Those girls were being introduced to my mom for the first time. Mom knows Harper from back when we were kids. What will she think of Harper now that she’s grown? Now that I’ve claimed her as my girlfriend.
Luke made it very clear in the locker room after practice that she can be my girlfriend for my parents, but that’s it. Possessive asshole probably never thought maybe Harper would like to have a title besidesours.
The doorbell rings, and I open the door.
“Hey.” Jack walks in, followed by Caden. “Dude, it smells delicious in here.”
I smile and rub the back of my neck. I never had these guys over when we were kids either. “It’s the best.”
Before I can shut the door, Eli walks up the steps. “Nice place.”
We’re down the street from Eli’s house. The house we have now is a lot bigger and in a better neighborhood than the one down the blockfrom Harper’s. I miss that old house. We felt like more of a family when we lived there.
Dad didn’t work all the time, and Mom didn’t feel the need to escape the house and her family. In New York, we all went our separate ways. Basically had our own lives. I’m not sure what was so urgent to lead us back here, but I can’t help feeling grateful for whatever it was.
We sit in the living room while we wait for Harper and Luke. It seems like we’re always waiting for them.
“How’s this going to work going forward?” It’s been weighing on my mind. “Harper’s mom doesn’t work thirds all the time.”
“We’ll have the weekends.” Caden leans forward with his hands clasped between his knees. “There are some spots at school. Lunches. Just because we can’t sleep together doesn’t mean we can’t hang out.”
Maybe it’s for the best. Harper needs time outside of us. She must have had some life before the guys swooped in and took it over.
“I’ve got a plan for tomorrow night.” Eli looks around the room, taking in everything. Mom’s unpacked a lot, but a few boxes remain in the corner. “Harper’s staying at my house.”
Jack chuckles. “Until your parents find her and kick her out. You’re better off sneaking out to sleep with her at one of the other guys’ houses. Or fuck, say you need to study late and just stay the night at Caden’s. It’s not unrealistic for us to have a test and, with football, not a lot of time to study for it.”
“We just need to be on the same page.” Eli nods. “I want a night alone with her.”
“When we get past the last barrier, we can make arrangements.” Caden rubs his hands together. “I have a plan if we can all stay at my house tomorrow night.”
The doorbell rings before he can tell us. When I open the door, Harper gives me this smile that makes me want to forget about the other guys and take her back to my room, so I can take my time and explore every inch of her. I swear my heart thumps hard in my chest at the sight of my girl.
Luke follows her in, touching fists with Eli as he takes a seat beside him.
Idraw her into the living room, and my mom pokes her head out of the kitchen.
“Is that Harper?” Mom grins, wiping her hands on a towel as she looks around at the guys. “And I’ve seen you all on the football field, but you’re a lot bigger than I remember.”
“Mom, this is Jack, Caden, Luke, and Eli.” I didn’t have a lot of friends in New York to have over. I hung out with guys at school and at parties, but no one really meshed well with me.
“It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Lee.” Eli stands and offers her his hand. She shakes it.
Her cheeks flush as she looks up at Eli, and the others stand as well. “Definitely not little boys anymore.”
When she turns, her gaze lands on Harper next to me. Her smile softens. “My goodness, how you’ve grown.”
“Hi, Mrs. Lee.”
Mom pulls Harper into her arms and hugs her. “I’m so glad you and Nico found your way back to each other. His other girlfriends were such snobby girls.”
Harper glances over her shoulder at me, and I just shrug. I’m not with those girls now, but I liked them at the time. The truth was, they were never her. Never Harper.
Mom steps away from Harper and looks her over. “I can’t imagine you without pigtails and scraped knees.”
Harper smiles. “I can’t wait for your famous lasagna.”
“I hope you don’t mind we aren’t formal.” Mom glances at me. “I couldn’t find the dishes I wanted, and there are still so many boxes in the dining room. We can squeeze in around the kitchen table.”
