Faking It With The Hockey Star

Harper’s POV

By the time we got back to the apartment, I was exhausted. It was not the kind of tired that made me want to sleep, but the kind that settled deep into my bones after too many days of worrying, crying, and barely remembering what day it was.

Justin’s grandparents pulled up outside the building, and I turned around in my seat. "Don’t you want to come in for a little while?"

His grandmother smiled warmly. "No, sweetheart. You have both had enough people hovering over you."

His grandfather chuckled beside her. "Besides, Justin needs to rest."

Justin looked at him suspiciously. "I can hear you."

"He does not need his grandmother fussing over him like he is a baby," his grandfather teased.

His grandmother gasped dramatically. "My grandson was in the hospital!"

"And now he is out."

"That does not mean I cannot fuss." She snapped back

Justin shook his head, looking back at me. "See why I do not want her around me?"

His grandmother swatted his arm playfully. "You love it."

"I really do not."

"You do."

I could not help laughing. For the first time in days, the sound did not feel forced.

His grandfather smiled at me from the front seat. "Take care of him."

"I will."

"And make sure he eats."

Justin groaned softly. "Why is everyone obsessed with food?"

"Because you clearly are not," his grandmother replied. She leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Call us if you need anything."

"We will."

They waved goodbye before driving away into the afternoon traffic. Justin watched them leave, letting out a long breath. "I survived."

I smiled. "Barely."

We headed inside the building. The moment we entered the apartment, Justin dropped into the armchair and gave me an innocent expression. "Can I have my phone now?"

I stared at him. "No."

"Harper."

"You are on phone arrest."

"I have suffered enough."

"You were in the hospital."

"Exactly. I suffered."

I rolled my eyes. "I charged it."

His face brightened immediately. "You are the best."

"I know."

I handed him the device, and within seconds, it began buzzing continuously. Coach. Mason. The team group chat.

Justin settled back to answer Coach first. I could hear fragments of the call from the kitchen. "Yeah, Coach, I am fine... No, I am not coming to practice tomorrow... Because my body hates me."

I smiled to myself. That was Justin. Even after everything, he could still make light of it. Next, he called Mason. "Bro... Yeah, I am alive... Do not you dare make that joke."

I laughed from the kitchen, and he looked over at me. "You heard nothing."

"Nothing at all."

I sorted through the food his grandmother had packed for us, storing containers in the refrigerator while warming up a portion for us. My stomach growled loudly. I had not realized how hungry I was until now, as if my body finally recognized that it was safe to demand food.

I placed a plate in front of Justin. "Eat."

He looked from the plate up to my face. "Yes, ma’am."

"Do not make me spoon feed you."

"I would not complain."

I gave him a stern look, and he laughed. "Okay, I am eating."

"I am going to shower," I said, stepping toward the hallway. "Do not forget to finish that."

"Yes, Mom."

"Justin."

"I am eating!"

I shook my head and slipped into the bathroom. The moment the hot water started, I stepped beneath the stream and closed my eyes.

For the first time all day, I was completely alone with my thoughts, and they immediately began running in circles. California. Texas. New York. Washington. All those internship offers and different paths for my future. I had worked so hard for this. My documentary was complete, my defense was successful, and my professors were proud. I should have been thrilled, but I felt terrified.

Every option meant leaving something behind. My mother, Emma, Noah, my home, and Justin. Especially Justin. It was not just about leaving him; it was about leaving the life we had built together. The late night study sessions, waking up beside him, and the noisy dinners with my family. It was imperfect, but it was ours.

What if I chose wrong? What if I took a great opportunity and lost what truly mattered, or stayed and felt regret?

Then I remembered our conversation in the hospital room while waiting for his discharge papers. I had asked him quietly what would happen if I had to leave.

He had not hesitated. "Then go. Take the opportunity that is best for you. Do not choose your future based on whether I am going to be here."

"But what about us?" I had asked.

He had smiled gently. "I have money, Harper. I can get on an airplane. If I have to fly ten hours to see you, I will fly ten hours."

"What if it gets hard?"

"Then we will figure it out."

"What if you hate long distance?"

"Then I will hate it while loving you," he had answered, kissing my hand. "I do not want you to shrink your life because you are afraid of losing me."

I turned off the water, those words echoing clearly in my mind. Loving someone did not mean keeping them in one place; sometimes it meant giving them room to grow.

I dried off, changed into comfortable clothes, and walked back into the living room. Justin was still in the chair, his plate completely clear.

"Good boy," I said softly.

He looked up at me. "Did you just call me a good boy?"

"Maybe."

He stood up carefully, his movements noticeably slower than usual. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah." He came over and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I rested my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"I do not know what I am going to do," I whispered.

His grip tightened reassuringly. "I know. You have all these offers and you do not want to make the wrong choice. But whatever you choose, you will make it because you thought it through."

"And if I choose somewhere far away?"

"I will miss you," he said softly, kissing the top of my head. "And I will come see you. I told you already, I have money and no problem spending it on plane tickets."

I laughed softly against his shirt. "You make everything sound so simple."

"It does not have to be simple," he replied, his voice gentle. "We just have to make it work. I want you to have a life you are proud of, Harper."

Tears pricked my eyes. "You have already given me so much courage."

"Then use it."

I hugged him tightly, holding on to the warmth of the moment. The decision was mine to make, not out of fear, but out of purpose.

I pulled back slightly. "Okay. I am going to talk to my legal counsel."

He raised an eyebrow. "Emma and Noah?"

"Exactly. And my mother."

"Good luck," he smiled.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"For what?"

"For not making me choose between you and my future."

He looked down at me with complete sincerity. "Never."

And with those words, the path ahead finally felt a little less frightening.

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