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“We’ll talk outside,” I cut her off, my voice gruff.“We’re not doin’ it in here.”
I glance at Janine, who is staring at her feet, and fuck, I hate how much this hurts her.
“Wait outside,” I tell Harper, and watch as she nods, swiping a tear and walking outside.
Taking a step toward Janine, she stops me with her hand up.“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain yourself.I know you weren’t expecting her.Go, make sure she’s okay.”
“I ended it with her, Jaybird.I meant that.”
“We’ll talk after,” she says, softly.“Just make sure she gets home safe.”
Nodding, I give her a long look before turning and walking outside.Harper is standing on the porch, soaked, and still sniffling.She turns when I step out and gives me an embarrassed look.“I know I shouldn’t be here, Brian, but you won’t answer my calls and ...I feel like I’m going crazy.I can’t control my mind.I can’t stop thinking about you.I want you.Do you know how that feels?”
“Know exactly how that feels,” I murmur.“But, Harper, I made myself clear.I don’t want to hurt you, and it fuckin’ kills me to see you cry, but I made my choice.”
“What about Charlie?”she cries, “What about everything we had?We were so good together, Brian.So good.You loved me, I know you did, and I know you still do ...”
“You’re right, I do,” I answer her, “but I love her more.She’s my future.I don’t want to have to hurt you, Harper, so I’m askin’ you, please fuckin’ leave.”
She sobs loudly, and it breaks my heart.
Fuck.
I don’t want to hurt her, I truly don’t.
“Please,” she begs, stepping forward and clutching my shirt, “please don’t leave me.I need you.I love you.I don’t want anyone else.I can’t live without you, Brian.I’m begging you.Please give me a chance.”
“Harper,” I say, my voice stern even though I hate having to speak to her like this, “it’s over, nothin’ you do or say will change that.I need you to accept it, and I need you to move on.”
“Ican’t,” she screams.“I can’t.”
“You can.It hurts, I know, but you can get through this.”
Shoving me back, she turns and stumbles down the front steps.Following her, I reach for her arm and stop her, the rain soaking my hair as I do.“Let me take you home.”
“No,” she screeches, her tiny fists slamming into my chest.“No, fuck you.”
Then, she turns and runs, disappearing into the rain.
“Harper!”I bark, but she’s gone.
Fuck.
Fucking hell.
I walk out onto the street, looking up and down, but she’s nowhere to be seen.Storming inside, I get my keys and take my truck around the streets, but she’s gone.I can’t do anything else to help her right now, she just needs to process.Heading back home, I walk inside, soaking wet, and Janine is standing in the kitchen.She stares at me, and, for the first time, it’s not with hurt, it’s with pity.
She feels for her.
“She really loves you,” she whispers.
“Didn’t mean for you to see that,” I growl, throwing my keys down.
Turning, I walk toward the stairs, but Janine stops me by calling my name.
I look back at her.
“When you’re dry, I want you to tell me about her, about Charlie, about everything.”
