Jump Start

17. Seventeen

Seventeen

Thomas

I stood on the balcony of Harper’s parents’ house with her two brothers on either side of me, keeping my eyes on her as they reversed out of the driveway.

“You’ve done amazing, mate, she seems to be doing alright,” Brendan said as he placed his hand briefly on my shoulder.

“We love our Harps, and we can tell you do too, mate. You’ve actually got it pretty bad, don’t ya?” Andy agreed with his brother.

I nodded and laughed. “Yep, you got it.” Both made a sympathetic face.

“She won’t let you get away with jack shit, and that’s a promise.” Brendan laughed and gestured for us to follow him. “How about a few beers and some fishing?” he asked in my direction. To be honest, that sounded great. I hadn’t seen my own brother in the flesh for almost a year due to our schedules, and I missed him. Maybe after this trip, Harper’s brothers could turn into new friends, even if they lived on the other side of Australia.

“Let’s do it,” I agreed, which was followed by Andy promptly grabbing a beer each for all of us. Chris would not be happy to hear I was drinking a beer halfway through the season. I would only have a couple, though.

** *

“There’s some beach fishing just down the end of the sand walkway, straight ahead.” Brendan pointed out towards the water.

The house was in a perfect spot, a two-storey that overlooked the ocean, with just enough trees to create shade over their outdoor area. I could see why they retired here.

As we walked down the walkway to the beach, I felt the sand burn my feet. “Fuck it’s hot!” Andy and Brendan laughed.

“Silly little race car boy, always having to wear foot protection.”

I laughed. “Aren’t you two in the Army?” I asked, trying to remember what Harper had said.

“Ha! Our dad would love that. No mate, we’re Navy. Techos.”

I nodded. I had seen a few technicians on the race circuit, doing gap years and such, helping out at the garages. They were an incredible asset to the event, and I could tell they loved the different environment and change of pace.

I knew I was going to get along with these two. They were well accomplished, they didn’t give a shit about my profession, and they were related to Harper. How could I not like them?

We arrived at the beach, and it was people-free, a bit windy, but a great summer’s day. I wanted to ask if they were doing okay with what had happened to their father, but I didn’t want to upset them. I settled for keeping it light, instead.

“Alright, chuck us that reel. Let’s see if we can get some snapper. Could have a barbecue tonight!” Brendan said excitedly as he opened his tackle box.

“Sorry to tell you both, but I hate seafood.”

They both stopped what they were doing and looked at me with concern.

“Shit, no wonder Harper likes you. Is it an ethical thing, or…”

I cut Brendan off. “Nah, just don’t like the smell, mate. Fish away.” I dug my heels into the sand as I sat down and applied more sunscreen. Even growing up in the sun and being reasonably tanned, I would always burn first. Plus, I had a feeling Harper would give me shit if I came home from fishing with her brothers and was beetroot red.

We had fished for a few hours before deciding it was time for some shade.

“Let’s go home, ay?” Brendan suggested. Andy and I thought it was a particularly good idea, so we trudged back to the house with fewer beers and no fish, looking forward to the relief of the shady balcony.

I checked my phone and saw that I had a message from Harper.

Harper: Just finishing up should be home soon all is okay xx

I smiled at the thought of her anxieties hopefully being relieved after seeing her father.

Me: Glad to hear sweetheart x

I wasn’t much of a texter, but she was, so I had to try to make more of an effort.

“Right, well I reckon the best spot for us right now is here on the couch with a few more beers,” Andy announced to the group. Brendan and I plonked ourselves down on the large outdoor setting .

“I’ll have to stop there with the beers. Mid-season. Not a good idea.”

Andy gave me the thumbs up as I settled on the couch with an ice-cold soda instead, eagerly watching the driveway for a sign of Harper’s mum’s car. I couldn’t wait to welcome Harper home.

***

Harper

Leaving Thomas with both my brothers was either going to be a genius idea or a disaster. I guess I would find out once Mum and I were back from the hospital.

