72.0

72.0
HARPER

I don't know how it's already been two weeks but I sure do know that I'm excited for the trip already. I've been planning and packing with Skye. 

Packing for yourself is one thing. Packing for an infant? It's what I'd call literal warfare. I mean, half of my bed is covered in onesies, diapers, baby wipes, bibs, formula containers, bottles and blankets. I don't know how someone that tiny requires this much stuff.

I'd already packed her bag yesterday. All these are emergency stuff I'm still contemplating whether to pack or not. With a sigh, I shut my eyes and decide I can't do this. 

I've packed and whatever I packed will be enough. 

I'm crouched beside the bed, trying to decide if I should bring another pair of sandals when my bedroom door swings open.

"Harper!" Skye calls. She walks in, her both hands on her waist. "The guys are downstairs waiting for you."

Waiting for me? "Already?" I frown. 

"Yes, already. Clara wants us to leave before traffic gets insane."

I stand quickly, brushing my hands over my dress before turning toward the mirror beside the closet.

I didn't do too much. Just mascara and my usual cherry lip combo. Enough to look alive after the nightmare that was exams. My curls are actually behaving for once too, falling nicely around my shoulders.

I smooth down the front of my dress nervously before turning to Skye. "How do I look?"

She looks me over slowly, lips twitching. "You look nice."

I narrow my eyes. "For real?"

Skye bursts out laughing. "Girl, yes. You look good."

I stare at her suspiciously. I don't know what she finds funny. 

"Although..." she drags out.

"Oh God." I murmur. 

"I'm pretty sure you'd rather hear that from Damien or Xavier."

"What?" I scoff immediately. "No."

"Mmmhmmm."

"No, seriously." I grab my tote bag from the chair. "This trip is just to relax like Clara said. I'm steering clear of both of them."

Skye gives me a look. "We'll see."

I shake my head and follow her downstairs. The house downstairs echos. It's like they've packed everything out. Every furniture, every damn thing. 

"We're literally going to an airport, not the wilderness," Xavier is saying to his mom. 

"And when your phone dies don't ask me for mine." She rolls her eyes at him.

"For goodness sake mom, I wasn't planning to."

"Good." She tells him, then walks to the door. Few minutes later, she walks back in. "Boys!" She shouts. 

Skye snorts beside me as we descend the stairs. Everybody turns when we enter the living room. And unfortunately... Yeah, it's a big unfortunately. Because why are both brothers looking at me like... 

Damien's eyes drag over me slowly before he looks away casually, like he wasn't just staring.

Xavier doesn't even bother hiding it.

I suddenly regret wearing this dress. 

"Finally," Clara says. "Let's move before I lose my mind."

I glance behind me at Skye who winks at me. Wow. This is going to be long. I just hope I'm prepared. They load our luggage into the car and by the time I slide into the back seat, I'm already exhausted.

Then Skye climbs in after me carrying Nyla carefully against her chest.

"She got all fussy when you left," she whispers.

I smile as she places Nyla into my arms. My baby is completely knocked out, cheeks squished adorably against the blanket wrapped around her. I kiss her forehead gently, breathing in that familiar baby scent that always calms me down.

When I look up... Xavier is already staring at me. But I do look away as soon as I meet his eyes.

"Alright," Clara says from the front seat. "Boys, are we forgetting anything?"

"Nope,"

"We're good," 

Neither of them even looks at each other.

I adjust Nyla carefully on my lap and pull out my phone just as it buzzes.

Skye: They're BOTH staring at you btw 😭

My eyes widen. Both? Like both of them? I thought it was just Xavier. What if Clara sees them and puts the pieces together. I mean, she's not stupid. I don't know when I immediately start coughing after accidentally inhaling wrong.

"Jesus," Skye mutters beside me.

At the exact same time, both Damien and Xavier lean forward.

"Here."

"Water."

Two bottles appear in front of my face simultaneously. Clara slowly turns around. Skye bites her lip so hard I know she's trying not to laugh.

Oh my God.

"It's fine," I croak out.

"No, take it," Damien insists.

At the same moment, Xavier slowly withdraws his own bottle.

I hesitate before carefully taking Damien's water.

My heart starts beating so fast it's genuinely embarrassing. This is exactly what I didn't want. Before I ever came into this house, there was already some weird tension between the brothers. Nobody explained it. Nobody talked about it.

And now this?

With both of them apparently having feelings for me? It's going to be a complete disaster.

I glance down at Nyla sleeping peacefully in my arms and quietly sigh. The drive to the airport feels both too short and too long.

By the time we arrive, the place is packed with people dragging suitcases everywhere.

Traveling with a baby is apparently an Olympic sport because the second we step inside, everything becomes chaotic.

Clara handles the passports while Xavier pushes the luggage trolley. Damien carries most of the heavier bags without complaining once. Meanwhile, I'm balancing Nyla, my backpack, her diaper bag, and my sanity.

Security takes forever.

We have to fold the stroller, separate liquids, remove electronics, and somehow keep Nyla asleep through all of it.

Miraculously, she only wakes up once. And immediately starts crying.

"Shit," I whisper under my breath, bouncing her gently.

"I got her."

I look up.

Damien is suddenly standing beside me.

"Let me get her."

Before I can protest, he carefully takes Nyla from my arms with surprising ease.

And Nyla... traitorously... Immediately calms down.

I blink.

Damien adjusts her against his chest awkwardly but carefully, his large hand supporting her back while she rests sleepily against his shoulder.

I smile despite myself. "Thank you."

Clara notices too because her entire face lights up. "Would you look at you," she says. "You never hold kids."

Damien glances down at Nyla quietly. "She's just... special."

I look between the brothers and notice it immediately. They share a look. Like one wrong word could start something ugly right here in the middle of the airport.

Oh no.

Before either of them can say anything, I quickly step forward and take Nyla back into my arms.

"I'll... I’ll be back," I say quickly.

Then I escape.

"Harper!" Skye hurries after me immediately.

We stop near one of the huge airport windows overlooking the runway.

The second we're alone, she exhales loudly.

"You gotta do something."

I laugh nervously. "You think I don't know?"

"No, like seriously. They're one bad moment away from killing each other."

"I am aware," I mutter.

Nyla squirms slightly in my arms before settling again.

Skye crosses her arms. "Which one do you even like?"