Page 26 of Seeing Harper

“I have some questions.”

“Ask them,” Kaiser encouraged.

“What will you be doing while I’m in school, or doing whatever it is that I’m supposed to be doing?”

“I’ll be here in Atlanta for the most part. Doing what I always do.”

“Playing ball. Keeping late nights. Flashy cars. Beautiful women,” Keegan said.

“Playing ball, maybe a late night here or there, but make no mistake about it, Keegan. There will not be anyone else on my arm.”

“You don’t have to do that, we aren’t mated, and I know we’re considering years, possibly. I can’t demand that you’re alone all the time until I’m ready.”

“And I can’t demand that you’re alone all the time until you’re ready either. You have to figure out what you want and you can’t do that sitting home watching all your friends out living their lives.”

“Same.”

Kaiser laughed. “I know what I want, Keegan. I am not in a hurry, I have no problem waiting, and I can barely manage to scent any other female in line at a damn store because now that I’ve found you, all the others really annoy me.”

“Oh, okay, then,” she said, secretly smiling.

“What I’m most sure of is that if this works, it’ll be because you choose me. And that’s the simple truth. It’s in your hands, Keegan. I do not have any right to demand that it’s time. And if you don’t choose me, you have that right, too.”

“I’m pretty sure this is the strangest conversation I’ve ever had.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are my mate, but not right now. And I’m your mate, but not right now. But don’t worry about anything, we’ll figure it out. Eventually.”

“I didn’t know what else to do. In my mind I was protecting you from all of this by not talking to you. But I found out that you were hurt by my leaving and thought I was rejecting you. I will never reject you. I will never intentionally cause you pain.”

“Okay.”

“I’m really not sure what else there is to say,” he admitted. “If you decide you have any other questions, or just want to talk to me, you know how to find me.”

“I don’t want to be an interruption.”

“You will never be an interruption.”

“Are you sure?”

“Keegan, the thought of you keeps me focused. Keeps me level and moving forward. You are not a distraction, you are the focus. Everything I do is to better myself so that when you’re ready, if you’re ready, I’ll be a better me.”

“So, I’m like your compass, or maybe your north star,” she said, laughing at herself.

“I know you think you’re being funny, but you’re more right than you know.”

She laughed even harder. “Don’t follow where I’m leading! I’ll just spin us in circles!”

Kaiser joined in, laughing with her.

When their laughter died down, he made an effort to end their conversation and try to make it less formal. “I’m always available if you need me. But if you don’t, just keep doing you. There is nothing you owe me.”

“Thank you for calling me, Kaiser. It’s helped so much.”

“I’m glad. I’m sorry I didn’t just talk to you to begin with.”

“It’s okay. And hey, make lots of touchdowns!”