Page 102 of Seeing Harper

“Hey, you’re the one who wants to become a lawyer so you can become a judge, so you can run for office and start showing people the right way to do things. You could get a four year degree and call it good if you really wanted to,” Clay said.

Cruz grinned. “Nah, I think I’ll stay with the plan for now. I’m kinda committed to it.”

“I knew you were,” Clay said.

“You want me to ship some of this furniture home to you?” Cruz asked.

“No, it’s yours now. Do with it what you will. All I ask is that if you come across something I’ve forgotten or left behind, bring it with you the next time you come home,” Clay said.

“Consider it done.”

Clay stood there for a second, then stepped closer to Cruz. “I’m going to miss you. I’ve gotten used to you being around every day.”

“Me, too. I’ve gotten used to seeing you every day. It’s going to be different without you here. I’ll miss the company.”

“I’m still just a phone call away. We can even video chat if you prefer.”

“I’ll definitely be taking you up on it. I’ll miss my bro, you know?” Cruz said, trying to be funny but at the same time get the emotion he was feeling across.

“I have to admit that it’s been really special living here with you. It’s just me and my parents, and while we have the whole damn Pride as family, it would have been nice to have a sibling. I’ve come to think of you that way,” Clay said.

Cruz stepped forward and grabbed Clay, hugging him tightly as he patted his back. “Me, too. I mean, I have Darcie, but it’s not the same as a brother. You’re my brother.”

“And you’re mine. Doesn’t matter if we’re both here or in different places. You call any time day or night, no matter what. I’m on my way.”

They both nodded and stepped awkwardly back away from each other.

“So, you going now?”

“Yeah. I have to meet with the Bigsbys tomorrow morning and get the purchase finalized, then get ready to spring it all on Harper.”

Cruz shook his head. “Still can’t believe you’re just springing it all on her. No discussion, no feeling her out, not even a ‘hey I think we may be mates’ for her to deal with before you hand her a horse farm and arena and all the land it sits on.”

“I’ve been feeling more and more hollow without her. There’s no thinking we’re mates. I know for a fact we are. I know she’ll be excited.”

“I’m hoping you’re right,” Cruz said.

“She’s my mate. And I’ve been crazy about her all my life. I can’t imagine anything going wrong.”

“And now you’ve jinxed yourself. Don’t say shit like that; you’re just tempting fate when you do.”

Clay laughed and held out his hand for Cruz to meet his and complete their fancy handshake combination they always did when saying goodbye for any length of time. All the guys in the Pride had one.

“Drive safe, yeah?” Cruz asked.

“Always. I’ll send you a text when I get there.”

“I’ll call if you don’t.”

“Oh, you don’t have a car now.”

“I don’t need one unless I need to go home or come back here. I’ll make sure that Sebastian knows to pick me up when he heads home.”

“If he forgets or doesn’t want to leave when you do, let me know, I’ll come back to get you and even bring you back to school if you need me to.”

Cruz nodded, then watched as Clay got in his car, and after another quick wave, drove away. He walked back into his apartment and looked around. He’d never had his own place before. “This is going to be pretty good,” he said aloud.

~~~