Chapter 35 HARPER
The month of December greeted us with a light, persistent drizzle.
The air was colder than usual, to the point where every puff of breath came out like smoke. I almost turned around and went home. Gray weather and chilly mornings made a brutal combination, but sitting at home, alone in that spacious house, sounded a lot worse.
Students laughed and shoved each other as I walked past, and even the teachers seemed cheerful, returning greetings with smiles. The halls buzzed loudly, everyone riding on the high that the holidays were close.
Then there was Tyler, still as broody as ever.
While everyone else was dreaming about Christmas break, he was thinking two steps ahead—the big game, his future, everything waiting on the other side of senior year.
I found myself walking toward him, where he stood staring blankly at his locker.
“Morning. How’s the shoulder?” I asked. No soft tone, no smile. Just kept my face neutral, staying committed to the cold and heartless act he’d asked for.
“Morning,” he replied, barely sounding present.
“How’s the shoulder?” I repeated.
“Hm?” He blinked, like he’d just realized I was talking to him.
Something was off. He looked rough, like sleep hadn’t bothered visiting him last night. Disheveled blonde curls sticking in every direction. Tie hanging loose around his neck. Shirt untucked—everything about him screamed I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
“You good?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.
I wasn’t supposed to care. Dammit.
“Yeah,” he said, shaking himself out of whatever hole his brain had fallen into. “Why do you care?”
I clicked my tongue against my teeth—annoyed at him, but mostly at myself for being in this situation to begin with.
“I don’t. But I’m your therapist. It’s my job to ask those questions.”
“You already asked yesterday. Not much difference has changed between then and now.”
“Yeah? But your appearance argues that.”
He slammed his locker shut, adjusting his bag on his good shoulder. “Why don’t you stick to worrying about the part that concerns you? Cold and heartless, remember?”
My chest stung, but I kept my chin upright. “Yeah, how can I forget?”
The reply seemed to knock the edge off him. His gaze softened, and he let out a slow sigh.
“Harper, I—”
“Yo! Happy new month, Director!” Peter hollered, striding toward us with the rest of Tyler’s teammates trailing behind him.
He was still too far away to notice the death glare I shot his way. Of course he’d pick now—just when it felt like I’d finally cracked one of Tyler’s walls.
“Morning, Cap. Any plans for the holidays?” Peter asked as he closed in on us.
Tyler gave him a slight tilt of his jaw, the bare minimum acknowledgment, and ignored the question entirely.
“See you in class,” he said to me before brushing past Peter.
“I thought you two made up?” Billy asked, his gaze following Tyler’s retreating back.
Peter stayed silent, eyes still tracking him. The rest of the team did the same. I tried not to sound irritated by the interruption and forced a friendly smile.
“Happy new month, you guys,” I said, giving a small wave.
A chorus of greetings echoed back at me. Peter grinned, his earlier frown disappearing, like it had never existed.
“We hanging out today? Cleared my schedule and everything.”
“Sure. I’ll let you know before the day’s over.”
“What about us, Director?” Kane drawled with a smirk.
The team erupted—shoves, laughter, the usual chaos.
“You’d think he’s finally serious about school,” one of them joked, “but dude’s just happy he got a hot group leader.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I never knew how to keep up with their energy—the teasing, the loud back-and-forth—it could get exhausting.
They didn’t seem to notice I was starting to feel uncomfortable. I stood there, unsure, stuck between forcing a laugh and walking away.
Thankfully, the decision was made for me when they drifted off toward class, forgetting I existed as their laughter carried down the hall. That left Mark with me, almost like he’d been waiting for the others to disappear.
“Pardon their manners,” he said, falling into step beside me. “So… how are sessions with Tyler going?”
I shrugged. “There’s been a bit of progress. He still feels the pain of the tear, but he’s learning not to be so uptight.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Mark deadpanned.
I chuckled and lightly slapped his belly. “No, really. He’s still closed off to Peter, but he’s slowly warming up to me.”
He flashed me one of those gentle smiles he always wore. “Not surprised. I’d have buckled pretty easily if I were in his shoes.”
I laughed, trying to brush off the way he was looking at me, like he hoped the feeling wasn’t one-sided. “It’s really not that easy, though.”
“Yeah?” He came to a stop, blocking my path, and lifted an arm like he was hurt. “I’ll play Tyler. Just do your thing.”
“Mark—”
“There’s this stiffness and ache when I move my shoulders,” he said, taking my laugh as encouragement. “I think I need a physiotherapist.”
I waved him off, still laughing. He was lucky he chose science over drama.
“Tyler wouldn’t even admit he’s in pain,” I told him.
“Oh.” His hand dropped as he considered that.
“Well, the idea is one touch from you and I’m instantly healed.”
“That’s sweet. If only things worked like that.”
“Yeah. If only,” he echoed, his charisma dimming a little.
The bell rang, saving me. Mark waved as he backed toward his class, and I returned the gesture, feeling a little guilty of how relieved I felt when he turned away.
I headed for mine. But just as I reached the door, Megan grabbed my arm and spun me around. I was ready to snap at her for pulling too hard until I saw the furious look on her face.
Before I could speak, she shoved her phone in front of me.
On the screen, a girl in her jumper stood pressed against a locker, face dangerously close to the boy opposite her. I recognized them instantly—Cassie and Jax. Oh, fantastic.
“This picture was taken this morning,” Megan fumed. “This morning. Not before the festival. Not before the pool party. So what the hell is this?”
“I’m just as surprised as you,” I said.
“Are you really? Since they’re both in your group? I’m sure you’ve noticed something.”
My eyes darted between Megan and the phone, my tongue refusing to cooperate.
“That’s what I thought,” Megan said, taking my silence as confirmation. “So tell me what’s going on with Cassie and Jax.”
Dammit. I really should have stayed home today.