23. Harper
Harper
Watching Jackson practice… it’s like watching a work of art. The way his body moves so effortlessly and gracefully is amazing. I can’t take my eyes off of him.
“Hey! It’s so good to see you!” Charlie moves down the aisle I'm sitting in. After giving me a quick hug, she settles into the seat next to me with a baby in her lap. The little girl is probably a little less than one-year-old and she’s beyond adorable. “How have you been?”
“I'm doing well. I just need to figure out what I'm doing next with my life.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug.
I keep thinking about my finals and what’s going to happen with them, but Dad keeps reassuring me that everything will be fine. He says professors can’t fail me for not showing up with everything that’s going on. I'm really hoping he’s right.
“Ugh, I remember that feeling. I got lucky and Owen offered me a job almost immediately out of school, but I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to find something. I don’t envy you at all.”
“Well, I'm trying to decide if I want to go to law school or not. So, I'm not quite sure if I'm looking for a job or exploring schools. I applied to a few of each and should be hearing back from them soon, but nothing is set in stone yet.”
“That sounds like an even more impossible decision to make.” Charlie flashes me a sympathetic smile.
“Who is this little girl?” I turn my full attention to the baby and grin. She’s so cute. She looks like the perfect mix of Charlie and Wyatt.
“This is Carter. Isn’t she adorable!” Charlie kisses the top of Carter’s head and points at something on the field. I glance up to find Wyatt waving at his family. His face is so animated and I'm sure it’s to get Carter to smile.
Charlie and I chat about people on Mulberry Lane and what everyone is up to. It’s so weird to think about the little kids being in high school or starting college. It doesn’t seem possible, yet it’s happening.
It’s a little odd that we know so many of the same people and yet Charlie and I never really talked much. It’s not that we had an issue with each other, I think it was just the age difference… which is weird since Jackson’s the same age as her and yet our age difference never mattered.
“Are you and Jackson dating yet?”
Her question comes out of the blue and I cough, choking on my own saliva. Charlie grins and arches a brow. She won't be letting this question go, she wants an answer.
“Why would you ask that?” I narrow my eyes on her and take a long drink of my water.
“Well, for starters, you’re here. Not many people get to come and watch the team practice.
In fact, I’ve only ever seen wives and girlfriends come here.
Even then, it’s not often unless they have a reason to be here.
Macy, Liliana, Winnie, and I all work here.
And Cici gets away with it since her daddy owns the team, and because her brother and boyfriend are on the team.
No one bats an eye when any of us show up…
but you don’t work here and you’re not related to Owen so… ”
“It’s a long story.”
“Practice is long.” She shrugs, not giving me any sort of wiggle room. “Start talking.”
I spend the next twenty minutes telling her everything.
Even though Charlie and I were never close, Sophia, Emma, and Bella always swore she was the best listener and gave the best advice.
I'm actually really happy this conversation is happening. I need the input of someone who isn’t emotionally wrapped up in all of this.
I know if I talk to Jennifer, she’ll encourage me to date Jackson.
Sophia, Emma, and Bella will do the same.
They all know how I feel, and have felt, about Jackson.
They’ll push me to find my happily ever after with him.
As much as I want to do that, I'm not sure if that’s the right move for me.
When I finish, Charlie’s quiet for a few moments. I glance over at her with furrowed brows. Isn’t she going to say something?
“Man, after how often Sophia, Emma, and Bella gushed about the advice you gave them, I really expected some sort of response.” I chuckle uncomfortably.
“Oh, you’ll get it. You need to let me think through things.
” She rolls her eyes. “I learned long ago from my dad, you need to let your brain digest the information, then you can give advice. I don’t want to throw out thoughtless advice.
That wouldn’t be helpful to anyone. Sophia, Emma, and Bella probably didn’t tell you that most of the time I didn’t get back to them for a day or two. ” She smirks.
“No, they left that little tidbit out.” I frown.
“I overheard Jackson and Owen’s conversation when he wanted off for your birthday weekend.
I wasn’t snooping, but the guys are loud.
Owen especially. And his office is right outside of the therapy room.
