48. Harper
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
HARPER
Morning sunshine streams through the window, waking me from a deep sleep. I smile as memories of last night return to me. The high from eclipse. The party filled with masked spectators and naked couples in their rawest moments.
Felix making love to me in the maze.
I’m tingling all over, blissful and wholesome. What I have with Felix and Tyler is the most special thing I’ve ever experienced.
Rolling over in bed, I reach for Felix to wrap my arms around. But his side of the mattress is cold. I glance behind me for Tyler, frowning when I find myself alone. Silence meets me when I call out their names.
They could be in the kitchen, making breakfast, or cleaning up after the party. I head to the bathroom and take a quick shower before throwing on a dress, then make my way downstairs to the kitchen.
No Felix or Tyler in sight.
I call their phones, a little surprised when neither of them answers. Room after room I search, calling their names. When I peer out the window and find Felix’s Jeep parked out front, I know they can’t be far.
Strangely enough, their father’s car is parked beside it. Josh is at the trunk, loading a bag.
I don’t know why he’d be here, but his presence strikes me as odd. Is the visit random? A bad coincidence? Josh isn’t supposed to know we’re here.
A rush of nerves hit me. Tyler forged a note to his school from his father. Is that why Josh came to the beach house, to confront his sons?
I head out to the driveway, anxious but needing to offer an explanation to Josh. Or at the very least, ask where Felix and Tyler are.
“Hi, Mr. Blackwood.”
Josh closes the trunk, smiling as I step up to his car. It’s a tight smile. Not genuine at all. I’ve never had much interaction with Josh over the years. I don’t know him well, but I can tell he’s displeased about something.
“Good morning, Harper.” He opens the driver’s door. “I’m about to rush off for a meeting.”
“Ah… wait. Can you tell me where Tyler and Felix are?”
“I’m sure Tyler is around here somewhere. As for Felix, I have no clue.” Josh tries to remain pleasant, but his voice is clipped.
Now that I look closer, his eyes are red. As a businessman, Josh always presents himself well. He’s wearing a clean suit. His dark hair is neat. But he looks exhausted, like he hasn’t slept in days.
“Is something wrong, Mr. Blackwood?”
His gaze narrows on me with caution. “You haven’t spoken with Tyler?”
“No. I can’t find him.”
Josh sighs, resting a hand on top of the car.
“You know Felix and I have never seen eye to eye. I told him, when he came to live with your family, this was his last chance to clean up his act. I thought his behavior was improving, but a phone call from his school proved me wrong. Felix is skipping school and forging my signature.”
Just as I feared. I gulp down nerves, not wanting to throw Tyler under the bus, but needing to make this right. “Tyler is the one who?—”
“I’m aware of Tyler’s wrongdoing now. Regardless, I drove here last night to speak with Felix about his behavior, which of course, ended in an argument.
I’ve made empty threats in the past about his trust fund.
This time is different. I told Felix he’s permanently cut off.
I’ve already amended the trust fund. He’s also been removed from my will.
He won’t receive a cent. It’s the worst we’ve ever fought.
We said some harsh things to each other.
I’m not proud to say it even turned physical.
Felix took off without saying where he was going, just that he needed to be alone. ”
I’m stunned with concern. When words catch up to me, I pull my phone from my pocket, needing to speak with Felix immediately.
“You can’t contact him.” Josh retrieves Felix’s phone from his jacket. “Felix doesn’t want to be found. Considering the way he was acting, I don’t expect any of us to hear from him for a long time.”
My heart sits heavy in my throat. I hear everything Josh says but don’t understand how a word of it could be true. Why would Felix leave his phone and Jeep behind if he’s disappearing for a while? Why would he even need to be alone?
Josh said their fight turned physical.
My breathing accelerates, turning erratic. My thoughts are a blurred panic. Is Felix injured? I need to get to him. I need to take care of him. “Maybe you won’t hear from Felix for a long time, but he’ll be in contact with me today. I know he will be. How injured is he?”
