“So you went to Rook?”
“I just didn’t know how to explain any of it, and I knew you would freak out. Rightfully so, but I just needed to know he wasn’t going to bother me again. I remembered what you said about Rook and his friends, and you seem to trust him enough, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask if they would help me.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she took a deep breath.
“Harper, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me you needed money? Or got a job? Or needed help? I feel like such a shitty friend. I didn’t know any of this.”
“No, it’s not your fault at all. It’s all just been so much, I haven’t known how to talk about it. You didn’t do anything. You are literally there for me every day,” she said.
“But I should have noticed something was going on.”
She smirked. “You think I can’t hide my issues? Yeah, right.”
“That’s true. The master at hiding your emotions. So Rook and them took care of things for you?”
“They did, and as you saw, I even took care of things a little myself.” She smiled, her shoulders rolling back.
“You liked it?” I asked, already seeing the answer on her face.
“I liked being in control of the situation. When he was grabbing me in the parking lot, I felt so helpless. I always pride myself on handling things, and it felt like there was nothing I could do. I liked being able to stop him. I mean, I obviously had some help, but that didn’t matter to him when he’s tied up and begging me to stop. Tables really turned on that asshole.”
“And what happened to him after?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Hero was pretty pissed and I’m pretty sure he cut one or two things off. Rook?—”
“Rook, what?” I asked, interrupting as I held my breath.
Her lips pursed together tight as if she was holding back a laugh. “Rook tattooed ‘pervert’ on his hands. He won’t be able to hide from anyone.”
My mouth dropped open. “Oh my god,” I said, lying back.
“Are you mad?”
“I’m mad that I’m almost jealous that I missed it.” I sat back up in disbelief. “I’m basically sad that I missed a man getting tortured? What is wrong with me?”
“I mean, I liked being there and helping a man get tortured, so if there is something wrong with you, there is something wrong with me. Does this mean you’re not mad?”
I spread my arms, forcing her into a hug. “No. I wish you would have told me, but I get that sucks to talk about. Maybe let me in on it first next time you go talk to Rook about torturing someone?”
“I can absolutely do that,” she said with a grin.
I huffed, realizing how little I knew about what was going on around me. From not knowing Harper had a job to not even being sure what my dad’s company was doing. Not only was Ilocked away from the world around me, I was shut out by the people I loved. Maybe not on purpose, but I had been shut out.
I didn’t want to be shut out or protected from the truth any longer.
“Tell me everything, Harper. Good, bad… Murdery. Just tell me. I’ve been kept from so much and you’re my best friend. I support you, even if that includes cutting off body parts with Rook. Actually, please tell me if that’s going to happen, so at the very least, I can be mentally prepared.”
She laughed. “I really don’t think that’s going to be a common thing, but I will for sure let you know if it will happen again. Would you maybe want to hang out for a while?”
“That would be great. Do you care if I draw?” I asked, surprised at how excited I was to finish the drawing I had been working on.
“Not at all. Dateline?”
“Please.”
She sat back, sinking onto the bed next to me. I wasn’t sure if I was caught up on everyone’s life yet, but I felt like I was getting closer.
Twenty-Seven
