Page 90 of Unmasking Love
“I can’t believe you said that!” Harper whisper-scolds as she leans across the table. “Seriously, you were too shy to talk to me two months ago! Who are you?”
“I wasn’t too shy.” I correct her. “I didn’t want to connect with you, or anyone. But, things have changed and D.C. feels more like home than anywhere else ever has.”
“Then let me find you a home!” She says, exasperated. I’ve been saying no to all the listings she’s sent my way.
“Nah, I’m good.” I wink at her and go back to my soup. I don’t know how she hasn’t figured out that I’m scheming for us to live together. At the very least for the few months it takes to renovate her home.
Harper Daniels is incredible and I know I’d be foolish to let this relationship fizzle out. She might not be ready to fully commit but I’m trained to anticipate, to see actions before they happen, and I’m not letting this incredible woman get by me.
Chapter 26
Aiden
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot
“YoungGun,c’mon,putyour phone away! We need a T.D. or this Turkey Bowl is going to go into overtime and then the real turkey will not be ready for dinner.” Felix yells as I pocket my phone. I just placed an order for Harper’s half-caf, shaken seasonal latte, with almond milk and an extra half pump of brown sugar syrup.
“You think I’m holding you back from scoring?” I ask. “I’ve been in the perfect spot for you all game but your throwing arm is shit and it never gets to me.”
Bryson gasps in surprise. “I didn’t know you were capable of such hurtful words.”
“Shut up.”
“He might be exaggerating, but not by much.” Duncan adds as he re-ties his sneakers. “At least you don’t have Crocs slowing you down.”
“Good point. Bing, dude, I told you, it was a shoes-that-tie, P.E. class, requirement today.” Felix scolds as he holds the football at his hip. “It is downright emasculating to see a Croc fly-up behind you when you’re making a run for the endzone.”
“At least I’ve gotten to the endzone you fucks,” Crosby says as he kick flips his Croc into the air in front of him. He holds his foot out and it slides back on almost perfectly. “Plus, I’ve got tricks to impress the ladies with.”
“What ladies?” Emmett asks. “This is Teamsgiving.”
“Young Gun invited Harper.” Crosby sing-songs her name like this really is third grade P.E. class. Felix’s alarm sounds and we pause the game to go cook.
Last night when Harper told me she was spending the day alone I invited her to join us. I’ll admit I’m somewhat of a loner but on Thanksgiving no one should be alone.
Felix’s personal chef, Andre, prepped everything for our meal so all we have to do is reheat it. The dishes are organized in the fridge by order of cooking time so the stuff that goes in the longest is at the font. Andre also added post-its to each dish which are referenced on a printout of instructions.
He’s thorough.
I can’t tell if it’s how he is or if he knows he’s gotta be crystal clear for Felix’s sake.
“What’s that?” I ask as Felix takes the lid off a cast iron dutch oven with what looks like a seasoned head of cauliflower on it.
“This is,” he draws the word out while he leans over to read the post-it. “A chipotle cauliflower that will be roasted for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees fahrenheit and then sliced lengthwise into steaks and topped with the vegan avocado pea crema in the fridge. Damn, that sounds delicious.”
It does. “Did you say it was vegan?” I ask because I expected to just pick at the sides today and not make any special requests.
“Yeah man. Everything except the turkey is vegetarian, at least,” Felix says, as he stays busy at the stove.
Emmett walks in and looks at my face. “Did you think we didn’t know?”
Know what? About my diet? Or the reason I eat the way I do?
When I don’t answer, Emmett continues. “It sucks that your medical history isn’t private but I admire you. Lesser men would have quit.”
“I was only sixteen, honestly I didn’t know that was an option.” Hockey is life.
“You’ve been vegan since you were sixteen?” Felix asks.
