Chapter 13
Our Fake Relationship
Collins
Iturn the corner to the main cabin just as Dom, Sin, and Harley come around it with arms full of logs. Harley’s eyebrows are in her hairline while Dom and Sin look like puppies who got chewing on something they weren’t supposed to.
“I was thinking y’all got eaten by a bear with how long the three of you’ve been gone.” I tease.
“Sorry, Dom slipped. We were just giving him a minute to recover.” Sin says robotically, eyes downcast. Her typical boldness nowhere to be seen.
“Ouch. Let me carry those.” I open my arms, and Dom passes the logs to me before we continue the trek toward the patio.
“What did I miss?” I nudge Dom in the side, speaking softly so Sin and Harley don’t hear our conversation.
“Uh, nothing really.” Dom’s shoulders remain hunched.
“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
“Even if I made you promise not to tell Harley?” He asks.
“As long as it wouldn’t negatively impact her, yes.”
“Maybe when we get back to Florida.” He shrugs, putting his mask of confidence back on before we return to the fire pit, dropping a few logs in.
“All good?” Nik’s gruff voice carries over the flames.
“All good.” Dom asserts, he doesn’t say much for the rest of the night. I can’t help but wonder what was happening by the shed.
I take my place back in the lounger, pulling Harley back in between my legs after she’s topped off her hot chocolate. Her peppermint scent floods my nostrils as she lays her head back against me.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” I hum in her ear.
“I can’t say anything because I don’t know the full story. But yes. Or I mean I think?” Harley says just as quietly back.
“Ready to head home?” I change the topic, I know inevitably when she has more information, she’ll spill the beans. Or vice versa.
“No, I like it out here. The calm, being with everyone… Being with you.” I hope she’s leaving out the part where she wants to keep exploring this connection that’s come to the surface between us.
“I agree. Life’s much slower here than in Tampa. It doesn’t feel as rushed, like I can take a minute to breathe in and enjoy each moment, no matter how minute.”
“These moments are the ones that I try to enjoy the most. The ones where we’re all together, everyone healthy and happy. Basking in the adventures we’re lucky enough to enjoy together. Most of us are in love.” A soft smile graces her features as she speaks.
After eating one last breakfast spread, packing everyone up, and the girls doing their final checks of the cabins it’s time to head out.
Now Harley, Precious, and I are tucked into the truck and headed back to Florida.
Music softly fills the cab as we pass by snow-covered trees and the occasional car heading up to the lodge.
The first few hours of the drive are filled with light conversation, reminiscing on our trip and planning for the New Years party that I’m hosting.
Harley has decided that everything needs to be extravagant, so she can wear this new, sparkly dress she can’t stop raving about.
Along with suggesting that we should set up the spare room for Bella and Hayden to crash in so their parents can hang out until the ball drops.
A few hours into the drive, the plans for New Years Eve are ironed out, and she’s texted the group chat before we find a comfortable silence as I continue our drive south.
“Thank you for doing this, it’s been helping me.” Harley’s soft voice pipes up.
“This as in our relationship?”
“Our fake relationship.” She clarifies, and disappointment consumes me but I can’t let it show.
“Right. I forgot to ask earlier, but are you going to be my New Years kiss, Peppermint?”
“Hmmm…” Out of the corner of my eye, Harley taps her chin, “I’m not opposed to the idea.”
“Opposed to the idea? Is kissing me that bad?” I fein hurt.
“No, it’s not bad at all.” Then, under her breath where she thinks I can’t hear her she adds, “it’s the best kiss I’ve ever experienced.”
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to make the next one better.” I shrug nonchalantly as I speak.
When Harley doesn’t respond, I let the conversation die and we go back to driving in a warm silence. Eventually, I look over to Harley, her eyes closed, chest rising and falling slowly as she rests.
As she sleeps peacefully in my passenger seat, I’m left with reeling thoughts, my thumb quietly rapping on the steering wheel.
The closer we get to Florida leaves me wondering what happens next.
Will she change her mind and suggest we continue our fake relationship after the holidays?
Or better yet, will she decide that our relationship should be real after all?
Do I get to keep having the time I’ve been hoping for with the girl of my dreams?