Page 77 of Chasing After You
“Mira, I told you I’d do anything you wanted. I didn’t see anything on the list that made me uncomfortable, but I wanted to ask about the question marks to make sure we’re on the same page,” he says calmly, and it’s honestly a relief that he’s being so nonchalant about this, because I feel like my lungs are going to collapse.
“So you’re okay with everything on it?” I ask, needing to hear him say it clearly.
“I’m more than okay with everything on the list. I promise I’d tell you if I wasn’t.” Henry squeezes my hand reassuringly, and I feel a little better. “I’m looking forward to going three for three in the bonus points department, though,” he teases, and my eyes bug out of my head. I only put the bonus points on there as a bucket list sort of thing. Like, hey, it’s great if it happens, but no hard feelings if it doesn’t? I didn’t expect Henry to take this so seriously.
“You’re talking a pretty big game,” I choke out. Oh my god.
Henry brushes his lips over my knuckles, gently kissing the back of my hand. “I think we both know I can back it up after I helped you orgasm only by kissing you and playing with your nipple.”
“Fine. If you can go three for three in the bonus points, I’ll do something you want to do,” I say, feeling the butterflies in my chest start to flutter.
“I like a challenge, but I don’t need a prize. I’ll already have you.”
You already have me. Instead, I shake my head. “Whatever you say.”
It’s unfair that Henry gets to look the way he does, and say things like that. I’m going to throw away all his hats because I’m struggling to think straight.
“Do you want us to plan out when we’re going to cross things off the list, or keep it spontaneous?” he asks, rubbing his thumb back and forth on my hand.
“I think spontaneous would be better, but I think it’s important for both parties to be able to say no if they’re not in the mood.”
Henry nods, his face growing serious. “If it’s not consensual, it’s not happening. I promise you won’t hurt my feelings if you tell me no at any point. I’d rather you enjoy yourself than agree just because you think I want you to. This is for you, not for me.”
“Well, I want you to enjoy yourself too. If I wanted to practice with something inanimate, I’d just buy a dildo,” I argue, and Henry chuckles.
“As much as I’d like to see that, I will definitely be enjoying myself. I don’t want you to worry about that,” Henry says, and I think someone needs to pinch me right now. There’s no way this is my reality.
Is this what it’s like to show someone every side of you and they still don’t run? If I wasn’t in love with Henry before, I’d surely be in love with him now.
Maybe I should be more concerned about the repercussions of all these decisions, but right now, I’m willing to accept everything will be fine.
The screen in Henry’s car shows an incoming call from Allison Price, and Henry’s entire demeanor shifts as he blinks at it. He lets go of my hand to decline it, and I swallow all my questions, instead opting to pull out my phone to let my parents know we’re on our way.
~
Growing up as a prodigy in the world of gymnastics, combined with my parents being who they are, I’m no stranger to people taking pictures of me and my family. Henry’s attempt to be inconspicuous was a fail from the moment we got out of the car, even after he turned his hat around the right way to hide his face. However, I grossly underestimated how many pictures Henry and I would be asked to pose for with fans, both together and separately.
I’ve tried not to let it get to me, but it’s made it difficult to watch the game. Thankfully, after Hunter threw his first touchdown, the attention shifted away from us.
The team we’re playing is good, and unfortunately for us, our defense isn’t as strong as our offense. We’re only halfway through the first half, but it’s becoming clear our offense is the only reason the team made it to this game.
Hunter has been holding out hope for Duke, but when I finally called JJ yesterday, he mentioned that Hunter received offers from UCLA and Clemson this week because he’s one of the top recruits in his class. He and Bailey had a plan, before everything went to shit this fall for both of them to attend Duke together, but I have a feeling that’s changed.
I turn to look at Henry, pulling his attention from the field. “Do you see how many recruiters are here?”
“I’m not surprised. JJ’s killing it at Beaumont and is proof that you aren’t the only Walker who got your father’s athleticism. Hunter will have his pick of schools.”
“He wanted to earn it on his talent, not on his name.”
Henry leans forward in his seat, clasping his hands in front of him. “I know, but unfortunately, they’re one and the same. Recruiting out of high school is a gamble because these players are untested against the pressures of playing for a college, but Hunter’s different.”
“He’s holding out for Duke,” I say, but I know Henry knows this. Sometimes I forget that Henry isn’t just mine, he’s close with my brothers too.
“They’re here,” he says, tilting his head to where I see a man wearing the colors of our alma mater, hovering on the end.
I squint, trying to make sure that’s who I think it is. “Wait, isn’t that—”
Henry nods slowly. “Coach Harris himself.” Ian Harris was the head coach at Duke when Henry was there a couple years ago. I’ve had a couple conversations with him at fundraisers my family attends, since Dad is a notable alumnus who donates to the program.
