Maybe Forever (Missing Pieces Book 1) (5 page)

Harper takes the money, confused. “For what?”

“I bet him that you and Dakota would stretch this out until Christmas.” She gets up and walks back to her lunch at the table. Harper shakes her head.

“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. That’s only twenty-five. Tell him I’ll bring him the rest at his birthday dinner in a few weeks—little shit.” They both laugh. The door to the lounge opens, and a petite brown-haired woman comes in.

“Nurse Montgomery.” Harper looks up to see Dr. Meredith Andrews.

“Yes, Dr. Andrews.”

“Sorry to interrupt your lunch, but when you’re done with your shift, I would like to see you in my office.”

Harper looks at Casey nervously, who gives her a pacifying smile.

“Okay,” she says. Dr. Andrews nods a goodbye and then leaves the lounge.

“I wonder what that’s all about.” Harper shrugs.

“Guess we’ll see.” She glances at her watch and starts to pack up her half-eaten lunch. “Let’s head back early. Janet looked like she wanted to kill us.”

“She always looks like she wants to kill us,” Casey says.

“Well, maybe if you wouldn’t shamelessly flirt with all the male nurses she has a crush on, she would like you more.” Casey shakes her head as she brings her trash to the tiny can by the door. Harper gets up and meets her after putting her things away in the fridge.

“That’s a good point,” she says and takes a swig of out of the water bottle in her hand. Harper opens the door, laughing as they head back to work.

Chapter Six

Jamie

When the bell rings, Jamie walks out of his high school with a huge smile on his face. The afternoon was miraculously better than the morning. After meeting Bianca, everything changed. History had easily become his favorite subject once he met Mr. Samuels, and most of Bianca’s advice worked like a charm. He also made another friend during the course of the day. Mason Lincoln was a sophomore like Bianca, who partnered with him on some introduction exercises in Spanish class. All in all, it was a pretty cool first day, and he doesn’t regret it at all. He spots Dakota’s car across the street, loving that he doesn’t have to wait to share the events of his day until he gets home.

Dakota, spotting him, begins beeping the horn obnoxiously and shouting his name. “Jam! Jamie! Jam!”

Jamie starts laughing.

“I’m guessing that’s your ride?” Jamie turns around and sees Bianca smiling at him.

“Yes,” he says, shaking his head.

“Your brother?” she asks. Jamie scratches his head, not sure how to label him. He never really thought about it before now. He was always just…Dakota.

“No, my friend.” Bianca nods, glancing at Dakota briefly.

“How was the rest of your day?” she says.

“It was good. Thanks for all of your help. I think I made a really good first impression. And Mr. Samuels is awesome. I think he’s going to be my favorite teacher this year.”

“That’s great. I’m happy I could help,” she says. Dakota starts to beep the horn obnoxiously again. Jamie hopes he can see his glare from across the street, but he doubts it.

“Well, I’ll let you go. Looks like your friend is getting impatient,” Bianca says, chuckling. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, sure thing. Free to crash your lunch table again?”

“Absolutely,” she says, smirking, and then walks away. Jamie watches her for a few seconds and then crosses the street.

“Dude, who’s the girl?” Dakota shouts. Jamie gets into the car and punches Dakota in the arm once he’s settled. Dakota laughs as he pulls off down the road.

“Is this what I have to look forward to in high school? You cock blocking?”

“I didn’t know we were at the point where your cock had the ability to be blocked,” Dakota says, raising one eyebrow and glancing at him briefly as he stops at a stop sign.

“It’s just an expression,” Jamie says.

“So who’s the girl?”

“Bianca Bradley.”

“Bianca Bradley? Nice. Is she—?”

“A superhero? No.” They both laugh. “You’re such a dork.”

“What? I think anyone whose first and last names form an alliteration should be a superhero. They just should be.” Jamie shakes his head still laughing.

“Your mom is working the nine to nine shift, so we have to figure out dinner. I’m thinking, if you finish your homework quick enough, we could go to that awesome Chinese place a town over?” he says. Jamie nods enthusiastically.

“All right, besides the girl, how was your day, kid?”

Jamie smiles big, sits back in the seat, and begins.

***

Harper

Harper walks into her house smiling from ear to ear. She drops her car keys on the table by the door and walks into the living room. She sees no sign of Jamie or Dakota, so she walks straight to the kitchen.

“You can’t be serious, D. Come on,” Jamie says, his face contorted.

“I’m dead serious.”

