“This is what I’m so afraid to want,” I said, sliding up to rest my head on Jordy’s chest while my fingers tangled in Jase’s hair.
“What’s that?” Jase quizzed.
“Us like this.”
“You shouldn’t be. We want the same thing. I want this forever, Harper,” Jordy vowed.
“Thisisour forever, Harp.”
For the firsttime in far too long, I felt stable. I found comfort in knowing that Jase and Jordy would do whatever it took to protect me and preserve all our integrity. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to move in with them, but I was excited to see how things moved, going forward. I knew that they cared enough about Cameron to make sure that things remained respectful in his presence. I looked forward to a future with them and what that would look like.
When I spotted the city limits sign, I checked the rearview mirror just to make sure that Jase was still tailing us. He was there in the distance, giving us space without disappearing. I loved this dynamic. Neither of them tried to completely own me;any perceived competition was friendly. They both respected each other’s love for me, and I respected them for that.
The past few weeks reminded me why this thing worked so well in the past. Together, they were the perfect balance. They had both told me, in no uncertain terms, that my son, my reputation, and my peace would always be safe with them. Throughout the night, they talked, listened, and quietly reassured me that everything would be more than OK. I trusted them.
“You’re safe, Harper,” JoJo assured me as we pulled up to my house.
This was the third time he’d told me that since I agreed to move in with him and Jase after talking to my son. I wasn’t dragging my baby around from pillar to post like a rag doll. There was still so much at stake when it came to the whole situation that I wasn’t sure which way to go.
I missed Cam already and wanted to pick him up. He’d convinced my mom to let him stay with her another night since his cousins were still there. Since it wasn’t a school night, I didn’t force the issue.
I was relieved when I finally made it in the house. JoJo took my bag to my bedroom as I kicked off my shoes and stripped down out of some of my layers. Once I was comfortable, I plopped down on the couch and pulled my blanket up to my neck. Jordy settled beside me, resting his head on my shoulder as I channel surfed.
“I don’t have anything I want to watch. I really want a nap,” I told him, passing the remote control to him.
“Sounds good to me,” he said, pulling my body closer as he stretched out on the couch.
“We need to have a serious conversation when we wake up.”
“Fine. Close those big eyes and get some rest.”
I smiled and shook my head. He wrapped his arms around me as I got comfortable on his chest. It was at that moment that I realized that no matter where we were, as long as we were together, it would feel like home.
My heart nearly leaped from my chest as I woke with a start. Another series of banging brought clarity to the sound that woke me up in the first place.
“Who the hell is banging on my door like that?” I asked, sitting up, careful not to crush Jordy. Not that he was asleep. He was on his feet before I could get myself together to stand.
“I’m about to find out.”
“I got it, JoJo,” I said, walking past him and tearing the door open.
As the door swung, it swept the air out of my lungs. My ex-husband stood on the porch with his jaw clenched and his eyes bloodshot from a likely combination of alcohol and anger. My own anger bubbled so high that it took a moment for me to gather my thoughts.
“Hey, Harper. I finally bonded out, no thanks to you. Is this really how you want to leave things?”
“Why would I bond you out and with what money? Why would I do anything for you? You lied to me for months, Kendrick. I’ve been barely holding it together trying to pick up the pieces you left shattered. You signed the papers because you knew you were dead ass wrong. You lost access to me when you proved you couldn’t be trusted.”
“Harper.”
“You need to leave, Kendrick.”
“You have some nerve abandoning me when you knew I needed you,” he spat.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to try to get my family back, but now I see why the fuck you fell off the face of the planet and stopped taking my calls. That’s some foul shit you pulled, Harper!”
“Aye, you’re gonna have to lower your voice,” Jordy barked.
