“Harper.”
My toast stops midway to my mouth, and I stare, shocked.
“She came here for you. I was going to wake you up, but I heard you up late last night. So, I told her you would call her.” She continues, “You can’t avoid her forever.”
I sigh and lean my head against the cabinets. “Don’t you think I know that?”
“Then, do something about it. You’re only causing harm here.”
I hold myself from talking back. Mom really doesn’t understand. I can’t talk to Harper. I feel like a loser. I ditched her because the pain within me was too much to carry. I’m upset that I did that. She loved my dad probably just as much as I loved him, yet I left her alone after his death.
I’m the worst friend.
“I’ll call her. I’ll try to make things right.” I sigh and hop down from the counter. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, I nod my thumb over my shoulder, toward the door. “I’m going out.”
She puffs out dramatically. “My daughter is going out?” She pauses and places her hand on my forehead. Looking up in a thinking motion, she hums. “Nope, you don’t have a fever. You must be going crazy.”
I push her hand away and scoff. “Be quiet.”
“Have fun. Don’t get pregnant,” she calls out as I head to the front door.
“I’ll make sure I get pregnant with twins,” I yell back and slam the door.
Rushing down the front steps, I hear her gasp.
She loves me.
* * *
As I drive down the narrow road, I eat the French fries I bought from a local diner. My window is wide open, causing my hair to blow in the wind. A smile lifts my face at the feeling of being free. I don’t know where I’m driving to, but I need space to clear my head.
Every time I go for a drive, I tell myself I’m going to explore and see an area of this town I haven’t seen before. But I always find myself in the same place.
The tree house.
My dad and I built it a while ago. I always go up there, dangle my feet through the wide window, and stare at the trees.
Nothing’s changed since Dad and I used to go up there together. I know it looks rough, but it reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of him.
Parking my car on the side of the road, I make my way down the path I know leads to the tree house.
Gripping the wooden ladder that’s hammered into the tree bark, I climb up slowly. When I was little, I hated climbing up here. I was constantly afraid I was going to fall. Nothing has changed to this day. I’m still nervous. I let out a relieved sigh when I get to the top and through the door.
Thank God I didn’t fall. Those steps don’t look promising now.
“What the fuck?!” A gasp leaves my mouth as I stagger back.
My feet fumble as I try to regain my footing. Leo turns his head in shock and lets out a curse, jumping up with incredible speed. He quickly wraps his arms around my waist to prevent me from falling to the forest floor. My chest slams into his, and we both tumble back into the wall behind him. I grip his forearms as he pulls me along with him.
Letting out an, “Oof,” he swears under his breath.
When he tightens his arms around my waist, I feel every breath he takes against my chest.
Scarlet, for sure, covers my entire face as his muscles strain against my body. He feels so good against me. Just right.
Leo’s fingers squeeze my waist, causing me to snap out of my dirty thoughts. Pushing away from my body, his arms fall to his sides. Leaving me suddenly cold and empty.
“What the hell are you doing up here?” I send him a shocked look.
