Chapter 26 HARPER
“For chrissake,” I cussed as I threw my hands in the air, realizing my phone was back in Tyler’s room. “Could the day get any worse?”
I spun on my heel, trying to catch anything familiar—a landmark, a signboard—something to tell me I wasn’t completely screwed. But other than the sound of cars racing past, and the trees on either side of the road, I didn’t recognize jack shit.
I tried walking, hoping somehow, someone would find me, when a car slowed and began tailing me from behind. I tried not to look back, to hide my curiosity; instead, I picked up my pace, observing through the corner of my eye to see if I was being paranoid.
The car picked up speed then, swerving into my path to block me from going any further. On instinct, I staggered back, eyeing the black Honda skeptically. The driver's side flew open. My heart raced, my body immediately going on alert.
“Harper?”
“Mark?” I let out a relieved sigh of breath, running to embrace him. “Mark, thank goodness. I was so scared.”
“Why?” he asked, pulling away to inspect me. Once he took in my disheveled appearance, his forehead scrunched up in worry. “Is everything okay, Harper?”
“Yeah.” I sniffed, forcing a smile. “I'm just, you know, a bit, um, lost.”
“Lost? You don't live around here?”
“No,” I laughed nervously, wiping away the remnants of tears. “If you'd ever visited with your sister, you'd know that.”
His eyes softened, and I felt slightly guilty for sounding a little snarky.
“Yeah, my bad. I just—”
“No, it's okay. I didn't mean that. I'm sorry.”
He gave a tight smile. “So, um, where are you headed barefoot?”
“Oh.” I shifted on my feet, self aware that I probably looked like I should belong to an asylum standing in front of him. “I kinda forgot my shoes.”
His eyes ran from my feet all the way back to my face, clearly concerned. I cleared my throat, flashing my teeth.
“Where? We could go get it.”
“No,” I said, a little too quickly, startling him. “I don't think Tyler would want visitors right now.”
I watched the way his eyes lit up in understanding, before he winced, giving me a pitiful look. I pressed my lips into a thin line, nodding, as I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket.
“Yup.”
“Do I really want to know the whole story?”
“Nope.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah.”
We stood under the cloudy sky for a while—the rain now reduced to a drizzle—not saying anything to each other until it dawned on Mark that he was literally keeping me standing.
“Oh, shit. Get in. I'll give you a ride.”
“Thanks.” I didn't hesitate, rushing to the passenger side to get away from the chill of the evening air.
“Just type in your house location into the GPS.” He pointed to the center console, before turning on the heater and glancing at me. “You good?”
“Yeah.” As good as can be when you've been called incompetent by your crush.
I didn't feel like talking while he drove me home, and so far, I knew Mark was somewhat of an introvert, but for some reason—whether he felt uncomfortable or the need to keep me entertained, I didn’t know—he wouldn't shut up.
“....the team’s hoping the next game will be a breeze just like the last, especially with our best player gone,” he was saying when I chose to finally pay attention.
I wish I hadn't, because then Tyler flashed through my mind and my eyes burned.
“Hmm,” I mumbled, realizing on time he was expecting me to make some kind of comment. He noticed.
“Sorry, if I'm talking too much. I'm sort of a blabber when I'm nervous.”
“No. No, it's not you. I'm just…… I don't know.” I shrugged. “Tired, I guess.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. But I really appreciate you driving me home.”
“It's no big deal. I was on my way home myself.”
“Yeah? D'you go to a party or something?”
“Nah. Was helping my mom run some errands.”
“Nice. So manly of you,” I joked, even though I was running on empty inside.
He chuckled. His cheeks flushed a quick, embarrassed red. “Yeah, making mama proud I guess.”
I tried for a laugh, but it came out as a snort. He glanced at me, I winced.
“Sorry. Just having a bad day.”
“It's okay, I get it.”
The car went silent for a second, I almost hoped it would last.
“Tyler can be a handful sometimes. I know things are hard for him right now and he's just projecting on people, which—don't get me wrong—is quite understandable.”
“Yeah,” I chirped in, looking out the window to distract my thoughts.
“I saw him crashing out in the locker room the other day.”
That grabbed my attention.
“When?”
“I'm not exactly sure of the day but I think Tuesday.”
I tried to recall the events of the day. It was the day Tyler had kept me waiting in the parking lot. That explained it.
“I tried giving him words of encouragement, but I doubt they meant anything to him.”
“They didn't,” I said coldly.
“Okay, something bad definitely happened between you and Tyler.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because you sounded so sure.” He gestured at me, controlling the steering wheel with one hand, and counting with the other. “Dressed like a hobo, barefoot and crying—lost and helpless. Yeah, I think you'll give me a run for my money.”
I bit back the retort dancing on my lips. “Dressed like a hobo?”
He cringed. “Sorry. I meant, uh….you don't normally dress like this—not that there's anything wrong with how you look. I was just trying to—”
I burst out laughing, letting go of my tension. “Relax. I'm not that serious.”
“You're not?”
I gasped, clutching my chest in mock shock. “Do I look like I am?”
He studied me—really studied me. I knew I was kind of a nerd, but Mark? Way worse.
“No,” he said finally.
“Exactly.”
I didn’t even notice when he pulled into my street; our conversation had kept my mind too busy. I was grateful now he hadn’t gone silent when he noticed I wasn’t matching his energy. By the time I reached my front door, I felt better than I had before he’d shown up.
He got out of the car, waiting patiently for me to go inside before leaving. I leaned in for one last hug, thanking him and assuring him I’d be fine on my own.
“See you at school on monday, Harper.” He waved as he climbed back into his car. “And don’t forget to bring shoes.”
A small laugh escaped me as I watched him drive away. “Shoes. Got it.”