I had pulled my brothers aside that morning, before jumping into the car with Mum.

“Go easy on him, will you please?” I begged, directing my gaze at Brendan in particular. “Why are you looking at me? I’m a delight.” Andy and I both laughed at this. “Don’t worry, we won’t torture him, we’ll let Dad do that when he’s back.”

I rolled my eyes and hopped into Mum’s car.

“Who knows what we will come back to,” I commented as she reversed out of the driveway.

“They will be fine. I really like Thomas, darling. He seems like a sweetheart. I always thought he was being difficult with you because he liked you.” My mother, forever the optimist.

“How are you doing with all this, Mum?”

She took a moment before answering me. “I’m alright, your father is fine. He will be coming home in the next day or so. It was just a shock when it first happened. He’s going to have to change a lot of things. Diet being the first.”

My dad wasn’t always the healthiest, having grown up in the era of bacon, red wine, and red meat, so I guess I wasn’t entirely surprised at the heart attack, but it was still terrifying.

We pulled up at the local hospital in Newcastle after a decent drive. I hadn’t been to a hospital in a while and was nervous to see my dad for the first time since his heart attack. Mum put her arm around my shoulder, and we walked in together. Bypassing the front desk, I followed her to my father’s private room.

We slowly entered the room to find a nurse assessing Dad, who had an unimpressed look on his face. It quickly turned into a genuine smile upon seeing us.

“Harper! Sweetheart,” he called out as I walked over and hugged him. I couldn’t help the sob that came out of my mouth or the tears that leaked from my eyes. “Hey, none of that, I’m fine now!”

Standing back, I sat on the chair opposite him and wiped my eyes.

“Your mother tells me you bought that race car driver with you. I suspect you don’t hate him anymore?” His question made me laugh.

“No. Quite the opposite, actually. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

Mum cleared her throat. “Your sons are taking him fishing as we speak,” she chuckled.

The nurse finished her assessment and left the room, leaving us in private.

“Don’t feel like you need to hang around all day, sweetheart. Go to the beach, enjoy time with your new boyfriend,” Mum said out of the blue to the room.

Dad smiled. “Agreed, Harps. I’ll be home soon and then we can catch up properly.”

Despite their insistence that I leave the hospital and enjoy time with Thomas, I stayed for a few hours before Mum and I decided to go home in the late afternoon. After saying goodbye to Dad, we made our way back to the car.

“He seems to be fine, don’t you think?” I asked Mum. She nodded, clearly exhausted with the back and forth between home and the hospital. I enjoyed driving Mum’s car. It was a little SUV, so it was higher off the ground, and it had cruise control, unlike my older Corolla.

As we pulled into the driveway, we noticed my brothers and Thomas on the balcony, sitting around the outdoor table.

“Oh boy, they’re drinking,” I said with a laugh.

We stepped out of the car and were greeted with a round of yelling and welcome home greetings.

“Mum! Harps! Come on up here. We are playing the most epic game of King’s Cup.”

I laughed and yelled up at the balcony, “None of you are eighteen anymore, you know that, right?”

I made my way upstairs to the balcony and was greeted with hugs, more yelling, and finally, a kiss from Thomas, which was met with a round of applause. Andy and Brendan were loud and drunk, but they all seemed to be getting along like a house on fire.

“Did you guys even go fishing?” I asked as I took a seat next to Thomas.

Andy pointed to the esky in the corner. “Of course we did. Thomas caught two kingfish, and we caught some bream. Fish for dinner!” I raised my eyebrows in disbelief and went to inspect the esky.

“It’s empty?” I asked out loud, causing them all to laugh. I shook my head. Boys.

Mum appeared from the kitchen to greet us all. “I’m going to have a lie down. I’m a bit exhausted,” she announced to the table. The boys hugged her and walked her inside, leaving me and Thomas sitting at the table.

