< : > : Chapter Twenty - Nine : < : >

Harlow | Phoenix | Other people

Dinner had went smoothly enough and we all made it out alive. I tried my best to let Prichett try to speak to Timara with his eyes but she wouldn’t look his way keeping all of her conversation to the right and left of her.

Mr. Kendall sat at one with Gavin at the other. Harlow sat across from me, Prichett across from Timara and Dylan across from Aunt Justine. My aunt and Mr. Kendall talked about landscaping and how she wanted to do something different with the backyard but didn’t want something that wouldn’t be finished before winter came. Dylan and Gavin talked about some historical pieces that Dylan liked from a field trip he took two weeks ago. Harlow talked to Prichett trying to invite Timara in the conversation a few times only earning four or five words max and I kept my eyes on Harlow trying to decipher when I should tell her that I love her too.

Should I whisper it? Write it on a napkin and slide it to her? Should I just say it casually or yell it out so everyone at the table would know, not that I was ashamed.

Her eyes kept flickering to mine quickly looking away as if she broke up with me and was trying to make sure I didn’t cry. Eventually the chatter died down between the four of us, Harlow stood asking for everyone’s empty plate with the assistance of Timara making both of her dads thank them for helping out.

Dinner turned into dessert that Mr. Kendall had also made. They were homemade cannolis with different toppings that everyone enjoyed. Dessert with less conversation ended around ten when my aunt quietly said that they needed to go home.

I thanked Mr. Kendall and Gavin for cooking for me as well as allowing me to date their daughter. Saying goodbye to Timara leaving her with Prichett, I told my aunt I would meet her outside.

Taking Harlow’s wrist I took her with me outside to the end of the porch that was dark enough for privacy. “Are you going to keep avoiding me or are we going to talk about this like two adults?”

“I haven’t been avoiding you Phoenix. My attention was on my bestfriend and her problems.”

“Then why haven’t you said more than five words to me?”

“You want me to smile and be happily in love flaunting it in her face? In Corey’s face?”

Looking back to the car seeing my aunt and Dylan waiting and ready, I stepped closer to Harlow holding her in place as I nipped on her neck, up her jawline, and to her lips.

“Phoenix.”

“We will talk about this. Tonight.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll meet you at your place in an hour.” Pecking her lips I walked away hurrying to take my family home so I could get back to Harlow.

During the drive home my aunt smiled and grinned about how nice Harlow’s parents were. How delicious the food was, Dylan also agreed, and the sparks she could feel between Timara and Corey ever since he stepped into the kitchen.

Asking if I had everything packed for the morning as we pulled into the driveway I reminded her that I never really unpacked since I wasn’t staying long. Once in the house and Dylan went up to his room to play the game I asked if she and Dylan were making the trip to the airport. Shaking her head with tears in her eyes she held her arms out to me.

Stepping into her motherly embrace I hugged my aunt like a son would his mother. “We’re going to stay here and let you have your time with your girlfriend and friends.” She pulled back cupping my cheek. “We’ll see you next time.”

Hugging Aunt Justine again with just a little more squeeze I kissed her cheek before letting her go. “I’m not sure if I ever really thanked you and Uncle Zach for raising me.”

“It has been our pleasure. I know your uncle is very proud of the man that you’ve become.” She wiped the tears from my eyes before wiping her own. “You go on upstairs and tell your cousin goodbye. I’m going to bed.”

“Okay.”

“I love you young man.”

“I love you too auntie.”

Smiling at me once more she headed upstairs. Taking a second to wipe over my face I headed for Dylan’s room wondering if this goodbye would be like last time.

Knocking on his door twice I entered peeking my head through, “Hey, Dill Pickle. You got a sec?”

Pausing his game without looking back his controller fell into his lap as his head lowered. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

Stepping in his room I sat on his bed hoping that he would turn and look at me. “Yeah, I leave early tomorrow morning with Prichett so I’m going to stay with Harlow tonight.” Nodding his head Dylan didn’t say anything. “Dill, you know you can call me, right?”  He nodded. “We can video chat on the weekends after all your games or before like we always do.” He nodded again picking at the control buttons. “And when you’re on vacation you can come hang with me just like we've been doing.”

“I know, I just -” he sniffed wiping his face turning to look at me with red and watery eyes, “I’m just going to miss you.” Standing up I motioned for Dylan to stand up too giving him a much needed hug as I did with his mother. “You’re like the big brother to me.”

“And you’re like the little brother I could never get rid of.” I joked making him laugh. “Plus you’re crushing on my girl.”

Stepping back her wiped his face with the collar of his shirt shrugging. “What can I say? She’s pretty.”

“Trust me, I know.”

Saying goodbye to Dylan was easier than last year now that he was making his own jokes back at me though missing him and Aunt Justine would still be just as hard. Closing the door quietly behind me I got into the Uber giving them the directions to a house up the street from Harlow’s apartment complex unable to trust just anyone with her address.

With my bag at my side I knocked on Harlow’s door waiting only a minute for her to answer. Stepping aside I walked in her home taking in the simple pieces. Feeling my bag slip through my fingers I looked behind me as Harlow sheepishly smiled.

“I'm going to keep your bag by the door so you don’t forget anything.”

Nodding my head I took a moment to take in her new attire. Switching out the off-the shoulder for a large shirt with the collar and about two inches down was cut off. The name on her faded grey shirt was Del Valle Co. in black ink matching the shorts she wore underneath. Her hair still in loose curls over her shoulder.

“Would you like something to drink?” She asked pulling a little at the end of her sleeve.

“No thank you.”

“Okay. Did you want to . . . um, sit and talk for a bit or go my room? I mean to bed - not to have sex in but to talk unless you’d rather sleep on the couch which is totally fine with me. You don’t have to sleep with me, I just wasn’t sure if you wanted to or not so I’m making the offer for you to sleep with me but just sleeping - well and talking because you said you wanted -”

“Harlow.”

“To talk.” She exhaled. “Sorry.”

“Are you nervous? I’ll sleep wherever you’re comfortable with me sleeping.” Pulling her into my arms I kissed her gently. “I was just hoping that I could hold you for awhile before I have to leave and if we go to sleep together then so be it. Is that okay?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then. Lead the way.”

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