20. Harper

20 /

harper

Water dripped from my hair as I sprinted for my locker, narrowly avoiding a slip on the wet floor. I'd joined the guys for one last shinny game before Luca and I were set to leave for Maine. We planned to return the Sunday before Labor Day, in time for me to report to Amherst on Tuesday morning. From there, we'd take a bus to Rocky River, Ohio, where the Warriors held training camp.

Gabe's locker was next to mine, and I'd just slipped on my boxers when he returned from the shower. "Great moves out there. Want a hint from your favorite goalie, though?"

"Always." I swiped deodorant under my arms before reaching for my pants.

"You usually do a great job of deking, but when you're going to fake to your left, you sometimes dip your right shoulder first."

"Really? I'll have to work on that."

"I'll watch and let you know if it keeps happening. You don't want it to become a tell." He dried off, then dropped his towel on the bench and reached for his briefs. "How's Luca? I thought we were getting together for drinks."

"He's great. Sorry we haven't called. We've been busy."

"Wrapped up in each other, more like?" Gabe shot me a grin as he stepped into his jeans. "It's okay. We'll have time to get all the drinks we want once you get some of it out of your system."

My cheeks tingled as I put on my shirt, and I didn't understand my embarrassment. Luca and I were adults with nothing to be ashamed of. "Luca's fantastic, and I'm so happy we're together." I'd told Gabe—along with anyone else who'd listen—that Luca and I were boyfriends, so everyone knew I was crazy about him.

Gabe pulled on a T-shirt, then tilted his head to the side. "You're a good man, too. I'd say you're both lucky as hell, so don't waste it."

"No way that's happening." I finished tying my shoes and stood up. "I've been through hell a few times. Believe me, I know when I've got a good one."

He nodded, throwing a playful punch to the side of my arm. "Lunch?"

"I can't. We're leaving for Maine this weekend, and I'm meeting Luca to pick out some new vacation clothes. Rain check?"

"Anytime. And Harpy?"

I quirked an eyebrow.

"You and Luca take care of each other. He's had it rough, too."

Luca and I had arranged to meet at the mall in Cheektowaga. I usually hated what my buddy Cleevs called "shopping dungeons," but it made sense to go there today. With any luck, we could get everything we needed and then chill until we left town on Saturday.

I found Luca leaning against the wall outside a department store, looking every bit the laid-back jock with his arms crossed just the right way to show off his enormous biceps. He broke into a snarky grin as I approached. "I was ready to send out the search and rescue dogs. Everything all right?"

"Sorry about that. Game went long."

His dark eyes sparkled as they caught mine. A bright blue polo hugged his torso perfectly, and khaki shorts showcased the wonders of his legs and ass, a fact not lost on a nearby group of teenage girls practically vibrating with excitement. My breath hitched as his gaze swept over me, and the world spun as he leaned in for a quick, electrifying kiss. The girls tittered, and as he drew away, he bounced his eyebrows and turned a killer grin in their direction. "Witness this, ladies. Have you ever seen a hotter man? Lucky me, right?"

They fled, trailing loud giggles in their wake, and his grin was even broader when he turned back toward me.

"Way to get some attention."

"What? I'm not supposed to be proud of my phenomenal boyfriend?"

"Ready for the reporters to get hold of it?" I reached for his hand. "Kind of surprised they haven't already."

He scoffed. "The fuck, right? If they don't say something soon, I'll go to the TV station and complain."

The afternoon passed in a whirlwind of shopping, playful bickering, and exuberant laughter. I got a strenuous arm workout from carrying so many shopping bags, and the sunlight streaming through the mall's skylights was scorching. When we stopped to regroup outside a shoe store, I was done. "Should we get a drink? I've had enough walking around."

He shook his head. "Let's go home instead. There are a couple of things there I want to show you, and if you like them, I think we're all set."

I couldn't imagine what he'd bought that I didn't know about, but I'd find out soon. "Lead the way."

He made it back to our building first and waited for me in the garage. "My place okay?" he asked as we stepped into the elevator.

"Sure. If you have cold beer, I won't need anything else."

Snickering, he pushed the button for the fourth floor. "I hope there's something else you need."

"Don't worry. We'll get to that."

He unlocked his apartment and stepped aside so I could go in. I was confused at first, wondering if a burglar had been there. The living room was different, but closer inspection revealed it hadn't been trashed. It had changed.

Luca flipped a switch and fairy lights came on, casting a soft glow over an unbelievable scene. A fort of tables and throw pillows occupied the center of the room, complete with a "shingled" roof made from magazine pages. Pine cones were scattered across the floor, and the air carried the definite scent of evergreen trees. When I looked inside the makeshift cabin, I couldn't miss the cooler in a far corner, covered with a picture of lobster rolls. The cabin floor was made of blankets, and in the middle was a sheet of paper covered with handwriting.

