by M. A. Foster
“No.” I scowl. “Don’t be petty, Ashton.”
“I heard she moved in with your cousin,” she prods.
“And?” I raise my brows.
It’s her turn to scowl. “Why are you getting so defensive?”
“Because it’s her business, not yours. And I’m sick of you and your bitchy fucking friends acting like you’re better than everyone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the shit that went down today at lunch. Did you really think I’d let that shit slide, when you’re talking about my family?”
“That was Hannah, not me,” she argues.
“You laughed, so it was you, too. What’s your problem with Jay?”
“I told you I don’t like her.”
“Why? Because she’s a better friend to Lexi than you ever were?”
She looks down at the ground and shrugs. She knows I’m right.
“I told you that you didn’t have to like her but don’t be a bitch to her.”
“I feel like ever since she moved here everything has changed. Even you. Is that why you invited me over here? So you can bitch me out?”
“No, I invited you over here so I could tell you to your face that this”—I gesture between us—“is done.”
She jerks her head up, eyes wide. “What! Why? Because your precious cousin and her music nerd friends got their feelings hurt?”
“No. Trust me, Jay’s a big girl. She can handle herself just fine. She doesn’t need me to defend her.”
“Then what’s this about, Cole? I thought we were good.”
“That’s the problem. You think there’s a we. You act like there’s a we. There’s no we. There’s no us. You’re not my girlfriend.”
“I never said I was.”
“No, but you act like you are.”
“So you’re just done with me?”
I swallow past the lump of guilt lodged at the base of my throat. “Yes.”
“Whatever.” She throws her arms up before she yanks open the door of her Lexus. “You’ll have your hands up my skirt Friday night, like always, begging for a BJ,” she growls as she slips behind the wheel and grabs the door handle. “Maybe for once I’ll tell you no.”
I just shake my head because if I argue with her, she’ll never leave.
She slams the door shut, backs out of the driveway, and peels off.
Good riddance.
I blow out a breath of relief and head inside.
AFTER WILLOW’S DRIED off, I grab a pull-up from her bag and slip it over her naked bottom, then cover her with the hot pink and white polka-dot, Minnie Mouse bathrobe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. This time I ask Willow to point me in the direction of her room. The house is quiet when we step out of the bathroom and make our way down the hall. I notice Cole’s door is open and his room is empty as I turn into Willow’s room across the hall.
I move over to her dresser to pull out a pair of pajamas. A loud gasp escapes me when I notice the framed pictures of Jade scattered along the top of Willow’s dresser.
I swallow past the giant lump in my throat as I fight back the urge to burst into tears, hugging Willow a little tighter to my chest.
She squirms in my arms so I set her down. Moving closer to the dresser, she points to one of Jaden’s pictures. “Mama,” she tells me in her sweet toddler voice.
“Willow’s mother passed away the same day she was born,” Cole informs me from the doorway. “She’s been with us ever since.” I glance over my shoulder to see him leaning against the frame. His expression is sympathetic.
“Hers a angel,” Willow whispers.
And the dam bursts, tears falling one after another down my cheeks. I quickly swipe them away but they won’t stop.
“She’s a beautiful angel,” I say, trying my best to hide my tears, but my shaky voice gives me away.
“What’s wrong, Harper?” Cole’s voice is laced with concern as he moves into the room.
I shake my head, unable to speak. “Nothing,” I whisper. “I just… I need a minute.” Turning around, I sidestep Cole and head to the bathroom. Leaning against the locked door, I bring my hands to my face and let go.
I miss my family.
After five minutes of ugly crying, I splash cold water on my face and step out of the bathroom to find Cole leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and a severe expression on his face.
“Are you okay?”
I nod and clear my throat. “Yeah,” I lie. “I’m sorry about that. Some days it’s hard. I miss my mom and my sister.”
Cole lowers his head and blows out a breath. “I’m sorry. It makes sense why you and Jay connected so easily. You have something in common.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Grief.”
Cole takes a step toward me and I turn my head in the direction of Willow’s room.
“Where’s Willow?”
“She’s watching a movie.” He looks down at his watch. “I’ve got about ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes for what?”
“For this.” He moves so fast I don’t have time to process what’s happening as he cups the back of my head, dropping his lips to mine.
Holy shit.
Cole Mackenzie is kissing me.
I’VE KISSED MY fair share of girls, but Harper’s kiss is one I’ll remember for a very long time. Possibly forever. I’ve been dying to get my mouth on these lips and they feel even better than I imagined. Our mouths move together in sync, tongues colliding, hot and desperate. I could kiss her for hours, days, weeks….
Suddenly Harper tears her mouth away, breathless. “I need to go.” She pulls away and makes her way down the hall.
“Go out with me,” I blurt to her retreating back as I follow her to the front door. My request sounds more like a demand. Fuck, I’m terrible at this. “Let me take you out.”
She huffs out a small laugh as she pulls her bag over her shoulder. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.” I smirk.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
I shrug off the stab of disappointment from her immediate rejection and decide to turn up the charm. “I think it’s a great idea.” I wink.
