Chapter 39 Harper
HARPER
Tucker had been staying at Cam’s with us so often that he brought Chaplin to stay with us. This cat was everything to me. He was so clingy to me and constantly would fall asleep on my stomach. It was so comforting. Almost like he knew what I needed, when most of the time I didn’t.
Over the past week or so, I have become an absolute couch potato.
I am tired most days and just want to sleep.
I silently thanked the universe that I got a break from school because of the holiday.
I could not wait to graduate in two weeks.
Work dragged, but I survived. I wasn’t sure if I was getting sick or just burnt out, but something just felt off.
I am lying in Cam’s bed alone because he went to grab stuff for our game night tonight.
I wasn’t even sure where Tucker went, but at least I had Chap.
I doomed scrolled long enough for it to be an appropriate time to call Lena.
Well, it was seven in the morning for her, but I missed her.
I added Wren to the call, too, even though she was only across the hall.
“The threesome returns, eh?”
I laughed into the phone. “Good morning, asshats!”
Lena replied first, yawning into the phone, “Morning dipshit. Thanks for the wake-up call.”
Wren laughed. “It’s good to hear from you, Lena. I could've sworn you had forgotten about us.”
“No, seriously, what the fuck?” I said in agreement.
Lena sighed. “Listen, guys, it’s nothing personal, I promise. Truthfully, I am just shit at time management and literally forget to do all my important stuff.”
“Like calling your family?” Wren asked in a tone that was angrier than her normal.
“Yeah. Like calling my family. Since Dax and I split, I haven’t been coping well, so I put my heart and soul into work. Anyway…” There was a momentary pause on her end. “What’s new?”
I should’ve assumed she was handling that as well as he was. I should’ve checked in more. I know Wren had tried without any luck, but at least I wouldn’t feel this guilty.
Wren spoke first, updating us on how house hunting is going.
“Do you guys remember that old woman we bought paint from at the farmers’ market?
The one whose husband passed, and then we tipped her a bunch?
” Lena and I both remembered. We reminisced about the memory and then urged her to continue. “Turns out she's Tucker’s grandma.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Yup. Don’t be mad. We made him keep this all a secret. But he owns her house now because she’s living in a fancy senior center now.”
I wasn’t mad, just completely shocked. Why wasn’t he living in her house?
Also, the fact that Tucker moved back here from Juniper Ridge, Wyoming, to take care of his grandma, whom I met before I even knew him, was…
weird. The universe wanted us together, or maybe it was just a coincidence rather than fate.
Wren continued talking. “It’s literally a block away from Harper’s house, and we have been talking about buying it from Tucker.”
Lena gasped on the other end of the line. “Wrennie! That’s amazing! What a big step! I’m thrilled for you!”
I closed my eyes, letting silent tears leave my eyes as they spoke to each other.
This was how life was supposed to go. You fall in love, move out, you get married, have babies, and life goes on.
But I had so many mixed emotions at the fact that it was my best friend, it was happening to.
She was happy with my step-brother, so loved.
Wren was basically going to be my neighbor, too, so we would be even closer.
So, what am I so worried about? I don’t know why the little voice in the back of my head is screaming that she will forget me or find me immature and not want me around anymore.
It made no sense. Why am I so emotional about this?
I shoved the thoughts down because acknowledging them now was definitely not the right time.
I missed the majority of what they were talking about because I was trapped in my head.
“What about you, Harper?” Lena asked.
“Sorry?”
“How are you? What’s new, Pinkie?” Lena rarely used that nickname, but I appreciated the timing. I wondered if she knew my mind was racing.
“Oh, I’m okay! I can almost move back into my house.” My chest tightened at the realization. I would be moving back home. Alone.
“Yeah? Are you excited?” Lena seemed like she wanted to ask more, but didn’t.
“Kind of? It’s been nice not being alone. Going back to a big, empty house will be strange.”
Wren cleared her throat softly, “Have you three talked about moving in together? I know it is early for that, but I feel like most of the time you are all together. I can’t imagine how cranky Cam will be without you.”
I laughed. She was right. He was a certified grump. “No, Tucker’s hinted at them staying for days at a time, but we haven’t really talked about it enough. Plus, this is home for Cam, who am I to ask him to pack up everything and move?”
