Chapter Fifteen Harrison
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HARRISON
I’m on the plane bright and early this morning waiting for takeoff, strapped into the window seat, duffel shoved under my legs. The team is already half-asleep around me when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Harper
Hope you made it to the airport on time.
I smile at my phone remembering how shocked yet willing, Harper was when I stopped by her place last night. She’s all I’ve been able to think about since the moment I kissed her after my game.
The moment I made her mine.
For the second time.
For the last time.
Me
I already miss you.
Harper
That was fast. You were just here.
Yeah. That’s the problem.
I picture her on her couch, barefoot, hair loose, wearing those tiny sleep shorts and paper-thin tank top that left nothing to my imagination. The thought makes my chest ache in a way that’s new and terrifying.
Me
And somehow that makes it worse…
I can still feel her mouth on mine, soft at first and then confident and hungry but scared at the same time, like she was afraid I’d vanish if she let go. Like she needed me to remember her while I was gone. As if I could forget.
Harper
Did you at least sleep?
I huff a quiet laugh, not wanting to wake Ledger sitting next to me who is out like a light. I guess that’s what happens when you’re the father of triplet babies. The man never sleeps.
Me
I got an hour or two.
Harper
H…
Me
Can’t help it. I kept thinking about the way you kissed me like you didn’t want me to leave and my body wouldn’t settle down and go to sleep.
I watch the three dots appear.
Then disappear.
Then come back again.
Harper
I didn’t want you to go.
Her response does something to me. Something slow and heavy and undeniable.
Me
Good. Because I don’t plan on pretending that last night didn’t mean something.
I absolutely meant it.
Every word.
Every stroke of my lips against hers.
Even if it scares the hell out of me.
Her reply is simple.
Harper
Have a good flight.
I glance out the window at the runway lights, my heart still back at her place.
Me
I will. Text you when we land?
Harper
I’ll be waiting.
I close my eyes, phone warm in my hand, and let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—this really is the beginning of something she won’t walk away from again.
Our first night was hell. None of us slept very well, but thankfully all we had yesterday after we got into Pittsburgh was a quick practice.
This morning’s skate leaves my legs burning and my head foggy, but the second I peel off my gloves, I reach for my phone like it’s muscle memory.
I texted Harper yesterday when we landed but didn’t get to talk to her much at all.
I’ve had no text from her yet today, but I check anyway.
Still nothing.
I run the towel over my damp hair, one corner of my mouth lifting as I tap my thumb against the side of my phone. The screen lights up, blank and waiting for me to make the first move.
Me
You alive back there, Richardson?
I barely finish drying off from my shower before my phone buzzes.
Harper
Barely. Connor woke me up at 6 to remind me I’m “basically famous now.”
I laugh out loud, drawing a look from Oliver and August.
Me
Did he tell everyone I kissed his mom again?
Watching the three dots dance across the screen fills me with a sense of joy I didn’t expect.
Harper
Literally everyone…for like, the third time. Including his coach.
I wince and then grin, my thumbs flying as I type out my response.
Me
I regret nothing. What are you doing right now?
Her reply takes longer this time. Long enough that my brain fills in images it probably shouldn’t.
Harper
Drinking coffee and trying to get my notes together for my meeting this morning with the boss.
Me
You could lie and say you’re thinking about me instead.
She doesn’t hesitate.
Harper
I’m always thinking about you.
Me
Good. I like when you’re thinking about me.
Harper
I’ve been thinking about you for ten years, H.
That hits harder than it should. I swallow and lean my elbows on my knees.
Me
Can I ask you something?
Harper
Of course.
Me
You seemed nervous at lunch the other day…and at Connor’s game. Nervous around me?
Her response is immediate.
Harper
What? I was not nervous.
I grin.
I bet she’s nervous right now.
Me
You stared at your hotdog for two full minutes before taking a bite.
Harper
You were watching me eat?!
Me
I notice things.
I almost add about you, but I don’t. Not yet.
Me
It’s cute. You were cute.
Harper
You know, I think you’re enjoying this distance thing a little too much.
I chuckle under my breath.
Me
Maybe. Or maybe it’s easier to say things when I can’t reach out and touch you.
Her typing bubble appears and then stops. And then,
Harper
What would you do if you could?
Me
If I could what?
Harper
Reach out and touch me.
The locker room suddenly feels too loud. Too public. Barrett meets my eye when I lift my head to look around but I pretend to be thinking before I reply. When the coast seems clear, I stand and turn toward my cubby.