“Drink?” he nodded at the bar fridge sitting at the corner of the balcony.

“Yes, please. Make it a strong one.”

I watched as he made his way over to the fridge, his shirt lifting slightly to reveal his hips. I bit my tongue, realising my family was present and transitioned into a smile, ignoring my rapid heartbeat.

Thomas walked over with a smile and handed me a gin and tonic. I noticed his face was red.

“Thanks. You forgot to wear sunscreen, didn’t you?”

“It’s not my fault. I’m usually wearing a race suit in the sun.”

I scrunched my eyes up at him. “That is not a good enough excuse.” Taking a large sip from the drink, I felt my muscles relax slightly. Even though the circumstances of my visit were less than desirable, I was glad to be home again and with Thomas by my side.

Andy and Brendan came back and insisted that I play King’s Cup with them. It had been a long time since I had played, and it took me back to my post-graduation party. “Fine. But don’t expect me to win.”

Famous last words.

** *

“Am I alive?” I asked Thomas, keeping my eyes closed.

“I’m assuming so,” he answered as he wrapped his arm around me.

“King’s Cup. Whose idea was that?”

“That would be your brothers,” he deadpanned.

Barely able to move, I was so hungover that Mum ended up knocking on the door, bringing me bacon and eggs, coffee, and painkillers to relieve the suffering.

“Oh Mum, thank you so much. I promise we were going to get up at some stage.” I sat up straight and Thomas flattened down the mess that was my hair.

“Don’t worry, darling, your brothers are horizontal on the rumpus room couch.” I could tell Mum was enjoying looking after all her kids again, a good distraction for what was going on with Dad.

As I ate the food, I slowly felt my soul return to my body. Knowing a shower would bring it back fully, I went to stand under the warm stream of water. As I started to wash my hair, I felt Thomas behind me. His hands gripped my waist, and he peppered kisses along my neck. I leant back to feel him hard against my back.

“Really?” I smirked as I turned around to face him, cupping him in my hands.

“Can’t answer questions when you have me in your hands,” he murmured, soft and low. Stroking up and down his length as he leant his head back, eyes closed, I took in my favourite view, from his neck to his chest. Strong, manly, and packed with muscles, his freckles formed the perfect tapestry across his solid chest. He returned the favour by grazing my ass in his hands. Before I knew it, he lifted me and my legs wrapped around his waist. Steam rose, clearing my senses and making our bodies slip against each other. I moaned his name as he lowered me onto him gently, holding me up in both of his arms. My hands pressed against his shoulders to keep me upright. I knew we would not last long in this position. As he lifted me up and down, I felt full and energised. Kissing him, I quickened the pace, riding him until stars exploded behind my eyes. Pushing me against the shower wall, he pressed a hand over my lips, capturing my moan. I slid off him at the last minute, so that he could finish in my mouth.

Drying ourselves off in the bathroom, I caught his eyes in the mirror.

“See, I knew just what you needed, a good ride on my—” I cut him off by throwing my towel on his face, as we both dissolved into giggles.

***

We surfaced in the lounge room where my brothers were still horizontal on the couch, watching old re-runs of Star Trek, surrounded by boxes of fried chicken.

“Well, this is a sorry sight,” I announced to the room. Both looked up and waved to Thomas and I then resumed their TV watching.

I went into the kitchen to find Mum packing her handbag on the counter.

“Heading into the hospital, Mum?” I asked, hugging her from behind.

“Yes, darling. Thomas, would you like to come with us? Ian has been asking to meet you.” Thomas nodded and agreed with a soft smile. “I’m looking forward to meeting him as well.”

Mum drove us to the hospital as I was not feeling well enough to drive.

“I’m nervous as fuck,” Thomas said out loud, letting his inner thoughts out. It made Mum laugh.

“Don’t worry about it, Thomas. Ian will love you.” This made me scoff under my breath. I knew my dad would be friendly, but he would not make things easy for Thomas.