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And I’ve always had an affinity for numbers and complex analysis, no matter how boring it truly is. It engages a different part of my brain. Maybe it wouldn’t be terrible to put those skills to use, build a long-lasting career, and a future that my family would be proud of.

Of course, that old nagging fear still lingers. The dread that I’ll make the wrong choice and live a life full of regrets and what-ifs.

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of this internal struggle bearing down on me. Harrison notices and gives my hand another comforting squeeze.

“Hey, where’d you go?” he asks softly, his blue eyes full of concern. “You got really quiet all of a sudden.”

I force a smile and shake my head. “Just thinking about the future. And all the big decisions that are looming.”

Harrison nods in understanding. “It’s scary, isn’t it? Trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. Especially when you have other people’s expectations to contend with.”

“You can say that again,” I mutter. “Sometimes I wish I could flip a coin and let fate decide. Heads, I go pro. Tails, I become the next wolf of Wall Street.”

Harrison chuckles and bumps his shoulder against mine. “As tempting as that sounds, I think this is the kind of choice you have to make for yourself. Follow your heart, Daniel. Don’t let anyone else make this decision for you—not your family, not your friends, not even me. You’re the one who has to live with the consequences.”

I absorb his words. He’s right, of course. As much as I value the opinions of those closest to me, this is a crossroads only I can navigate.

Wanting to steer our conversation away from my family woes,I ask, “Speaking of parents, have you told yours about us? About me and Charlie?”

Harrison’s jaw clenches, and I immediately regret my question. But before I can backtrack, he answers. “My mother knows about you,” he admits, his voice strained. “She saw you leaving my hotel room the morning after our night together.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “She did? Shit, what did she say?”

“Nothing good, I’ll tell you that much.” He shakes his head, his gaze distant as he recalls the memory. “She barged into my room, demanding to know what we were doing together. I tried to explain, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“I’m so sorry, Harrison. That must have been awful.”

He shrugs, but I can see the hurt in his eyes. “It wasn’t a surprise. My parents have never been supportive. In their eyes, I’m a disappointment. A black sheep who refuses to conform.”

My heart aches for him, for the pain and rejection he’s endured from the people who should love him unconditionally. “You’re not a disappointment. You’re brilliant, talented, and brave. And if your parents can’t see that, then that’s their loss.”

Harrison’s lips quirk up in a small smile. “Thank you. She doesn’t know about Charlie,” he adds.

I nod, unsurprised. It’s not exactly the kind of thing you bring up in casual conversation, especially with disapproving parents. “Do you think you will? Tell them, I mean.”

“No. I haven’t spoken to either of them since that morning. I’ve ignored every call, every email.”

I stare at Harrison in awe, my admiration for him growing with each passing second. “I love that about you,” I tell him sincerely. “The way you don’t take shit from anyone, how you stick to your beliefs and your morals, no matter what. It’s incredible.”

Harrison ducks his head, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. “It’s not always easy. Sometimes, I wonder if it would be simpler to give in. To be the son they want me to be. Maybe that wouldmake them love me. But I can’t. I won’t. This is who I am, and I refuse to apologize for it.”

“I’ve never met someone like you, Harrison. Someone who is unequivocally sure of what they want out of life and fearless in pursuing it.”

Harrison stares at me with a determined expression. Before I can ask what he’s up to, he swings his leg over my hips, straddling me right there on the mound.

“Harrison, what?—”

My words are cut off as he presses his lips against mine. I respond instinctively, my hands coming up to grip his waist. We make out like teenagers, all wandering hands and breathy moans, heedless of the fact that we’re in broad daylight on a public baseball field.

All that matters is tasting Harrison on my tongue.

When we break apart, panting and flushed, Harrison giggles. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the moment you showed up at my door today.”

I laugh breathlessly. “You could have just asked.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he teases, leaning in to nip playfully at my bottom lip.

I groan, my body responding eagerly to his touch. “Are you trying to get me hard?”