by A. M. Kusi
“What are you going to tell them? Why am I here with you?” she asked, whispering as they walked closer to the door.
“Business. We work together. We’re working on a project together.”
She nodded. Jax was scarily good at the half-truths.
He knocked before he opened the door and called out, “Mom? Dad? I’m here.”
A woman a little shorter than Harper came into the room, and she recognized the beautiful face of his mother, Olive Harris.
She did not hide her surprise when she looked from Jax to Harper and then back to him questioningly.
“Jax,” Olive said, as he bent down to kiss his mother on her cheek. “Harper, isn’t it? You’re River’s sister?” Olive said, extending her hand politely.
She smiled and returned the gesture. “Yes.”
“Your father is in the attic. Why don’t you go up to help him while Harper and I get a cup of tea?” Olive patted him on the shoulder.
He looked at Harper, seeming to make sure she was okay. She smiled and he left them alone.
Olive walked over to the fridge and pulled out a glass pitcher full of amber liquid. “Do you like sweet tea?” she asked, retrieving two glasses from the blue cupboard.
“Yes. I thought that was just a southern thing,” Harper said.
“Well, my Clive has a sweet tooth. We grew up in the south, Virginia actually.”
“Oh. Virginia’s nice,” Harper commented, wondering what else to say. She knew the less she talked about herself or Jax the better. He might want to keep their relationship a secret, but she didn’t want to lie to his parents.
Olive gave a pained look before answering, “It is. We can sit over there.” She motioned to a circular table and chairs in the dining area of the kitchen. Harper took a seat and sipped the tea Olive set in front of her. “Thank you. This is delicious.”
“What are you doing with my son?” Olive asked directly.
Harper took another sip of tea to buy herself time. She felt her cheeks flush. “I started working for my father’s company a couple months ago. I work with, and learn from, Jax-ugh-Jaxton as well as the other consultants—my brother, Natasha, and Simon.” Harper was pleased that she had dodged the question with a truthful answer.
“What kind of work do you do on the weekends, like today?” Olive said, cutting Harper’s celebration short.
“Today, we, um, well, we toured a chocolate factory. It is good to research different businesses that could be a potential competitor to our clients. See what is working and what isn’t. Honestly, I just went for the chocolate,” Harper said, forcing a laugh.
Olive smiled politely, studying Harper. “Your answers say one thing and your eyes tell another.”
Harper panicked. How had she managed to screw this up? Jax was going to be upset. His mother knew—moms had innate superpowers and sensed these things.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Harper admitted.
“That, I believe.”
Just then, Jax came into the kitchen carrying a handful of boxes with his father Clive, who was a much older version of him, holding one box as he trailed behind.
Olive stood up quickly and opened the front door for the two men to exit. As they passed, Jax shot Harper a look as if assessing her. She offered him a shaky smile, and then her eyes met his father’s. Clive’s expression turned surprised and disgusted all at once. She swallowed the lump in her throat and wished they could leave sooner rather than later.
Mrs. Harris took out two more glasses and filled them with sweet tea before bringing them to the table where Harper was sitting, just as the two men returned through the door. Jax’s jaw was tense, like he was grinding his teeth, and he didn’t look at her in the eyes. He came to sit next to her as Clive joined the table on the other side, by his wife, narrowing his eyes at her.
“Pop had some boxes of my stuff in the attic for me to take home,” Jax explained, looking over at her briefly. “You remember Harper, River’s sister, don’t you?” Jax asked his father.
“Hello, Mr. Harris.” Harper smiled.
Clive grimaced, ignoring her. She was glad she hadn’t extended her hand to him, feeling like he would have much sooner spat on it than shook it. She turned to Jax, wondering if he would say anything. He didn’t.
Olive spoke up. “Well, you can be happy now, Clive. You can finish arranging the attic since our son took back his things.”
“I’d be happier if people would know their place,” he said, his eyes moving between Harper and Jaxton.
“Clive,” Olive said, resting her hand on her husband’s arm.
“You’re okay with our son endangering his future for a white woman?” he asked, turning to look at his wife.
“Pop, we’re just friends,” Jax said. His dismissal was like a shot to the heart. Suddenly the ground they sat on seemed shaky and unstable as pieces began crumbling, eroding the little foundation they were able to build.
Clive glared at his son. “Have you forgotten who you are?”
“We work together.” Jax tried again.
She had never seen Jax become so undone. He was always in control of himself. This was a different side to him that she could recognize in herself: more insecure and trying to please. Under the table, she placed her hand on his thigh to comfort him.
Mr. Harris looked at Harper and asked, “Are you and my son just friends?”
Jaxton and her were the farthest thing from friends. She loved their son, and it was killing her to keep their secret. The lies viciously battered the cage of her ribs, begging to be released. Sweet relief of a confession on the tip of her tongue. She took a deep breath before answering, “No.”
