Chapter 24 Harper
HARPER
Iwoke up to an empty bed. The sheets still smelled like him. Well, it technically smelled like us, because I used his body wash last night, but he was gone, and the space beside me was cool.
I reached for my phone and checked the time; it was ten o’clock on the dot. It was hard to believe it was already October. I decided to give Lena a call just to check in. I was hoping she would pick up. It hadn’t been long since I had seen her, but I missed her already.
“Harpie! I just heard your voicemail. What the ever-loving fuck is going on over there?”
I laughed into the phone. “Honestly? So much. Where do I start?”
I could practically see her shaking her head on the other end of the phone.
“Maybe start with what the fuck happened after the voicemail?” Someone mumbled something in the background, and Lena responded quickly, “Dax, if I eat one more piece of avocado toast for breakfast, I’ll wither away and die.
Can we please just have something sweet or bacon? ”
I snickered at their argument. Their personalities go really well together.
Lena was headstrong, while Dax was more laid back.
They both were pretty fashionable, too. Them together just made sense, even though there was a thirteen-year age gap.
He knew what he wanted, and all she wanted was him.
I really hoped they were going to work through the distance.
“I’m not on speakerphone, right?”
“Nope!”
“Good. So, here’s what happened.” I gave her the rundown of everything last night. From the moment I left the bathroom after the voicemail I left her to the moment Cam tucked me in. Sparing no details, even though that was her cousin.
“Does Wren know? About you and Cameron?” she interrogated. “Does she know about Cam? Does Cam even know about Cam? This is out of character for him, but then again, I can’t remember the last time he even was interested in anyone.”
I sighed. “No. Not yet. He said he needed time to think, but I think this is Cam. I think he was so focused on everyone else for so long that he is finally learning things about himself.”
She sighed. “You’re going to have to tell her, ya know? At least about you and Cam. Especially if this triad thing is going to happen. She deserves to know.”
“I totally agree, I’m not outing her brother to her. I know she won’t care, but that’s his story to tell. Plus, I’m not sure if anyone is ready to call this something. It’s too new. But I will tell her about Cam and me.”
She groans into the phone. “You’re so right. Well, have the hard conversation with the boys and see where that goes. Then, together, decide how to tell your siblings. Don't wait for them to figure shit out on their own. We saw how well that worked with your brother.”
I laughed into the phone. “I won’t wait. Scout's honor, or whatever they say.”
I could practically hear the smile in her voice, “So… Tucker, huh? Saving the day again with his hot muscles?”
“Yeah, my hot cowboy contractor is back in play! It was so nice to just be with him last night. I wish he had stayed.”
“I’m sure he’ll be back!” She reassured me.
“How’s Oregon?”
We chatted for a bit about how things were going for her.
Apparently, Dax stayed for her first few weeks of work and to help her unpack, but is leaving tonight to come back to Sawyers Cove.
After he boards his plane, that’s it for them.
She sounded heartbroken but so understanding.
She was excited about her new life, but nervous.
Lena let me know it would probably be six months to a year before she moved back home, but she would visit when she could and call all the time.
I updated her on the house stuff, and then we wrapped up our call.
“I’ll video call you in a few days to check in, okay? Will you be okay for a few days?”
No.
“Yeah, of course! Tell Dax to get home safe! Have a good work week, babes! Love you, Le.”
“I will, honey. Take care of yourself! And talk to your best friend, please. She loves you and deserves to know. Love you, Harpie.”
I hung up the phone and let out a loud sigh. Really wishing she had just stayed here. I lay quietly for a few minutes until I heard… voices? Muffled but familiar.
I sat up slowly, stretching as I stood up. Digging through my clothes, I opted for a black crewneck with a ghost on the front and a pair of black leggings. I padded down the hallway to the bathroom to get ready. I let out a dramatic yawn as the door closed.
My hair was an absolute mess. It was still straight but sticking up everywhere. I brushed it, then put it up into high pigtails, leaving out pieces to frame my face.
I brushed my teeth and applied my favorite strawberry Chapstick.
Decided on keeping my makeup simple today because I wanted to see my house, and I knew I would probably cry.
I put on waterproof mascara and decided on adding eyeliner too, but it still didn’t feel like enough.
