Chapter 44
HARPER
After Sophia leaves, I knock on Dan and Mitch’s door to let them know I’m home.
“How are you doing?” Dan asks, his face a picture of concern.
“Surviving,” I tell him truthfully, offering what I know must be a very weak smile. “But I’ll get there. I just want this to be over. Hopefully, with the new evidence…”
He nods and gently squeezes my arm. I’m fooling no one with my ‘I’m fine’ routine, so why bother?
“I saw you had a visitor,” he says.
I nod. “Yes, I messed up at the office. Alex covered for me. Sophia was fishing for an explanation.”
She’s not the only one who wants to know why. Alex is a perfectionist who doesn’t make mistakes, and everyone knows that. But today he covered for me when he didn’t need to.
“Hang in there. If there’s anything Mitch or I can do, you just need to let us know. In the meantime, know that the team is working on the information you gave us.”
“Thank you. I know everyone is working hard behind the scenes. It’s just… finding out about Dad.”
I can’t even bring myself to say the words.
He sighs. His expression softens. “It’s okay to be scared.
You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t. But know that we’re here and that there’s a team scouring the social media accounts of the people you named at the party.
Seven years is a long time. It’s not going to happen overnight.
They’re also working to recover your accounts to see if they can find anything. ”
I nod. “I’m grateful you’re here. Please know that.”
“We’ve got you,” he says with a smile.
“Let me know if you need me,” I say before turning and leaving.
* * *
I’ve sat in the same spot for hours, staring into space.
Without realising it, this apartment has become my sanctuary, the only place I can be myself, whether that’s Harper or Brooke. And I’m grateful for the two men sitting across the hall.
My phone rings, jerking me into the present. Alex’s name appears on the screen.
I close my eyes, inhaling deeply before answering. After today’s fuck-up, I deserve to be reprimanded.
“Alex,” I say. “About earlier, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. I promised I’d be okay, but then…”
“Brooke, stop. It’s okay. No damage was done. And it’s as much my fault as yours. I should have realised.”
The rich warmth of his voice settles my frayed nerves.
“I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. How’re you doing?”
“I’m…”
“Please don’t say fine. You’re not fine.”
“No, I’m not. You’re right, but it’s nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix, as I told Sophia when she popped in to check on me.”
“My mother came to see you?”
“She did.”
“Sorry. She was adamant that I don’t make mistakes,” he says, letting out a huff.
“And she’d be right. You don’t. You didn’t. I did,” I say, sitting back on the sofa and pulling my knees up, wanting to know why.
“I’m the boss. The buck stops here.”
Of course it does. Why else would he have done it? He blames himself for not sending me home.
“Well, thank you. It won’t happen again.”
“Get some rest over the weekend. Next week is going to be crazy. We may be in New York, but there will be a lot going on. I need you on top of your game to help keep me afloat. Can you do that?”
I smile, even though he can’t see me. “Aye, aye, Captain. And Alex, thank you again for being understanding.”
“We all have things, Brooke. Sometimes they bubble over when we least expect it. I know something has happened, but I’m not going to pry. However, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s nothing an early night can’t fix,” I lie, wanting nothing more than to tell him everything.
But my lies are getting more convoluted, and in my current state of mind, I’m going to struggle to keep up the pretence.
“Have a good weekend. See you on Monday.”
“You too, Alex.”