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“Yes, they do.” I shove my hands in my pockets. The nights in Southern California are starting to drop into the 40s, leaving a chill in the air. “They haven’t been this good since our senior year. They have a good chance of making it to state.”
“Ben always looked up to you and your friends. All his friends did. They watched you, and as soon as your games started, they’d head to the practice field.”
I smile at him. “Getting nostalgic, old man.” Ben runs down the field from the 50-yard line to the 10, spins around, and snatches the ball from the air. When he catches us looking at him, he salutes with a huge grin on his face.
“Yes.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “The last one is about to fly out of the nest. At least Emilia and the kids are there.”
“I think Emilia will move out soon.” I watch the players on the field in hopes that he doesn’t get teary-eyed and make me sappy.
“Yeah…,” he sighs. “I know. I’m hoping she’ll stay in town.”
“She will.”
I enjoyed my visit with Harbor and her boss; his wife and their kids are great. She was right, he’s a standup guy. The dinner was phenomenal, and our night out the next evening was at a posh and romantic Italian restaurant. But she doesn’t talk to her neighbors. Hell, she doesn’t even know any of them.
I throw caution to the wind and look at my dad, only to find him grinning at Connor and giving him a hearty handshake. Crisis averted.
“Hey, Connor, how’s it going?”
“Good. It’s good to see you.” My old man and Connor have always been close.
When I scan the crowd for Harbor, she’s standing with Layla and Kameron, waiting in line at the concessions. My stomach flops, and then reality hits. I can’t even go talk to her because Connor is standing beside me. This blows. Because of our schedules, we haven’t been able to see each other in over a week, and now–
“Hey, bud.” Connor smacks me in the shoulder. “Everything, okay?”
“See you guys later.” My dad waves and walks toward the bleachers. My mom waves from their seats with my sister, niece, and nephew at her side.
After I return their greeting, I return my attention to Connor but catch a glimpse of Harbor in the process. “Yes. Everything’s great.” I’ll get the chance to talk to her later. She’s staying at my place tonight, so we’ll have plenty of time to catch up. Except, it’s never enough time.
“That’s good.” His eyes narrow slightly as he studies me. “Are you seeing someone?”
The coach yells at the players, who all run toward him as we near kickoff.
“What?”
“You’re acting jumpy.” He wrinkles his nose as he continues to look at me with disbelief. “You’ve been busy a lot, and you seem happier than usual.”
I chuckle to blow him off. “Nothing is going on. I’ve been busy.”
“Who is she? We don’t keep secrets.” An expression I can’t identify flashes across his face before it quickly vanishes, and he clears his throat. “You know I’m not opposed to relationships, right? We’ve made a big deal about not settling down too young and enjoying life. But if you’ve found someone that makes you happy, I’m all for it.” He smirks. “You know that was all a bunch of bullshit anyway, right?”
“Yes, I know. I appreciate it. And, same to you.” This time, I’m dead serious. I rotate my shoulders to ease the tension in my back. “I’m tired of the single life, and if I find someone who’s interested in a serious relationship, I’m ready for it.”
Harbor, Layla, and Kameron stand several yards away, chatting as they introduce Kameron to one of their high school friends.
“That’s great. I thought Hadley might have permanently put you off relationships.” He rakes a hand through his hair and scans the crowded football stadium.
I shake my head for no reason as his attention remains on the crowd. “No. She didn’t. For a while, I used it as a good excuse not to get into a relationship, but not anymore. Besides, my feelings for Hadley were never that serious.”
His head snaps back around. “You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”
“Okay.” I raise my hands in defense. “I’m seeing someone, but it’s new, and we aren’t ready to tell other people about it yet.”
“Do I know her?”
Shit. Heat fans across my face as he stares, and I feel Harbor’s gaze also on us. She’s going to kick my ass. “Yes, you know her, but that’s all I’m saying for now. You’ll be the first to know. If we decide, we’re all in.”
“Fine.” He nods in response. “I can respect that.” The quickness in ending his line of questioning takes me by surprise. “I hope it works out. I’m going to head to the seats and talk to a guy from work.”