Lena spoke up, “Harpie, you’re his girlfriend.
And when Wren leaves, he will also be alone.
So, either you guys all live in your own homes and continue the relationship, or move in together and continue the relationship.
But know you will never be alone. From the sound of it, this has gotten pretty serious. ”
“Honestly, I think it is. This is definitely what we all want. It’s weird it happened so fast, but I guess when you grow up and know what you want, things progress quicker.”
Lena sighed on the other line. “I can’t wait to come home, guys. I miss you both so much.”
“Two years is too long, Le. We are here whenever you want to come home.” Wren replied almost too quiet.
I patted Chap's head as another wave of nausea rolled in. What the hell is going on with me? “And if you can’t come home, we are just a phone call away, honey.”
The bedroom door cracked, and Tucker’s head popped in. He was wearing a backward baseball cap, and his hair was a bit shorter. He must’ve gone and got a haircut. And oh shit.
“Hey guys, sorry I have to go. We will talk soon, okay?” We said our goodbyes, making a promise to stay in touch, and then hung up.
Tucker was fully in the room, now sitting at the edge of the bed. Chaplin left me and lazily walked over to his dad. Traitor.
“You got a haircut!”
“I did.” He replied while petting our cat.
“And shaved your beard?”
His smile grew exponentially. “I did.”
His eyes met mine, and holy fucking shit. I read enough romance novels to know I fucking loved a slutty little mustache on a cowboy. My eyes must’ve been shaped like hearts because he asked, “You like it that much?”
I laughed and nodded. Ignoring my nausea, I slowly got out of bed, stretching on my way over to the end of the bed. “I fucking love it, Tuck. You offer free mustache rides?”
He laughed, throwing his head back. I loved it when he laughed like this.
His eyes shut and wrinkled at the corners, the way his shoulders shook, and the fact that you could see his entire smile.
Tucker’s smile was so fucking contagious.
God, I was so in love with him. I cut off his laugh when I grabbed his face and pressed our lips together.
He pulled back after a few quick pecks, but kept his face close to mine. “I love you, Sugar.”
“And I love you, cowboy.”
He smiled, showing off his chipped tooth, and began to stand. “Loverboy has everything set up for the little party. His only request was that when you're getting ready, you not to straighten your hair.”
My eyes widened and then narrowed in confusion.
Ever since I was a young girl, when I figured out you could have straight hair, I have been straightening mine.
I took breaks from it occasionally as I got older, opting for protective hairstyles like braids, but I rarely wore my curls.
But maybe it was time; it’s not like they were hard to manage.
This just had became routine for me. But if he wanted to see the full extent of my hair, he absolutely could.
Plus, maybe getting into the shower would help curb the nausea.
“Okay. But I need like an hour or a little longer to get ready. Is that okay?”
He smiled and checked his phone for the time. “Well, it’s almost noon now, and Cam just sent a text letting people know to come around two. So, you can have ‘til half-past one. That's okay, Princess?”
“Perfect. Would you like to join me?” I batted my lashes at him, earning a small chuckle.
“Sure, sweetheart. But you can't get my hair wet. It’s already been washed. I would love to learn your routine, though.” We were in Cam’s bathroom as he started the shower.
I grabbed towels from the small storage cabinet next to the vanity.
“Why do you straighten your hair so often? From the few times I have seen them, your curls are beautiful.”
I blew out a breath. “I think it’s an insecurity thing.
For as long as I could remember, I wanted to have normal, straight hair.
Some days, my curls were just too much. My mom, well, step-mom, never really learned how to manage them, so when I was younger, she always would say she wished I had hair like hers.
I assumed if she felt like that, then maybe there was something wrong with it.
So I learned how to straighten my hair with minimal damage.
Around twenty, I did a major chop and got braids because my ends were fucked.
But I’d love to just wear my curls. I miss them.
” I smiled softly at him in the mirror as he wrapped his arms around me.
“You were just a kid. You didn’t deserve that. You deserve to be loved just the way you are. Your hair is beautiful, Harper.” He kissed my temple. “Less straightening. You and your hair deserve better.”
I looked at him and nodded. He grinned and continued speaking, “Now teach me how to take care of it.”