Page 46 of Maybe, Probably
Over the next couple minutes, surprisingly, nothing really happens. Chloe and Dalton don’t stay in the water for long, as Chloe begins complaining of wrinkles. I swear my eyes almost roll all the way to the back of my head.
Soft music plays as they both just sit there, looking at their phones. Deciding I’ve had enough of this wholesocialization,I make my way to the edge of the pool, climbing out. As soon as I’m standing up straight, I hear it.
“Mooooo.”
My back straightens as Chloe begins to cackle.
All I can hear is the beating of my heart in my ears, the distinct sting coming to the back of my eyes.
“Fuck” I mumble to myself, turning my body from them as I start to head back to my room. I can’t deal with this right now. Staring at my feet, I move quickly, not paying attention to the world around me.
I run face first into Xavier.
I avoid eye contact as I try to move around him, but he grabs my chin with his finger and thumb and brings my eyes up, meeting his. A storm ofblue threatens to break loose as he maintains eye contact with me. His nostrils flare and his mouth forms a thin line.
“What happened?” He demands in a tone that would normally send a shiver down my spine. Right now? I just want to disappear.
I try my best to put on a convincing smile. “It’s nothing. I’m just not feeling the greatest, so I was going to lay down.”
“Babydoll, “ He begins, a level of concern softening his face.
My bottom lip begins to tremble. “Please don’t. Just let me go.” The words are no louder than a whisper. “Please.” His jaw tightens, running his gaze over me once more before he nods, and lets me go.
I slip past him, high-tailing it as fast as I can.
Chapter Twenty Two
Xavier
IwatchHarperwalkawayin defeat. There’s only one explanation as to what happened, and I need answers. I need them right now. I spin in the other direction, zeroing in on Chloe and Derek. Chloe looks fucking pleased with herself. I take slow and methodical steps toward them, like a predator approaching prey. “I don’t know what the fuck you said to her,” I growl out. “But so fucking help me, if I hear anything else out of either of your mouths, it will be the last thing you do.” I’m up in Deke’s face, a sneer on my lips. This guy may have some muscle to him, but it’s nothing compared to mine. Moments pass before Dalton backs down, dipping his head.
“Pathetic.” Spinning around, I take off in Harper’s direction.
It doesn’t take long to catch up to her. Her pace is brisk, with her shoulders slumped and head down. I don’t need to spin her around to know she’s crying. My suspicion is confirmed when I hear a sniffle and see her hand move toward her face before falling down to her side.
“Harps!” She jumps at the sound of her name, but the sound of my voice only makes her walk faster. I adjust my pace to match hers. It doesn’t take me long to close the distance, and I place my hand on her elbow to stop her.
“Hey, I was calling you.” She pulls her arm out of my grasp.
“Just leave me alone Xavier.” The trembling in her voice fucking kills me. I look around where we are quickly, spotting the sauna a few feet ahead. I place my hand on her lower back. “Come on, in here.”
The saunas a decent space. There are two layers of cedar benches that are in an L shape. The oven that holds the coals is directly across the space from the door. Harper goes to the far side of the sauna, although the room isn’t big, so she doesn’t go far. I step toward her, but she doesn’t look up at me. She’s staring at her feet, wiggling her toes as if to keep her focused. I reach down, placing my pointer finger and middle finger under her chin, and lift her face until her eyes lock with mine. My chest seizes as I see her emerald eyes filled with tears, and I die a bit more inside as they begin to stream down her face. She tries to pull her face away but I add my thumb to hold her still. “Enough.” I say sternly. Her eyes dilate slightly, a hint of lust shining in them before it disappears. Her bottom lip begins to tremble.
“What’s going on, babydoll?”
Another tear tracks down her cheek. I cup her face in my hands, kissing her cheek gently. The taste of her tears will be my ruin. “Talk to me. Please.” Desperation is heavy in my voice, and despite reminding myself I shouldn’t be here, I can’t bring myself to walk away.
Harper makes all logic fly out the window. When she was working during the week, I found myself needing to know what she’s doing. It started with texting her a few times, but I easily learned that when she’s in the zone working, she doesn’t answer personal messages. I started bringing her lunch. The next day when I brought her lunch, I ended up staying and we talked. There have been days I pretend to answer emails on my phone, when in reality, I was watching her the whole time through my peripherals.
The silence continues before she finally gives me something, “It’s not something I’m not used to.” She takes a deep breath before continuing. “I’ve always been the big girl. I own it, I’m not ashamed. But,” her voice breaks, “that doesn’t mean the words still don't hurt, you know?” Tears are streaming down her face. I keep kissing each tear. Her hands run up my forearms, and she holds on to my wrists as her eyes close. I place my lips softly onto hers. As soon as they connect, Harper begins pushing forward, deepening the kiss.
I pull away before I get too carried away. “I want you to tell me what they said, babydoll.” I look deep into her eyes and try to portray how I need to hear this right now.
“Like I said, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”
“Doesn’t matter. What. Did. They. Say. Harper.” I say through clenched teeth. The thought of them tearing her down enrages me, especially after I’ve seen how much more comfortable she’s been in her own skin this past week. My heart is thundering in my chest as I wait for her to say the words.
I take a deep breath. “Now, Harper, or I can’t be held responsible for what I do if I have to leave this room to find out for myself.” Her grip tightens on my wrists.
