Page 5 of Make Her Mine

As she approaches, I note the sparkling blue gem pierced through her nose, the many ear piercings, and the multitude of rings on her fingers.

She’s got her full jewelry on even though she’s definitely dressed down and has her long dark hair up in a messy bun on top of her head and I find myself wondering if she ever takes it all off. To shower? To sleep?

I do not need to be wondering about Harlow Hansen showering or in bed, I remind myself as she comes to stand in front of me.

Tendrils of hair are escaping her bun, framing her face, and brushing against her long neck and I can see the faint lines where her bathing suit crosses her shoulders and wraps around to tie behind her neck.

She’s beautiful. There’s no doubt about that.

I might even be attracted to her if she didn’t hate my guts.

“No fucking way.” She plants her hands on her hips.

But she does. So I’m not.

And, I remind myself, I don’t like her much either. She’s a pain in the ass who always thinks she’s right, was a bad influence on my brother, and thinks I’m a bad guy for no fucking good reason at all.

“No way what? I haven’t even said anything.”

“You can’t have them yet.”

I roll my eyes, even though it makes sense that she thinks I’m here to pick up Ginny and Graham. Rolling my eyes with Harlow is just an instinct.

“Graham has been home for two days and this is the first time I’ve had him,” she informs me. “He and Ginny are sleeping over.”

I shift my weight and tuck my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. I give her a smirk. “Did Mom say that was okay?”

My sister is twenty-six, Graham and Harlow are twenty-four. Obviously, no one gives them direction on where they’re sleeping.

Harlow sticks her tongue out. “I know you don’t have any friends, but that’s your own fault for being an asshole. Leave my friends alone.”

I frown. “I have friends.” She knows that very well. She knows all of them.

“Do you? Or have they just all been stuck with you because this town is so tiny?”

“Says the woman who’s having a sleepover tonight with people she’s known literally her entire life.”

I’ve got a point and she doesn’t even have to say so. “Well, you can’t take Ginny and Graham. So get out of here.”

“I’m not here to pick them up. I…” Might as well rip the band-aid off. “I need to talk to you, actually.”

She’s predictably surprised. “About what?”

“Something happened tonight that you should know about.”

She straightens, her expression immediately turning concerned. “Is Alex okay?”

Alex Fallon is something Harlow and I have in common besides my siblings. And our hometown.

He just graduated, after coming to live with a foster family here three years ago. Harlow is a social worker and child advocate who has been working with Alex. She has gotten close to him and the affectionate feelings are very mutual. Alex is also one of my star football players. I love the kid.

And part of me loves that she immediately thought of Alex and was concerned.

I blow out a breath. “No, this isn’t about Alex. Sorry. I see why you might’ve jumped to that.”

She breathes out in relief. “Geez, Jefferson.”

“It’s something about you, actually.”

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