The Chase (Briar U, #1)

by Elle Kennedy

Laughter bubbles in my throat. His serious expression tells me he’s not even joking. “Which part gets you? Mother reading to her children? Old couple on the bed?”

“All of the above. And don’t get me started on Jack’s senseless death....

I nod wholeheartedly. “There was room for two on the door.” “Damn right there was. It was even myth-b...

I stayed home because Brenna had been supposed to come over and hang out. I have a feeling that’s the only reason Hollis stayed behind too. But she canceled at the last minute, hence why Hollis and I are alone.

BRENNA: Very much so. And he’s not my bf. She punctuates that with the middle finger emoji. Just to mess with her, I turn to Hollis and say, “Brenna says hi.”

His blue eyes light up. “Legit? Tell her to give me her number already. I’m tired of begging for it.” He stops, his gaze dropping to the phone in my hand. “Better yet, how about you give it to me and I’ll tell her directly?”

Oh my God. She won’t even let him have her precious phone number? Poor guy. I want so badly to laugh, but I think it might hurt his feelings. “Sorry, sweetie,” I say li...

Despite his disappointed expression, he leans over and drops a solemn pat on my shoulder. “I respect that. ...

“See, rich girls can be badasses,” I tell Hollis. “If that’s your way of offering to break my handcuffs with an axe, I graciously decline. In no way do I trust your aim.”

“No? How’s this for aim?” Lightning fast, I grab a peanut from the can of mixed nuts we’ve been passing back and forth and flick it at him. It hits him smack in the forehead and bounces off with an actual ping.

I curl over, inconsolable with laughter. “Why… did… it… make… that… sound?” I wheeze, trying to catch my breath. My stomach hurts from the force of my giggles. “Mike...

Hollis is as perplexed as I am. “Dude. I didn’t think I did. Now I just want to call my mom and ask.” I’m still howlin...

And unlike Professor Laurie, whose beard removal made him appear prepubescent, Fitz is all man with or without the facial hair.

If anything, the clean-shaven look emphasizes his masculine features more—the hard slash of his jaw, the sexy mouth, dimpled chin.

almost fainted with desire earlier when I realized he’s got a...

That's a thing people are attracted to??

“I see. So you spent the whole time discussing Monet and Dalí, I suppose?” I meant to tease, but the words sound almost like an attack.

Fitz senses it too. His eyes narrow. “We talked art, yeah. Is that a problem?” “Of course not. Why would it be?” “I don’t know. Why would it?” “I just said it wasn’t.”

I adore Kim and the crew. I think they’re all savvy businesswomen, if I’m being honest.

Ick no

He props one hand on the door jamb. “Any reason why you’re being a bitch right now?” What? “Whoa,” Hollis murmurs. I gape at Fitz.

“Really? So you’re allowed to sit there and make snarky comments, but it’s unfathomable for me to call you on it?” “Guys,” Hollis interjects.

“Why are you always yelling at me?” I growl at Fitz. “I never hear you yell at anyone else.” “Because nobody else drives me insane like this.” He angrily drags both hands through his hair.

He searches my face for a few seconds. Then his eyes take on a gleam of determination. Oh no. I’m starting to recognize that expression. “You know what, we’re dealing with this right fucking now.” He takes a menacing step forward. “’Scuse us, Mike.”

“Don’t you dare,” I caution. “Don’t you fucking⁠—” I’m being flung over his shoulder before I can finish that sentence.

I won’t lie. Having an angry, squirming Summer wriggling in my arms is just the teeniest bit of a turn-on. Okay fine. I’m rock hard.

In my defense, I didn’t start this argument off with a boner. I was genuinely pissed at her. I still am. Only now I’m also aroused. So sue me.

Something is really wrong with me. I just spent the past three hours with a girl who dolled herself up for me, who batted her lashes and touched my hand and all but held up a cardboard sign that said FUCK ME, COLIN! I didn’t experience so much as a dick twitch.

And now here I am with Summer, who’s wearing baggy plaid pants and a long-sleeve shirt, who’s shouting obscenities at me, and my dick is raring to go.

“You thought I was a bitch before?” she says threateningly. “Well, how about now!” She resorts to her...

But the sting of pain only turns me on. I kick her bedroom door open. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re a brat?” The moment I se...

Startled laughter lodges in my throat. I easily block her fist before it can connect with my solar ...

“Why? Because it makes me a brat? Oh, and a bitch too, right? And a drama queen…and a sorority girl…what else…” Her cheeks redden with what appears to be embarrassment. “Oh, yes. I’m surface l...

My stomach sinks like a stone. Dick’s not doing great, either—one look at Summer’s stricken face and...

Her fingers, which were clenched so tightly before, slowly uncurl and go limp. Noting my expression, she gives a bitter laugh. “I heard everything yo...

Aw hell. Guilt ripples through my entire body before settling in my gut, an eddy of shame. “S...

“Every word,” she says quietly. “I heard every word you said, and not a single one was very nice, Colin....

Most of my life I’ve made it a point not to be cruel to others. Not to talk trash about anyone—to their face or behind their back. Growing up, all I saw from my parents was...

The toxic environment they’d created had already done its job, teaching me the hard way how damaging words can be. That there’s no taking back the poison once you’ve spewed it.

I don’t know how to explain my actions without revealing just how badly I’d craved her that night. I’d been looking for negative traits because I was having a good time with her. Because she was making me laugh. Turning me on.

“I’m sorry you heard all that,” is what I finally choke out. And I know immediately that it was the wrong thing to say.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, she peers up at me with sad green eyes. Jesus. Her expression. It’s like an arrow to the heart.

“I’m not fluff.” Her words are barely a whisper. She clears her throat, and when she speaks again,...

“Yes, I have a stupid amount of energy. Yes, I enjoy shopping, and I’m obsessed with clothes. Yes, I was in a sorority, and yes, I like t...

She exhales in a fast rush. “That doesn’t make me superficial, Fitz. And it doesn’t mean there isn’t more to me benea...

“Of course there is.” Taking a ragged breath, I sink down beside her. “I’m so sorry, Summer. ...

“You know what really hurts? That you just assumed there was nothing more to me than parties and shopping. I’m a loyal friend. I’m a good daughter, a good sister. You’d spent, what? Ninety minutes in...

The guilt travels upward to coat my throat. I try to gulp it down, but it only thickens, like a layer of tar coating the pavement. She’s absolutely right. Even though I was using those perceived flaws of hers as deterrents, it doesn’...

I did make the assumption that she’s just a party girl and there’s nothing more to her, and I...

“I’m sorry,” I say roughly. “None of what I said was right. Or deserved. And I’m also sorry about calling you a bitch downstairs. Your behavior has been bitchy, but now I und...

Oh my fucking God, this girl is ripping my heart out. I’ve never felt so bad about anything in my entire life.

“I know people who sit around and ponder the meaning of life, their purpose, the universe, why the sky is blue, anything they can question. But that’s never been me. I’m good at other things, like listening when someone needs me. I’m…”