Even without trying, she’d been good company in the car. Those things that remained unsaid still sat between us, but that bad atmosphere had lifted.
I glanced over at her cute profile as she looked out of the windshield at my mother’s street. The way her freckled, button nose was tilted into the air as she took in the view of our picture-perfect surroundings was encouraging.
Harper was transfixed on the lush, peaceful neighborhood. Everything seemed so much more superior to where we lived with Ma. The trees, which must have been the inspiration for the name of the street, seemed bigger and bushier, and the grass so much greener. Even the sun seemed to sit higher in the sky.
As if reading my thoughts, Harper muttered, “Maple Avenue. It suits the street.”
I pulled the car beneath the Red Maple tree where I had parked several times before and cut the engine. Leaning back in my seat, I pointed to my mother’s house. Harper’s nostrils flared as her eyes took in the looming gates only yards away. “So, what now?”
“Now, I'll go get some answers.”
“Do you want me to come in with you or wait here?” It was a relief that Harper was on board and being supportive. I’d been on the phone with Hudson when she’d appeared on the porch, and it was the first time she had looked at me without threatening tooff mewith her bare hands.
I ran my fingers down my jeans. “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought that far,” I confessed.
Initially, I had only wanted Harper along for the ride, but as reality kicked in, I knew I couldn’t go in there alone. The thought of confronting my mother had started to grind down my usual I couldn’t give a shit attitude. I clearly needed backup, as it turned out, Ididgive a fuck that day.
Checking the time, I noted that we were early, but there was no way I would wait around and make myself more anxious. I just wanted it done.
I toyed with my answer to Harper’s question before I replied. “Would you come with?”
Twisting her shoulders towards me, Harper’s eyes locked on mine. “Of course, whatever you need.” Leaning over the console, she reassuringly squeezed my leg. “You can do this, Phoenix.”
The confidence in her tone gave me the push I needed. Twisting the key from the ignition, I motioned for her to sit back in her seat. “Stay there,” I instructed.
Harper’s brow furrowed, “I thought you wanted me to come with?”
“I do, just do as you’re told and stay put a second.” My voice was firm as I knew that was the only tone that worked with this woman. She put up a good fight, but she embraced her submissive side when it suited her. That part had always called to my alpha, which was why I knew we’d be so compatible, once we’d cleared the air of past bullshit.
Pocketing the keys, I left the car and walked around to the passenger-side door. I could feel Harper’s eyes questioning my actions through the window.
Opening the door, I offered her my hand to assist her from the Jeep. For a moment, she peered down as if there was something on it. After a curl of my fingers, realisation spread across her face, and her eyebrows shot up into her hairline at my attempt to play the gentleman.
She placed her tiny hand in mine and grinned from ear to ear.
“Why, thank you, Mr. Carter,” Harper said with a chuckle as I assisted her from the cab of the Jeep.
Once her feet hit the sidewalk, I tugged her against my chest. “See, I can be a gentleman.”
“I never doubted that, Nix. I remember how you used to look after me.”
“You do?”
“Of course,” she replied, looking perplexed.
“I thought you only remembered the bad stuff.”
Harper shook her head slowly. “You were a sweetheart to me once. The boy I cared about is still in there.”
“Probably hiding behind the rutting beast?”
“Well, that too,” she smiled.
Her words gave me courage and strength, and I lowered my head and brushed my lips over hers. The kiss was fleeting, but I knew she welcomed it; I could tell by how her eyes fluttered closed. She tasted so sweet and the need to prolong the kiss charged through me, but I drew back, aware of why we were there.
“Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you,” I whispered.
“You’re stronger than you think,” she replied.
