Page 99 of Unmasking Love
“C’mon Caroline, let’s get you a drink and you and I can come up with more ideas to bother Crosby.” Bryson says and she beams.
“Why is it so weird? When the league shares drip reports I’m always featured.” Crosby says. “Ladies love my unlaced style.”
“I’m sure they do,” Otis placates.
Conversation turns to the latest in recovery techniques and while we’re all discussing the pros and cons of cupping, Harper sets her hand on my forearm.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” she smiles. She softly kisses my cheek and nods at Crosby, Duncan, and Otis before walking away and delicately lifting her glass of champagne in her fingers. I keep my eyes on her as she steps into a group of couples talking and introduces herself. I zone out of the conversation around me as I watch her chitchat.
After a few minutes she pulls a business card out of her sparkly clutch and with a brilliant smile she turns and moves to a group a few feet away.
From a distance I watch her work the room. Part of me is impressed.
A bigger part of me is annoyed that she won’t even take one night off to enjoy being dressed up with her boyfriend.
***
“Will you dance with me?” I ask, sort of abruptly. Harper gives me a questioning look but I can’t stand here and talk about traffic congestion on I-95 at VA123 anymore. I’m going to snap if I hear the word bottleneck one more time.
“Umm, sure Aiden.” Harper says politely then she turns back to the man she was talking about traffic with. “Here’s my card, let’s connect this week and I’ll show you some of the homes that I have within the perimeter you’re looking for.”
I don’t wait before pulling her with me across the dance floor. She’s been nursing the same glass of champagne all night so I know she’s as sober as I am. But I doubt she’s feeling as bored.
The dull ache fades as she steps into my arms and we begin to sway to the instrumental version of White Christmas the band is playing. The scene and the music are different from the first time we danced together at the club but the way my body pulls closer to her is exactly the same.
“Sorry,” she mumbles while she concentrates on my shoulder and keeps her head tilted away from me.
“For what?” I ask and pull her closer so she doesn’t feel the pressure to look at me. I think she’s more likely to open up if we’re not looking into each other’s eyes.
“For networking, that was rude,” she dips her chin.
“I dunno about being rude, but it was, boring.” I grin hoping I can get a rise out of her.
Itworks, she pulls her head back and looks me in the eyes. Her fight response kicked in and I get to watch it fade when she realizes I’m teasing her.
“Well, not everyone can be an exciting professional athlete.”
“You’re right, my job as a barely playing back up goalie is so glamorous.”
“Shut up,” she scoffs. I hope she realizes that both of us downplaying what we do will get us nowhere.
“I’m so glad you’re here with me tonight.” I tell her as I run a ribbon of her hair through my fingers near her shoulder.
“But you just said I was boring.”
“No, I said the conversation about finding that guy a house within a certain freeway milage was boring.” She playfully rolls her eyes. “But you have made this night a treat. I’ve gotten the chance to pay attention to you, to make sure you’re taken care of. Usually I spend the night trying to avoid talking to anyone at all.”
“You don’t have to take care of me,” Harper says quietly while studying my shoulder again.
With two fingers under her chin I pull her face back to me. “I don’t have to, I want to, and it is a gift that you let me.”
She smiles quietly again and I decide to leave it at that. I’m not mad she was working. I’m not upset she used the night to her advantage. I love that about her. She goes after what she wants.
I watch as Coach Bradford and his wife laugh with the general manager and a few other staff members across the ballroom. We all know that Gavin has been an incredible goalie his entire career. His nickname is Ironman, after all. And that’s not just in the lockerroom, the entire league calls him that. But he’s getting older. I’m probably at or near my peak physical level and with informed conditioning, an actual recovery plan, and regular game time I would get even stronger.
Harper sways gently with me to the music and as I trail my finger tips along the satin of her dress I’m not thinking about our physical intimacy. I’m processing how her drive and determination is inspiring me to go after what I want for my career.
“You’re thinking,” Harper says and I realize she’s been watching my face.
