I take a drink of my coffee. Not all these changes are my choice, but I can at least address part of it without things blowing up in my face.
“I always worried about attracting the wrong attention in previous years, so I always dressed not to be seen.” I shrug and take a sip. “This year, I wanted to start it out right and decided I don’t need to worry about getting attention.”
Because I already have the attention I was previously hiding from.
“I take it that drew some wanted attention from your four football players.” Mom arches her eyebrow at me suggestively.
Wanted? Not really. Not at first, but the more they push, the more I can’t help wanting them. I still worry once they get what they want from me, they’ll decide they want someone else. Butthey seem to be stuck with me for a year unless I find a way to renegotiate the terms of my enslavement.
“Harper?”
I lift my gaze to her, realizing I was lost in my head and didn’t answer her.
A knock sounds at the back door. Fuck. Eli.
I take a breath and open the door. “Good morning.”
Eli reaches for me, but I back away and glance at my mom. His hand drops to his side and a perfect smile forms on his handsome face. His hands go into his pockets. He has his football jersey on.
“Good morning, Ms. Davi—Jennifer. I hope you slept well.”
Mom’s face goes from surprise to suspicious. “Are you the reason Harper was out late on a weeknight?”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “Sorry about that. I was finishing up an assignment for our AP statistics class, and Harper mentioned she was home alone. Since she’s awesome at stats, I asked her to come to my house and help me. We lost track of time.”
Yeah, Mom’s not buying that. She smiles like she does when someone wants something she doesn’t want to give them. Right now, she’s not an Eli fan, which may eventually work in my favor.
“You don’t mind that Harper makes Caden lunch?” She takes a sip of her coffee as she eyes him over the rim.
“She makes him a sandwich. I give her an apple.” Eli glances at me with a sweet smile. “We’re all okay with Harper giving us whatever attention she wants.”
“Hmm.” Mom gives me a look before she nods at Eli. “Football player too. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for a girlfriend, does it?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I stuff my lunchbox in my backpack and toss it on my shoulder.
“Not yet anyway. Harper’s a hard nut to crack.” Eli wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side. His warmth seeps into me, and I resist the urge to melt into him.
“We really have to get going. I’ll see you tonight, Mom?”
It’s supposed to be her day off. She sets her coffee mug down and shrugs. “Hopefully. The hospital has been short-staffed lately. I’ll text you if I have to go in.”
“We were hoping to go to a party after the game tonight. What time should I have Harper home?”
Eli is still trying, but I can tell each time he puts on his charm offensive, Mom gets a little more defensive. I wasn’t lying when I said she would like Caden best. He may be a brute of a man, but he’s honest about who he is.
“Cameron and Nora Jacobs are your parents?” Mom narrows her eyes slightly on Eli.
“Yes.” Eli smiles like my mom knowing his parents will help his case.
“Harper knows when she needs to be home.” Mom gives me a look likethis guy?
I shake my head with a small smile. Not just this guy.
“See you later.” I push Eli toward the door.
“Nice to see you again.” Eli tosses one more smile her way before he goes outside.
I don’t bother to look at my mom’s expression. She’s not impressed and she’ll definitely have something to say about him later. But what can I say? I don’t really have an option? Yeah, that will go over so fucking well.
