Page 103 of Unmasking Love
That earns him a bash on the helmet from Felix as Emmett skates over.
"What?" Bryson defends his question. "I'm just saying they only started dating a few months ago and now they're going to live together?"
"I trust Aiden to know his own mind, heart, and penis." Felix says.
"Thank you?" I begrudgingly accept the compliment.
"You're welcome."
Coach Bradford whistles the group and we start to skate in his direction.
"But don't fall into a routine too quickly. Figure each other out first and make new habits, together." Felix says.
"Oddly sound advice," Crosby whispers and we huddle up to listen to Coach.
***
Two hours later I arrive at Harper's house with my bike racked behind Felix's SUV and the boys in their cars behind me. We get out to a chorus of doors closing. When I knock on the door Harper opens it and her eyes widen.
"What are you all doing here?"
"Helping you move!" Duncan announces as he shoves past me into the house. "It's freezing out."
"Didn't you grow up in Minnesota?" Bryson asks which earns him a chuckle from Emmett.
"Boys, focus." Felix calls out. "Harper, what needs to be moved to Aiden's?"
"Umm, there are some boxes upstairs." She says and the boys file up behind her. Harper turns to look at me. "I was going to hire movers."
"Yeah but you've got strapping young hockey players at your disposal." I say with a smile and she returns it. "Plus you said you're mostly packing clothing so there shouldn't be too much, right?"
"Umm, right." Harper says with a little nip to her lip. I lean down and kiss her quickly before Duncan races down the stairs with a box in his arms.
"Ten bucks says I can move more than you can, Cros!" He hollers as he runs out to his car.
"You're on!" Crosby replies as he moves down the stairs sideways holding a box under each arm.
"We'll be done in no time," I joke to Harper and she giggles as we walk up to her apartment together.
***
I was right. It only took us an hour to get all of Harper’s boxes into our cars and over to my place. The boys unloaded everything and Harper insisted we order pizza. Felix quickly took over and got pizza and ice cream delivered. With a game tomorrow night there's no beer allowed.
"I don't know how you two are going to survive in this tiny place." Felix grumbles as he takes a seat on my sofa.
"Not everyone manspreads like you do, Cap," Emmett jokes as he kicks Felix's knee from where he sits in the chair Harper and I made together.
Crosby sinks down into the sofa while Bryson and Duncan get comfortable on the stools at the counter. I take a seat on the other end of the couch and pat my lap for Harper to sit since there really aren't any other spots open.
Lucky me.
We shoot the shit while watching ESPN and like at Thanksgiving, Harper joins right in. My chest tightens at the sense of rightness this moment has. But it isn’t a pinch. It is a pressure that feels almost like there isn’t enough room in my chest for all the feelings contained there.
***
"Harp?" I start as Harper’s eyes drift closed. We spent the last hour christening a few surfaces of the apartment and I'm tired too but this is important.
"Mmm?" she hums.
