Page 28 of Stopping Short

“We can leave whenever you’re ready.” I take her hand in mine and wait for her to meet my gaze. “If we have to stay another hour, we can. Getting a little bit less sleep tonight won't kill me.”

“I think I have everything I need.” She’s still nibbling on her lip and I know her mind is all over the place.

“Do you mind if I do a quick sweep of the house and see if there’s anything else?”

“I don’t mind at all… Is it weird if I follow you around? I feel uncomfortable being alone.”

“Not at all.” I intertwine our fingers and smile as we search the living room. I’d be happy to stay by her side for the rest of her life if she feels better with me there.

Chapter 19

Harper

I blink my eyes open and frown as I find the sky is already dark and the only light in the car is that of the street lights as we drive down the highway.

“What time is it?” I murmur.

“A little after eight. We still have about thirty minutes to go.” Jackson glances over at me and smiles. “How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted. I'm sorry I haven’t been much company on this little road trip.” I wince when I realize if we’re only thirty minutes from home, I was probably sleeping for over three hours.

“Don’t apologize. I'm glad you got some sleep. You clearly needed it. Plus, I was supposed to be traveling alone. I’d happily sit in silence, knowing I get to have you home again.”

“Yeah? You’re happy to be stuck with me again?”

“Thrilled. I expect you at my game tomorrow.” He smirks. “Front row, screaming like a crazy person.”

“Deal. Do you have a Wheeler jersey I can wear?” I wiggle my brows, laughing when he scowls at me.

“You’re not wearing Wheeler’s jersey. You’re only allowed to wear mine.”

“Oh really? I didn’t know I needed your permission to wear a jersey.” I roll my eyes.

“If you’re living with me, you’re wearing my jersey.”

I blink once, then twice as his words try their hardest to make sense, but they don’t.

“I'm sorry… what? Since when am I living with you?”

“Since Mason pointed out that Evan knows where your parents live and if you live with me, he doesn’t know where I live, nor will he be able to get into the development with their guys providing security for us,” he blurts out in one long breath and glances at me with guilt in his gaze.

“And when was anyone going to tell me this?” I fold my arms across my chest and glare out the front window.

I'm not upset about living with Jackson, not even a little bit. I'm sure his house is amazing and I'll enjoy seeing him so much, but it would’ve been nice to know. If I had a little bit of say in where I live and who I live with.

“I don’t know. I guess I just did… I didn’t think it was a big deal. I'm just trying to keep you safe.”

We’re quiet the rest of the way home. When Jackson turns into a gated community, my eyes widen. I know he said there was security, but I don’t expect the man who exits the little guard shack with a gun strapped to his thigh. Jackson rolls down his window and smiles at him as he flicks on the lights inside the car.

“Hey, man. This is Harper.” He motions to me. “She’ll be living with me for a little bit. I’ll give her all of the phone numbers. She doesn’t have a car yet, but she’ll probably be driving this for a while. Make sure she has full access.”

“Of course. Maddox already let us know what is going on. It’s nice to meet you, Harper. I'm Sean.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smile because what else am I supposed to do? This is so awkward. This complete stranger probably knows all about me and the situation I’ve found myself in, yet I'm clueless.

Jackson says goodbye and drives through the gate. It closes quickly behind us and I breathe a sigh of relief. I didn’t realize how much this extra level of security would make me feel safer.

“Who all lives here? Isn’t that security a bit much?”