You kissed me at the bar six months ago, and I should have pushed you away sooner. I was drunk and taken by surprise. I told you this that night when I apologized. I love Noelle, and I don’t like all the lies you have been spreading about me and you.”

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