Friends and family greeted the crew as we came ashore, girlfriends kissing my mates. I scanned the crowd for Harper and found her hugging Dean, then Xander. Her gaze found mine, and she gave me a private smile. Xander was eyeing Emery; Dean seemed to be looking for someone else…
Bloody hell, are we all playing different versions of the same messed-upgame?
My thoughts were cut off by Elowen Blake hurling herself at me so violently, I was nearly thrown off balance. She planted a lingering kiss on my cheek.
“Congratulations! That was amazing!”
“Fuck’s sake, Elowen,” I seethed, wrenching myself away from her. “Are you out of your mind?”
She glanced around, chagrined. “I was just trying to congratulate you…”
“Then just say that,” I snapped, searching the crowd for Harper, but of all the faces, none were hers.
Elowen glared at me, her cheeks aflame. “You know what, Orion? Fuck you. You’re an asshole. I’m done.”
She stormed off through the crowd, blond hair flying, straight to Aria and Rhett to tattle on me. I brushed it off, hoping Harper hadn’t seen that, and headed for the clubhouse for a postmortem with Coach.
“Gentlemen, you did good. Your time was impressive, given those conditions, and you should be proud of yourselves.” He clapped his hands. “Okay, let’s go celebrate!”
The locker room erupted into cheers. Tonight, the fancy country club was hosting its annual Regatta Gala, which was sure to be even more epic, thanks to our win. I found Xander and Dean together and slung my arms around them both.
“Bloody hell, Ford. I nearly put out my shoulder trying to match your pace. Good on ya, mate.” I gave Dean a jostle. “And Yearwood, no one’s a better coxy than you.”
“Agreed,” Xander said solemnly.
“Nah,” Dean said. “You did all the hard work. All I had to do was sit and yell at you. Oh, and steer the boat, but that’s not important.”
“I hear the Castle Hill Country Club is going all out for this party,” I said. “You’re both coming, yeah?”
Dean beamed. “Is pi an irrational number? That would be ayes.”
I laughed. “Dorks, the lot of you.”
“I’m not going,” Xander said.
“You have to come,” I said. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“I’ll think about it,” he mumbled.
“That’s the spirit!” I said, and went out, but honestly, I wasn’t feeling it either. Normally, I’d have been overjoyed at the idea of celebrating the win and the guaranteed pleasure of female company that night. But if Harper wasn’t coming, I’d have to fly soloandbe on my best behavior, all while missing her.
So this is what being responsible feels like. Bollocks.
I headed back to Atlas Hall. Overhead, thunder rumbled as a massive storm prepared to break on top of me. I’d just keyed into my apartment when my phone rang with Harper’s number.
I’m in the doghouse already. Damn you, Elowen.
“Hey, Bennett,” I said.
“Wow,” she answered. “Someone sounds awfully guilty.”
“You saw that, eh?” I said, grinning with relief at her teasing tone. I threw myself on my couch and kicked my feet up. “How much trouble am I in?”
“All of it,” Harper said. “You’re in all the trouble. So much, in fact…I was thinking about coming to the country club party. To keep an eye on you, of course.”
I sat up. “Really? You want to come? But just a few days ago—”
“I know, but…” Harper sounded shy again. “I’ve been thinking about it all weekend, and how I used tonotgive a shit what people thought about me. I hate how self-conscious I’ve become, and you’re nothing to be self-conscious about. It sucked today, not being able to congratulate you on your win. You were amazing, and you deserve to be celebrated.”
