I glance at our car and head in that direction. All this information spins around in my head, but I can’t do anything about it until I get home. We’ll sort through what we have and what my father found.
My chest aches and I rub against it. It’s different knowing my father didn’t abandon us willingly. But I can’t help wondering what actually happened to Luke’s mother.
Mom and I get into the car and the ride home is quiet. Not just because of the possible listening devices, but because I can’t stop thinking about everything.
When we get to our street, I see the guys’ cars parked in front of my house and my chest loosens. Tonight we can be together and figure out our next moves. We’ll get through this week and then the next until we graduate and leave this city behind.
Mom stops the car and touches my sleeve. When I turn her way, she puts a finger over her lips. I frown but nod. We can’t say anything in the house.
I release a breath and get out of the car. We have so much to go through. I don’t know that tonight will be enough.
Luke
When Jennifer’s car arrives, we’re all sitting around the living room. Nico has his leg up on the coffee table. It feels like we’ve waited for eternity. None of us talk. I shouldn’t have said anything to Eli, but hopefully it wasn’t loud enough that whatever bugs are here picked it up.
I can’t lose her. Those words give my father all the ammunition he’d ever need to hold me to him. I want to tear this house apart and find whatever he’s left behind, but we’re not doing that. No, we’ve already decided to use the listening devices to our advantage.
Last night we fucked up. I might be able to tell him theI love youwas fake. To make Harper trust us. To throw her mom offthe plan, but I’m not sure he’ll believe me. But I don’t have to worry about that right now.
Tonight, we’ll be temporarily free. Free from this city and free from our parents.
The door opens and Harper steps inside. I stand immediately. The others turn to watch her. Her eyes flood with tears and without a thought I cross the room to take her into my arms. She holds onto me as she shakes from the quiet sobs.
Jennifer pauses next to me and places her hand on my arm. She looks over at the others. Nico, Eli, Jack, and Caden. We all have somber expressions. She shakes her head.
“I’ll see you later.” She walks toward the stairs. “Have Harper home at a reasonable time.”
“We will,” Eli says.
Jennifer nods and heads up the stairs, disappearing into her room.
I stroke my hand down Harper’s back, and she finally looks up at me. Tears stain her cheeks and swim in her brown eyes. I cup her cheek and lower my lips to press against hers softly.
“Are you ready?” I wipe some of the tears away.
“Yes.” She turns to Jack and hands him her backpack. “Keep this for me.”
He takes it and brushes his lips over her temple. “What else do you need, sweetheart?”
She draws in a breath and rests her cheek over my pounding heart. Having her in my arms, I’m complete. I don’t need anything else.
Just her and my brothers.
That’s all I need.
She takes my hand and leads me upstairs like she doesn’t want to let me go. Caden follows us. Once in her room, she releases me and steps into Caden’s arms. He holds her against him and whispers something against her hair.
I’m grateful for the others. The jealousy that used to ride me early on is gone. I could never be what she needs me to be, what she deserves. But maybe we can fit our broken pieces together to be the whole heart she deserves.
“What do you need, princess?” I ask.
She sighs and steps away from Caden. His hand lingers on her hip.
“I’m good. I just needed a moment.” She touches his jaw. “Could you grab me comfy clothes?”
He nods and disappears into her closet. I follow her into the bathroom. She squats to dig in her cabinet while I grab what I know she uses every day. When she sees what I did, she smiles up at me like I gave her the moon and opens the bag from me to put everything in.
“Who knew Death had a heart?” She smirks and straightens.
