Chapter 94 TYLER
I watched Harper open her mouth, then close it again as no words came out.
Up close, there was no hiding it. The red marks on her neck were faint, easy to miss if you were not looking for them, but sitting this close, they stood out against her skin like fingerprints. Her makeup was doing too much and still failing. I could see the swelling beneath it, the shadow of a black eye she had tried to soften, the slight puffiness in her cheek like it still hurt to move her face.
Something cold settled in my chest.
All my instincts had been right.
Someone had done this to her. Someone she was protecting for a reason. And in that moment, every ounce of acting I had been doing, every groan, every fake wince, every lie about how much pain I was in vanished. I forgot about my shoulder. I forgot about the sling. I forgot about everything except the heat climbing up my spine as I fought to keep my temper in check.
I didn’t need her to say a word to know I was already ready to ruin whoever was responsible.
“Tyler, please just let it go,” she begged when she finally found her voice. A tear slipped down her cheek, and although my body relaxed slightly, my anger still burned hot and red.
“Just give me a name, Harper. I swear I’ll handle the rest,” I pressed.
She shook her head, tears spilling faster. “He’ll kill me. He’ll come for you. He’ll… I can’t. I don’t want him hurting someone else.”
I sat up straighter and reached for her before thinking better of it. My hand cupped her face gently, careful not to touch anything that looked painful.
“Look at me,” I said softly.
She did, but her eyes were distant, hollow, like she was already somewhere else. Like she was bracing herself for something worse. Whatever he had done to her had not just hurt her body. It had carved itself into her fear. That realization nearly pushed me over the edge.
“I don’t care who they are, but I promise you can tell me everything,” I said, my voice certain. “I swear I’ll protect you.”
I meant it without hesitation. There was no doubt in my mind.
She wiped at her face, taking a shaky breath. For a moment, it looked like she was going to trust me. Then she broke completely.
“He hurt Mark,” she cried. “H-He hurt me. He's taking over the house, Tyler.”
My heart dropped. “Who?”
She squeezed her eyes shut like saying it aloud would make it real.
“Before I say it,” she whispered, “you have to swear something.”
I nodded immediately. “Anything.”
“You promise not to react,” she said desperately. “You swear not to go after him. Promise not to do anything no matter what I tell you. You have to promise me.”
Every part of me rebelled at that, but I saw the fear behind her words. I saw how badly she needed control over this moment.
“I swear,” I said, even though I wasn't sure I could keep my word. “I promise not to react.”
Her lips trembled. “It’s Sam.”
The name hit like a blow to the chest.
“Sam,” I repeated, disbelief and fury colliding all at once.
“My cousin,” she added quietly. “He was dating Racquel. When he found out you were her ex, he started saying shit about you. Calling you names. Acting like he knew you.” Her voice cracked. “I told him to shut up. I told him to stop.That’s when it started.”
My hand clenched against her cheek, not hurting her, but barely containing myself.
“He hurt you because of me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“No,” she said quickly. “Don’t do that. Don't blame yourself. He’s always been like this. I just made myself an easy target.”
The room felt too small. My promise sat heavy in my chest, the only thing keeping me from getting up and tearing something apart.
“I told you not to react,” she whispered when she saw my face. “Please. It’s better if no one else gets involved. If it stays like this, at least I know what to expect.”
I hated hearing that. Hated how practiced she sounded.
Slowly, I nodded. “Okay.”
The relief on her face was immediate, but fragile enough that it didn't last.
“I’m sorry,” I said suddenly.
She frowned. “For what?”
“For lying,” I said. “For faking the pain just to get you here.”
She pulled back, hurt flashing across her face.
“You made that up?”
“I was scared,” I said. “You disappeared, and I didn’t know how else to get you to come.”
“That wasn’t okay,” she said, standing.
“I know.”
“I should go.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No.”
Before either of us could argue, the door opened.
Mom stepped inside, the look on her face telling me she already knew more than she was saying. One look at Harper and her expression softened.
“Tyler,” she said, calm but final, “you’re driving her home.”
Harper tried to object, but I was already grabbing my keys.
The drive took longer than it needed to. I took the long way, talking about stupid things, pointing stuff out, doing whatever I could to keep her distracted. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes she just stared out the window.
By the time we reached her street, it was dark. The clock on the dash read a little after seven.
“Just drop me here,” she said.
“No.”
“Tyler.”
“I’m dropping you in front of your house.”
She didn’t argue again.
When I parked in front of her house, she stepped out of the car and turned back to wish me good night, but I didn’t move. I stayed where I was, watching until I was sure she was safely inside. It took everything in me not to get out and take her back home with me.
She was almost at the porch when the front door opened.
A face I recognized instantly stepped out. The same guy who had hit my car the day I’d been too lost in my head to react. My hockey opponent. The one my team was currently at war with.
Something inside me snapped.
I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I was out of the car before I even realized I’d moved.
Harper shouted my name, but it didn’t matter.
All I saw was him.
I didn’t think twice as I crossed the distance between us and my fist connected with his jaw.