Loving A Rivers (Third book in Rivers series)

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Harlow's POV:

"You actually came to watch me?" Ethan asked happily. He had ice on his shoulder as he emerged into the parking lot.

"I got off early and since you offered me a ride, I figured I'd watch you pummel other people to get an egg." I shrugged and he laughed at my idea of football.

"You mean hit other guys to get the ball and score." He corrected and I shrugged.

"It's the same thing." I said as he unlocked the door to his fancy sports car.

"You don't like my car do you?" He asked as he sat in the drivers seat. He tossed the ice bag in the back and I shrugged.

"Reminds me of one of my fathers' cars." I said simply.

"You don't like your dad?" He asked cautiously.

"It's not that I don't like him, I just don't like the woman he has married and the man he has become because of her."

"She can't be that bad." He said.

"She used to hit me when I was younger." I said. I hated when people stuck up for my fathers' wife. She was that bad and she will always be bad.

"Seriously?" He asked surprised while trying to keep his eye on the road.

"I was something that got in the way of her and my father. He would take me to ballet instead of taking her shopping, he would drive me to gymnastics instead of taking her out to dinner."

"And he never noticed this?"

"He saw a gorgeous young blond who was sweet at all times in front of him. I was a reminder of my mom." He said nothing and I took a deep breath while looking out the window.

"She had breast cancer." I said looking out the window.

"My brother's girlfriend- Violet, her mother has lung cancer and she hasn't been doing so well lately." He said and I nodded.

"Very few people know how it is to watch their mother go from a gorgeous, carefree brunette to a pale, skinny, sad and lifeless woman. The day she lost all her hair was the day everything went down hill. I have the exact same hair as her, and the same eyes...everyone said we looked like sisters."

"I'm sorry, Harlow." He said and I took another deep breath.

"It's life, people die and someone else is born." I said.

"I know but it still is okay to be sad about someone you lost."

"It's a sign of weakness." I said dryly.

"Why do you want to be a doctor?" He asked changing the subject.

"To do my absolute best to make sure some little girl doesn't have to watch her mother break down."

"Morbid." He said and I couldn't help but crack a smile.

"I'm sorry, I do sound very morbid and dark." I laughed.

"So, you are into ballet and gymnastics? Nice and flexible." He grinned and I hit his shoulder playfully.

"Ow that's my bad shoulder." He laughed.

"Sorry, but yes I am, why?"

"I'm just curious. I never met someone who was into ballet or gymnastics really, like my little sister is more into cheerleading."

"It's fun, I went to meets across the world, Olympics, recitals, shows..." I trailed off.

"You still have recitals? And gym meets?" He asked.

"Of course, I have a gym meet next week. I have so many medals and trophies in my room."

"Where is it?" He asked.

"Texas." I said.

"Is your father taking you?" He asked.

"No, I usually go with my coaches."

"Can I come?" He asked.

"To watch girls in leotards? No." I laughed.

"Obviously not. I want to watch you." He said.

"Watch me? Your parents would let you go all the way to Texas with a girl?" I asked.

"Yea, why not? I'm responsible." He assured.

"Most parents would tell you no and then slap you." I laughed.

"My parents are always busy anyways." He said pulling into his house. His house was huge, not as big as mine but still big.

"Not as big as mine but close." I teased.

"Harlow stop being so cocky." He said surprised.

"I feel a little under dressed." I said looking down at my ripped jeans, white button up shirt and cardigan. It was my usual librarian attire as people called it.

"You look stunning." He said closing his trunk. He opened the front door and a puff of black and white fur came galloping down the hall.

"Hey Jordie." Ethan smiled petting the puff ball. He then turned to me and jumped up hugging my waist tightly. His grey eyes were bright and open and his mouth was open like he was smiling.

"Hi Jordie." I smiled running my fingers through his long fur. He sniffed my clothes possibly smelling my other two dogs' fur on them.

"Jordie is a ladies man." Ethan laughed.

"Hi baby how was your game?" Someone asked. Down the hall emerged the most gorgeous woman ever. She had long wavy blond hair, and dark eyes, she had a perfect curvy body and a big smile.

"Mom." Ethan said and I laughed at how she called him 'baby'.

"You brought a friend." She gasped rushing over. I shook her hand as she pushed the hair out of her face.

"Hi, I'm Ethan's mom, you can call me Storm." She said.

"Storm? That's a gorgeous name. I'm Harlow." I said.

"Harlow, you are so gorgeous." She said looking me up and down.

"Are you kidding? You look like a model." I said and she laughed.

"Can I just keep you? You are so cute." She smiled.

"I'm getting ice." Ethan said shaking his head.

"If it's for your shoulder, daddy said use heat." She called and Ethan continued shaking his head. Storm lead me to the kitchen and got me a cup of tea and some other refreshments she had made.

"My little baby finally brought a girl home." She gushed holding Ethan's head.

"I'm not five." Ethan sighed.