She scowls and gestures toward the front door. “Wasn’t Ashton just here less than an hour ago?”
“Yeah, so? Ashton and I aren’t together.”
“No? So that wasn’t her I saw sucking you off last week?”
I wince. Shit. I forgot about that.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I ended things with Ashton.”
“Oh? So you need someone to fill her spot in your rotation?”
I throw my head back and laugh at her ridiculousness. “Rotation? Where do you get your information, Harper?” I shake my head, feigning disappointment. “I never figured you for the type to feed into the rumors.” I open the front door. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“If you even attempt to smack me on the ass, I will knee you in the balls,” she threatens.
Ignoring her threat, I kiss her cheek. “Saturday night. And don’t tell me you have to work, because I already checked the schedule and you’re off. I’ll pick you up at six.” And before she can protest, I rush her out the door and slam it shut.
“I didn’t say yes,” she calls from the other side of the door.
I pretend not to hear her.
“HE WHAT?” JAY’S mouth hangs open.
“He kissed me and then asked me out on a date.” More like demanded.
Jay snorts. “Oh my God.” She falls back on my bed, holding her stomach and laughing loudly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Cole finally has a crush on a girl. A real crush. I love it.”
“He’s just trying to get in my pants.” I roll my eyes.
Jay shakes her head. “Cole doesn’t take girls on dates. And he sure as hell doesn’t need to take a girl out just to get in her pants. You’ve met him. You’ve see
n—”
“Don’t say it,” I warn.
She smiles. “He likes you.”
I shrug.
“What did you say? Are you going?”
“He didn’t give me a chance to say yes or no. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea. Ashton—”
“Crap. I forgot about Ashton.”
“He said he ended things with her.”
“I can’t imagine that went over well. That girl is obsessed with him.”
“What should I do? Should I go out with him?”
“Do you like him?”
“Doesn’t everybody?”
“Yeah, but do you like him like him?” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“Doesn’t everybody?” I laugh.
“I get it.” She pulls her lips to the side. “I say go for it. What have you got to lose?” Everything. “As cocky as Cole is, that was a big step for him, asking you out. He’s taking a chance. You should, too.”
I sigh. “I know. It’s just he’s so… I don’t know. I’m the calm and he’s the storm. I’m afraid if things don’t work out, there will be a lot of damage.” I don’t know if my heart is ready for Cole Mackenzie.
“I know.” She stands from the bed. “But I think you’re exactly what he needs.” She makes her way to the door and turns to face me. “Don’t hide from the storm, Harper. Get out there and dance in the rain.” Then she winks and walks out the door.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” JAY sings from the doorway, dangling a gift bag from her fingers.
“How did you know it was my birthday?”
She rolls her eyes and says, “I’ll give you one guess,” as she makes her way into my room and plops down on the bed. “It’s my mom’s job to know everything about everyone.” She smiles and holds out the bag. “Open it.”
Taking the bag, I drop onto the bed beside her and begin digging through the tissue paper. “You didn’t have to get me a gift. You’re letting me live here.”
She shrugs, vibrating with excitement. “Just open it.”
Reaching in the bottom of the bag, I pull out a rectangular red box with gold swirls around the outer edge of the top. The box alone screams expensive.
Jay snorts and smacks my thigh. “The box isn’t the gift, goofball. There’s an actual gift inside.”
Lifting the lid, I come face-to-face with the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen.
Shaking my head, I snap the box closed. “Jay, I can’t accept this.”
Her excited expression morphs into a determined one. “You can and you will, Harper,” she says matter-of-factly. “It’s your birthday.” I start to protest but Jay holds up her hand. “It’s a ‘love’ bracelet.”
“A Starbucks gift card would’ve been just fine. This isn’t normal.”
“In my defense, I’m still learning how to do normal.” A smile curls up one side of her mouth. “Harper, I know you’re carrying around some pretty heavy baggage, and I’ve kept my promise by not asking. I’m not gonna lie, it’s driving me crazy, because it’s in my nature to help, but I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready. I got you this to remind you that you’re not alone anymore. And that you’re loved.”
“Thank you.” I reach over and hug her.
“You’re welcome.” She stands and holds out her hand. “Now come on. Grace made you a birthday breakfast.”
“Happy birthday to you,” Emerson sings as I walk into the kitchen. “What are your plans for your birthday?”
“She has a date,” Jay tells her, and I cringe. “With Cole.”
Emerson’s brows go up. “Really?” she drawls. I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but I can guess. “I had no idea you were interested in Cole.” It’s clear that she’s questioning my intentions.
I give a slight shrug. “I wasn’t—I’m not. Not really. He kind of asked me out of the blue the other day.”
“Cole likes her,” Jay tells Emerson. “Zach told me.”
Emerson smirks. “Just be careful with him,” she warns, and I nod in understanding.
She’s not warning me to be careful because Cole will hurt me. She’s warning me not to hurt him.
WALKING INTO THE kitchen, I find my parents at the table and Willow in her high chair.
