Jackson
“Man, I love this,” I whisper as I exit the locker room and sweep Harper into my arms.
After every game, the guys leave the locker room and find their girls waiting for them. I was always jealous of them, but now I have my girl waiting for me too.
“You played such a great game,” she giggles as I kiss the side of her neck.
“Oh, yeah? You were paying attention?”
“How could I not? My boyfriend was on the field.”
I smirk down at her and cup her face in my hands. I never thought this would happen. I thought we’d always have someone or something standing in our way. I feel like I'm finally getting the life I’ve always dreamed of and it’s amazing.
“Are you telling the entire world you’re mine?” I arch a brow.
“Of course. All of Mulberry Lane knows since Sophia made Owen have your jersey brought up to the suite for me.” She laughs again, making my smile grow.
I love seeing her so happy and carefree.
It’s a complete contrast to how she was during her birthday weekend.
She looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders then.
“What about your parents?”
“Yeah… I haven’t told them yet.” She scrunches up her nose. “How long do you think it would take for the news to spread?”
“Well, the game started three hours ago, so… I’d say they already know.”
“Nooo,” she groans, covering her face with her hands. “They’re going to be so angry I didn’t tell them first.”
“Your dad definitely knew something was up when we went to Bennett Bradley Security today.” I shrug. Maddox isn’t a dumb guy. He pays attention to everything going on around him. There’s no way he didn’t notice the spark between us. Honestly, he’s probably been waiting for this to happen.
“In my defense, we didn’t kiss until after we saw him and I don’t think we’ve officially labeled what’s going on between us… though I did refer to you as my boyfriend a few moments ago.” She nibbles on her bottom lip as she peeks up at me through her lashes.
“And you admitted to being in love with me this morning,” I murmur, taking a step closer to her and slipping my hand around her waist.
“You did too, Mr. McLaren.” She places her hands on my chest and smirks.
“I did.” I nod, staring deep into her eyes. “I don’t regret it. Not even for a second.”
“Me neither.”
“Good.”
I eliminate the space between us and press my lips against hers. She responds immediately and slips her arms around my neck. I get lost in her kiss, in her. Everything else just seems to fade away until it’s only us. Just like it always does when I have Harper in my arms.
A throat clears behind us. Loudly.
Harper jumps in my arms and pulls back before burying her face in my chest. I chuckle, tightening my hold on her. I glance over my shoulder to find Wheeler watching us with amusement.
“This is a family area. You should really keep your lips to yourself. Especially you, Miss Bradley.” Wheeler folds his arms over his chest and watches us.
“Why especially me?” Harper pulls back and her brows instantly for a deep V.
“I don’t know.” Wheeler shrugs. “I feel like your daddy wouldn’t be happy to find out you’re mauling a professional baseball player in public.”
“We’re not in public! We’re in an empty hallway with no way for anyone to get down here.”
“Not true,” he singsongs. “I'm the public. And I just saw… that.” He motions to the two of us with a grimace. “I could’ve lived my entire life never seeing McLaren kiss anyone, and I would’ve been happy. I can’t unsee that.”
“Oh, please. How many girls have you kissed in your lifetime?”
“A lot less than you think,” he says softly. He glances down the empty hallway, looking lost in his own thoughts. “Have a good night.” He flashes us a tight smile before he heads towards the parking lot.
“What was that about?” Harper whispers, still staring at the door Wheeler disappeared through.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “I know Wheeler gets pegged as a player a lot, but he’s really not… that seemed like something more though.”
By the time we get home, Harper’s phone is blowing up with texts from her mom. The news definitely reached the Bradley household and there are a lot of questions being thrown our way.
“Mom,” Harper groans as she scrubs a hand down her face. The video chat just connected and she’s already being peppered with questions.
She’s been pacing around the living room, knowing this will be a tough conversation to have.
“Don’t use that tone with me! I haven’t seen you in so long and I find out through the grapevine that you have a new boyfriend? And don’t even get me started on you being engaged without my knowledge!”