” She looks apologetic for overhearing their conversation.
“Anyway, Jackson sounded desperate. Like going to see you was the most important thing to him.”
I nibble on my bottom lip as I stare out at the field. I don’t know why I'm so hesitant to take the leap. I think I'm terrified of this ending badly and losing Jackson forever.
“Can I ask you something?” I glance over at Charlie.
“Of course.”
“We’re you scared of taking the leap with Wyatt?”
“Which time?” She smirks.
“Both?”
“The first time… I think I was so wrapped up in how much I loved him. I don’t think it ever crossed my mind that we could have it all fall apart. The second time… I was terrified. I knew what it felt like to have my heart broken by that man and I wasn’t sure I’d survive it a second time around.”
“What made you give in?”
“When Wyatt got hurt and couldn’t put any weight on his knee, I didn’t think.
I knew I needed to take care of him. I knew I’d be able to get him back in the game faster than anyone else and do it in a way that would help him long term…
I don’t know. I guess I just realized how quickly things can change.
Wyatt’s injury was minimal compared to a tragic car accident or a fatal disease or diagnosis, but it made me realize I cared too much about him to walk away.
It helped that he was persistent too.” She grins.
“That man knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and it’s hard to resist that for too long, especially when that’s all I ever dreamed of. ”
“That makes sense.” I nod my head, keeping my attention on Jackson.
“If you take the leap and date him, it could all crash down around you and you could completely ruin your relationship.”
My attention snaps over to Charlie and I scowl at her. Why would she say that? She chuckles and holds up her hand.
“BUT, on the flip side, it could be the most magical relationship you’ve ever had.
He knows you, Harper. He probably knows you better than most people.
I’ve seen him video chatting with you as he leaves the stadium or before a game.
Jeez, I’ve even seen him walk away when the guys are hanging out so he can talk to you.
He’s already acting like you’re his, so why not give him the chance to prove how amazing the two of you could be? ”
I'm quiet as my mind runs with all of the possibilities.
I didn’t know Jackson takes my calls even when he’s hanging out with his friends. I assumed he only answered when he was free and alone. I never realized there were other voices in the background or that he was in strange locations I had never seen before. I guess I never really paid attention.
“Harper,” Dad whispers as he closes the distance between us and wraps me in a hug. I love being in his arms and I forgot what it feels like. I’ve been away for too long.
I don’t want to do it again.
I never want to be away from my family or Jackson again.
“I missed you,” I murmur, hugging him tighter.
“I missed you too, sweetheart.”
He doesn’t let go of me for several long seconds and when he does, he presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, just like he always did when he’d tuck me in at night before bed.
“Your mom will be sad she missed seeing you. You’ll have to come over this week. She’s been talking nonstop about seeing you. If she weren’t working, I’m sure she’d be here right now.”
“Who’s she working with today?” I grin. I miss hearing Mom’s stories from the operating room. It was always my favorite thing when I got home from school.
“Scott.” Dad chuckles and glances over at Jackson. “I’m sure the two of you are the topic of discussion for the day.” He motions between us.
“Just what I love to hear.” Jackson rolls his eyes. “Nothing’s better than having a bunch of strangers know everything about me because my dad can’t keep his mouth shut.”
“On the bright side, they’re with Kelsey and Summer today, so not strangers.” Dad winks at Jackson.
“Oh, that’s even worse! Then they all chime in! With my luck, Faith will give lunch breaks and Jesse and Derek will drop by while waiting for their operating rooms to be set up.” Jackson scrubs a hand down his face and lets out a groan.
“Aw, is Jackson having a little meltdown?” Mason grins at him.
“Just a wee bit.” I hold my thumb and forefinger close together.
“How are you, sweetheart?” Mason wraps me in a hug. He’s always been like an uncle to me since Dad and him are so close.
“I'm doing well. It’s great to be back home.”
“I'm sure it is. How about the two of you come into the back and we can talk?”
Mason presses a button on his phone and a hidden door opens up. We follow them into their cave and I glance around. I haven’t been here in forever, but I always thought it was the coolest setup ever.