Chapter 11
Liam
Echoes off the wallsare making me wince from not getting enough sleep last night. There are four tables in the break room at the station, and Poker has become popular with the other guys. It’s six hours into my shift, and we’ve responded to one fire. Thankfully, no one is hurt when we arrived on scene.
“You’ve been too quiet today,” Damon says, walking up behind me and sitting down at the poker table. “Something on your mind?”
Harper. The baby thing.
“Just thinking about some things that I need to discuss with Harper, that’s all.”
He scratches his chin. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, great actually. I’m happier with her than I ever was with Larissa.”
“So, I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking about it but, don’t you think you are moving too fast? Like a week and already you feel this strongly about her. Next thing you are going to ask her to marry you.”
“Don’t forget, you and Tessa only dated for two months or something like that before you proposed. Hypocrite.”
He nods. “True, but I just don’t want you to get hurt. I like Harper, but sometimes things just don’t work out. Guard your heart, brother.”
“Right.” It’s all I could respond with, because he’s right.
“Don’t forget Aiden got home this morning. Dinner at my house.”
It completely slips my mind and I'm not even sure Aiden will show up. He bails on us a lot and it pisses me off. “I sort of have plans with Harper.”
“Invite her. Tessa already knows her, it’s not like it’s that big of a deal.”
I pull out my phone and text her, hoping she wants to go.
Me: So short notice—but my younger brother gets back into town today and Damon is having a dinner at his house.
Harper: What time should I be ready? Assuming you want me to tag along?
The fact that she isn’t even phased by it makes me smile.
Me: I’ll pick you up at six. Don’t have to wear anything fancy.
“Alright, she’s coming. Hopefully, Aiden isn’t drunk off his ass tonight.”
“He’s not going to hit on her. That was one time, get over it.”
Damon has always taken his side, but drunk or not, it wasn’t right. I mean, who hits on their brother’s girlfriend in front of everyone?
“Time to get out of here. See you in a bit,” Damon says, parting ways to our vehicles.
The nervousness begins to set in when my truck grinds to a halt, and I rush inside to the bathroom. A quick shower is necessary before picking her up. I don’t want to smell like smoke, even though my brother’s will be used to it. Using my time wisely, I grab a pair of jeans, a blue button-up, socks and my shoes and sit them on the sink before popping into shower. The hot water hits my skin, and almost feels like it’s washing away all the bullshit from today. It clears my mind, and helps me see that this is good for our relationship, even if it is early. My loofah is saturated with body wash and it runs up and down my body, removing the dirt and ash. Now, I’m clean and smell good for Harper. After turning off the water, I grab the towel and begin drying off my hair first, and then my body. Hopefully everything goes smoothly tonight. You just never know with Aiden around.
The jeans go on seamlessly, but the button-up is a different story. I keep missing buttons. Calm down, no need to stir yourself up. As the last button is threaded through, my chest rises and falls.
Me: You ready?
The time is taken to have a look at my appearance before walking out of the door to head to Harper’s.
Harper: Waiting for you.
When I arrive, she is wearing a simple emerald green sweater dress, black boots, and her hair is in curls. Cute but comfortable. She didn’t have to go through all that trouble just for dinner. “You look amazing,” I tell her, as she gets into my Jeep.