Chapter 128 HARPER
I felt stupid.
Not just a little embarrassed or caught off guard. Fully, painfully stupid.
I had actually stood in his kitchen, smiling, talking to his mom, letting myself believe I could just slip into his world like I belonged there. Like I had a place. Like I wasn’t the girl he kept choosing second.
And then he walked in.
Not alone.
But with her.
The image replayed in my head as I pushed past the front door and out into the evening air. His hand on Racquel’s shoulder. Casual. Natural. Like it had always been there.
Like I hadn’t just imagined everything between us.
“Harper!”
I heard him behind me, but I didn’t stop. If anything, I walked faster, blinking hard as I wiped at my eyes.
I wasn’t going to cry. Not here. Not where anyone could see me.
“Harper, wait.”
His footsteps came closer until he caught up with me just before the gate. He reached for my arm, fingers wrapping around my wrist just enough to stop me.
“Let me explain.”
I let out a short laugh, turning to face him. “Explain what, Tyler?”
His expression tightened. “What you saw.”
“What I saw?” I repeated, incredulous. “You mean you showing up with your ex after lying to me?”
“I didn’t lie—”
“You did,” I cut in, my voice rising despite myself. “You told me you couldn’t go out. That your family had plans. And this is what you meant?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?” I shot back. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks pretty clear.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration creeping into his face. “Harper, I promise, it's not what you think. And about the lie—I’m sorry.”
I let out a breath, shaking my head. “You know what? I don’t even care anymore.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is,” I insisted, even though my chest felt tight. “Because there are some things ‘sorry’ doesn’t fix.”
“I said I’m sorry,” he replied, his voice softening. “That should count for something.”
“It doesn’t,” I said flatly. “Not this time.”
He stared at me for a second, like he didn’t know what to say to that. “It’s not a big deal like you’re making it.”
That was it.
Something in me snapped.
“Not a big deal?” I repeated, disbelief lacing every word. “Are you serious right now?”
“Harper—”
“No,” I cut him off, stepping back. “You don’t get to decide what’s a big deal to me.”
He went quiet.
I let out a shaky breath, my hands curling slightly at my sides. “We’ve been going back and forth for how long now? Since last term? And now that we finally… I don’t know, got somewhere… now you do this?”
“I didn’t—”
“You rejected me once already,” I continued, my voice breaking despite my effort to keep it steady. “Do you remember that? Or was that not a big deal either?”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer.
“Exactly,” I said, swallowing hard. “It is a big deal.”
I turned, reaching for the gate.
His hand caught mine again.
“Harper, please.”
I froze for a second, then looked back at him. “What?”
“Just give me a chance to explain properly.”
“Then explain,” I said, pulling my hand free. “Right now.”
He hesitated.
That was all it took.
I let out a hollow laugh. “Wow. Okay.”
“It’s not that simple,” he said quickly. “There’s something going on with Racquel. I just… I can’t tell you.”
Of course.
Of course he couldn’t.
“There’s always going to be something going on with Racquel,” I said, folding my arms. “That’s literally how this works, Tyler. You get pulled into whatever she has going on, and I’m just supposed to… what? Wait?”
“It’s not like that.”
“It is,” I insisted. “You help her, you get close again, and then suddenly I’m standing on the outside like I never mattered in the first place.”
“I can’t believe you think that.”
“You should believe it,” I shot back. “Because when it comes to you, I don’t know what to think.”
He shook his head. “I’m not off and on with you.”
“Then prove it!”
The words came out louder than I intended.
The air between us stilled.
For a second, neither of us said anything. The weight of it pressed down on me, and suddenly I felt too aware of everything. The quiet street. The cool air brushing against my skin. My own heartbeat, loud and uneven.
I exhaled slowly, some of the anger draining out of me. “I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I just—”
I trailed off as my eyes traveled past his shoulder and landed on Racquel standing on the front porch, watching us.
Of course she was.
A bitter laugh slipped out before I could stop it. I nodded in her direction. “Your girlfriend’s waiting for you.”
Tyler glanced back instinctively.
That was my chance.
I pushed the gate open and slipped past him.
“Harper—”
I heard him behind me again, footsteps quick as he caught up for the second time, moving in front of me to block my path.
“Just listen to me,” he said, his voice more urgent now. “There’s nothing going on between me and Racquel. There never has been. Not like this. Not like what I feel for you.”
I looked at him, searching his face.
He sounded sincere.
That was the problem.
“I want to believe you,” I admitted quietly. “I really do.”
“Then do it,” he said. “Trust me.”
I shook my head slightly. “I don’t know how.”
His expression faltered.
“I’m trying, Tyler,” I continued. “But every time I start to… something happens. And I’m right back here again, feeling like I’m about to get hurt.”
“You’re not going to get hurt,” he said firmly. “I won’t let that happen.”
“You already did,” I replied, my voice softer now.
That hit him. I saw it in the way his shoulders stilled.
I swallowed, forcing myself to keep going. “Maybe when you’re done with… whatever this is, you can come talk to me. If it’s not too late.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s the truth.”
He stepped closer, like he was afraid I’d disappear if he didn’t. “Harper, please. Just… don’t walk away like this.”
I held his gaze for a moment, my chest tightening again.
Then he leaned in.
I knew what he was about to do.
And for a split second, I almost let him.
Almost.
But I turned my head, stepping back before his lips could touch mine.
“No,” I said quietly.
He froze.
“I can’t,” I added, shaking my head. “Not like this.”
Silence fell between us again, heavier this time.
I didn’t wait for him to say anything else.
I walked past him.
This time, he didn’t follow.
And somehow, that hurt more than everything else combined.
I kept walking anyway, even when my vision blurred, even when my chest felt like it was caving in.
Because if I stopped, I wasn’t sure I’d have the strength to leave at all.