Chapter 20 HARPER
Okay, two things: one—I hadn’t expected I’d end up going to the festival just because I chose to show up, feeling sorry for Tyler. Two—I didn’t expect Mrs. Rose to have a cute outfit my exact size just sitting idle in her closet.
She’d pulled out a burgundy asymmetrical dress with a cinched waist that clung perfectly to mine, and an uneven hem that brushed mid-thigh at the front and dipped slightly lower at the back. The thin straps framed my shoulders perfectly, the flowy fabric swaying with every movement I made, catching the light in a way that made me look more confident than I felt.
I turned once in front of the walk-in closet mirror, tugging lightly at the hem. Maybe it was silly, but a part of me hoped Mrs. Rose wouldn’t ask for it back after the festival.
Signaling her that I was all dressed up, my hair pulled into a ponytail with two thin strands framing my face, she squealed as she walked in, hands flying to her mouth in awe as she took me in. I tried not to squirm under her gaze, feeling a bit shy at the way she ogled me.
“Oh my, it’s the perfect size. I told David I wasn’t crazy for saving this and I was right.” She twirled me around, admiring me all over. “You can keep it. This dress was definitely made for you.”
Yes!
“Thank you, Mrs. Mercer. I really appreciate,” I said calmly, even though I was literally doing jumping jacks on the inside.
“You’re welcome—and it’s Rose.”
“Right, sorry,” I muttered, ducking my head with a small, sheepish shrug.
She chuckled. “It’s okay. You better hurry out before that mule-headed son of mine decides to change his mind.”
I suddenly became aware of just how much skin the dress showed. I mean, it was decent enough for his mom to allow me wear it, but I’ve only ever been in uniform around Tyler.
Knee-length pleated skirts, tie and a long sleeved tucked in button-up shirt. It was a stark contrast to what I was putting on now, and I couldn’t help feeling like I was going out half naked with him.
Tyler’s expression was placid as I joined him at the bottom of the stairs. Dressed casually in a gray over sized hoodie and jeans that hung just right, he looked like he’d rolled out of bed and still managed to make it work. Without so much as a compliment, he turned and walked toward this door. I followed silently.
Stepping outside made me realize how not-so-cute this outfit actually was. For one, it was still drizzling, so I had to quicken my pace to a jog—eventually breaking into a run—to get to the car, only to find it locked.
Of course.
I had to wait for Mr. Pompous himself to catch up and unlock it.
Secondly, the thin straps did nothing to protect me from the cold, and as expected, Tyler decided it was too hot inside to turn on the heater—instead blasting the AC. By the time we got to Westfield’s waterfront, where the festival was already in full swing, I was biting down so hard on my teeth just to keep them from clattering. At this rate, I was going to catch a cold.
Tyler, who hadn’t said a word the entire drive, turned to face me—expression neutral, eyes giving away the satisfaction he was trying so hard to hide.
“So… what now?”
I leaned back in my seat, refusing to show any reaction to the arctic chill of his car. “Now, we find your friends.”
His eyes darkened. “I don’t have friends.”
“Yes, you do. And we’re going to find them so I can get rid of you.”
“Ah,” he said, lips curving into a smirk. “And here I thought my kind gesture would be enough to swoon you. Or was I a little too… cold with it?”
I made a face at him. “You’re impossible.”
“Look,” he said, voice dropping just enough to sound teasing, “I’m here to relax—just like you suggested. As my therapist, it’s your duty to teach me how. Not ditch me to go have fun.”
“Which is why we need your friends,” I shot back. “I’m sure they’ll help you relax just fine.”
He chuckled, daring a glance outside at the bustling crowd. “If you’re okay hanging around seventeen testosterone-fueled hockey players already drunk on free alcohol, then by all means—be my guest.”
I didn't wait to think about it, refusing to let him think he'd won. Steeling myself for the even bigger chill awaiting me outside, I pushed open the door and stepped into the drizzle.
The slamming of a car door right after the echo of my own told me Tyler had stepped out too. I turned to face him, hands tucked under my armpit to keep out the cold.
“Let's head towards the lake, I'm guessing they'll be gathered there drinking or something.”
“You can't be serious.”
I didn't answer, just did my best to start walking, trying hard to ignore the cold bite of the droplets of rain against my exposed skin.
“You know there are literally a ton of things we could be doing, other than finding my friends.”
“Yeah,” I acquiesced, without looking behind me. “But you asked for my opinion, so this is what we're doing.”
“And what if I refuse?” he asked, stopping in his tracks.
I pinched the loose skins on my armpits, trying to rein in my emotions as I took in a deep breath, before turning to face him.
“Then I'll ditch and wander to wherever the hell I want. Your choice.”
He stared me down for a split second, eyes burning with enough intensity to make me feel like I’d been a little too rude with my tone. Then he reached behind his head and started pulling his hoodie off.
“What are you doing?” I shuffled closer, lowering my voice. “You’re not seriously planning to walk around this festival half-naked, are you?”
He mumbled something I couldn’t catch as the hoodie got stuck halfway over his head. I leaned in to help him, stifling a laugh.
Turned out he was wearing a black tank top underneath, exposing skin and biceps that should’ve been illegal for a teenager to have. I tried not to stare, but the way the fabric clung to his torso—outlining his abs—and that plain chain around his neck? Yeah. If rogue and put-together had a lovechild, it’d be Tyler.
“Here,” he said, snapping me out of my daze.
“Um, thanks.” I took the hoodie, forcing myself to look anywhere but at him. “Could’ve been quicker with the gesture, though.”
He scowled. “Figured if you’re going to hang around jocks like my teammates, you might not want to look so vulnerable and helpless, especially in a dress like that.”
I couldn’t tell whether to be offended or pleased. “Good to know you’ve got my back.”
He snorted. “I wouldn’t bet on that after tonight. I brought you here—it only makes sense you’re under my care for the day.”
I opened my mouth to give a retort when someone—Peter—tapped him on the shoulder.
The silence that followed was heavy. And from the way Tyler’s jaw tightened, I knew things were about to get rough.