Olive looked down at her hands, while Harper saw a small glimmer of something in Clive’s eyes, curiosity rather than rage. Jax’s leg stiffened under her hand. She glanced over briefly, seeing anger burning in his eyes and his jaw clamped tensely. If he bit down any harder, his teeth would shatter.
She turned back to stare Clive directly in his eyes as she continued, “Your son is my friend, but he is also my coworker and mentor. We collaborate on projects together. My father has entrusted him to oversee my training as a consultant over all the other employees because Jax is the best.”
Clive’s expression relaxed some, though it was barely noticeable. Olive looked back between her son and Harper, a small smile hinting at the edge of her lips.
“Well, we have to get going,” Jax said, halting further probing conversation as he got to his feet.
Olive stood and gave her son a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “It was nice to see you,” she said as they walked out the door. Clive didn’t say goodbye to his son, or bother to acknowledge them in any way.
Once they were in the car, Jax started the engine and drove off in silence towards her house. They reached her street and he pulled into a parking space in front of her brownstone.
“Are you mad at me?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
He turned to look at her, seeming to think for a few moments before replying, “No.”
“I can understand that you didn’t stand up for me because you want to keep us a secret, but this web of lies is getting more tangled by the day. I hate lying to everyone. Your dad made me feel…less than. Look, I am used to being underestimated. I hope, with time, that they will get to know the real me, underneath my physical appearance,” she said, turning to face him. She used her hand to pull his mouth to hers for a kiss before she broke away and said, “I won’t let prejudice get in the way of loving you, no matter who it comes from.”
She searched his expression for any sign he felt it too. Did he love her as much as she did him? Was her confession too much for him? She needed him to give her some idea of how he felt about them because she was hanging on by a thread.
Panic crossed his features for one brief moment and then
it was gone, locked behind the steel bars that Jax always seemed to have around his heart. “This is a lot. I just…I think…I’m really tired, and I forgot about this presentation I have to do on Monday.”
She felt him pulling away from her. She knew he needed space to sort through things, and she would give it to him. She wouldn’t be clingy. Jax was dealing with so much, and as usual, he needed to work.
“Okay. Call me later? I can stop by your place if you want,” she offered.
“Maybe.”
Harper looked down, the sting of rejection encompassed by the need to make sure he was cared for. “Okay. Take the time you need. I’ll be here.”
Chapter 23
At his parents’ house, Jax had resisted the urge to take Harper’s hand and pull her out with him. She had stood up to his father for him, and he hadn’t been able to do the same for her. His goddess had faced things he wasn’t ready to confront, with grace and respect. He had seen the worry in her eyes when they’d sat in the car. How could he tell her how much he truly admired the way she had held her own and defended him? His father was a stern and tough man—Jax should know. The honest truth was, beyond that, he didn’t know how to put into words how he felt towards her, but it wasn’t anger.
His mind had reeled when she had said she’d loved him. Love? It was too soon for love. He was just getting used to having a girlfriend, but love? He wasn’t ready for that. Hearing her say it out loud made him feel at a crossroads. Things between them had gotten serious a lot faster than he had intended. On one hand, he could choose the path that had always been his plan: his career first and no-time-for-anything-but-fun trysts. That path was what his father wanted for him—to rise above and secure a leadership position in Parker Consulting Inc. On the other hand, he could have Harper. Jax felt his whole world had turned upside down when she talked about loving him, and the urgent need to distance himself overwhelmed him. It was all too much. He just needed to take a minute and refocus on what was most important.
He had seen how upset River had been by Ella’s omission—a woman he was so clearly in love with. Jax was sure the web of deceit he had weaved with Harper had the potential to destroy his thirteen-year friendship with her brother.
Could they survive that? Would he and Harper last with their families pulling them in opposite directions? She was an amazing woman, strong and gentle at the same time. When she cooked for him, and they spent time together trying new things that he would have never chosen on his own, he felt appreciative and connected to her. One way his mother showed her love for him and his father was through the meals she made, and he could tell Harper had the same gift. She was like no one he had ever been attracted to, but everything he wanted all at the same time. She took care of him in ways he hadn’t known he’d wanted to be. Their sexual chemistry was explosive and addicting. Was that sufficient though? Did he care about her enough to put his whole life on the line and risk his career and everything that came from his success, including the approval of his father?
Jax spent that night at his apartment alone, as he did the next couple of days, cowardly making excuses to not see Harper.
She called in sick for the beginning of the week. And though Jax wished she felt better, he was glad to have the reprieve from having to face her and answer questions he didn’t have the answers to.
***
Harper swallowed the last of the pills the doctor had given her. The ear pain had stopped the day before, but she still wanted an extra day to recover. She thought she could use some insight into hers and Jax’s situation from someone who knew him well, so that afternoon, she went to River’s house.
She let herself in with a key when he didn’t answer, and made herself some peppermint tea that he had on his counter.
