34. “Swimmers, huh?”

THIRTY-FOUR

“SWIMMERS, HUH?”

SHEP

I spend my drive back to the townhouse on another level. Harlow’s scent is still trapped in my nose and I don’t want it to ever go away. I completely forgot to call Mom, so I do that before heading into the house.

She asks me the questions I figured she would and I answer them as quickly as I can before bursting in through the door. Dahlia runs past me and into Wes’s room. I hear not one, but two voices react.

Oh shit.

Dahlia runs out and following close behind her is Wes, whose face is beet red. He looks at me once with wide eyes then shuts his bedroom door. Deciding to entertain the circumstances, I yell out, “Hi, Lennon!”

A groan emanates into the living room and I laugh. I head into my room and start to grab some of my stuff, checking that there’s nothing left to do before heading to the rec for my shift. I moved it to later tonight so I could make the meeting at the precinct.

Even though Harlow won’t be there, I can hardly think about that disappointment. I’m still on cloud nine from our encounter outside the coffee shop.

I don’t know what’s been going on in that beautiful mind of hers since the hospital, but I hope I’ll find out soon. Every time I’m around her, I just want more. I’ve felt like this in the past with her, but it’s only grown stronger in the time we’ve spent not speaking to or seeing each other.

After a few minutes, I hear a knock on my door even though it’s open. I look over and am shocked to see Lennon.

“Can we talk?”

Glancing beyond her, I see Wes in his doorway and he nods his head at me.

“Sure, what’s up?” I start walking towards the living room, not wanting to be alone with her in my room—door open or not.

She follows me and plops down in our recliner chair, crossing her legs and leaning forward on her elbows, then comes right out with it. “How did you realize what was going on with Beckett before I did?”

Her question catches me off guard as I sit down on the couch opposite her. I turn my head to the side and look at Wes again who’s trying to act like he isn’t eavesdropping. He raises his hands in defense then shuts his door. Great.

“I’m not sure what you mean by that. How did I realize? Like when did I figure it out?” I try to answer gently because I can tell there’s some hurt in Lennon’s voice.

“I mean, I guess. You don’t have to answer anything that you think Harlow wouldn’t want me to know. I want to respect her boundaries. She’s been working with Robin on that a lot, so…”

“Right,” I nod my head. “So, this is probably going to sound stupid to you, but it started when she first showed up at the rec. I just got a feeling from her after seeing her there for a few days.”

“You’re joking.” Lennon deadpans. “I’ve been best friends with the girl for over five years and you could tell something was wrong right away? Some friend I am!” She lifts her hands up before bringing them back down on her legs.

“No, no. Lennon. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.” I laugh a little trying to diffuse the tension. “I just meant that there was something off about the situation with Harlow. I knew about her title and ranking. She just didn’t seem like the type to get drunk at a party and then get hurt so my suspicions were already raised. Then they were confirmed when I saw her bruises at the pool and then the moment in the car on speaker phone.”

“Well, I believed the story,” Lennon sniffs. “I mean, when she came up to me and asked to leave, she reeked of alcohol and there was puke on her clothes.”

My heart drops. “Lennon, I need to show you something, but first—Wes?” I call out. He opens his door again. “Can you come here please and sit with Lennon?”

“What, why?” she asks with a puzzled look on her face.

“Just trust me.” I look past her. “Wes?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m here.” He walks over and motions for her to get up before sitting down and then pulling her into his lap. Nothing going on between the two of them my ass.

Once Lennon is settled, I pull out my phone and find the footage of Harlow’s accident. Nobody has seen this except for the few people I sent it to that night at formal. “What I’m about to show you cannot, and I mean this, cannot leave this room. Everyone knows what happened now, but nobody needs to know about this video.”

Lennon gasps and I see Wes squeeze her hand.

I turn my phone and press play. Lennon immediately starts crying and I notice Wes is holding his breath. I can tell what part the video is at based on their reactions and when it’s finally done, Lennon turns into Wes and starts sobbing.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to upset you, but I thought this might explain your memories and, shit. I’m just sorry, Lennon. I know she’s your best friend.”