Me
That’s dangerous territory, Harper.
Harper
It’s just hypothetical.
I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath.
Me
I’d pull you close. Slowly. Like I’m not in a hurry…even though my heart would be fucking racing. Like it was the other night when I stopped by.
Harper
That sounds like torture.
My mouth curves.
Me
You didn’t seem too bothered.
Harper
I didn’t say that.
Me
You didn’t have to.
“Everything okay Meers?” August asks, noticing my silence when the rest of the room is discussing what song Ella should skate to at our next home game.
“Yeah. I’m good.” I nod. My cheeks are flushed and I’m having trouble turning down the smirk spread across my face but yeah, I’m good. “Just talking to Harper.” August gives me a nod and heads to the shower so I glance down at my phone one more time and type out a quick text.
Me
Go be productive today. I’ll try not to distract you.
Her response seals it.
Harper
Too late.
Day four on the road and my body knows the routine.
Workout number one, warmups, practice, workout number two, team meetings, PR, rest, game time, repeat.
It can be a blur that’s for sure, but when you’ve done it for as long as I have, you just go on autopilot.
My head doesn’t even have to always be in the game…
which is good, because my head is somewhere else entirely today.
It’s in a kitchen I want to be back in with burnt garlic bread and Harper’s laugh.
It’s at an arena full of kids watching my son do his thing prouder than I ever could have imagined.
It’s back home in my bed, with my girl lying next to me sleeping peacefully in my arms. At least, that’s my dream anyway.
I’m in my hotel room halfway through a video review on my iPad when my phone buzzes. I don’t even pretend not to know who it is. There’s only one person texting me this late.
Harper
Connor says hi. He also says you owe him a goal.
I smirk, shifting on the bed.
Me
Tell him defensemen don’t score goals. We prevent heartbreak.
Harper
That feels like a metaphor.
Me
It might be.
There’s a pause. A longer one than usual before she writes back.
Harper
I had a weird moment today.
I sit up straighter, her message catching me off guard.
Shit.
Did something happen?
Is Connor okay?
Me
Define weird.
Harper
I walked past your arena today at lunch. Didn’t even mean to. My feet just…took me there.
Me
And then what happened?
Harper
Nothing. Which somehow felt worse.
I stare at the screen, imagining her standing there alone, looking up at the building of glass and steel.
Me
I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I would’ve come down if I could.
Harper
I know. That’s kind of the problem.
Me
And why is that a problem? Are you okay?
Why do I suddenly feel guilty for not being there?
Harper
I just didn’t expect missing you to feel like this.
Oh.
There it is.
She misses me.
I exhale slowly, thumb hovering over my screen before I type out a reply.
Me
Yeah.
Harper
Can I ask you something totally random?
Me
Always, Harp. You know that.
Harper
Do you ever think about that night in college? Spring break?
My jaw tightens and heat curls low in my stomach.
Me
More often than I should.
Harper
Good. Because I thought about it in the shower today.
I lean my head back and stare at the ceiling. “Mother fucker. What is she doing to me?”
Me
Harper…
My cock stirs in my shorts wondering where this is about to go.
Harper
Too much?
No babe.
Never too much.
Not enough as far as I’m concerned.
Me
No. Just…vivid.
Harper
Mm.
What is she doing over there on the other side of the country?
Me
I remember the way you looked at me like you were daring me to stop, but you knew damn well I wouldn’t.
Harper
I remember your hands. And thinking I was ruined for anyone else who would come after you.
My grip tightens on the phone, anger coursing through me at the thought of any random asshole having his hands on Harper. This is a subject we haven’t talked about yet. The ins and outs of the last ten years and our relationship status over that time.
I try to stop myself, but curiosity is a bitch so here goes nothing.
Me
Is this where I get to ask you how many did come after me?
Harper
You really want to know that answer?
No.
Yes.
I don’t know.
Probably not.
Fuck.
Yeah. I do.
Me
Call me morbidly curious.
Harper
And do I get to ask the same of you?
Me
I’ll tell you what I told Roche as we sat in a bar one night watching Griffin pick up chicks.
Harper
Okay…
Me
I’m a relationship guy, Harp. Not a one-night-stand kind of man.
Harper
So…then, I guess I have another question.
Me
And the answer to that question would be a big fat zero.
Harper
Really?
Me
If I had been in a relationship with anyone over the last ten years, don’t you think you would’ve known about it? It would’ve inevitably ended up in the media somewhere.
Harper