Page 24 of You Saw the Best In Me

There’s no way I’m taking her back to Gram’s house, and her punishment will be stuck in the confines of my apartment without her phone.

I don't say another word to her in the school; I wait until we’re in my truck and down the road before letting it out on her.

“What the fuck, Harper? Fighting in school? I had to leave work to come pick you up! You’re so grounded; it’s not even funny. You’re coming to my house and leaving your phone at Grams’,” I yell.

She’s trying to talk over me, but I won’t let her.

“Mav! You’re not fucking listening! I wasn’t fighting anyone. I didn’t lay a hand on any of the other girls. I was walking by and got pulled in by accident!” Harper cries, tears streaming down her face.

Fuck. I was too caught up in my anger to ask her what happened from her point of view.

I know my sister, and fighting isn’t in her bones.

Arguing? Definitely. Not physical violence, though.

“I’m sorry, Harp. You’re still staying with me, though, and completing all your work, deal?” I ask, turning around and stopping at a fast food place.

“Deal, thank you, Mav,” she says, wiping her tears and reading the menu.

“When you return to school, I’ll come with you and talk to the principal again on your behalf, okay?” I smile at her and prepare to fill her in on all the prank war details.

After we fill up on junk food, I take her back to Gram's house to pick up her things.

I plan to have a quick talk about her recent labs and get the hell out of here.

First, I tell her what happened with Harper, explaining her side of the story and promising to make it right.

“Your doctor called again. You need to get your shit together. I can’t keep running you in and out of the hospital,” I tell her, but she just waves me off like usual.

“I’m fine, Mavvy. Don’t fucking worry about me. Just pay the damn bills,” she says, and I choose to be the adult and walk away.

“Alright, I’m ready!” Harper yells from the living room, and we’re out the door.

Pulling out of the driveway, I get a new text.

Hi broody, are we still on for dessert?

I have to cancel. Harper’s staying over for a few days.

Is everything okay?

Fine, she got suspended.

Bring her over for dessert? I’ll be on my best behavior.

I’ll think about it, kitten.

I catch myself smiling at my phone again, and this time, Harper’s here to notice.

“Why are you making that face?” she calls me out, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Nothing. My neighbor invited you over for dessert tonight,” I say, her eyes widening in curiosity.

I drive us to the grocery store, Harper nearly bouncing with excitement over meeting Karina.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but having these two meet is a lot of pressure.

We stroll the aisles, comparing ideas on what we think her favorite dessert would be before settling on turtle brownies.