“If you could be in any action movie it would be
The Fast and the Furious
?” The two are seated at the kitchen table, a tub of vanilla ice cream between them as they argue. Harper leans up against the archway, watching them while they are completely unaware of her presence. Dakota nods enthusiastically as he sticks a spoonful of vanilla ice cream into his mouth.

“Yes, and I don’t like your judgy little tone. Hot cars, hot races, hot chicks? Enough said.”

“Whatever, man. I would be Bruce Willis any day.”

“Bruce Willis? B. Willis? He has one facial expression, and he talks in that same monotone voice like he’s constipated.”

“Oh and Vin is sooo much better? He’s incapable of wearing anything other than the tightest white or black t-shirt in the entire world, and come on, you’re not fooling anyone with your racial ambiguity. Trying to be all mysterious.” Dakota almost chokes on his ice cream as he snorts, laughing at Jamie. Jamie starts laughing too. Harper can’t help but laugh too, blowing her cover. Dakota and Jamie both look toward the archway, surprised.

“How long have you been there?” Dakota asks, raising an eyebrow. Harper walks over to them and sits next to Jamie. She takes his spoon out of his hand.

“Ummm…long enough,” she says, winking and digging into the tub of ice cream. They both chuckle. “How was your first day, kid?”

“It was pretty good.”

“Make any friends?”

“A few,” Jamie says, trying to ignore Dakota staring at him.

“That’s great, Jam. Any cool teachers?”

“Yes, actually. Mr. Samuels is pretty cool. He’s my history teacher.”

“History’s boring,” Dakota says.

“Yeah, it is, but he makes it suck less. He’s really funny, and the syllabus seems to be very hands on, which I like.” Harper nods her head.

“That’s awesome. So you think high school is going to be all right?”

Jamie nods. “I think I can handle it.”

Dakota smirks. “Of course you can. Never doubted you for a minute.”

Jamie rolls his eyes. “Thanks, Dakota,” he says, trying to hide the fact that he loves these moments when they fawn all over him. Jamie gets up from his place at the table.

“I think I’m going to head to bed.” He glances at the time on the microwave behind him.

“Wait…before you do, I have something to tell you. Both of you.” Jamie sits back down. Harper takes a deep breath. “So today, at work, Dr. Andrews told me she needed to speak to me after my shift, and when I went to meet with her, she told me that Nichole, our current Nurse Manager, is moving, and so they’re looking to hire within to fill the position and my name came up.”

“Are you kidding?” Dakota says, grinning.

“That’s so cool, Mom,” Jamie says, almost at the same time.

“I know. I know. Thanks. I’ve been freaking out about it the whole way home.”

“So what happens now?” Dakota asks.

“Well, they’re giving me a week to decide, and if I accept, I begin training with Nichole next week, and then I would start at the beginning of next month.”

“Sounds legit, Mom. I think you should do it.”

“Yeah?” Harper says, biting her lip nervously. “It’s a lot of responsibility. The hours can be really nutty sometimes, and I’d have to wear actual clothes sometimes.” Dakota flags her.

“You can do it, Harper. I really think you can do it.” Harper looks at Dakota. Her decision is made right then and there.

“Okay. I’m going to accept.” Jamie and Dakota clap.

“I’m so proud of you, Mom,” Jamie says and kisses her on the forehead.

“Thanks, son.”

“All right, I’m heading to bed for real this time,” Jamie says, standing up and heading out of the kitchen. When he disappears, Dakota reaches for Harper’s hand and twines their fingers.

“I’m proud of you, too.”

“Thank you,” Harper says, blushing.

“We should celebrate,” he says, putting down his spoon.

“How?” Harper asks, setting her spoon down as well.

“Let me take you out to dinner this weekend.”

“Mmm…” Harper coos while grabbing Dakota’s other hand and lacing her fingers with his once again. “Are you asking me out on a date, Dakota Daughtry?”

“Yes. Yes, I am,” he says, bringing her hands to his lips and placing a feather light kiss on them. “Do you accept?” Harper nods.

“I’d love to,” she says, and Dakota responds to her answer with a kiss.

Chapter Seven

“So do we need to have the talk?” Jamie is standing in the doorway of Harper’s bedroom as she stands in front of the mirror, putting her final touches on her makeup.

“Jamie,” she says, half amused.

“I’m just saying it has been a long time since you’ve been out on an actual date.”

“Thanks for reminding me.”

“Guys aren’t the same as they were fourteen years ago,” he continues, ignoring her.

