“I just wanted…” I don’t know how to answer that. We’re close, she knows why. She’s just as nervous as I am.
“I get it. I do. But Harper…”
“I was giddy. And I couldn’t sleep.”
“How do you feel?”
“Mortified. That’s a good description.”
“Well, just tell Dad you meant to send it to me.”
“Because that will go over well,” I scoff. “This is serious. You think he’ll kick him off the team?”
“You know he can’t. Don’t be dramatic. Who is it?”
“Not telling. Ever. So don’t ask.” I vow to myself then and there no matter what I face with my dad I won’t ever crack.
“Was it awesome?”
“It was until I told him who I was.”
“Oh, shit. You didn’t tell him?”
“No. The whole first month we met we were kind of at odds, and then it just, you know, happened…God.” I bury my head in my hands. “How am I going to explain this to Dad?”
“Tell him you wanted to brag to your sister that you bagged a hottie.”
“Hey!”
“It’s the truth, and I tell you all the time you’re pretty and you don’t believe me.”
“Because I’m not. Not for a guy like that.”
“He disagrees.”
“Right.” I cringe at the idea I may never feel what I felt beneath him last night in his bedroom again. Worshipped is a good description. Fresh anger surfaces when I think of how he threw me out of his room.
“He threw me out of his room. He took my virginity and threw me out of his room.”
“You are kind of in the wrong, sis, seeing as how you Snapchatted his ass to his coach.”
“He could have brainstormed with me, or at least walked me to the door.”
“Self-preservation is evil. When that kicks in, all bedside manners have a tendency to go out the window. You’re so green.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, you have a lot to learn about men. The good part about them screwing up is that they have to grovel to get back in your good graces. Stand your ground early.”
“Will do.”
“Okay, so here’s the plan. Until you hear Mom’s voice morph, you’re safe.”
“I know, when she goes nuts her New York accent kicks in, and she sounds like that prude mom on South Park. What, what, what!?”
Kandace giggles. “That’s dead-on, but Harper, focus. I’m going to call Mom on the house phone and gauge her mood. I’ll fake an emergency and create a distraction.”
“Uh-huh,” I’m eager for the help.
“While I’ve got them all riled up, you—”
“Harper!” My mother screams from the kitchen.
“Oh shit,” Kandace’s voice deflates. “Maybe you forgot the trash…”
“Oh my God! Harper Jean!”
“What in the hell?” My dad’s voice booms from the same room.
“Well there goes that theory. Babe, you’re twenty. Stand firm. He knew you wouldn’t be innocent forever.”
“Harper! Get in here, right now!”
“I took a lover,” she giggles. “You idiot.”
“Thanks,” I reply dryly as footsteps approach my door and my mother shrieks behind him.
“Ryan, Ryan, don’t go in there, don’t you dare, let me talk to her. Ryan, stop right now! You need to calm down.”
“I should thank you,” Kandace chirps. “I’ll be the good daughter for at least six months.”
“He’s coming,” I tell Kandace as my heart beats in my throat. “Bye, love you.”
“Love you,” she sighs. “Call me after.”
“K.”
Just as I hang up, my door bursts open, and I meet the livid eyes of my father.
Lance
It’s been nearly a week since I’ve seen her. She’s not answering my texts and hasn’t been to the gym since that day. School started a few days ago and I’ve been frantically searching campus between classes for any sign of her.
Through texts, I’ve apologized for the way I reacted, though I know for a fact, coach did not miss that message. He’s been a prick since the summer program started, but now he’s being unreasonable, riding us harder than he ever has, looking at each of us with clear accusation. Harper wasn’t exaggerating. We got a thirty-minute lecture on respect just yesterday, most of which, coach growled out. The team was understandably confused as to why we were being lectured for half of practice, rather than on the field. It took everything I had to meet coach’s eyes yesterday and not flinch. Most of the last few practices I wanted to speak up and name myself the culprit so I alone can deal with the backlash, other days I want to call him out for being such a dick. If I thought for one second this would blow over, I was dead wrong. Coming up empty on my search for her, I ignore the gnaw in my chest and shoot off a text.
Lance: Talk to me, Harper. Right now. At least tell me if you’re okay.
Bubbles pop up and disappear the way they have for the last few days. She wants to talk, but she’s afraid of the asshole that kicked her out of his room. I get it. But the situation was shit, and I was not at all prepared for the bomb she dropped. I see both sides of this, and I can’t understand why she can’t or refuses to see mine. I’ve told her enough for her to know how important this season is to me.
She’s stubborn as hell. And most days it’s an attribute I like about her, but for the last week, it’s pissed me right the hell off. Staring at my phone, I will her to text back until it lights up with an incoming call.
“Hey, Momma.”
“Hey, you. How are you?”
“Good, sore from practice yesterday and walking to class.”
“They’re working you hard, huh?”
“Every day.”
“Well, I raised a warrior. You’ll make it.”
“How are you? How’s Dad?”
“Good. Good. Dad’s good, but your brother is a nightmare. I knew I should have stopped at one child. The little shit took off with the tractor last week to impress some girl. He actually drove it down the highway and picked her up. Stole my picnic basket with the good china and everything.”
I can’t help my grin. For years, Trevor thought his name was ‘little shit.’
“He’s in the dog house. Your father nearly skinned him.”
“He’s just blowing off steam, Mom.”
“Is that what you call it? You weren’t much more intelligent sneaking over to Becky Ballenger’s house when you were only fifteen. Or was it Becky Rendon? I could never keep up. I was certain I was going to be a grandmother before you graduated.”
“Mom, can we change the subject?”
“Fine. But you know I’m right. You gettin’ around okay?”
“So far yeah, the room I rented is a little far from campus, so it’s a bit of a pain in the ass, but it’s cheap rent, so it’s working out.”
“Do you need money?”
“No, Mom, I’m okay.”