Chapter 150 HARPER
Chapter 150 HARPER
I was halfway through fixing my hair in Tyler’s mirror when the door pushed open behind me.
“Breakfast is served,” he announced like he’d just walked out of a five-star kitchen, balancing a tray in his hands.
I blinked at him through the reflection. “You’re joking.”
“I never joke about food,” he said seriously, stepping in and kicking the door shut behind him.
I turned in my chair, taking in the tray properly. Toast, eggs, fruit, even a glass of juice. I stared at it, then back at him. “Tyler… you didn’t have to do all this.”
He set the tray down on the vanity like it belonged there. “I know. I wanted to.”
“That’s different,” I muttered, but I was already smiling.
“And before you start,” he added quickly, pointing at me like he knew exactly what I was about to say, “yes, my mom bought you a uniform. And no, you’re not allowed to feel weird about it.”
I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “I wasn’t even going to say anything.”
“You were thinking it,” he shot back.
“…okay, maybe a little.”
He grinned, completely unbothered. “Relax. You’re my girlfriend now. That comes with benefits.”
“Benefits?” I repeated. “Since when did this turn into a membership program?”
“Since you started sleeping over,” he said easily, grabbing the butter and knife like he was very proud of himself. “We’re investing in your comfort.”
I glanced around the room again, my eyes landing on the vanity I was sitting at.
“You parents literally moved furniture into their son’s room for me,” I said. “Do you hear how that sounds?”
“It sounds like we’re accommodating a VIP guest,” he replied without missing a beat.
I stared at him.
He just smiled.
I let out a breath, shaking my head. “It still feels like I’m invading your space. And your mom just… changed the rules like that.”
Tyler stepped closer behind me, resting his hands lightly on my shoulders. I felt his chin drop gently on top of my head, his presence warm and familiar in a way I was growing pretty used to.
“You can’t invade something that’s already yours,” he said quietly. “And trust me, if anything, you’ve made this house better.”
I looked at him through the mirror. “Better how?”
He tilted his head slightly, like the answer was obvious. “It doesn’t feel empty anymore.”
That softened something in my chest.
“And my mom?” he added. “She likes you more than she likes me at this point.”
I huffed a laugh. “That’s not true.”
“It is,” he insisted. “You smile at her. I argue with her.”
“That’s because you deserve it.”
“Wow. Betrayal this early in the morning?”
I turned in my chair, reaching up to cup his face briefly before kissing him. “You’ll survive.”
“Barely,” he murmured.
He leaned down again like he was tempted to steal another kiss, but I pushed lightly at his chest. “Food first. Romance later.”
“Rude,” he said, though he stepped back anyway.
I turned toward the tray, picking up a piece of toast as he pulled a chair closer and sat beside me. He started spreading butter on another slice like it was part of some routine he’d already decided we had.
“I’m serious though,” I said after a moment. “It feels like I’m making everyone adjust just because I’m here.”
“You’re not,” he replied easily. “You’re part of it now. There’s a difference.”
I glanced at him. “You say that like it’s simple.”
“It is simple.”
“It’s not,” I insisted, softer this time. “It just feels… unreal.”
He paused, then nodded slowly. “Yeah. I get that.”
I looked at him properly now. “You do?”
“Sometimes I wake up and expect everything to go back to how it was,” he admitted, dragging the knife across the toast. “Like you’re still with Mark and I’m just… there.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Well, I can confirm that’s not happening.”
He smiled, handing me the toast. “Good. Because I like this version better.”
“Me too,” I said.
For a few seconds, we just ate quietly, the kind of quiet that didn’t feel heavy.
Then the thought slipped out before I could stop it.
“I think what scares me isn’t now,” I said, tracing my finger along the edge of the plate. “It’s later.”
He looked at me. “Later how?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “The more I try to picture us… like, actually lasting, the more it gets blurry.”
His expression shifted slightly, more attentive now.
“I mean, we’re graduating soon,” I continued. “Your hockey thing is still… a big question mark. We don’t know where you’ll end up. And I just…” I hesitated, then forced the words out. “I don’t know if you’ll still want this. Us.”
He stopped eating.
“Harper.”
I looked up.
He reached for my hand, holding it firmly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You don’t know that,” I said quietly.
“I do,” he replied. “At least where you’re concerned.”
I studied his face, trying to read past the confidence in his voice.
“You shouldn’t be worrying about that right now,” he added. “If there’s anything to worry about, I’ll handle it.”
I raised a brow slightly. “So there is something to worry about?”
He went quiet for a second. And just like that, the air shifted.
I immediately regretted asking. “I didn’t mean it like that. Forget I said anything.”