“In my defense, the engagement wasn’t real!”
“Yes, which you could’ve told us as well!”
Harper walks in front of me and I reach out, wrapping my arms around her waist and tugging her onto my lap. The screen comes into view and I'm staring at Harper’s mom, Cali.
“Hey, Cali. You’re looking beautiful as ever. I can see where Harper gets it from.”
Cali’s features soften slightly as she grins at me. She rolls her eyes, but it’s playful. She’s always loved me and I'm sure that’s not going to stop now.
“Don’t you dare try to butter me up, Jackson. You’re so much like Scott. You both think you can sweet talk your way out of tough situations. You can’t!”
“Aw, c’mon. I’ve always been respectful and sweet. Why am I getting a bad rap now?”
She lets out a long sigh and shakes her head.
“You’re not getting a bad rap. I’d just like to know what’s going on in my daughter’s life.”
“Well, she has a new boyfriend. He’s quite handsome.” I grin.
“Is that so?” Cali chuckles, amusement lighting up her eyes.
“More handsome than any of her previous boyfriends. And he’s sweet, loving, the best shortstop in baseball history, and the type of guy every mom wants their daughter to end up with.” I flash her a bright smile and she full out laughs.
“Well, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be upset if Harper married someone like you.”
“Hold up there, Cali. Someone like me or me? I’m only supportive of one of those options.” I arch a brow, hoping she gives me the answer I want.
“You.” She looks up at the ceiling and shakes her head.
“Hey, baby?” I glance down at Harper. She’s watching me with her head tilted to the side. She’s so beautiful. I just want to pull her in and kiss her, but I can’t do that while we’re talking to her mom.
“Yeah?”
“I think Mama Bradley just gave me permission to marry you.”
“Oh my gosh, Jackson!” Cali groans.
“Are you asking?” Harper doesn’t skip a beat. She’s staring deep into my eyes and I don’t think she hates the idea. Not even a little.
“Not yet. I think we need to date for at least… thirty-six hours before I propose.”
“Pretty sure you need my permission too,” Maddox’s voice cuts through the other side of the phone. I glance back at the device to find him resting his chin on Cali’s shoulder.
“Are you opposed to the idea?”
“Not as much as I should be.”
“Excuse me?” I rear back and my jaw falls slack as I stare at him.
“You’re not proposing this week or even this month, Jackson. I want to make sure you’re good for my daughter.”
I open my mouth to respond, but he gives me the look. One I know all too well and it means Maddox isn’t finished.
“I believe you are good for Harper. Honestly, I’ve known you most of your life… but I need to see the two of you together for longer than a month before I'm sure. Plus, there’s a lot going on right now. Let’s get her moved back to Philadelphia before we start planning a wedding.”
“On that note, I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted,” Harper cuts in before anyone else can say anything.
“Ok! I expect you to come over for dinner soon!” Cali says.
“Alright. After I get back from Pittsburgh, we can hammer out a day. Love you both.”
“Love you, guys. Night!” They say at the same time.
We end the call and I sink a little lower on the couch. I'm beat. More than ready for bed. My eyes slide closed as I hold her a little closer.
Yet I don’t want to let her go.
“Where are you sleeping tonight?” I murmur.
“Did you cut that branch yet?” She lays her head on my shoulder and her warm breath fans across my neck with each exhale.
“No, I forgot about it. I'm sorry.”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to sleep in your bed.” She lets out a dramatic sigh.
I peek one eye open and find a cheeky grin on her face. She’s so adorable.
“I'm not sure I want to cut it. It could hurt the tree.”
“Man, I wouldn’t want that to happen. That would make me so sad. You should probably let the tree grow however it’d like. We’ll just have to make a sacrifice and I’ll have to sleep next to you every night.” She runs her hand up my chest, up my neck, until her palm is cupping my face.
“I like the sound of that.” I smirk as I lean down to kiss her.