Chapter 8 #4
“It’s okay. I resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never have his support on anything that isn’t his idea a long time ago.”
“Doesn’t mean it makes it any easier to deal with, I’m sure,” Clay said.
“He doesn’t care. All he wants is me to take over this damn tree farm.
Doesn’t matter what I want, what I feel, what I need.
‘Just keep the trees going! You can’t let all I’ve worked for, all our family worked for disappear.
And what about the community? The town? They depend on us.
Make sure you keep the community happy — they’re depending on you during the holidays, Harper!
’ I’m so tired of having to be him. He chose this life, not me.
It’s like I don’t matter. I feel like the only reason they had me is to become his replica when he can’t do it anymore.
” Tears started to sting her eyes and she turned away from Clay while she blinked them quickly away.
Clay pulled her in to his arms, hugging her and sending waves of comfort to her. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, but she didn’t sound convinced.
“Look, I can’t explain how at the moment, but I know it’s going to be okay. Just focus on that. Believe me when I say it. Just don’t lose sight of what it is you want. It’ll happen.”
Harper nodded, then squeezed him a little tighter before she pulled away from him.
She gave him a half-hearted smiled, but he could tell it wasn’t real, it was just for his benefit.
She pulled herself together enough to redirect their conversation.
“So, maybe you’ll remember to let me know if you decide to go home tonight or tomorrow? ”
“You want to know when I’m leaving?” he asked with a smirk.
“Yes. And I’d like to know when you get there, too. So I won’t worry.”
“I can do that,” he said.
They sat quietly for a few seconds, then Clay turned just enough in his seat to look directly at her. “Do you forgive me?”
“Oh, I can find my way to forgiving you, especially since you said it was because you cared about me. But I’m not so sure Summer will feel the same way. I mean, she was punished just because she’s my friend.”
“Do you really have to tell her? She’s kind of mean. It could be our little secret. Something we worked out between the two of us,” he suggested half playfully.
“See, that’s the thing about me. I’m all loyal if you’re my friend. I don’t lie, not even by omission, because that’s how I want them to be with me. I have no choice but to tell her.”
“Yeah, I figured. And that’s actually one of the things I always admired about you.”
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The front door opened again and Libby stepped out. “Harper, Summer is still waiting. I can tell her you’ll call her back.”
“No, thanks. I’m coming right now, Mom.”
Libby went back inside, and Clay reached for Harper’s hand. “I want you to know that you mean so much to me.”
“Me, too. And I want you to know that I know you didn’t plan or mean for anything…”
Clay’s hand shot out and he pressed a finger to her lips, then shot a warning look toward the house to remind her that her father was probably listening.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
“He’s probably listening to every word. We’ll talk more about it later when there’s no chance of anybody overhearing us. ”
Harper nodded. “I’m going to go inside. Summer’s probably pacing a hole in her living room carpet waiting for me to answer her call.”
“Okay. Take care of you, Harper. I’ll let you know when I’m leaving.”
Harper nodded, opened her door and got out of her car. “I’ll talk to you later then.”
“Yeah. You will,” he said as he got out and walked around to her side of the car.
“Thanks for lunch, and for… everything.”
Clay pulled her in to his arms, hugging her and sending waves of comfort to her. “No, thank you. Absolutely perfect couple of days with one of my very favorite people. I needed this.”
Harper hugged him closer for a few seconds then stepped back.
“Was pretty great,” she said, but she didn’t sound happy.
“Look, I can’t explain how at the moment, but I know everything is going to be okay.
Don’t let your dad get inside your head.
Just focus on what you want for your future, and don’t waiver from it.
It’ll all work out. Believe me when I say it.
Just don’t lose sight of what it is you want. It’ll happen.”
Harper nodded, then hugged him again quickly before she started walking toward the house. She nodded as she smiled at him, but he could tell it wasn’t real, it was just for his benefit. “So, I’ll hear from you when you decide what you’re doing?”
“Yes, you will.”
“Drive safe whenever you go, okay? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I will. And you take care of you no matter what you’re doing. I’ll be back in a few weeks after finals. I’ll keep in touch, though, when I can.”
“I will. And I’d wish you good luck on your tests, but you don’t need it. You never did,” she said, rolling her eyes to make him laugh before she went inside.