All Chapters of Playing Hard To Get: Chapter 61 - Chapter 69

Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Summer We Became UsHarperThe first morning of summer felt like the opening line of a love song neither of them knew the words to yet.Sunlight poured through the curtains like honey. Harper blinked against the warmth, her limbs tangled in a cocoon of sheets, her cheek still resting on the pillow that smelled faintly like Jaxon’s flannel and a hint of his cologne. Her hand lay across her chest, fingers curled instinctively, the plastic ring still snug on her finger. She hadn’t taken it off—not to sleep, not in the shower, not even when her dad had given her a look like we’ll talk later.It wasn’t gold. It wasn’t silver. It had no diamond. Just cheap, molded pink plastic from a gas station gumball machine. But Jaxon had slipped it on her finger with both hands, after whispering, “Be mine. For real this time,” into the hollow of her throat. And somehow, it had become priceless.She’d already told him she loved him. That confession had happened weeks ago—rushed,

Chapter Seventy: Boiling Beneath the CalmJaxonBy Wednesday afternoon, Jaxon Brooks had reread Harper’s last text six times—seven if you counted the time he just opened it and stared.It wasn’t because he didn’t believe her.He trusted Harper. Completely. Irrationally. Stupidly.But still—he felt it boiling under his skin.It wasn’t her.It was Ryker.That photo from earlier in the week had made the rounds on social media way too fast—just a quick snapshot of Harper and Ryker talking across a cafeteria table—but it hit like a punch to the gut. Harper, smiling. Ryker, leaning in just slightly. The kind of nothing-moment that people loved turning into a headline.Jaxon didn’t even have to open the comments. The caption alone was enough.“Looks like someone’s moving on fast. Jaxon who?”He read it once. Then tossed his phone on the bed and let it bounce off the edge.Eli walked in ten minutes later, gym bag slung over one shoulder, earbuds still tangled around his neck. “Alright,” he sa

Chapter Seventy-Nine: Sunday Morning GlowThe sun came through the kitchen blinds in soft streaks, catching the dust in the air and makingeverything look golden and quiet. It was the kind of morning where the world felt like it washolding its breath, pausing just long enough to feel safe again.Harper padded into the kitchen in fuzzy socks and one of Jaxon’s sweatshirts—oversized,sleeves falling over her hands, and worn soft from all the times she’d borrowed it and he’d neveronce asked for it back. Her curls were a mess, falling in tangled waves past her shoulders, andshe rubbed one eye as she moved toward the coffee pot.On the couch, Jaxon stirred.He shifted under the throw blanket, blinked up at the morning light, and sat up slowly with agroan and a stretch. His back cracked, shoulders popping as he rolled them out. “Morning,” herasped, voice thick with sleep.“You’re a light sleeper,” Harper mumbled, already pouring a cup for him before making herown.“Nah,” he said with

Chapter Ninety-Two: Quiet DistanceJaxon Brooks noticed right away.No good morning text.No sleepy selfie in one of his hoodies.No “Morning, 23” with a sun emoji and a too-honest caption like this day already sucks but atleast you're cute.Just silence.And that silence hit different when it came from Harper Lane.He lay back on his dorm mattress, staring at the ceiling as the morning sun bled through theblinds. His phone sat on his chest, unopened messages from teammates pinging in every fewminutes—group chats about practice, the upcoming away game, someone asking whose socksgot stolen from the laundry room.But not a single one was from her.His thumb hovered over her name like it could summon her energy, that gentle Harper-ness thatalways grounded him. But the last thing she sent was a single word.Harper: Fine.Not even a period. Not even a heart or sarcastic emoji. Just fine.And it was anything but.He’d read their conversation from the night before at least ten times, tr