She continues to bawl against Wes’s chest while he strokes her hair. His eyes lock onto mine and they’re filled with sorrow. This isn’t the first time Wes has had to take care of someone who’s been in this condition, but it doesn’t make it any easier for him.

Lennon finally picks her head up and glances over at me. Her red and puffy eyes make my heart hurt and I wish there was a better way to explain all of this.

“Lennon, you didn’t fail Harlow in any way. I know it doesn’t make you feel better, but Harlow didn’t tell you for multiple reasons. The biggest being she was afraid of Beckett. That fear was able to overpower her ability to come to you as her best friend. You know that?”

She nods her head. “That’s what she told me after the hospital, but she hasn’t really talked about it since and it’s just been bothering me. I love that she’s back with the team and we’re able to spend time together like before, but I can’t help the feeling that we’ll never actually get back to before .”

“Maybe not, but I think that’s a positive thing. These new beginnings for her and for you are good ones. Not just good ones, healthy ones. She’s starting to thrive, Lennon, and she still wants you right by her side through it.” I smile at her and she sniffles before rubbing the back of her hand across her cheek.

“How’d you get so smart about all this, huh?” She softly laughs and I could fall to my knees in delight that I haven’t destroyed the poor girl.

“I think you know the answer to that. You’ve met her a few times now.” I gesture to Wes who beams.

“Momma Fords.”

I clap my hands together. “That’s right. So, Lennon, to answer your question, it just happened the way it did. I was pushy and probably overbearing at times with Harlow, and to be honest with you, she never came out and told me what was going on. Like I said, I just put it together over time when certain things happened.”

“Okay,” she sighs. “If you say so. But don’t get any ideas about replacing me as her best friend.”

“Hey,” I hold my hands up in defense, “I could say the same thing about you two.” Lennon’s cheeks flush as she jumps out of the chair and off of Wes.

“I was just here studying. That’s it,” she shoots back quickly.

“Riiight. You keep telling yourself that.”

Wes snorts and then covers his face when Lennon glares at him.

“I gotta head to work but I’m glad we got to talk because hopefully, all four of us will be able to hang out soon.”

“Wait, what do you mean?” Lennon perks up at this so I decide to throw her a bone after the heaviness of the conversation.

“Let’s just say I ran into a certain blonde downtown. Leggy, likes flannels, and always wears Doc Martens. You might know her? Anyways, she gave me a big hug and told me she missed me.” As the last few words leave my mouth, Lennon screams and runs to Wes’s room grabbing her bag and phone.

“I have to go! I need to call Harlow! Wes, I’ll see you in class.” She slips her sneakers on then stops and comes back over to me motioning for me to stand up. “Thank you for seeing her.” She gives me a small hug and then turns and bolts out the door.

“Geez, Shep. What’re you doing man?” Wes exhales then leans over and smacks me on the side of the arm. “Showing her that video?”

“She needed to see it. It’s her best friend. And don’t get all upset with me, it worked out in your favor.” I raise my eyebrows.

“Oh don’t start that shit. We were just studying, seriously. Can I be honest with you?”

“Always, what’s up?” I lean back on the couch again.

“We haven’t had sex.” A weary look covers his face and I’m not sure if he’s worried that I’m judging him or what but he should know by now that I’m not one of those guys.

“Okay, and?” I gesture for him to continue.

“I don’t know. I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea, especially of her.”

“Damn, you really like the girl.” I snort.

“Excuse me?” Wes retorts.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you stand up for a girl other than your sister. It’s refreshing and I hope it works out for you. As far as the sex goes, you know I’ll be the first one to tell you I’ve never thought that shit was super important. I think it matters, but it’s not what you should be seeking out.”

He nods in affirmation before leaning his head back on our recliner and staring up at the ceiling.

“You’re right though. I’m down bad for that girl.” He lets out a long breath before looking over at me. “Swimmers, huh?”

I chuckle before nodding my head and mumbling out in agreement.

“Swimmers.”