Page 138 of Off Pitch

I didn’t tell her then, but the word is still on the tip of my tongue, waiting to escape at the right moment.

All this means that I’m done denying everything. I’m done pretending this isn’t the most real thing I’ve ever felt with somebody.

I’ve already let Harlow go once. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

“Good morning, baby,” I say, walking up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. “How’d you sleep?”

She leans into my touch, molding her body against mine. “Great. Your bed is so much more comfortable than mine.”

“Are you sure it’s the bed? I thought maybe it was me.”

She repositions herself, turning around with her body still pressed against mine as she leans back against the kitchen counter. “Maybe it was you.”

“What have I told you before about maybe, Harlow?” My voice comes out husky and needy.

I catch her gaze and see a fire burning red hot in her eyes. “That I need to use my words, right?” Her voice is dripping with desire.

It’s taking all of my damn willpower to not just bend her over the counter and fuck her again. To hear those moans I’ve been craving for the past month.

Thank fuck now is when Cole knocks on the door.

“Who’s here?” she asks, snapping her attention to the door as I walk over it.

“Cole,” I reply. “It’s Wednesday morning, Lo.”

I open the door, and Cole bursts inside. “Good morning to my two favorite people.”

I cock an eyebrow. “I’m one of your two favorite people? I thought your two favorite people would be Lo and Ro-”

“Be quiet, will you?” Cole groans. “Don’t finish that sentence.”

“You know I know already, right?” She tries to hide her smile. “I’m well aware that you’re in love with my best friend.”

Cole’s eyes go wide. “What?! No, I’m definitely not.” He crosses the room to set a bag of food down on the counter, coming to stand by Harlow.

“Oh, please,” she says derisively. “You’re not that subtle, Cole.”

“Goddammit,” he mutters, scrubbing his hand over his face. “How did you figure that out, Lo?”

“I’ll admit I was oblivious until the All-Star Break. That’s when Lucia pointed it out to me, and I finally put the pieces together.”

“Fuck.” Cole groans before trying to compose himself. “So, Lucia knows, too. Fucking perfect.”

“No one is saying anything to her, man,” I say as I join them at the counter. “That wouldn’t serve a point since Rory’s off-limits anyway.”

“Which is why my place will be permanently in the friend zone.”

“Friends make the best lovers, though,” Harlow teases.

“Not if I want to keep my fucking job.” Cole sighs. “Enough of this, please. I’d rather not think about that.”

“Alright,” I say, stepping away from the counter. “I’ll let you two be. I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”

“You’re not joining us?” she asks.

“This is a thing between you and your brother. I’m not going to intrude on that. You guys eat, and I’ll join you after that.”

Harlow flashes me a sweet smile as I walk away.

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