The Harper Brothers (Wattpad Version)

Hanging out

Leokadia

Val and I were hanging out playing Battle Ship, and he sunk my destroyer. "What the hell?"

Val chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Where is everyone?"

"Ma and Dad are visiting Grandpa and Nana. My brothers are probably getting arrested."

I lifted my head and looked at Val.

"B12."

"Miss, and what do you mean, they're probably getting arrested?"

Val glanced at me. "My brothers get themselves in shit. Then Dad has to bail them out. Our family isn't strangers to jail."

"That's reassuring."

Val shrugged.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Does it include you taking your turn?"

I arched my eyebrow. "No."

"This is a long-ass game."

I rolled my eyes. "Does it bother you that we haven't gone further than kissing?"

Val lifted his head and stared at me.

"I mean, uh, um."

"Why? Do you want to go further?"

My eyes expanded as Val gazed at me. I pulled in my lips, got up from the table, and dashed out of the kitchen. I ran up the stairs as footsteps thumped behind me. Then my feet lifted off the ground as someone carried me. Well, shit.

*******
Valentine

I carried Kadia into my bedroom, closed the door with my foot, and set her down. She stared at me while fidgeting in her spot and playing with her sleeves. Kadia searched for words that eluded her.

"I won't push you into more because you're not ready."

Kadia didn't say anything.

I rubbed my face and lowered my hands. "No one says you have to go further when you're dating."

"Don't most couples?"

"It depends on the couple."

Kadia gave me puppy dog eyes.

I ushered her to my bed, had her sit down, and dragged a chair over to the side of the bed. "When two people like each other, they date. It gives them a chance to learn about each other and their likes and dislikes. If the couple rushes into sex when one isn't ready, there are regrets."

"I get that, but I'm not sure how you feel about going slow."

"I'm fine with waiting. I'm not Romeo, for Christ's sakes."

Kadia giggled.

"Kadia, I have sexual experience, but it's not what I sought with a girl."

"Yeah, but you didn't date, but you're dating me."

I leaned forward in my chair. "I didn't date because no girl was worth my time until now."

Kadia's mouth became agape as she blinked.

"When you fall in love with someone, you risk your heart. You risk a chance at heartbreak, unsure of the future. You're trusting someone to love as much as you love them."

"Did a girl ever break your heart?"

I shook my head. "I never gave a girl a chance to break my heart because I was saving it for the girl I met in the store."