“I think I’ll be okay, Jam.” Satisfied with her face, she walks over to her closet and pulls out two cardigans on hangers. “Black or beige?” she asks.

“Black. Make sure he opens the car door for you and any other doors, for that matter.”

“It’s Dakota, Jamie,” Harper says. “Are you forgetting that?” She slips on the cardigan he chose and walks over to him.

“No,” he says. “I know it’s Dakota.”

“So why are you so nervous? Have you changed your mind about how you feel about us?” she asks, her eyes narrowing slightly in concern.

“No, of course not. I love Dakota,” Jamie says.

“So what’s up?” Harper asks. Jamie shrugs.

“You’re my mom,” he says. “I’m supposed to do this whole overprotective teenage son role.”

“I thought it was my job to worry.”

Jamie shakes his head. “Equal share.” Harper runs her hand over his hair and squeezes his shoulder.

“I’ll be fine, Jamie. Dakota is a perfect gentleman, and I’m completely comfortable with him. There is no need to worry.” Jamie nods his head.

“What time is your friend coming?” she asks as she walks to her dresser to get a necklace to match her little black dress.

“Mason should be here any minute, actually. We’re going to play some pool at the Blue Moon Grill.”

“Okay. I guess I should, like, give you a curfew, huh?” she says, still rummaging through her jewelry box.

“Um, yeah, I think that’s how this works.”

Harper chuckles. “Well, it’s Friday night, no school tomorrow, soooo…” She picks out a necklace and walks over to him. “Put this on for me…how about eleven?” Jamie nods as he secures her necklace around her neck.

“That sounds fair.” Harper nods her head and turns around to face him. “Okay. How do I look?” Jamie stands back and takes in his mother’s appearance.

“You look beautiful, Mom,” he says. Harper giggles.

“Thank you. Gosh, I’m so jittery. I haven’t felt this way since…” She pauses, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. “Well…I don’t think I ever felt this way.”

“Not even with Dad?”

Harper shakes her head, looking at the ceiling as she thinks about it. She grabs the beaded clutch purse sitting on her nightstand.

“There were butterflies with your dad, but it wasn’t like this. I mean, I knew your dad from the town, but I didn’t know him like I know Dakota.”

“Do you think building a friendship with someone first is important?” They walk out of her bedroom and head downstairs.

“Definitely. Getting to know someone before you take that next step is important. It makes the relationship mean something and you really know they’re there because of you and not for any superficial reasons.” Jamie nods his head, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.

“Why do you ask?” Harper’s eyes narrow in curiosity. Jamie shrugs as they stand in the living room by the door.

“Just wondering,” he says smoothly. Harper nods her head, convinced at the moment. The doorbell rings, and Harper grins. She answers the door, and Dakota’s handsome smirk greets them. Dakota comes into the house.

“Hello, beautiful,” he says. Harper admires him in his dark fitted jeans, blue shirt, and suit jacket before responding. The man was perfection, and she couldn’t help staring for a little while longer.

“Thank you,” she says, feeling like the air has just left her lungs. “You look great.” Dakota smiles.

“Thank you. Are we all ready to go?” he asks. Harper nods. She turns to Jamie.

“Home at eleven,” she says and kisses his cheek.

“Have fun. Dakota, behave yourself.” Dakota hits Jamie playfully, and they leave. Jamie stands watching the door after as they leave, smiling from ear to ear.

***

Jamie

Jamie stuffs a few French fries into his mouth as he listens to his new friend Mason Lincoln explain all the reasons why he wants to travel when he finishes high school.

“I mean, I love this town. I grew up here. I can’t ever say I hate it, but I feel like once I’m done with school there’s nothing holding me back from having a fresh start, you know?” Jamie nods, agreeing with him.

“That makes sense.”

“Do you ever want to leave?” Jamie takes a sip of his soda and thinks for a second before answering.

“I don’t know. I mean, I’ve always thought about what it would be like to go away, but I don’t think I want to leave my mom or Dakota.”

“Who’s Dakota?”

Jamie’s eyes narrow slightly, not sure of how to answer that question. His mom’s boyfriend, his best friend, his mom’s best friend…

“Um, I don’t really know how to define Dakota, to be honest.” Mason looks at him curiously. Jamie sits back in his chair, takes a deep breath, and tries to explain it the best way he can. A few minutes later, Mason nods his head, still curious but understanding.

“And now Dakota is dating your mom? Isn’t that weird?”

