“How can you do that without giving me a real chance?”
“I’m trying. I’m really trying. I’m just so scared.”
Her declaration made me put my hand on her shoulder. “I’m here to ease your fears, Harper. I’m not muscling my way back into your life. I’m standing at the door and waiting for you to let me back in.”
She nodded quickly just as Cameron looked over and flashed up a broad smile.
“I’m glad you came, JoJo.”
My heart unclenched, and my breathing shallowed as I felt myself relaxing. Finally, I didn’t feel like I was chasing something unattainable. I was exercising patience as the woman I loved slowly let me back into her life. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
I spenta little extra time at the store, so I was surprised that I’d beat Harper home, not that I was disappointed. I was actually grateful that she wasn’t there when I got there. I didn’t need her getting in the way or telling me what she didn’t need or want from me. She was so stubborn sometimes.
I pulled up close to the curb since the cement in the driveway was still wet. I got as close as I could but decided not to park in the grass. The box in the trunk of my car was big as hell. I wasn’t trying to wrestle with it for more than a few yards. I’d gotten the portable kind that came with the support on the bottom to keep from having to face Harper’s wrath about putting a hole in the ground. Also, if Cam decided he wanted to move it later, all we had to do was move the weighted bags and move it.
I expected the process to be quick and simple. Forty minutes later, I was drenched in sweat, and my arms were sore from trying to hold the thing up while I put it together. Just as I finished hoisting it, I heard the sound of tires rolling to a stop up front. Within minutes, Cameron came sprinting around the house with the biggest smile on his face. His payment for my basketball goal felt better than I could have imagined.
“Coach Jase, you got me a basketball goal?” he asked as his bright eyes warmed my heart.
“I thought you might want to practice at home.”
I didn’t think his smile could get any bigger until he proved me wrong. “Thank you. I can’t wait to get a ball so I can practice.”
“Run out to my car and grab it out of the back seat.”
Without another word, Cameron took off for my car. As he made a mad dash toward my car, Harper slinked through the back door with her arms folded across her chest. Her shoulders dropped, and her posture relaxed once she stopped walking.
“Jase, you know you didn’t have to do that.”
“But I wanted to.”
The sound of dribbling caught both of our attention as Cam dribbled his way over to the basketball goal.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Cameron took a shot and missed by a lot before running behind the ball and lobbing it into the air again.
“I spoke with the owner of the gym, and they were actually looking for a few female trainers. I operated on his son’s hernia. He loves me. I put in a good word for you. So if you want the position, be there Monday morning at nine.”
“Really, Jase?”
“I told you I had your back. You know JoJo doesn’t want you to work, but I respect that you want to keep some level of autonomy. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop taking care of you. I want you and Cameron to move in with us. We’veturned the house into separate apartments. Everyone has their own private area.”
“Everyone except me.”
“You can have as much privacy as you desire. If you want, I’ll move in with him and let you and Cameron share my spot.”
“I’m fine here, Jase.”
“But I want y’all with us. Let us be there for you, sweetheart.”
“Doctor Jase, look!” Cameron shouted, getting both of our attention. I laughed as he attempted a layup.
“He’s not bad at all.”
“I see.” Harper nodded.
“Let me get over here and school him.”