River had told her about his girlfriend and her obsession with peppermint coconut milk tea lattes. Harper always loved to find new drinks, and that definitely sounded unique.
She drank her tea latte and laid down on the couch where she fell asleep. Hours later, she was woken up when River entered the house.
“River!” she said, excitedly. She had missed her big brother. It seemed he was always on a business trip or in Vermont visiting his girlfriend. She hadn’t met Ella yet, but she saw the stars in River’s eyes whenever he talked about her.
“What are you doing here?” he said, hugging her. He seemed exhausted.
“I missed you and wanted to see if you wanted to hang out for a little bit today.”
“Sure. I need a shower first.”
“Alright. You okay? You look like shit,” Harper said, concerned. She couldn’t tell him that Jax had told her something was indeed going on.
River ran his hand down his face and over the back of his neck, appearing unsure of where to start. “Yeah. I found out some things and…let me shower and then we can talk.”
“Okay.”
A little while later, Harper heard a knock on the door. She opened it, surprised to see a beautiful brunette woman holding a box.
“Can I help you?” Harper asked.
“I need to talk to River,” the woman said, looking down. She seemed upset.
“Oh, he’s just in the shower. Do you want to wait in here?” Harper opened the door to make room for her.
“Yes,” she said, stepping into the house.
Harper could sense sadness in her as she set the box on the bar and took a seat, facing the stairs. Harper poured a glass of water and offered it to her. “I’ll let him know you’re here. What’s your name?”
“Ella.”
Harper blinked a few times, registering that this sad, beautiful woman was River’s girlfriend. She nodded and disappeared up the stairs to get River. Was she going to break up with him? Had River already broken up with her, and that was what Jax had meant?
“River?” Harper called, knocking on his door.
“Yeah?”
“Someone is here to see you.”
River opened the door wearing his sweatpants and nothing else. “Who?”
“Ella,” she said. River’s expression was shocked. “Did you break up with her?”
“No. Yes…” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s complicated,” he said, brushing past her and rushing down the stairs.
On her way down the stairs, she saw River and Ella standing by the door. Ella looked absolutely devastated by whatever they were talking about. Harper tried to backtrack and head upstairs, but the wooden stair creaked and Ella looked up and locked eyes with her.
Ella’s face paled with a look of betrayal before she reached for the doorknob. “I’m sorry,” she choked, opening the door and walking down the steps as fast as she could.
River just stood there and watched Ella leave. Harper may not have met Ella before, but she was good at reading people. That woman loved her brother, and as usual, he was doing something to screw it up.
Harper walked the rest of the way down the stairs and slapped her brother’s arm. “You should go after her. I can see it on both of your faces. Chase after her. She loves you, River.”
River ran out the door as if he’d just needed the extra push. Harper hoped her brother could pull his head out of his ass long enough to work it out with his girlfriend. Apparently, Jax and River had the same partial blindness to a good woman who loved them.
Harper stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, waiting for River as he came back in looking like a confused mess.
“What did she say?” Harper asked as he shut the door behind him and walked into the kitchen.
“She loves me,” River said, pulling out one of the worn books from the box Ella had brought.
“And you let her go?” Harper pressed in disbelief.
River rambled on about The Orchard Inn and how all their lives were tangled together.
Harper was still not sure if she was hearing her brother right. She loo
ked at him incredulously. “Are you kidding me? That doesn’t explain why you let her leave. Why are you two not making up?”
“I need time to process this, Harper!” River snapped, barely looking up from the old book he was reading. It reminded her of Jax yelling at her to get out of his apartment and she zoned out for a minute while her brother was talking.
“I screwed things up with the woman I love and I need to figure out how to prove to her I’m worth a second chance,” River finished.
She threw her hands in the air. “Ugh. Men! You have it right in front of you and you are too afraid to take it. They say women are the ones who make irrational and emotional decisions.” She grunted in frustration. “Don’t think that after everything you can just show up and she will take you back. You might have missed your chance,” she said before leaving River alone to read.
Harper grabbed her bag and left. She wanted to see Jax, and she was done waiting around. He’d had enough space. She began to walk down the street, deciding to enjoy the beautiful end of August weather while she called Isa.
“Hey, beautiful,” Isa answered. Her friend always knew how to brighten her mood.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“You feeling better?” Isa asked.
“Yeah, I’m not in pain anymore.”
“Did that man candy take good care of you? Making you soup and all that?”
Harper drew in a breath. “No. He’s barely texted me since I blurt out that I loved him Saturday.”
“What?”
“Am I too clingy?” Harper asked. Isa would give her honest answers.
“No. Is that what he said?” Isa asked, concerned.
“He said he needed space and that he had a lot of work to do.”
“Well, maybe he is really busy. You knew he was a career-focused man. But…”
“But?”
“Harper, the way he treated you after you got back from our trip was unacceptable. I know he apologized, but honey, you deserve to be regarded better than that. You deserve to be chosen first sometimes too.”