Page 27 of Exes and Oh Hell No

Hanging up Gram’s phone, I hand it to her while I grab a sweatshirt from my closet.

“I’ll be back,” I grit out, storming down the stairs.

I call Harper back as I shove my feet inside my shoes, adrenaline firing like a bullet through my veins.

I pretend not to hear the pure glee in Gram’s voice as it follows me to the door.

“Go get your girl.”

I don’t correct her.

Because she’s right.

Harper ismine.

Even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

10

FORD

My hands shake as I speed around the lake, rage and adrenaline burning through my veins.

“I’m scared, Ford.”Harper’s breathless voice is like a blade to my chest, slicing through every last thread of restraint I have left.

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles white.

She’s scared.

Harper—myHarper—is afraid, and I’m not fucking there to stop it.

The thought alone makes me want to rip someone apart.

“It’s okay, Harper,” I say, voice deceptively calm despite the storm raging inside me.

It’s not fucking okay.

Not even close.

“I’ll be there soon.”

And when I find out who did this, they’ll wish they never fucking existed.

I bet my last goddamn breath that it’s Todd Dead-Man-Walking Matthews.

“I-I’m sorry I woke you and Gram.”

“Don’t apologize.” I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches. “I’m glad you called me.”

Doesn’t she fucking get it?

She could wake me up every night for the rest of my life, and I’d thank her for it.

“I probably scared your Gram to death.”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “She’s a tough broad. It didn’t faze her.”

Not much does.

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