by Kayla Carson
“Fuck!” I yelled, when I removed the piece of drywall and found an empty box. The only person that would have known about the missing money was Vanessa, which meant she was in my house. Tucking the gun back into my waist band, I ran outside to check on Harper. The police were pulling in, just as I was coming out, and I swore under my breath. If they searched me, I was fucked. I wasn't allowed to have a firearm, but when Vanessa escaped, I bought it to protect Harper. I just had to keep my cool.
“We got a call about a possible break in?” The first Officer said, as he approached me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yeah, I came by to grab a few things, and found the door unlocked. I took a walk through, it doesn't seem like anything's missing.”
“Can I get your name for the report?”
“Cole Stephens.” I said, immediately seeing the recognition in his eyes.
I glanced over at Harper, who was speaking to the second officer, and gave her a comforting smile. “Like I said officer, nothing was taken.”
“Would you still like to file a report?”
“No. I'm confidant that whoever it was won't be back again. I don't have anything of value, and I'm moving anyway.”
“Mr. Stephens, I would advise making a report. Especially considering your history.”
“Thank you officer, I'll think about it.”
“You have five days Mr. Stephens, after that we can't help you.”
“I understand.”
With a nod of his head, he signaled to his partner, and they got into their cruiser. When I joined Harper, she visibly relaxed. “Why didn't you file a report?” She asked, sitting on the hood of my car.
“Because I already know who it was.” I said, sitting down beside her. “It was Vanessa.”
Chapter 2
Telling Harper about the cash was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, as soon as the words came out. She said she understood wanting to have a cushion, to live an easier life, but that using drug money wasn't the answer, especially when it came from her sister. She was currently sitting out in the sand, reading a book, while I racked my brain. My hope was that Vanessa needed the cash to get out of town, start a new life somewhere, and leave Harper, and I the hell alone. I knew my hope wasn't the reality.
Sighing, I made my way towards the beach, and sat down beside my girl. “Hey.”
“Hey back.” She said, closing her book and setting it down on her blanket. “I'm not mad. I mean, I don't like that you lied to me, but I get it.”
“It was only a secret because it compromised my freedom. It had nothing to do with trusting you.”
“And the gun? That compromises your freedom as well.”
“When we found out about Vanessa's escape, I wanted to be able to protect you.”
“Do you really think she'd hurt me?”
“I don't know Sweetheart. People do the damnedest things when they're backed into a corner. It wasn't a chance I was willing to take.”
She smiled slightly, reaching for my hand. “I wish you didn't think of me as someone so broken.”
“You know that's not how I see you Harper. You're one of the strongest people I know.”
She laughed, removing her hand from mine. “I don't feel strong Cole. I feel.. angry. I feel like Vanessa's “protection” has robbed me of my life. I was talking to Zoe yesterday about the prom she's throwing at Harper's House. I've never even been to a school dance, let alone a prom.”
Standing up, I searched the beach for a long stick. “Hold that thought.” I said, holding my finger up, before disappearing down the beach. When I found what I needed, I started to write the words in the sand. After a few minutes, her curiosity was peaked, and she stood. “One more minute!” I called down to her, making her cock her head in confusion. She looked adorable, with her hand on her hip, and confusion in her eyes. “Ready!”
I stood back, admiring my handy work as she approached me. When she was close enough to read the words, I dropped down to my knee, and smiled up at her bright, and wide.
“Cole..?” She started with apprehension, before she realized what the words written in the sand actually said.
“Sorry Sweetheart. I didn't think before I dropped.” I laughed, as I stood again, taking her hands in mine. “What do you say? Will you go to prom with me?”
She laughed, bringing her hands to her lips. “What is this?”
“A prom-posal!”
“A what now?” She asked, her laughter increasing.
“All the kids are doing it.” I said slyly, reaching for her hands once more. “Come on, we'll rent a limo, and you can pick out a dress. Be my date?”
“You're serious.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
“You aren't really the romantic type Cole.”
“I'll show you romantic.” I said, scooping her up into a princess hold. She squealed, trying to squirm away, but my hold was too strong. “Not romantic!” I scoffed, as I carried her into the house, using my foot to shut the already open french doors behind us. Her arms laced around my neck, as her laughter finally ceased. She was about to speak when I set her down gently in a chair at the dining room table.
“What's all this?” She asked, her eyes growing wide in surprise.
“This is my I'm sorry I fucked up, let me make it up to you, I'm an ass, dinner.” I said, lighting the candles that sat in the center of the table.
“You cooked?” She asked, with a bit of fear in her voice.
It was warranted, I was a terrible cook, but I still pretended to be wounded. “I ordered take out.” I winked at her, sending her into a fit of giggles once again. “I love that sound.” I smiled, leaning down to press my lips to hers. “Now for the first course, mashed potatoes a la gravy, cole a la slaw, and chicken a la bucket!”
“You are such an Idiot!” She laughed out between breaths. Then, as seriously as she could muster. “Please tell me you got potatoes a la wedges?”
