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“I got it,” he said.
She smiled, following me up and out of the kitchen. “How is he?” she asked.
“Pissed.”
“Yeah, I know that, Mase. Buthowis he? What is his mental state like?”
“He’s still getting his head around it all. But you know Connor, he’ll bounce back.”
“I still can’t believe he could be out for the rest of the season.”
In our last game before the winter break, Connor took a nasty hit and tore his MCL. They were currently going back and forth on whether to operate or not.
I wanted to believe he could make it back to the team before the season ended, but if he ended up having the surgery, it would be a longshot. And if he didn’t, he could do more damage.
“I’m sure Ella is keeping him distracted. They just need to make a decision so he can get into physical therapy and work toward getting better.”
Harper wrapped her arms around my waist and gazed up at me. “He must be devastated.”
“He isn’t thrilled. But he’s putting on a brave face. I told him we’d go see him once the festivities are over.”
“I’d like that.” She went up on her toes and kissed me.
“Hmm.” I banded my arm tighter, pulling her closer. “Don’t tease me. Especially not while we have Scottie and your mom to babysit.” My hands skated down to her ass, grabbing a handful.
“Now who’s teasing?” She quirked a brow, and I dove in for another kiss, swallowing her little whimpers as my tongue slicked into her mouth.
“Mase,” she murmured, pressing her body against mine. I couldn’t resist grabbing her thigh and hitching her leg around me, so I could grind against her and—
“I’m home,” Mom called from the other end of the house, and I let out a frustrated sigh, dropping my head to Harper’s shoulder.
“Later, hotshot,” she chuckled, tapping my chest.
“You say that now. Wait until Scottie decides to join us for a midnight analysis of the Lakers’ chances this season.”
“We both know you’re going all the way.” She cupped my face, her big blue eyes locking on mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
So fucking much that sometimes I didn’t know what to do with all the emotions inside me.
We’d spent the last few weeks easing into our relationship. I stayed over at Harper’s more than I stayed at Lakers House. We’d study or watch a movie, or I hung out at Millers when she worked a late shift. Then I walked her back to Hocking Hall where I’d spend time learning all the ways to make her come undone. We spent a lot of time with Scottie too.
It was important to me that he knew I hadn’t replaced him—that Harper loved him almost as much as I did. Especially since things between him and Dad were a little strained after Claire did in fact get promoted to girlfriend. It hadn’t come as a shock to me, but Scottie was having a hard time adjusting. More and more, he chose spending time with us over Dad, but I wasn’t ever going to force him into a situation where he was uncomfortable. So the three of us went to the rink or played video games, or I watched whatever their latest harebrained idea was. Anything to make him happy.
Until Connor got injured, life was pretty fucking fantastic. The team was on a near-perfect winning streak. I’d been invited to practice with the Blue Jackets in the new year. Harper and her mom were slowly rebuilding their strained relationship. And Scottie had made two new friends at the RCC. Friends who understood what it was to be different.
Watching them together—the girl I loved and the boy I’d do anything to protect—was one of my favorite things, even if I occasionally got a little jealous.
Harper and Scottie had a special bond. He trusted her. And most importantly, I trustedherwith him.
“Harper,” Scottie called, a hint of impatience in his voice, and I smiled.
“What?” Harper asked.
“I’m beginning to think you’re right.”
“Right?”
