Chapter 144 HARPER

Chapter 144 HARPER

“Don’t panic. Don’t panic,” Tyler kept saying, his hands hovering like he didn’t know whether to hold me still or let me move.

I was already pacing.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

I didn’t even realize I had started until I was halfway across the living room again, my thoughts running faster than my feet. I didn’t know what was worse, the fact that Racquel was still in town, or the fact that she had broken into Tyler’s house like it was nothing.

“She was in your room, Tyler,” I said, stopping to look at him. “Your room.”

“I know,” he said quickly. “I know, but she’s gone now.”

That didn’t help.

It really didn’t.

Someone stepped into my line of sight, hands raised slightly like he was approaching a wild animal.

“Look, Harper,” Mark said, his voice low, careful. “I’m sure things are under control right now. We already told Tyler’s dad. He’s filing a restraining order against both of them.”

I swallowed, trying to hold onto that.

“If either of them even tries anything,” he continued, “it won’t slide this time.”

“Yeah,” Tyler added, stepping closer and catching my wrist before I could start pacing again. He pulled me gently toward him. “Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”

I wanted to believe him.

I really did.

But promises didn’t stop bullets. And I still remembered exactly how it felt when one tore through my shoulder.

I nodded anyway, pressing my forehead lightly against his chest. “Okay,” I said, even though I didn't feel it in the slightest.


The next day came, but nothing about it felt like a fresh start.

If anything, it felt worse.

The outing was loud. Too loud. Music, laughter, people shouting across the open space like nothing in the world could touch them. Blankets were spread across the grass, drinks passed around, groups forming and breaking apart every few seconds like no one planned to stay in one place for long.

Most of the seniors had shown up.

Apparently skipping one Saturday of ‘developmental skills’ wasn’t a big deal when there was a picnic involved.

I sat on the edge of one of the benches set up near the field, watching everyone move around like they didn’t have a single thing to worry about. Someone laughed too loudly behind me. Another group ran past, arguing over something pointless.

It all felt… distant.

Like I was there, but not really part of it.

My hand drifted to my shoulder without me thinking about it, fingers pressing lightly against the spot where the bullet had gone through. The memory came back too easily. The sound. The impact. The way everything had gone wrong so fast.

And then Tyler’s voice from last night.

‘Racquel is still in town.’

I pressed my fingers a little harder against my shoulder.

“Harper to earth.”

I flinched slightly, turning my head as Tyler dropped down beside me.

“You okay?” he asked, watching me closely.

“Yeah,” I said quickly, pulling my hand away from my shoulder like he hadn’t already seen it. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“I know you’re worried,” he said. “And honestly, this,” he gestured toward the crowd, “isn’t doing you any favors.”

I huffed a small laugh. “You think?”

He smiled faintly, then nudged my shoulder. “I might have something that helps though.”

I turned to him, curiosity pushing through the fog in my head. “What kind of something?”

He leaned in and kissed me before answering, like that was part of the explanation.

“Come on,” he said when he pulled back. “It’s a bit of a gamble.”

“A gamble?” I repeated, raising a brow.

“Yeah,” he said, standing and holding his hand out to me. “Fifty-fifty chance you either love it or hate it.”

I slipped my hand into his, letting him pull me up. “And you’re just taking that risk with me?”

“I’m hoping I picked right,” he said.

I smiled despite myself. “I’m sure I’ll love whatever you planned.”

“Good,” he said. “Because I can't refund anything.”

I laughed softly as he led me away from the noise, back toward the building behind the field. The closer we got, the quieter it became, the sounds of the picnic fading into something distant and dull.

Inside, it was even calmer.

The halls were mostly empty, just the occasional group passing through. Tyler didn’t stop, guiding me toward the stairs and up to the next level like he already had everything mapped out.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” he answered.

We reached a hallway lined with closed doors, all of them looking the same. He stopped in front of one and pulled out a key.

I blinked. “Wait… is this allowed?”

He glanced at me, a small grin forming. “Define allowed.”

“Tyler,” I said, lowering my voice slightly. “These rooms aren’t free. Last time I checked, you have to pay a ridiculous amount to book one.”

He unlocked the door, then looked back at me with a small shrug. “Trust me. It barely dents my allowance.”

I stared at him for a second.

Sometimes I forgot.

I knew Westfield was full of kids. I saw it every day. But moments like this reminded me that some of us lived in a completely different world.

“Right,” I muttered. “Of course it doesn’t.”

He chuckled softly and pushed the door open, stepping aside. “After you.”

I walked in slowly.

It was dark.

Not just dim, but properly dark, like the curtains were pulled tight and the light from outside wasn’t allowed in. For a second, I couldn’t see anything at all.

“Tyler?” I said quietly.

“Hold on,” he replied.

Then the lights came on. And I froze.

The room looked nothing like what I expected.

Soft lighting glowed from different corners, warm and low. Candles lined the surfaces, their flames flickering gently. Rose petals were scattered across the floor and the bed, leading inward like a path. Above, tiny lights spread across the ceiling, dim and scattered in a way that made it feel like the night sky had been pulled indoors.

It was… beautiful.

Actually beautiful.

I turned slowly, taking it all in, my chest tightening in a completely different way now.

“Tyler…” I said, looking back at him. “How did you—”

He stepped closer, slipping his hands around my waist and pulling me in before I could finish.

“I was thinking we could skip to the part where you tell me if you like it,” he said.

I laughed softly, resting my hands against his chest. “Okay, fine. I like it. A lot. Now answer the question.”

He smiled, leaning down to kiss me again, slower this time.

“I was thinking,” he started when he pulled back, his voice dropping slightly, “we could…”

He trailed off, watching me carefully like he was choosing his words.

I felt my heartbeat pick up, but I didn’t look away. Instead, I smiled.

“I thought you’d never ask,” I breathed, my voice lighter than I felt as I pulled him down with me.