“But of course.” I said in my best French accent, kissing my fingers for good measure.
“I love you.” She said with laughter still in her voice.
“Does that mean you'll go to prom with me?”
“Absolutely.”
After dinner, we made our way to the back porch. The large swing in the corner was often where we spent our evenings when I stayed over. There was something relaxing in just watching the waves roll up to the shoreline, and crash back into the water. “I could get used to doing this every night.” I said, as Harper snuggled against my side, and I kissed her temple.
“Me too. I'm glad you agreed to move in.”
“There's no where else I'd rather be.”
“I've been thinking.” She started, taking a deep breath before continuing. “About what you said about the account Vanessa set up for me.”
“OK.” I said, encouraging her to go on.
“I want to donate it to Wes, and Zoe, to Harper's House. But... I also want to do something else.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“It may seem silly, but I'd like to open my own flower shop. I love working at Lily's... but I want something that's mine, just for me. Is that crazy?”
“Not at all. I think you should do it! Wes, and Zoe know a great Realtor, and I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help you find a property. Hell, you could even buy some land, and start from scratch!”
“You sound more confidant than me.” She laughed.
“Don't sell yourself short Harper, you practically run Lily's place, and she knows it. She'd be lost without you.”
“When you put it like that, I feel bad for wanting to leave her.”
“You know she'd support you one hundred percent, just like the rest of us will.”
“I don't know what I would have done without you all this past year. It's been hard getting used to the idea of having actual friends in my life, and not just doctors and nurses. Don't get me wrong, I made a few friends fr
om my stay at Polaris, but nothing lasting. It was hard to know who to trust there. It wasn't until Vanessa was in prison, that I finally began to feel normal. The doctors seemed to treat me differently, and then you came along. I don't know if I'd even be doing out patient therapy if it weren't for you.”
“I had nothing to do with your recovery. Once Vanessa couldn't control you any more you were able to come out of your shell, and find yourself. That was all you Sweetheart.”
“I'm grateful either way.”
“I'm proud of you Harper.”
“You know what? I'm proud of me too.”
Chapter 3
I drove Harper to work the next morning, and dropped her off with the intention of heading to Wes' place. When I drove down his road however, I decided against it. I'd disappointed him enough in my life, and talking to him about Vanessa wasn't at the top of my list. Instead, I headed into work to do the inventory. I worked in a distribution plant, loading, and unloading, as well as keeping track of the product. It wasn't much different than dealing, other than the whole being legal thing.
Everyone was against my taking this job in the beginning, not that I could blame them. A recovering addict working around alcohol eight hours a day may seem like self sabotage, but honestly I needed the reminder. I was addicted to pills, not liquor, and seeing the shit every day kept me sober. Harper was the only one who understood. She didn't see it as tempting fate, she saw it for what it was. Maybe because she'd been there too. Not with addiction, but with the need to prove something to herself.
I had been here for almost a year now, and I'd gained my boss's trust pretty quickly. I opened the doors every morning, making sure things were ready for when the others came in. I originally did the inventory after hours, but since Vanessa's escape I'd been leaving early. I wanted to make sure I was able to pick Harper up from work every night. Our house was in walking distance to the flower shop, but I knew she appreciated the extra care, and the boss man only cared that the job got done. Working here also gave me enough free time to help out at Harper's House when I was needed. All in all, I felt like it was a pretty good match for me.
“Morning Stephens!” Jim, my boss hollered as he entered the building.
“Morning!” I called back, wiping my hands on my jeans, before heading in his direction. “Everything's good to go boss man.”
“I heard you had a break in at your place yesterday?”
“How did you-”
“You forget my son's a police officer Cole?” He interrupted.
“Shit.” I laughed. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
“Anything missing?”
“Nothing important.” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I'm just glad I wasn't home when it happened.”
Jim shook his head knowingly, rubbing his finger and thumb under his chin in thought. “You need a few days off to take care of things? I can't imagine you had time to clean the place up yet.”
“Actually, that would be really helpful. I'm moving in with Harper, and I could use the time.”
“Moving in eh?” He teased. “Guess things are getting pretty serious. You gonna put a ring on it next?”
I laughed, shaking my head no. “Hell no. You should have seen her face yesterday when she thought I was proposing. She looked terrified!”
“I won't ask how you botched that one up. You kids do things ass backwards anymore. What happened to getting married before living with someone?”
“Waiting to learn about each other's annoying habits that you'll end up being stuck with for the rest of your lives? Nah, I'd rather live in sin. Make sure I can deal with the snores, or not shutting the kitchen cabinets. Hell, better to know early so you can get out while you can.”
“I've seen the way you look at that girl. You might be a cocky son of bitch around here with the boys, but she turns your ass into a purring kitty cat.” He laughed, before turning away to head to his office. “Oh, and by the way.” He called back. “You left your balls in the back freezer!”
I could still hear his laughter as he shut his office door. “Prick” I thought, laughing to myself. He wasn't wrong, but I wasn't letting him see that. After I'd finished loading two of the three trucks that were lined up outside the bay doors, I took my first break. A voicemail from Wes had me worried, so I checked it. He said he needed to talk to me, and to stop by after work. He also said to bring Harper.
