Page 64 of Score to Settle
“Yeah, but you’re not denying it either.”
“Fine. We had sex again,” I reply, my grin widening.
The scream in my ear is piercing and injected with the same excitement of the thirteen-year-old version of Mia when we got tickets to the rodeo finals in Las Vegas.
“So what does this mean?” she asks. “I’m guessing you saw that photo of Jake in the news? Are youtogethertogether? Is this just sex? Are youridingoff into the sunset?” she asks, adding enough innuendo to the word riding so I know she doesn’t mean on a horse.
“I have no idea,” I reply, although I know it’s more than just sex. The way Jake took my hand on the walk. The way he looks at me like I’m the only one in the world he can see. It’s a lot more. Just as I know that if I spend any time thinking about this, I’m going to dive into all the questions Mia just asked me. These feelings could tip in a heartbeat from exciting to scary, andall I want is to exist in this moment and be happy. The future is coming for us one way or another. I could be one email away from being fired. The Stormhawks have two tough games ahead of them to determine if they make the playoffs. And I have six days left with Jake before the assignment is over. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“Where is Jake now?” Mia asks.
“We’re at the ranch. Mama and Dylan just got back from LA and Jake’s filling her in on last night?—”
“Wha—”
I huff a laugh. “The game, Mia. He’s telling her about the game. And I’m hiding in Chase’s room, drafting an email to Tim with my latest notes for the feature, and since that story about Jake hit this morning, I’m also telling him we’re…” I sigh. “Whatever it is we are, begging for my job and hoping he’s not going to fire me for sleeping with Jake.” A small part of me is hiding from Mama, too. Thankfully Jake and I were fully clothed and in the kitchen when Mama and Dylan stepped through the door, but we might as well have been naked for the knowing smile she gave us.
“It’ll be fine, Harper,” Mia says. “I know you care about your reputation, and yeah, Tim might not be too happy, but honestly, this stuff happens all the time.”
“I hope Tim agrees. I’m going to offer to forgo the byline so my name isn’t attached to the feature.”
“Are you sure? Your career?—”
“My career wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for Tim giving me a chance. It feels like the right thing.” I sigh before changing the subject, needing a distraction. “How are you, anyway?”
Mia launches into a description of dinner with Edward’s family and the pressure they’re under to announce an engagement. I can understand the questions. They’ve been dating for three years and they’re good together. But neitherseems to want to take the next step. I’m listening to Mia as I finish the email to Tim, attach my latest notes, and press send before I can find another reason to delay.
A sharp unease hits my chest as I start to close down the lid of my laptop. I didn’t just… I wouldn’t have…
Fuck!!!
“Mia,” I hiss. “I have to go.”
“Lover boy calling you to his bed?” she asks.
“I think I just sent the wrong file to Tim.”
“What did you send him?” Mia asks.
“I… Can I call you back?”
We say a hurried goodbye and I open the sent folder. I was on autopilot. It will be fine. Of course I sent him the latest notes on the feature and not…
A sick feeling twists in my gut as I stare at the file I attached. Not the notes, but my novel. My entire novel. I was just working on it and I’m so used to emailing the latest version to myself for safekeeping, and I was talking to Mia, my head filled with Jake and…FUCK!
My fingers fly across the keyboard as I furiously type a second email.
Hi Tim,
Please IGNORE and DELETE the file attached to my previous email. Here is the correct one!
Harper
JAKE:I miss you in my bed.
HARPER:No way am I sneaking around when Mama is in the house. Remember how thin the walls are?
JAKE:I’m booking a hotel!
