My Ex’s Roommates: Chapter 33

Despite the talk I’d had with the guys and our excitement to do more together, the next couple of days were so busy that I barely saw them. I would’ve been worried that they’d freaked out and wanted to walk back what they’d said but before I could even finish the thought, I’d get a text from one of them. Usually a dirty text that made my heart race. They had their first big away game, though, so Coach Hogan had demanded every minute of their free time.

The day of the game I was at home, glued to the TV, hardly breathing as I watched them. It had always been weird to watch Jake on TV. I’d normally felt a strange sense of embarrassment when he celebrated earlier than he should’ve or stormed off the field. It was different to watch Dylan in the same position. He had a quiet intensity that radiated off of him. When close-ups of his face were shown, his blue eyes were narrowed with a focus that sent chills down my back.

The sportscasters even spoke about it. They also talked for the first fifteen minutes before the kickoff about how they didn’t expect much from our team after we’d lost Jake the way we had. I’d ground my teeth together and prayed my guys shut them the hell up. They could destroy the team they were playing; I knew it.

We won the coin toss and Dylan was on the field after our special team ran the ball to the fifty-yard line. I held my breath as he snapped the ball and it was like time stood still as Dylan stepped back, scanned the field, pulled back his arm, and shot an absolute cannon down the field to Carter.

“Touchdown!” I jumped up and screamed, my heart in my throat with pride.

It didn’t stop. They’d found their stride. I was on my feet the entire time, screaming for them, cheering them on, and wishing like hell that I’d bought a ticket to be at the game. They were amazing. Dylan looked at ease on the field, his confidence shining as he proved that Jake was just another quarterback and not the end of our season.

During halftime my phone rang and as soon as I saw the name, I knew I was going to hear the same excitement that I felt on the other end. It was my brothers and they were no doubt watching the same game I was.

“Are you watching?!”

Danny’s voice was full of joy. “Fuck yeah, we’re watching! I don’t know what happened to your boys, Little Harpoon, but they’re fucking alive today!”

I jumped up and down, proving why I couldn’t watch football with anyone else. “Do you see Dylan? He’s throwing like he’s a freaking Manning! He’s relaxed out there!”

“Silas nailed a fifty-seven-yard field goal! Like it was nothing!” Jay came on the line and laughed. “They’re all playing like they’ve got money on the game. It’s amazing.”

Matt, having played tight end during his time playing the game, spoke up to celebrate Carter. “Hayes showed up to win, too. Did you see that block on seventy-two?”

“Are you kidding me? Yeah, I saw it! I helped work out the play!” I couldn’t sit still. “They used my play notes and it fucking killed!”

Danny came back. “We’ll call back after the game, kid. We’re proud of you. I’m about to go tell everyone that you helped with that play.”

I said goodbye with emotion clogging my throat. Making them proud was always the best feeling in the world.

The rest of the game proved that the first half wasn’t a fluke. Our team dominated and I gleefully listened to the sportscasters eat their words and sing my guys’ praises. I’d never been so excited during a game when Jake played. Ever. By the time the game ended I’d lost most of my voice from screaming at the TV but when my brothers called, I still answered like a lunatic, going over the best plays with them.

When we all settled down some, Danny redirected the conversation. “Are you celebrating tonight?”

I answered without thinking. “No, the guys aren’t coming home tonight. We’ll celebrate together when they get home in the morning.”

Danny made a noise that I couldn’t decipher. “What kind of celebration?”

I’d been raised by my brothers. They knew me better than I knew myself. I also knew them pretty damn well and I knew that Danny was scenting out what was happening in my house. I could tell by the tone in his voice that he was suspicious. I never lied to them. They deserved more than that from me so I decided I wasn’t going to start lying then.

“I can hear you thinking, Harper. Just spit it out.”

I sighed. “I’m sort of seeing my roommates.”

Danny was silent. Too silent.

“It just happened and I don’t know how to explain it in a way that you’ll understand, Danny, but-”

“Are you happy?” His voice was strained. “Answer me honestly, Harper. Are you happy?”

I sat on the edge of the couch and struggled to not cry at the idea of upsetting him. “Yes. They make me happy. At first I wanted to kill them but something changed. They listened to me about the play, Danny. Jake would’ve laughed in my face. They’re not like him. They’re good guys.”

After a few seconds Danny let out a deep sigh. “Okay.”

“What do you mean, okay? Are you mad? I don’t want you to be upset with me, Danny. I-”

“I’m not upset with you, kid. I love you. All that matters to me, and to Jay and Matt, is that you’re happy. Whatever makes you happy, we’ll adjust and go with it.” He made an unhappy sound. “I’m still going to threaten their lives when I get a chance to talk to them. They’re dealing with the most precious thing in the world. If they ding you, I ding them. That’s how it goes.”

“I love you, Danny.” I sniffed. “I miss y’all more every day. I’m ready to watch a game with y’all and talk about stuff like this in person.”

“I know, Little Harpoon. Not too much longer now. Just hang in there for us.” His voice was full of emotion so I wasn’t surprised when he said what he said next. “Alright, kid. We have to go. We love you.”

“I love you guys more.”