I spent the rest of my work day wondering what the hell his voicemail was about. Did it have to do with Vanessa? I hoped like hell that it didn't. If she had been recaptured, Harper would have been the first to hear, and since I hadn't heard from Harper, I knew that wasn't the case. When the clock finally struck five, I let out a sigh of relief. I sent Harper a quick text, telling her I was on my way, and then I headed to the shop to pick her up.
I pulled into the small shop around five fifteen, and she was just flipping the sign from open, to closed. She gave me a small wave, and I smiled back as I watched her shut off the lights, and hang her apron on the hook by the door. After locking up, she came around to the passenger side, and slipped in. “How was your day?” She asked, as she put her seat-belt on.
“Oh you know, the usual. Jim called me a pussy, the guys watched while I did all the hard work, and I got a phone call from Wes, probably about something that I fucked up.”
“Wes called?”
“Yeah, he wants us to come by his place.”
“Now?”
“Yep.”
“Do you think it's about Vanessa?”
“I guess we're about to find out.”
Thirty minutes later, we were pulling into Wes, and Zoe's driveway. I noticed Zoe's brother Jake's truck was already parked beside Wes', and I rolled my eyes. Apparently they'd called a “family” meeting. I loved Wes, but ever since Harper and I started seeing each other, I couldn't help but feel like an outcast. Sure, the reason I reached out to her in the beginning was out of guilt, but when our relationship turned into something more, I could sense his reservations. Jake on the other hand, didn't seem to have a problem with it, in fact he and I became closer last year when Wes, and Zoe were on their honeymoon.
Taking a deep breath, Harper and I made our way to the front door, and I knocked. A few seconds later, a very pregnant Zoe appeared with a large smile on her face. She pulled Harper in for a hug, and ushered us inside. “I'm so glad you guys could make it!” She gushed, calling out to the other guests to let them know that we'd arrived.
“Not that I'm complaining.” I said, “but what is this about?”
“You'll see!” She said excitedly.
Wes, and Jake appeared from around the corner, and judging from the smells coming from the kitchen, they'd been cooking. “Beer?” Wes asked, as he tossed it at me.
“I'm driving.” I said, tossing it back.
Jake, and Wes exchanged looks, placing the beer on the kitchen table. “Come on, dinner's ready.”
I could tell Harper was just as curious as I was, but she kept quiet as usual. I pulled her chair out for her, giving her hand a slight squeeze when I took my seat beside her. She still felt overwhelmed around my family sometimes, so I just wanted to reassure her. She returned my gesture with a smile, before taking a generous sip of her wine. “I'm sorry.” She said, “I should have offered to drive. I've only had a sip, if you wanted a beer or two.. I can still drive home.”
“I'm fine Sweetheart.” I said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “Drink your wine.” I winked at her, and she blushed. It was adorable, the effect I had on her, and I found myself grinning from ear to ear.
Zoe cleared her throat quietly, to gather everyone's attention. Everyone except for Jake's son Gabriel, who was already digging into his meal with gusto. He was only three, and had his mother's passion for food. “This dinner serves a couple of purposes.” She started. “First off, Wes and I found out the sex of the baby today! It's a girl!”
“Congratulations Zoe!” Harper gushed, raising her glass in a mock toast, before taking an
other sip. I noticed her glass was nearly empty already, so when she set it down, I refilled it.
“That's not all.” Zoe said. “It's also a boy!”
“Twins!” Jake's wife Evie screeched excitedly! “Are you sure? Do they run in your family?” Switching her attention to Jake she added, “OK, you did not tell me twins were an option when we started trying for another baby!”
“Wait? You and Jake are trying for another baby?” Zoe asked with surprise. “When did you decide this? Why wasn't I informed?”
It was Jake who stood then. “Hold up, we don't need to tell you when we have sex without protection Zoe, it's weird, also twins do not run in our family.”
“Thank God.” Evie said, as she sat back down, clearly full of relief.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Zoe said, suddenly feeling hurt.
“Oh, uh, no honey not that twins wouldn't be a wonderful blessing! I just remember how hard it was with Gabriel. I didn't mean-”
Harper laughed then, draining her second glass of wine. “You all are hilarious.” She said, with a little snort.
“I think someone's a little tipsy.” I teased.
“I am?” She asked, giggling again. “I guess I've never really been drunk before.”
Zoe started crying then, and Wes placed his arm around her for comfort. “I'm sorry.” She said, wiping her tears away. “These hormones are making me crazy. It's just, twins must run in your family Wes, but we couldn't have known that. Your past is a mystery. What if there are other things that run in your family? Like genetic things?”
The mood in the room suddenly shifted, and even Harper in her inebriated state could feel it. Her eyes began to water, and she reached for my hand under the table. I rubbed my thumb over her fingers, and she took a deep breath. “You could find out. I mean if you wanted to.” She said, catching everyone's attention.