Page 53 of Jump Start

“Oh, yeah, I love these guys. They’re called Reeds. The lead singer is from Sydney but lives in Canada now.” Thomas indicated off the highway and turned an air-conditioning vent further to face him.

“Nice, I like it.” I felt that was as good an endorsement as any from a heavy metal fan.

As we winded down a beautifully lush road surrounded by horses grazing in the distance, and gum trees reaching over towards each other, I noticed Thomas shift in his seat. We must be getting closer.

“Are we nearly there?” I asked trying to sound casual, and not spike his already heightened anxiety. His reply was outwardly calm, at least from my point of view.

“Yep, just a few hundred metres more and we’ll be there.”

I hoped this trip would help me learn more about him and understand him more deeply. I wanted to know everything about him—what he was like as a boy, what his favourite cereal was, I didn’t want anything left unknown. I would only be satisfied when both of us knew everything about each other.

Twenty-seven

Thomas

We reached the gates to my family property, large wrought iron gates in the shape of flowers with gold spiked fence tips. Ridiculous. We weren’t the bloody royal family.

Harper’s eyes lit up as I waited for the gates to open.

“These give yours a run for their money,” she said looking over to me and back towards the front of the car.

“Mine are normal, these are stupid.” My tone was a little too curt, and I regretted it immediately.

Her face dropped a little. The last thing I wanted to do was make her more nervous before getting to my parents’ house.

I put my hand on her shoulder as I drove down the long and winding entrance, past the ridiculous gates to the house. She seemed to soften a little.

“Harps?” I asked, gently.

“Yeah?” Her reply was quick, and she looked up at me, hazel eyes searching mine.

“You know I love you, yeah?” I asked, not really meaning it as a question.

“I know. I love you too, Thomas. It’s going to be great today!”

I pulled up on the circular driveway to my family home and walked around to meet Harper as she jumped out of my car.

Having her here was surreal. This was where I spent the first twenty years of my life. I’d brought girls here before to meet the family, but never one I loved.

The stakes felt higher this time, like if I fucked this up, that would be it for me.

I would never do better than Harper Allenwright.

“Alright, ready?” I asked as I took her hand and led her towards the front door. Just as it opened, my family appeared.

“Thomas!” Mum yelled out as she rushed towards me. It was so good to see her. Dad followed with his typical handshake and smile. I could hear my brother yelling out from down the hallway, “Coming!”

“Guys, this is Harper. Harper, these are my parents Leonard and Trudy.”

“So lovely to meet you both,” Harper said with confidence, her handshake strong, taking my dad by surprise.

“Great to meet you, Harper. That article you wrote on Thomas was so insightful and interesting.”

Trudy seconded her husband “Yes! We learnt more about his career than he’s told us.” She shook her head at me.

It was true. I didn’t let my parents in on what my life was like as a racer, but maybe this was something I needed to change. Maybe Harper would be the bridge between my parents and me. Not that I would put that kind of pressure on her.

“Well, come in you two!” Mum rounded us up through the door. Suddenly, Xavier appeared out of nowhere. If I smiled any wider, my mouth would be stuck in my hair. “Bro!” I yelled.

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