I applied a bit of blush across my cheeks to wake up my face a bit.
After last night, I looked and felt fucking exhausted.
When I was content with how I looked, I walked out of the bathroom. I heard voices from the kitchen and hid next to the entryway to eavesdrop on whoever it was.
“Wait,” Wren's voice was sharp with disbelief. “You’re really doing it? Like—for real?”
“Already talked to my accountant this morning,” Cam replied casually.
“It won’t be too much of a loss with all the money I have across my accounts.
Everything will be ready to go on Monday, well, tomorrow.
Perks of owning your own business: you get your own accountant who is willing to work on a Sunday. ”
“For Harper? My little sister? Your literal enemy for like over a decade?” Reed questioned, and I could hear the chair squeak as he leaned forward. “You’re giving her cash to pay for her house?”
“Yeah,” Cam replied. “She may not want it, but she deserves it. I can swing it, so I’m going to.”
“Dude,” Wren said, voice softer now. “Are you secretly a millionaire? That’s… really generous.”
There was a pause. A silence I felt more than heard.
Then Reed laughed under his breath, but it sounded more like a scoff.
“You sure you’re not in love with my little sister? I asked you before, and you said no. But Cam, this is something I would do for someone I love. This is your time to come clean. Are you?”
My breath caught in surprise. Cam didn’t laugh. He didn’t crack a joke or deflect. He just… didn’t say anything. The silence that followed was heavier than anything else that had been said.
I could imagine it—Wren and Reed exchanging looks, watching him, waiting for the punchline that never came.
And then, in the smallest, calmest voice I have ever heard Cam use, he said. “I think so.”
I stepped back from the entryway to the kitchen before they could see me, heart pounding, mouth dry. I pressed a hand to my chest, like I could hold everything inside.
He was serious. He was really doing this. And he was doing it because he loved me. I wanted to run in and kiss him, but instead I took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward me—Wren leaning against the counter by the sink with a mug in hand, Cam leaning against the fridge like he hadn’t just shattered my entire emotional foundation, and my big brother, Reed, sitting at the kitchen table with both hands wrapped around a half-empty coffee mug.
Reed stood the second he saw me.
“Hey, kid,” he said, soft and serious, already pulling me into his arms.
My brother looked more exhausted than usual, his skin starting to lose its summer tan.
I think he was working on growing his beard out, and it suited him.
The scruffy hair on his face was lighter than his almost black hair.
His green eyes shone when he looked at me.
He was warm and steady and familiar—like nothing could hurt me when I was in his hold.
My chest tightened as I hugged him back.
Even though we were step-siblings, Reed had always taken care of me.
He was a kid himself when we moved out, but he never missed an event I was a part of.
I was never late getting to school, and he was never late picking me up.
The only constant in my life was my big brother.
“I’m so damn sorry about the house,” he murmured, holding me a little tighter. “I wish you had called me, Harp. I had to hear it from Wren. But I’m glad things are going to work out.”
I pulled back enough to look up at him, guilt flickering across my face. “I know. I just… I didn’t want to make it a whole thing. I didn’t want you to worry about me.”
“It is a whole thing, and I always worry about you,” he said gently. “You never have to go through anything alone.”
I nodded. I stepped out of his embrace, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. “I haven’t been alone. I really am okay.” I shot a small glance in Cam’s direction.
Reed gave a small smile, the kind that said he didn’t quite believe me but wouldn’t push it—at least, not here.
“I’d like to talk to you. Just us,” he said, glancing briefly at Cam and Wren. “If you’ve got time.”
I looked at Cam, whose expression was unreadable, then at Wren, who just gave me the tiniest nod.
“Now’s better than ever,” I mumbled, turning back to Reed.
He nodded and motioned toward the front door. “Let’s take a walk.”
I followed him, sliding on my jacket and Vans.
The autumn air was cooler than the previous day.
The early afternoon light barely cut through the cloudy sky.
Several of the oak trees’ leaves started changing color.
Every fall, I was stunned by the beauty of Michigan.
So many red, orange, and yellow leaves floated down following the breeze.
We walked in silence for a few beats, fallen leaves crunching beneath our feet, before Reed let out a slow breath beside me.