“Harper, I would never attack my son. The fight was a few harmless shoves. He’s fine.”
“This still doesn’t make sense. Felix didn’t say anything to me. There has to be more to this story. Felix wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. He wouldn’t leave me at all. Why didn’t he take his phone and car with him?”
Josh takes a gentle tone with me. “Felix was furious. People do impulsive things when they’re in that state. I can see you’re very upset, but this is what Felix does. It doesn’t surprise me he’s run off. It shouldn’t surprise you either. He’s a volatile young man. You know this, Harper.”
My eyes sting. I shake my head. “You’re wrong. Felix has changed.”
Josh frowns. “Then I’m afraid you’ve fallen victim to his lies.”
No. It’s not true. I refuse to believe Josh. He doesn’t know Felix like I do. But it’s clear I won’t get any more information from him. “Where’s Tyler? I need to speak with him.”
As soon as I ask the question, the front door bangs open and Tyler rushes to my side. Torment lives within his eyes. He looks disheveled, as if he too hasn’t had a moment of sleep.
“Your dad says Felix has left?—”
“I know.” Tyler pulls me to his chest, wrapping me tight in his arms. “It’s okay, Harper,” he whispers. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
“Is what he said true?” I pull back to meet Tyler’s gaze.
He looks at his dad instead of me. Something foreign lives within Tyler’s eyes. A mixture of hate, resentment, and even fear. “Yes, Harper. It’s true. Felix is gone.”
I’m shaking. Tears flood my eyes and I can barely breathe.
“Dad, I’ll take it from here. You should get back to the city.”
Josh sits in the driver’s seat, with one parting comment before closing the door. “Harper, I’m truly sorry my son’s behavior has hurt you.”
I watch as he drives off, feeling broken. But most of all, confused.
The moment he’s out of sight, Tyler kisses my forehead and whispers, “Baby, I promise you, everything will be all right. I was listening in to your conversation with my dad. He fed me the same shit earlier. I don’t believe any of it.”
My gaze whips up to Tyler’s. I wipe the tears away. “I knew it was a lie too. His story doesn’t add up. But why would he lie?”
“I don’t know.”
“Your dad said the fight became physical. What if he hurt Felix worse than he’s leading us to believe? We need to call the hospitals.”
“I… Uh…” He sighs. “I suppose it’s possible. But I don’t believe my father would harm Felix.”
“I’m desperate, Tyler. I need to find him.”
“Harper.” There’s something conflicted in his eyes as he contemplates the situation.
He’s hurting and confused too. “I’ve been up all night thinking about this.
You and I know Felix better than anyone else does.
If he’s leaving us for a while, I trust that he needs to leave for a good reason, not because he wants to.
I’ve even contemplated whether my father is lying in an attempt to help Felix. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
It’s not the answer I was expecting. Tyler is trying to ease my panic, but his efforts backfire and I’m suddenly frantic.
“Do you think Felix is in trouble?” My mind is chaos as I pace the driveway, running through a list of scenarios. Theo enters my thoughts and my panic spirals. “Could it be something to do with Theo and eclipse? Could the police be involved? I was always so scared of this happening.”
“Baby, calm down. Please.”
“I can’t calm down! How can you be so rational about this? Where were you when the fight happened?”
“It was late last night. I was searching for you and Felix at the party. By the time I found you in bed, Felix was already gone. My father told me what happened. I didn’t sleep at all, too busy contemplating everything. I’m panicked but I’m trying to be logical.”
Tyler grabs my hands, forcing my pacing to stop. He cups my jaw, gently hushing me.
“Listen to me, Harper. Felix knows how to take care of himself. I don’t know what’s going on with my brother. But I trust him. Felix loves you more than anything and he’s coming back to us. He’ll be back as soon as he can.”
I take a deep breath and nod, wanting to believe Tyler. But instinct tells me something is terribly wrong.