Jamie shakes his head. “No, not really. It still feels like it always has.”

“Do you ever wish Dakota was your dad?” Jamie shakes his head, smiling.

“Honestly, no. Aiden is my dad. He isn’t perfect, but he’s my dad. But I’m grateful for Dakota every day.” Mason shakes his head.

“Well, you’re lucky, man. I wish I had a Dakota.”

Jamie grins. “What are your parents like?”

“They prefer long distance parenting.”

Jamie laughs. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been emancipated from my parents since I was fourteen.” Jamie chokes on his soda a little.

“Seriously?” Mason nods his head and chuckles a little.

“My mom has always been an anywhere-but-here kind of woman. She’s always off on some adventure with Mr. Right Now, and I never knew my dad. I just figured if no one was going to take care of me, I needed to take care of myself, and I didn’t want her coming back and taking what I work for.”

“Do you ever see her?”

“Yeah. A few times a year. She stops in for cash.” Jamie looks sad for a second but recovers quickly. The last thing the kid needs is his pity…what he deserves is his respect.

“What about the house?” Mason nods.

“The house is paid for. It was my grandma’s, so there’s not a mortgage on it. I just pay for utility bills.” Jamie nods his head.

“You know what? That explains the free French fries! You work here!” Mason laughs. “I thought our waitress was just hitting on you.”

“No, Amelia was not hitting on me,” he says, glancing at the dark-haired girl waiting on the table across from theirs. Jamie looks too.

“I don’t know, she’s been giving you longing looks all night, man.” Mason grins, shaking his head.

“I think you’re on a French fry high. Amelia Young is my coworker and our schoolmate. That’s it.”

Jamie chuckles and takes a sip of his soda. “I think she wants to be more,” he replies, wiggling his eyebrows.

Mason can’t stop grinning. “Eat your fries,” he says, tossing one at Jamie. “Anyway, look who’s talking. I don’t think you should be teasing me when you’ve been looking at Bianca like she’s about to grant you free deep fried potatoes for life this whole week.”

“Oh my God, we get it. I love French fries.” Mason laughs into his own soda, spilling a little on the table. “And for the record, Bianca Bradley is just nice to look at. Nothing wrong with looking.”

“Mmhm,” he says.

“Why don’t I kick your ass in another game of pool, and when I win, you admit that French fries might not be your only weakness?”

“And when I win, you admit that Amelia stamps your timecard.” Mason shoves him playfully as they get up from their table, laughing the whole walk over.

***

Dakota

“So tell me when this started for you,” Harper says, smiling across the table at Dakota. Dakota smirks and takes a sip of his wine. He takes a deep breath.

“First day I saw you.” Harper swallows a sip of her wine and looks at him, surprised.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“But you were only eighteen.”

“I know how old I was,” he says, smirking. “You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I was smitten from day one.” Harper shakes her head.

“You’re crazy, Daughtry.” Dakota shrugs.

“What about you? A week ago did you think we would be sitting here? Under candlelight?” Harper blushes slightly. She takes a sip of her wine and then sets the glass down slowly.

“No, but I think I secretly hoped for it.” Dakota puts his knife and fork down and reaches for her hand across the table. He twines their fingers, and Harper looks down at them.

“I feel like maybe there was always something…different about us, but I never really took the time to try to figure it out. I feel like maybe I was afraid of it.”

“I know I was afraid of it,” Dakota says honestly.

“What were you afraid of?”

Harper tilts her head to the side. “Losing Jamie, losing your friendship, losing everything.” Dakota strokes the front of her hand with his thumb. “For a long time all I really wanted was a family, you know? I never knew my parents. In and out of crappy foster homes. All I ever really wanted was somewhere to belong. I think I was lost when I first met Jamie, and then somehow I was found when you let me into your world. No matter how much I wanted you I didn’t want to jeopardize that.” Harper tilts her head to the side and bites her lip, fighting off the emotion welling up inside of her.

“I was afraid of the same thing, Dakota. Afraid of losing you and Jamie losing you. I thought that if I admitted to myself what you really mean to me, it would change everything and nothing would ever be the same.”

“It won’t be the same, and I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in the future, but I can tell you that I am one hundred percent committed to making this work.”

“I am too,” Harper says softly, leaning in so only he can hear her. “I want you and I want us and I’m so happy we’re doing this. I’m all in, Dakota. I’m all in.” Dakota doesn’t give her a chance to pause. He kisses her, and the world disappears around them.