Page 35 of Jump Start

I narrowed my eyes and took a sharp breath in before speaking. “I don’t see how this has anything to do with my job, sir. Careful there, that almost sounded like a threat.”

“It’s not a threat. I only think it would be best if you tell me directly, rather than have some other paper pick it up.”

“This is my personal life, and I will not be a part of this. It’s not why I got into journalism.”

“Harper, if you date a celebrity, you have to expect things like this to happen.”

I could feel my face go red with fury. “So, I date an athlete and all of a sudden I have to forget my brain?”

“Harper, please calm down. I am just trying to settle this situation before the truth becomes public.”

“It’s already out, Harry, and I will not sell out my friends.”

I stood up from my chair and started to walk out of his office. “This conversation is over,” I said as I stormed out of his office. I closed his door without slamming it and instantly regretted my choice not to use a bit more force.

I was mad, and not the sort of mad that Thomas usually made me feel. This was raw, unfiltered, penetrating. My life had been scrutinised from the outside for the very first time and I did not like it. I walked out of the building and was hit with humid summer air—not very refreshing. I called my dad as I always did when I needed to talk through something, but my mum answered.

“Honey, I was about to call you.”

“Hey, Mum. Where’s Dad?” I asked, waiting for her response as I looked up at the sun and back down to my feet.

“Honey, your father had a heart attack. He is okay, but he’s in the hospital in Newcastle. I was calling to let you know and ask if you could come up?” She was talking louder and faster than she normally would. My heart sank along with my stomach.

“Oh my god, Mum! Okay, yes, of course. What happened?” I was walking back to the office in a panic and reached the foyer, but there were no lifts available. I contemplated running up the fifteen storeys of stairs before an elevator pinged. My phone dropped out just as Mum was about to explain what happened and I swore out loud at my phone to the surprise of the people in the lift with me.

I reached my desk and packed my belongings as quickly as I could before poking my head into Harry’s office. Even though he was the last person I wanted to talk to.

“There’s been a family emergency, and I need to go. I will betaking the rest of the week off.” I spoke fast and sternly, then shut the door once again, not waiting for his response.

As I hailed down a cab, I called Thomas, hoping he would be available. He answered after the first ring.

“Hey, Harps, what’s up?” It was his usual, calm greeting.

“Hey, I have to go to Newcastle. My dad’s had a heart attack.” My voice shook as I said the sentence out loud for the first time.

“Shit, okay. When are you going?” he asked, his tone concerned.

“Well, I’m in a cab going home now and I guess I’ll pack a bag and get going pretty much straight away…so in the next hour or two.” I peered into the rear view mirror, the look on the driver’s face as he navigated through traffic suggested he felt empathy for me.

“Alright, I’ll do the same. I’ll be at yours as soon as I can.” His response took me by surprise.

“You’re coming with me?”

“Harper, it’s not even a question. I’m in my car. I’ll see you soon, sweetheart,” he said before he hung up. I guess now was as good a time as any for my family to meet him.

***

I packed my overnight bag in a frenzy, not able to think straight. I just wanted to get to Dad. I sat on the end of my bed, trying my hardest not to cry. I took a few deep breaths as I tried to calm myself down. I couldn’t think straight. I heard my front door open and a few footsteps later, Thomas was leaning against my bedroom doorframe. Without a word, he walked over, sat nextto me and gathered me in his arms. His hand held the side of my face against his chest, and his warm arms enveloped me.

“It’s alright,” he whispered. “I’m here. You’re not alone.” He kept repeating those words, soothing me and reassuring me in the process.

I felt safe and loved, even in a situation like this.

As we gathered our things and went downstairs, Thomas guided me towards his ute. I was grateful that he took the lead, as I was certainly not looking forward to driving up on my own. Placing my bags in the back, he opened the door for me to hop into the car and kissed my cheek before closing the door.

“Alright, since you’re having a rough day, I won’t play my music,” he said with a sly smile.

I nodded. “You are so considerate.”

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