MISCONDUCT | HS |

EIGHT

Harry

"What time do you leave?"

Tossing my toiletries into my suitcase, I look down at the screen on my computer as my mom and dad sit on facetime working on the puzzle in front of them.

"Plane leaves at eleven." Reaching for my clothes stacked on the bed, I tuck those in neatly. "So I need to be there like thirty minutes before."

"The game is where again?" My dad pushes a piece into place before looking at the screen.

I smile, knowing that the schedule is under the same magnet on their fridge that all mine have been under since I was five. "We play in Tampa."

"Oh, I love Florida!" Dancing in her seat, my mom nudges my dad. "We should take a trip and go to the beach."

Leaning over and pressing a kiss to her temple, he hums. "Anything you want."

Rolling my eyes, I pack a few more things in my suitcase as we catch up as if we don't talk almost every other day.

Having a close relationship with my parents has always been important to me. I'd seen what it was like to live a life without parents that truly cared and it made me more and more thankful for them every single day.

"Is Dalton going on this trip?" Meeting my gaze, the smile on her lips is innocent.

Turning away from the camera, I dig through my drawers. "I'm assuming she will be. Pretty sure where the team goes, so does she."

"Oh it was just so good to see her the other day. She looks so pretty, all grown up. I wish I knew why she stopped coming home with you." There's a hint of sadness in her voice. "I can't wait to see her the next time we are in town. Maybe she can come to dinner again."

My hands squeeze the pair of socks in my hands like a stress ball, taking a deep breath to settle my feelings. "Mom, she might be busy."

"Well you can't blame me for trying!" She laughs. "You know, l always thought the two of you would get married."

I feel my chest squeeze at the thought.

Dalton was a part of our family and if I was honest with myself— I'd thought about living a life with her for years.

From the very first time that she came home with me after her parents got in a huge fight and going back home for Thanksgiving wasn't an option anymore, it was like she was meant to sit at the table with us.

Then all of a sudden she wasn't there.

Our family wasn't complete without her yet I couldn't bring myself to tell them what really happened.

Instead I just always made up an excuse.

"By now I thought I was going to have at least a couple little ones calling me papa." Chuckling, my dad places a few more pieces of the puzzle together. "I guess not everything turns out how you expect it to, does it?"

Silently making my way back to my suitcase, I nod. "I guess so."

"Imagine if you two did have some babies... They would be so cute." With stars in her eyes, my mom sighs. "I'd have their picture posted everywhere."

"Okay, okay." I fake a laugh. "Enough about me having kids."

Zipping up my suitcase, I ignore the visions playing out in front of me.

Ones where little feet would carry down the hall before coming through the door to throw themselves in the middle of the bed, a certain green eyed girl chasing them down to our bedroom.