Chapter 4
Maybe Steal a Kiss or Two
Collins
“Heard you and Harley have taken things public.” Mav slaps a hand down on my shoulder as he passes by my locker, referring to the two dates we’ve gone on since entering our faux relationship.
“Where’d ya hear that?” I prod, knowing it was most definitely Kodi, his wife.
“Yeah, dude, why didn’t you tell us about you and Harley?” Conrad speaks up from beside me.
“We’ve been taking things slow. The whole situation with her ex kind of threw things off a little bit. We’ve been going at her pace.” I say, opting not to out her situation to the guys, it’s not their business unless she wants it to be.
“That’s fair, but why now?” Nik booms from across the locker room.
“I want to be able to love on my girl on our trip, especially at Christmas time. Sneaking around with everyone present was kind of going to be impossible.” I shrug it off, surely that’s a good enough excuse.
“Hmm… That makes sense.” Dom hums decidedly.
“Everyone’s still coming over for dinner tomorrow, right?” Mav asks, changing the subject.
A chorus of yeses resounds from around us.
“You’re hiding something,” Conrad says quietly as he’s tying his skates.
I don’t get to respond because Coach is hollering at us to get onto the ice for the morning skate.
Fuck. We’re going to have to be convincing tomorrow.
I attempted to convince Harley and Sin to let me pick them up for dinner, but Sin insisted she drive herself.
She argued that it was a Friday night, so surely Harley would be coming to spend the weekend with me.
I hadn’t even thought about that, but after a quick text exchange with Harls, she’s bringing her weekend bag, and we’ll have a lazy weekend.
No pressure, no fancy clothes. Just us, Precious, and junk food.
I’m one of the first to arrive at Maverick’s, pulling up behind Nik’s motorcycle. I grab the s’mores dip from the passenger seat. I was charged with bringing it since it’s too warm for a fire this evening.
As I walk up to the front door of Kodi and Maverick’s suburban home, I pull my phone out to text Harley. Deciding that Sin is more than likely going to be reading over her shoulder, I lay it on thick.
Collins
Hey, Baby, you going to be here soon? I miss you.
I’m guessing that the use of baby has sent a very cute and very pink blush across her skin. I wish I could see it.
Harley
Be there in 5.
There’s a pause.
Harley
Miss you, too.
Collins
See you soon.
We don’t even knock to enter the Hart residence anymore, just open the door using the assigned key code and head inside.
I kick my shoes off next to the others before heading down the hall toward the living area.
A few things have changed in the home since Kodi and Maverick married.
She’s updated the photos that line the entryway to include more of the friend group and her Mom.
There are also more pops of color throughout the entire home, giving it a brighter feel.
I plop the dip onto the kitchen counter just before Bella barrels across the living room and into my barely waiting arms.
“Uncle Collins!” Bella’s shrill voice fills the space. The kid is so fast that I was just able to bend down and scoop her up.
“Hi, sweet girl. I missed you.” I smile down at my pseudo-niece, planning to soak up all of her attention until Dom gets here and inevitably complains that I’m hanging with her.
Unfortunately for him, she’s not so little anymore and has her Mama’s attitude, so if she doesn’t want to sit next to you during dinner or play dinosaurs with you, she’ll tell you right to your face. It kind of stings.
“You did?” She beams back at me.
“Of course, I did. I haven’t seen you in… Seven sleeps. That’s so many.”
“You know what’s so many sleeps?”
“How many?” I ask.
“Thirty.”
“That’s how old your Uncle Tatum is,” I say a little louder than necessary as the front door opens. I know it’s Tatum, Darcy, and Hayden based on the babbling noises echoing down the hallway.
“Ew, that’s so old.” Bella giggles more.
“Ouch, Bella. And Collins, my knees and back hurt, man, don’t rub it in.” Tatum laughs as he slaps my arm before taking Hayden into the living room and setting him on the carpet to play.
“Your girl is here. Go help her with her stuff.” Darcy nudges me, taking Bella from my arms easily.
