Chapter 36 Harlan
Harlan
That was an exhausting practice.
But a damn good one. I knock fists with Cooper, then Jones as we leave the field. It’s been a long-ass day of stretching, game film, drills, and playbook review.
Then lots of time with the receiver’s coach.
“I feel good and ready for Sunday. You guys?” I ask.
“Hell, yeah,” Jones says.
“Bring on New York. If we win, we’ll clinch a playoff post,” Cooper adds.
“Gee, I hadn’t noticed,” Jones deadpans.
“Smartass,” Cooper says as we head down the corridor. “The wife is coming, and the kids, and I cannot wait to give her a kiss at the edge of the field once we secure our spot. It’s my lucky tradition, and I won’t break it.”
“I’ll do the same with my woman,” Jones adds.
“You two are too cute,” I say, shaking my head in amusement at their romantic antics.
But inside, my heart squeezes a little harder than I’d like. I want what these guys have. Want it badly.
Took me long enough to find the woman I want to share those moments with. But I’ve found her, and I can’t wait to start up with her for real.
In public.
In the light of every damn day.
The possibility of that someday, maybe next season, brings a smile to my face.
“What are you grinning about, chuckles?” Cooper asks when we reach the locker room.
“Just thinking about games and stuff,” I say. It’s sort of true, and sort of not.
I hit the shower and get dressed, and once I’m buttoning my shirt, I grab my phone from my locker.
“See you all tomorrow,” I tell the guys as I take off, powering on my cell as I go.
Once I’m in the hallway, I order a Lyft, then my notifications light up.
I check to make sure Danielle’s got Abby as planned.
Yup. All set.
Abby even texted me from Danielle’s phone with an I love you!!!!!!!!
Complete with eight exclamation points and, also, nine heart emojis.
I write back, telling my girl I love her too, then I find a text from the woman I’m crazy for, and I slide it open.
Whoa.
I read it twice.
Holy hell.
She did this?
She. Did. This.
She fucking did this.
Katie is brave and gutsy and sexy and all mine.
Also, she sounds worried AF.
That is not okay.
I pick up my pace through the hall, texting her back as I go.
Harlan: Is everything okay, you ask? Everything is amazing. You’re amazing. And that sounds like more than a busy day. I’m coming to see you.
NOW.
Do not worry about a thing with me. EVER.
***
I google her work address, and when I get in the Lyft, I change my destination, giving the driver the address to Katie’s corporate headquarters instead.
As we weave through traffic, my mind time-travels to yesterday in Katie’s studio. How incredible it felt to make love to her. It slips back further to the days we’ve spent at my home, the conversations we’ve had. I wind all the way back to more than seven years ago when I met her.
How we clicked instantly.
But then fate threw obstacles at us left and right, up and down. Timing has always vexed us.
But look what Katie did today. She sped up time. She took it in her hands and said I’m doing this.
I grin as I think of her, my tough and sweet and sexy and strong Katie.
She made this happen.
She made us happen.
When my mind leaps ahead to this weekend, and the next one, and the one after that, I know what I can make happen.
I have no more questions.
Only clarity.
I text her one more time.
Harlan: Can’t wait to see you. Can’t wait to tell you something big.