“Co!” Willow cheers.
“Willow!” I volley, dropping a kiss to her sticky cheek. “Whatcha eating?”
“Pancays,” she answers as she stabs her little fork into a piece of pancake.
“Yummy. Can I have a bite?”
“No.”
My parents laugh because they know she gets that from me. I’m serious when it comes to food. I don’t like to share.
Grabbing a glass from the cabinet, I pour myself some orange juice and sit at the table with my parents.
“Do you guys have any plans tonight?”
My dad looks over at my mom, then narrows his eyes at me. “Of course we do.” He says this as if I just asked him a dumb question. “Why?”
I blow out a breath and rake my hands through my hair. Here goes.
“Because I have a date,” I announce.
They’re looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. Especially since I promised them the day Willow was born that my only relationship would be with my daughter until I was serious about someone. I don’t know if things will work out with Harper or not, but for the first time since Claire, I want to try.
“With Ashton?” my mom asks, surprise in her voice.
My dad snorts and shakes his head, knowing I couldn’t give half a fuck about Ashton.
“Harper,” I answer truthfully.
“Aphee,” Willow singsongs.
My parents exchange a look. I get it. They’re concerned. My circumstances are clearly different from when Dylan was a teenager, dating and screwing everything with a pulse.
My dad leans his forearms on the table and clears his throat. “I didn’t know you were interested in Harper.”
“I’m interested.” I smirk.
“Do you even know anything about her?” Mom asks.
“I know her mom died from breast cancer. Her sister died in a car accident. And she refuses to talk about either of them. I know her dad is out of the country for work and that’s why she’s living with Jay. I know she’s president of the yearbook committee, and she seems to love taking pictures. I know she’s different and I like that about her. She’s kind and soft spoken but she doesn’t take anyone’s crap. I know she has a low opinion of me and I want a chance to prove her wrong. I shrug. “But isn’t that what dating is all about, getting to know each other?”
Dad’s brows go up and Mom blinks, stunned silent by my admission.
“Listen, I’m not asking for permission to date. I’m eighteen and legally I can do whatever I want.” My dad opens his mouth to retort but I hold up my hand. “But that’s not what I’m saying. Your opinions matter to me. What you think of me matters to me. You guys have been supportive since day one, and if it weren’t for you, things could’ve turned out differently for Willow.”
“Don’t say that,” my mom chides softly.
“It’s true. I know I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for having my back. Thank you for loving me even after I threw the biggest monkey wrench into your lives.”
“We’ll always have your back. You’re our son, and we love you.”
“And we love our monkey.” My dad reaches out and tickles Willow under the chin, earning one of her adorable giggles. “You’ve labeled yourself the black sheep of this family, but we certainly don’t feel that way.”
I smile. “Thank you for loving her.”
He looks at me. “Son, there hasn’t been a moment since the day Willow came into our lives that we didn’t love her. Maybe we don’t say it enough, but we’re proud of you. I know we put a lot of pressure on you in the beginning, and it hasn’t been easy, but you’ve done a great job with her.” He blows out a breath. “Of course you can date whomever you want. Harper seems like a nice girl. She’s one of my bes
t employees. All I ask is that you take it slow.”
“I plan on it. Now I just need to find someone to watch Willow tonight. Where are you guys going?”
My dad looks over at my mom and winks. “Out” is all he says.
“I feel like I’m missing something here.”
My mom grins. “It’s our anniversary.”
Shit. “My bad.” I smile. “Happy anniversary.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll be gone for the night.” My dad wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
Ugh. Gross.
“You got a hotel just so you can have sex with your wife?” I tease.
“No. I got a hotel so I can have anniversary sex with my wife,” he replies.
There’s a difference?
“Seck,” Willow mumbles around a pancake.
“WHAT!” JAY BARKS, and I point to the phone silently, telling Willow that’s her cue.
“JJ, come see me,” Willow insists.
“Boo, you want me to come see you?” Jay coos.
Willow nods, even though Jay can’t see her. “Uh-huh.”
“Where are you?”
“At my’s house.” She giggles.
“Where’s Cole?”
“He right here.” Willow points at me.
“Yo!” I call out.
“What’s going on?” Jay asks.
“Willow wants you to come see her.”
“Because…?” Jay urges.
“Fine.” I sigh. “Mom and Dad are out. Dylan is working. I have a date, and I’m not leaving her here alone with Aiden.”
“He’s thirteen. He’s old enough to watch her.”
“Back up,” Zach’s voice cuts in. “You have a date?”
I roll my eyes and pretend not to hear him. “He doesn’t watch her,” I continue. “He’s too busy playing his Xbox.”
“Since when does Cole Mackenzie go on dates? With who?” Zach asks, as if he doesn’t know. I make a mental note to punch him in the dick.
“Harper, and not a word, asshole.” I realize my slipup too late.
“Asshole,” Willow mimics.
I pin her with a glare. “Why do you always choose to repeat the bad words, Willow? Stop it,” I admonish.