“Thanks.” I turn on my heel, walk out the front door, and head out to the road where Sin’s burnt orange Rav4 is parked.
“Collins,” Sin smiles at me as she passes and heads inside.
Harley steps out of the car in ripped jeans and a tight black t-shirt. Her curls are messily pulled to the top of her head, and light makeup covers her face. I approach her where she’s standing at the open passenger door.
“Hi, Baby.” I can’t keep myself from saying it, and just like I hoped, her cheeks pinken and she shies away from my look.
“I’m not going anywhere, you have to be able to look at me, Harls.” I gently grab her chin, bringing her gaze back up to mine, “There she is.”
“Hi.” Her voice is timid as she stares back into my eyes, “Your shirt’s nice.”
“Thank you.” I chuckle because I only have on a simple, green Henley, “Let’s put your bag in my car and then head inside.”
After stopping at my truck, I take Harley’s hand and guide her into the house and to our place at the dining room table, where everyone waits for us.
“There’s the lovebirds.” Dom chides as we step into the house.
“We’ve been waiting on you two,” Kodi adds, wiggling her eyebrows.
Harley’s cheeks flush immediately, and I find myself protectively pulling her into my side.
“Just needed to check in on my girl. I missed her.” I throw it out into the room.
“Check in. Sureeeee.” Mace, the sarcastic teen brother of Enid, adds with a gesture mimicking quotations.
“Yes, just check in.” I assert.
“Maybe steal a kiss or two.” Sin adds, her tone questioning.
“None of your business. Let’s eat.” Harley puts the conversation to bed; she typically doesn’t assert herself like this. I find myself beaming with pride.
“Okay… Tonight we’ve got ribs and whatever sides you heathens brought. Everything is set up like usual, get your food and be merry.” Maverick booms, and we all break away to plate our food before reconvening in the dining space.
“Everyone ready for our trip?” Enid asks after we’ve all settled in and begun picking at our plates.
“Just about. I need to get little Mrs.Thing some warmer clothes before we head out.” Kodi says about Bella.
“Do you wanna build a snowman?” Bella sings directly to Mace, who has become her new best friend since he introduced her to all of his turtle friends at Shell Shock’d— where he and Enid work.
“We can build a snowman, Bells.” Mace insists.
“Nooo. You have to sing it back.” Bella whines.
Mace blushes with embarrassment. He tries to act cool but we’ve all noticed that Bella and Hayden are his weak spots.
“Bella Bear, I don’t think Mace wants to sing right now. It’s so exciting that he wants to build a snowman with you, though!” Darcy pipes up, earning a mouthed thank you from Mace.
“Any ideas for food while we’re up there?” Nik asks, he’s the cook of the group, always willing to feed us. I think it’s his secret love language.
“Dale volunteered to make chili, but that’s pretty much all we have planned so far. We figured that Kodi, Bella, and I could hit a grocery store on the way up and then split the costs from there.” Maverick responds.
“I think we need to do s’mores,” Harley adds.
“That’s not a meal, Baby.” I chuckle.
“Anything can be a girl dinner.” She volleys back.
“How about we do easy meals for a lot of people? Things like spaghetti, sliders, and tacos.” Tatum suggests.
“I think those are all solid options and easy enough. I think I’ll prep some pierogis beforehand.” Nik asserts.
“Oh, yes.” Dom moans, making everyone turn in his direction, confusion etched into all of their eyes.
“Don’t make it weird, Dom.” Conrad goads while laughs float throughout the room.
“I’ve been waiting years for this experience. Everyone else says they’re delicious, and I’ve yet to experience them myself.” Sin pipes up in excitement.
“They are!” All of the guys, including myself, say at once.
The rest of the evening goes by in a flurry. Everyone is so excited about our trip, we leave in just under three weeks. I know I shouldn’t be as excited as I am about having Harley alone for a week, considering she isn’t truly mine, but I’m ready for it.