Page 14 of Unmasking Love
Hi Young Gun. How are you today?
EMMETT:
Dude don’t be weird.
FELIX:
Boys, chill.
Young Gun, thank you for your response. We'll connect again at practice in an hour but please send us pictures as Harper shows you places this afternoon.
Nothing but the best will do for our Young Gun.
Thanks boys. See you soon.
I take a shower and when I get out there are a few more texts.
DUNCAN:
I can't believe I missed this.
EMMETT:
It was beautiful.
CROSBY:
I think he likes us.
BRYSON:
Oh, he definitely does.
I smile to myself because, yeah, I kinda do.
***
I had to convince Felix it was OK to let me ride home and meet Harper on my own, he didn't need to supervise. He texted her in front of me and told her if I caused any trouble to let him know.
I hate that I don't hate how involved he's made himself. For once, I'm not totally alone.
A long early morning ride, an intense practice, and all the interaction with the boys has helped me not obsess over Harper.
Which cannot be said about last night.
I couldn't believe she was the girl from the bench. And, I not only got to meet her, but I got to shake her hand. I’m not a hugger but my muscles twitched with the urge to pull her against me. I have never experienced that before.
Mystomach bottomed out when our palms touched and I had to remind myself that this type of heart flutter was the good kind. I spent the night staring at my ceiling replaying the touch and how my body reacted. Imagining how she’d react if I touched her hip. Her waist. Her ass. Her breasts.
I even fucking imagined holding her head in my hands and kissing her.
I’m not totally sure what to do with my attraction to her. I've never stayed in one place long enough to consider a relationship. And something about Harper tells me she's a relationship girl.
Even friendships have been a challenge for me. It was tough to switch teams as a fifteen year old, and move to a new country to play, but it got worse. Kids just don’t look at you the same way once you’ve been through what I've been through.
First it was the teammates who were there to witness my episode. Then it was the pitying looks as I worked to get back into shape. When I joined a new team, it was the look on their faces when they first saw the scar.
The minute I turned 18 I started my tattoo so when people saw my chest, their focus would be the ink and not my weakness.
