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“Language.” Max, Drew’s dad, hits him playfully. “Well, this is just the best news. We all saw this coming since you were yay high.” He motioned to when we were knee-high.
“Congratulations to you both. You’ve made me one ecstatic mother.” Samantha hugs us both.
My cheeks heat. Warmth swarms through my body, but instead of getting the serving dishes from the kitchen, Drew pulls me into his side and the rest of the room carries on as normal.
“Now, will you relax? I told you we had nothing to worry about. My family already treat you like a daughter. It was any other girl I brought home that had to worry because no one would ever live up to you.”
I giggle. I can’t help it. Nerves have always made me have fits of laughter. But this time, Drew stops me in my tracks by kissing me tenderly.
“Get a room,” calls Derren.
Drew throws a napkin at his head and pulls me into his side. I’ll never get fed up of being around this man. He makes me feel giddy in ways I never thought possible. Every nerve ending comes alive when Drew is near me.
I’m a sobbing wreck from the memory.
I pull away from Drew's hand and run for the stairs. The quicker I’m locked away behind closed doors, the better, but I’ve no such luck because Drew catches me and turns me in his arms.
“I’ve got you. I’ll always have you, baby. Ssshhhh.” He holds me tight and lets me sob.
There really is no point trying to run because he is only going to chase me or wear me down until I stop running. Drew picks me up carefully and cradles me in his arms. My head rests against his chest, and all I can hear is his beating heart. At one time, the sound of that heartbeat soothed every pain and horrible memory I had. Today, it only makes what I’m going to do so much harder.
Chapter 3
Harper
Drew left for work this morning, and I lay in bed, wrapped in the quilt. I was awake when he left, but I kept my eyes closed and pretended I was asleep. I can’t bear any more emotional outbursts today. I’m done. I’ve cried myself to sleep for the last eight weeks, and the physical and mental harm that is causing me is torture. I go to sleep with a sore head, and I wake up with a sore head. I’m not living anymore. I'm existing. I pick up my phone and see the missed calls and texts from my mum and Pete. I even see one from Drew that I ignore. I don't want to feel any more guilt than I already do. I climb out of bed, go into the bathroom, and open the medicine cupboard. I take out a bottle of Naproxen that I had for a broken arm a year ago and sit down on the floor. I look at the bottle for the longest time as tears cascade down my face. I've gazed at the bottle for long enough that it doesn’t even look like a medicine bottle anymore. I can’t remember opening it and filling my hand with tablets, never mind forcing the pills down my throat. I gag on every single one, but I only have one thing on my mind, and that is to end this misery. For me, for Drew, for my friends and family. Today will be the end for me, but a new beginning for everyone else. I’ll be with Angel again. I’ll be away from all pain.
I lean my head back against the bath panel and close my eyes. Drew won’t be home for hours, and by then, it will hopefully all be over. He will have the rest of his life to live.
Chapter 4
Drew
I’m sitting in the police car when my phone rings in my pocket. My partner, Carl, never takes his eyes off the road we’re driving on.
Harper's mum’s name is flashing, and my heart races. Something is wrong. Harper’s parents never call me at work.
I answer the call with no pleasantries. “What’s wrong?”
I know something has happened. I can feel it in my bones. My blood runs cold and my skin prickles.
“You need to come home, honey. Now. Please. Just...”
I hang up the phone, push the button for the blue flashing light, and tell Carl to take me home. The whole journey takes ten minutes, and in that time my heart is racing. I feel sick. My head is spinning. I need to see Harper.
The moment we pull into my street, there are blue flashing lights from the ambulance and police vehicles. My heart sinks. What the fuck is going on?
Before Carl even stops fully, I jump out of the car and fall over a kerb. I quickly straighten up and run up my path. Harper's mum and dad stop me from going through the door. They’ve both got tears running down their faces.
“No... please. No...” I pull my hair forcefully to keep me from falling.
“Paramedics are with her now. She had a faint pulse when I arrived...” Harper’s mum’s words trail off and it’s as if my world spins upside down.
“She was sleeping when I left. Please, God, don’t take her away from me,” I cry.
Carl squeezes my shoulder. I look over the street where spectators are starting to gather.
“I’ll get the area cleared,” says Carl.