“It’s fine,” he said quickly. “You didn’t ruin anything.”
I looked down at my plate, suddenly more interested in my food than anything else. “I just don’t want to be the reason you… change your plans.”
“You’re not,” he said firmly. “And even if I ever did make a decision, it would be because I wanted to. Not because of you.”
I nodded, though it still didn’t sit right with me. We finished eating not long after, the conversation drifting into easier topics until it all felt lighter again.
The drive to school felt normal enough on the surface, we were talking here and there, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling sitting in the back of my mind.
When Tyler pulled into the parking lot, I turned toward him and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I’ll meet you in class.”
He frowned slightly. “You’re not coming with me?”
“I want to check on Megan first,” I said, already reaching for the door. “Make sure everything between us is okay.”
“Harper—”
“I’ll be fine,” I cut in gently. “Promise.”
Before he could argue, I slipped out of the car.
The truth was, I needed a minute.
Our conversation in his room kept replaying in my head, especially the way he’d paused. Like there was something he wasn’t saying.
And I couldn’t shake the feeling that it mattered.
What if he already knew something about his future?
What if hockey took him somewhere far?
What if this… us… was just something temporary to him?
I shook the thought off as soon as it came. I didn’t want to go down that road. Thankfully, I spotted Megan by her locker, talking to Mark.
The perfect distraction.
I walked over, forcing a small smile. “Hey.”
Mark turned first. “Hey. What's up? How’re you? I heard about what happened during our game yesterday.”
“I’m okay,” I said, giving a casual shrug. “The police arrived on time, thankfully.”
He nodded, his expression serious. “Yeah. I’m just glad you’re safe. That whole thing was crazy.”
“It’s over now,” I said. “That’s what matters.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Catch you in class later.”
He gave me a quick nod before heading off.
The second he was out of range, Megan turned and pulled me into a hug so suddenly I barely had time to react.
“Okay, I’ve been holding that in,” she said. “I missed you so much.”
I laughed a little, hugging her back. “I missed you too.”
She pulled away, looking me over like she was checking for damage. “Are you actually okay?”
“I am,” I said. “Really.”
“Good,” she said, though her expression softened. “Because I don’t think I could’ve handled anything happening to you.”
That caught me off guard, and something warm spread through me at her words.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “About everything. I never meant to hurt Mark.”
“I know,” she said immediately. “I was just mad at first. I’d never seen my brother that hurt before.”
I winced slightly. “Yeah.”
“But honestly,” she continued, shrugging, “he knew what he was getting into.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
She gave me a look. “Harper. Your heart’s been somewhere else for a long time.”
I didn’t know what to say to that.
She laughed, nudging me. “Relax. I’m not mad anymore. We’re back.”
“Back?” I repeated.
“Best friends,” she said simply, looping her arm through mine. “Now start talking.”
“Talking about what?”
“Tyler,” she said immediately. “Everything.”
I groaned. “Megan—”
“Nope. Don’t even try it. I want details.”
I hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But only because it’s you.”
Her eyes lit up. “I knew it.”
“It’s been… a lot,” I admitted. “With everything that’s happened. Racquel, Sam… it hasn’t exactly been smooth.”
“But?” she pressed.
“But he’s really trying,” I said. “He’s a good boyfriend.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That’s not what I meant.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know what you meant.”
“And?”
I hesitated just long enough for her to gasp.
“Harper Lane—”
“Keep your voice down,” I hissed.
Her grin widened. “You did.”
I covered my face briefly. “Yes. Okay? Happy?”
“Very,” she said immediately. “Details.”
“No.”
“At least tell me if it was good.”
I gave her a look. “Megan.”
“That’s a yes,” she said, satisfied.
I shook my head, laughing despite myself. “You’re actually ridiculous.”
“And you’re blushing,” she shot back.
Before I could respond, the bell for classes rang.
“That’s my cue,” I said quickly.
“Wait,” she said, grabbing my arm. “You’re coming over this weekend. No excuses.”
I hesitated. “With Mark there?”
“He’ll survive,” she waved it off. “I need full details.”
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll come.”
She grinned. “I love you.”
“I regret everything already,” I muttered, walking away.
I was already halfway down the hall when the intercom crackled to life.
“Harper Lane, report to the principal’s office.”
I stopped.
Students around me glanced over, curiosity flickering across their faces.
My stomach dropped slightly.
What did I do?
I turned slowly and made my way toward the office, my mind running through every possible reason. By the time I got there, I was already preparing to defend myself from only God knows what.
I pushed the door open. “Sir, I didn’t—”
The words died in my throat.
Someone was sitting in the chair across from the principal’s desk.
She turned.
My breath caught.
“Mom.”