28. A deer in headlights
TWENTY-EIGHT
A DEER IN HEADLIGHTS
HARLOW
Standing outside by the pool, I can’t help but tune out the nonsense that Beckett is droning on and on about. I don’t know how long we’ve been out here, but all I can think about is what Shep told Lennon and how long has she known? Not to mention how reckless I was acting in the bathroom with him, taunting and flirting with him like that. Seriously, what came over me?
It could’ve been how good he smelled or maybe the way the suit made his eyes pop. There was also the way he ran his fingers through his hair, for a second I wanted to do it myself.
“Harlow? Are you even listening to me?” Beckett’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“What?” I respond, disoriented.
“I asked if you knew Lennon was going to be here with Shep,” Beckett crosses his arms.
“Oh, no. I didn’t. I’m just as surprised as you are.” I look around for them and then at Beckett again. “Can we go inside?”
Beckett starts up again about how he doesn’t want to go through the same conversation we had at the date party and I should know better than to talk to Shep. At a certain point, I feel myself checking out of the conversation again then blurt out, “Can I go?”
Beckett’s eyes shoot wide open. “Can you go?” He responds. “Can you go where?”
“Home? Away from here? I don’t know but I really don’t want to have this conversation with you anymore, Beckett.” I take a breath, summoning every bit of confidence I have. “I came to formal with you because I agreed to, but after this, I think we need to stop seeing each other.”
His mouth gapes open and he reaches his hand out towards my face. I brace myself for what’s about to happen, when a familiar voice calls, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
I turn on my heels and Shep is walking right towards us.
“Fords, this has nothing to do with you, so I suggest you fuck off.” Beckett starts to raise his voice.
Shep ignores him, coming up to me first, “Are you okay?”
“I guess, yeah.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Good. Lennon needs you, she’s out front.” Shep’s words are direct but soft, then he physically ushers me towards the house and away from the situation. Once I’m by the door, he turns around and walks back to where Beckett is. I stop for a few seconds, looking out the window to where the guys are now alone. Beckett’s mouth is moving a hundred miles a minute, meanwhile Shep just stands there with his hands in his pockets, a calm expression on his face.
I make it out front and, sure enough, Lennon is there. When I get to her though, I realize she’s not alone.
“Is Shep still inside?” Wes steps towards us and asks.
“Yeah, he—what’s going on here?” I look between the two of them.
Lennon opens her mouth and that’s when I hear it.
Clashing, banging, and what sounds like the forming of a large crowd erupts from inside the fraternity house.
“Shit,” Wes starts to take off through the front door, but not before turning and looking me dead in the eye. “Call Laura and tell her to send Will.”
My stomach drops and I waste no time doing just that.
The line rings twice before I hear Momma Ford’s voice on the other line.
“Sweet girl! Aren't you supposed?—”
“Laura, something’s wrong. Shep went to talk to Beckett and now?—”
“Oh, honey, okay. Okay, I’m going to call Will. He’s at the precinct, but Harlow, listen to me. Whatever you do, do not get involved.”
There’s a pause and I desperately want to appease her, but my words say differently, “I’m sorry, Laura. I have to go back inside and check. Please call Will.”
I hang up before she can say anything else, turning to Lennon. She’s frozen like a deer in headlights but I plead with my eyes for her to follow me.