I glanced at Luca, who was beside me. "What's this? You couldn't wait to get to Maine?"

Placing one hand low on my back, he pointed at the sheet of paper. "Did someone leave a letter? Maybe you should read it."

I walked into the cabin, got on my knees, and picked up the note. My eyes were misty before I finished the first line.

Dear Harp,

I've always wanted to take a one-on-one trip with my boyfriend. Problem was, I never had one. I used to be sad about that, but now I've got the best man there is, and you were worth the wait.

I'm super excited about our trip to Maine. Not just happy to go, but amazed by what it means for us. We've both had too much sadness and heartbreak, and now we have a chance to be happy. I hope this vacation is so great that we'll never want it to end. I already don't.

You've exceeded all my expectations I ever had for men, and I pray I can do the same for you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm hitting the road hoping we'll be taking Maine vacations when we're both gray, when hockey and lacrosse are distant memories. Can you join me in that wish?

Yours,

Luca

He was on his knees beside me, and I turned to find so much hope in his eyes that my heart cartwheeled in my chest. "I'll definitely join you in that wish. I want it so much."

He reached for me, and the brush of his lips against mine was warm and soft. I moaned, but when I tried to deepen the kiss, he drew away. "What?" I stammered. "Please kiss me again."

His eyes glinted with mischief as he dropped a hand and patted the floor. "What's this? I think something's under the blanket." I looked down as he found a gap where the blankets met, then plucked his hand away and sucked on a finger. "It's wood, and I think it gave me a splinter. See what it is?"

I looked more closely, surprised to see something smooth and shiny. The space was cramped, so it took a minute to work it free of the blankets. Holy fuck—it's a hockey stick . I stared at it, incredulous. It wasn't just any hockey stick. This one was perfectly shaped and had a beautiful finish. I held it up to get a closer look.

"It's pink ivory wood." His voice trembled, and when I raised my head, his cheeks were red and blotchy. "I've always loved that kind of wood," he said, "and I thought it would look good with all your amazing stuff."

"Holy shit, Luca, it's gorgeous."

"I hope you like it. I had it made for you."

I took my time inspecting the gift, holding it, hoisting it in the air. The smooth curve was perfect in my hands, the weight expertly balanced. The stick was a masterpiece, a gleaming personification of the game I loved to play. My breath came in rapid bursts, and when I found the inscription on the blade, I stopped breathing altogether. Here's to making great memories in Maine. Harp + Luca.

"Fuck," I whispered, my voice thick with a blend of awe and something perilously close to tears. No one had ever done anything like this for me; it was the kind of gesture I'd only dreamed about. The effort Luca had put into this overwhelmed me—not just the stick, but the entire surprise. A Maine cabin in the middle of a Buffalo apartment, complete with an unforgettable note and a gift I'd cherish forever? Maybe fairy tales weren't just for other people, after all.

I threw an arm around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. And damn it, it was real that time—no more cotton candy smooches. When we broke for air, I trailed fingertips across his cheek. "You are even more amazing than I thought. I love this."

Relief and pride shone in his eyes as a smile stretched across his face. "I'm so glad. I called Gabe, and he got me your stick details. It's made to your specs, but it's not really to use in a game." His eyes widened, uncertain. "I mean, you can if you want to, but I?—"

I smothered his words with another kiss, and when I let him go, he snickered. "I guess you do like it. There's one more thing."

"Luca, you… Really? "

He reached behind him and then handed me a book. I read the title out loud. " Maine Verse ."

"It's a book of poems written by people from Maine."

Certain I'd been transported to another universe, I opened the book to find Luca's inimitable scrawl decorating the title page: For when you get sick of me and need some space. I'll be waiting when you're ready for me again.

I fought back more tears, awestruck by the sensitive man holding me with his arm around my shoulders. For years, I'd longed for someone to share my life with, but all I'd gotten were jerks who didn't care. Maybe they'd even turned me into a jerk. But now, if my heart ever stopped quaking, I was giving it to Luca for good.

Peering into his bottomless gaze, I took a moment to catch my breath. "You're the one who's worth waiting for. I've never felt so special, and I can't wait for our trip."

"I'm so excited about it, babe." He licked the side of my neck, then nibbled my earlobe. "We have a few days to chill before we leave. I'll bet we can find all kinds of fun things to do."

I laughed. "I'm sure we can, but first, I need to get up my strength. Are there really lobster rolls in that cooler?"

"You doubt me?" He scoffed. "I paid out the ying-yang to have that lobster shipped here, along with all the fixings. Ready to have some?"

While he got the lobster rolls onto plates and pulled beers out of the fridge, I smoothed my hand along the hockey stick. Like Luca, it was perfect. I hoped I could live up to what he'd done for me today, because he deserved the best man I could be.