Chapter 137: TYLER

Avoiding her felt like the only thing that made sense when I finally parked inside my garage. The engine cut off, and the silence that followed settled heavy around me, like it had weight. I sat there for a moment, hands still resting on the steering wheel, trying to convince myself that distance was what she needed from me.

But it didn’t feel like relief.

It felt like I had walked away from the one thing I actually wanted.

I got out of the car anyway, dragging myself toward the house like every step took more effort than it should. Before I even reached the porch, the front door swung open and my mom was already there. She pulled me into a hug without hesitation, and I didn’t even try to pretend I was fine.

“I heard what happened,” she said quickly, holding me tighter before pulling back to look at my face. “And you didn’t listen to your father. He told you to wait for the police.”

“I know,” I muttered.

Her expression shifted immediately, like she was about to scold me again, but then she paused. Her eyes stayed on mine a little longer, reading something I hadn’t said yet.

“Tyler… what is it?”

That was all it took.

My throat tightened as I shook my head slightly, trying to hold it together and failing anyway. “When she wasn’t waking up… last night,” I said, my voice breaking despite me trying to steady it, “I had never been that scared in my entire life.”

My mom’s face softened instantly. She stepped forward again and pulled me back into her arms, one hand moving slowly over my back like she was grounding me.

“I tried staying away from her today,” I continued, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “I thought it was the right thing. But now…it just… it just feels wrong. Like I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.”

She didn’t interrupt. She just listened.

“Sometimes,” she said gently after a moment, “the right decisions feel painful. But sometimes pain is just a sign that something isn’t sitting right with you.”

I pulled back slightly, frowning. “I don’t get it.”

She studied me for a second before answering. “You’re trying to protect her by removing yourself. But you’re not the one who decides what she’s willing to risk. And you’re not the reason bad things happen to her either.”

I stayed quiet, letting that sink in.

“People wake up every day and step outside knowing something could go wrong,” she continued. “That doesn’t stop them from living. And it shouldn’t stop you from caring about someone.”

I swallowed. “But if something happens to her again…”

“Then you stand beside her,” she said without hesitation. “You don’t disappear. You don’t punish yourself for things you didn’t cause.”

Something in my chest shifted, like a knot loosening just enough for me to breathe properly again.

I looked at her. “Do you think she’d even forgive me? After the way I left?”

My mom smiled faintly, like the answer was obvious to her. “From the way she looks at you? I think she’s hoping you come back.”

That was all I needed.

I reached for my keys again without thinking twice and turned back toward the car. If I stayed even a second longer, I knew I’d start overthinking it again.

The drive to the hospital felt longer than usual, like my thoughts were trying to slow me down. Every red light lasted too long, every turn felt delayed, and by the time I got there, my mind was still blank.

I didn’t know what I was going to say.

I just knew I couldn’t stay away.

When I got to her room, her dad was sitting inside with her. The moment he saw me, he stood up slowly, like he had already decided something.

“I need a word with you,” he said.

I nodded immediately. “Okay.”

We stepped out into the hallway, and the air between us felt heavier than I expected. He folded his arms, watching me closely.

“I understand you’re the Westfield golden boy,” he began. “I understand attention follows you, and girls are always around. But you need to understand something too.”

I stayed quiet.

“My daughter has ended up in that hospital bed more than once now,” he continued, his voice lowering slightly. “And every time, it somehow connects back to you.”

I didn’t argue. I couldn’t.

“I’m not trying to stop anything between you,” he added. “But if you’re going to stay in her life, you need to make sure you’re not the reason she keeps getting hurt.”

My jaw tightened slightly. “I understand.”

He studied me for a moment. “I hope you do.”

I took a breath before speaking again. “I’m going to ask her out,” I said. “Properly. She’s not just someone I care about. She’s my girlfriend.”

Something shifted in his expression, but he didn’t interrupt me.

“I know I’ve made mistakes,” I continued. “But I’m not walking away from her. Ever again.”

He nodded slowly. “Then don’t make me regret letting you stay close to her.”

“I won’t,” I said.

He stepped aside after a second. “She’s waiting for you. I’m going to get her something to eat.”

I nodded once, then pushed the door open.

Harper was sitting up in bed when I walked in. The moment her eyes landed on me, she went still.

“I thought you left,” she said quietly.

Her voice sounded calm, but her eyes told the truth. She’d been crying. That alone tightened something in my chest.

I moved closer immediately. “What happened?” I asked. “Does your shoulder hurt? Are you okay?”

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Like hell it hurts. I don’t even understand how you’re still using your arm with that rotator cuff injury.”

I let out a quiet breath, almost smiling. “I have a very stubborn physiotherapist.”

That got a small smile out of her, and for a moment, the tension eased.

I took her hand gently, and the room fell into a quieter kind of silence.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “For leaving earlier. For making you feel like I was giving up on us.”

Her fingers tightened slightly around mine.

“I just hate seeing you hurt,” I continued. “And I hate that I keep being part of the reason it happens.”

She tilted her head slightly, trying to lighten it. “Well, the hospital look definitely suits me more than it would suit you.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “Don’t say things like that.”

Her smile faded a little, and the moment shifted again.

“I love you,” I said.

The words came out easily, like they had been waiting.

“I should’ve said it properly a long time ago,” I added. “I kept thinking I had time, but I don’t want to keep waiting anymore.”

She laughed softly, even with tears in her eyes. “You’ve said that part already.”

“I know,” I said. “But I mean it.”

I leaned in a little closer. “I don’t want you second-guessing where you stand with me. Not anymore.”

Her gaze stayed on mine.

“Harper,” I said quietly, “will you be my girlfriend?”

She didn’t answer immediately. She just looked at me, like she was letting the moment settle properly.

Then she nodded, smiling through the tears. “Yes.”

Something in my chest finally eased, like I had been holding my breath all day without realizing it.

I leaned in and kissed her, gentle at first, careful of her shoulder, careful of everything. But she kissed me back, and that hesitation disappeared on its own.

When I pulled back, I rested my forehead lightly against hers, closing my eyes for a second.

Everything still wasn’t perfect.

But I wasn’t running anymore.

And that felt like the right place to start.