37. Harper

37

HARPER

Shoving through the door, I didn't think as I rushed back to my room and grabbed a suitcase from the closet.

"Harper!"

Tears streamed down my face as I replayed all the accusations that came out of his mouth. I knew he wouldn't be happy with me, but I didn't think he would be quite so brutal in front of all his friends.

"Harper, what happened?"

I rushed to my dresser and yanked the top drawer open, grabbing all my underwear and bras. After stuffing them in my suitcase, I went back for my tops.

"Harper, talk to me!"

But I couldn't. If I opened my mouth, I would say things, horrible things that could never be taken back. And I didn't want to think that way about the father of my child. The wounds were still too raw to talk about. I felt like I was bleeding out on the floor.

My brother grabbed my arm as I went back for more clothes, forcing me to face him. The anguish and horror on his face was my undoing. I didn't have to explain to him that things had gone horribly wrong. It was more than clear by my state of distress .

I crumpled in his arms, letting the tears fall as I poured my heart out to him. "He didn't want me."

"Hey," he said soothingly, running his hand up and down my back. "Maybe it was just the shock of finding out."

I shook my head, looking up at my brother. "The things he said…he accused me of sleeping with someone else."

"He what?"

A laugh slipped through my lips as I remembered his cruel words. "He said the baby had to belong to someone else. Either that or I sucked at remembering to take my pills."

"That fucking asshole."

He was out of my reach within seconds, storming toward the door. He nearly ripped it off the hinges in his attempt to flee and find my asshole ex.

"Wait!" I shouted, chasing after him. "Stop!"

"I'll fucking kill him."

"You will not," I said, running around him and blocking the door to his vehicle. "It's over and done with."

"It's not. You're fucking crying, and no one makes my sister cry." When I wouldn't move out of his way, he drew back and sucked in a breath. "Harper, move out of the way."

"So you can go beat him up? Are you crazy?"

"He insulted my sister."

"Guess what, this isn't the 1500s. You're not going to duel over me."

"You wanna bet?" he barked out a laugh.

"And you really think you would win? He's in the military!"

"Was, not currently."

"No, he's in security and still lethal. I will not let you fight him over some stupid things he said."

"No, you're just going to take it, is that it?" he growled. "Move out of the way."

I shook my head. "I don't want you to do this."

"Because you still love him?"

"Because he doesn't fucking matter!" I shouted, garnering his silence. My lip quivered as I stared at my brother. "I knew from the start that this would happen. I knew he wouldn't react well. Granted, I didn't realize he would be quite so harsh, but it happened. The only thing that matters now is taking care of my baby."

"Then why were you packing?"

My chin quivered as I stared at my brother. It was something I had thought about on the way to his place tonight. I couldn't actually stay in town knowing he was just down the street. I had to leave and do this on my own, away from his prying eyes. I wouldn't be able to handle seeing him around town. It would gut me.

"No," Oliver whispered. "No, you're not leaving."

"I have to. What kind of life would we have here?"

"A good one."

"With him and all his friends down the street from me? Do you really think I can handle that?"

"You don't have to. Fuck him!"

I shook my head. "I can't." I pressed my hand to my stomach, feeling like I would puke. "I just want to leave."

"Then I'll come with you."

I shook my head again. "No. I need to do this on my own."

"Why the hell would you think that?"

"Because it's what I have to do for me. I can't rely on you anymore."

"Then go to Gram."

I huffed out a laugh. "That's the last thing I would do."

"Harper—"

"Mom always said I was worthless. I need to prove to myself that I can do this without any help. I need to know that her words won't hold me down."

"Then don't let them."

I pursed my lips. My decision was made, and I wouldn't back out now. "I'll call you when I find someplace to go."

His face slipped into shock. "You don't even have any place picked out?" He stopped himself just short of criticizing me. I knew it wasn't the best plan, but luckily, I didn't waste my money on stupid things. I knew that working a low-paying job wouldn't afford me a lot of luxuries, so I saved my money every chance I got. And now I had a nice nest egg built up. It would see me through until I could find someplace to live and allow me to stay home for a few months after the baby was born.

"The house is paid off. It's not like I'm putting you out."

"I don't care about you putting me out!" He cursed under his breath, backing away from me. "It's you and me. We were supposed to do this together."

"I'm supposed to do this with the father. It was never your responsibility."

"But I don't mind. It's for you."

I walked toward him and wrapped him in a hug. "I know you think you want to do this, but it's not what I want for your life. You shouldn't be tied to me because I got myself knocked up by a man who can't and won't do what's necessary." I squeezed him tight, thankful when he returned the gesture. Stepping back, I smiled at him. "I'm gonna be okay."

"I know you will."

And with that, I finished packing my bags. Oliver carried them out to his car for me, loading them in the trunk. When he handed me the keys, I reluctantly took them. I hadn't been behind the wheel since the accident, and now I was driving off at dusk to get away before I had a chance to think things over and change my mind. This was the way it had to be.

I gave Oliver one last hug and promised to call him as soon as I was settled. But when I turned toward the car, a figure stepped out of the shadows.

"What are you doing here?"