Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
I’d been reading the same paragraph in my kinesiology textbook for twenty minutes without absorbing a single word.
I couldn’t focus on anything when all I could think about was Harper’s audition.
She’d been working so hard, pouring her soul into that original composition— a piece that had left me speechless, and felt as if she’d somehow translated her soul directly into sound that had reached inside my chest and wrapped around my heart.
My phone sat on the coffee table, silent and maddeningly unhelpful. I’d checked it approximately thirty times in the last hour, hoping for news.
I leaned forward, checking it again, and caught movement in my periphery.
Gordy was standing in the entryway between the kitchen and living room, holding a sandwich in his hand that could feed a small family.
Sam and Liam were next to him, all three looking at me like I’d grown a second head—although Sam was definitely fighting a smile.
“What’s your deal today?” Gordy asked.
“Nothing,” I said, sitting back and flipping a page in my textbook just to look busy. “Just studying.”
My gaze darted to my phone. Was that a buzz?
Sam snorted and broke away from the guys to sit in one of the chairs. “You can cut the crap. We all know you’re obsessed with Harper.”
“I’m not—”
She shot me a look that shut me up.
“Harper’s audition was today,” Liam said, and both Gordy and Sam nodded like that made perfect sense.
I sighed, tossing the book aside. There was no point pretending anymore when I apparently wasn’t fooling anyone.
“Is this for the university or the fellowship thing?” Gordy asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Fellowship,” I said. “It’s super important to her and she was nervous.”
Gordy studied me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “You know, at first, I wondered if you had an ulterior motive for getting so close to her, but you genuinely like her, don’t you?”
I felt the weight of everyone’s stares as they waited for me to confirm what they already knew.
“Yeah, I do.”
He nodded, almost like he approved. “I’m sure she’ll let you know when she has news.”
“It’s the waiting that’s killing me.”
Just then my phone buzzed and I snatched it up so fast I nearly dropped it, my heart rate kicking up when I saw Harper’s name on the screen.
Freckles
I got the fellowship. Still can’t believe it.
The restraint in her message made me smile. She was probably freaking out on the inside—Harper never did anything halfway—but trying to play it cool. This was a huge accomplishment. She should be dancing around her whole house celebrating right now.
Me
Fuck yeah you did!! I knew you would. Your original piece was amazing.
Her response came almost immediately.
Freckles
They actually loved it. Said it’s what set me apart from the other applicants.
Me
Of course they did. You’re fucking brilliant, Tins.
I hesitated, staring at the shortened version of her name. I’d never used it before, but it felt right. Then I sent another text.
Me
I’m really proud of you.
The three dots appeared, disappeared, then reappeared.
Freckles
Thanks. That means a lot.
“Good news?” Gordy asked, and when I looked up, he was watching me with amusement.
Sam and Liam had matching smiles on their faces, and I realized belatedly I was grinning widely, beyond stoked for Harper.
“She got it,” I said, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “She actually fucking got it.”
“Was there ever any doubt?” Sam asked. “Your girl’s got talent.”
“She’s not my girl,” I said automatically, even as the idea sent a bolt of longing through me.
“She could be,” Liam said, walking over to drop onto the couch next to me. “If you’d stop being such a chicken.”
I glared at him. “It’s complicated.”
“Life’s complicated,” Gordy said with a shrug. “Doesn’t mean you don’t go after what you want.”
“You think I should go over there?”
“Do you want to go over there?” Sam asked, that know-it-all smile still on her face.
I glanced at the baby monitor. Rory was asleep upstairs.
As if knowing what was holding me back, Gordy said, “We got Rory.”
Liam jumped up from his seat and disappeared back into the kitchen, returning quickly with a bottle of leftover champagne we’d gotten after winning the championship.
He shrugged. “It’s the cheap stuff, but everyone should have something bubbly to celebrate with. Take this and go tell Harper we’re all excited for her.”
Fuck. I wasn’t an emotional guy, but goddamn, I’d won the friends lottery. They were more family than friends at this point, and I was more thankful than I could ever express that I had them in my corner—first helping me with Rory and now this.
“Thanks, guys.”
“Now get outta here before we kick you out,” Sam teased.
They didn’t need to tell me twice. I grabbed the bottle of champagne from Liam and ran out the door.
As I walked up the steps to Harper’s front door, my nerves kicked in. The last time I’d seen her in person, I’d damn near kissed her.
And she had no idea how desperately I wished I had.
I raised my fist to knock, but hesitated when I caught a glimpse through the small window next to the door.
Harper was in the living room with her roommates.
Rachel had her arms wrapped around Harper in a tight hug while Talia popped open a bottle of something that sent foam spilling over onto the carpet.
Ayanna was dancing around playing air violin with dramatic flourishes that had Harper doubling over with laughter.
I stood frozen, watching them. Harper’s face was flushed with happiness, her red curls wild around her face, her smile so bright it made my chest ache. This was her moment—a triumph she’d worked incredibly hard for, with people who’d supported her musical dreams from the beginning.
I stepped back from the door, clutching the champagne bottle in my hand. I couldn’t interrupt her celebration. Not right now. She deserved this moment with her friends. She deserved to have this pure joy untainted by the complications that always seemed to swirl around us.
Tomorrow I’d find a way to congratulate her properly. But tonight, I’d let her have her moment in the spotlight. She’d earned it.
And when the time was right, I’d tell her exactly how I felt. No more wasted time, no more misunderstandings. Just the truth, complicated as it might be.
Because some complications were worth facing head-on. And Harper Tinsley was definitely one of them.