"For the record, I will not go get her if she gets stuck on the toilet." I run my hand over my face.
Maisyn leans against the car next to me. "You know who we need to blame for this, right?"
"Boone?" I cock my brow, looking in the direction my best friend is in.
"No." She giggles. "I meant about Harper and you."
I scratch my beard. "Oh, yeah, that. Ahhhh me?"
"Again, no. But I can see how that makes sense. I'm talking about Landon." She elbows me when I grunt in agreement.
"Ain't that the truth! Had he not been my friend, I would've moved in on her like a bat in a cave." My mouth twitches as I repress a laugh.
Maisyn scrunches her nose. "Ewe! Terrible analogy, but I can also see it. Well, not see it, but I get it."
"Ya know, this could've been a major part of the problem." I side eye her.
She raises her brow. "What's that?"
"My friends now, are the same as then," I push off the car, easing away from her. "and you two have some serious issues!" I tap my temple with a wink.
"Oh, we know what the problem is! You, ya asshole!" She flips me off on her way to Mack's office.
I try to laugh it off, it's what I do best. Mack would probably say I repressed everything, but to be honest, at this point I've pushed Harper so far away, that there may never be a 'what if.'
I bury myself into my work, there's a lot to be said in beating out your thoughts and feelings. No matter how hard I try, she's never distant enough for me to forget about her.
My one reprieve is the fact I know she's safe and he can't get to her. Throughout the day, I continue to receive updates on her security and his whereabouts.
Monday's are always fast-paced and today isn't any different. Once the garage is clear, I hurry upstairs to get a shower. I'm in and out quickly, hoping to get a few hours' sleep before I head out.
I fall into bed, exhausted. "I better set my alarm; I may never wake up with the way I feel right now." I mumble to myself, reaching for my phone.
I squint at the screen and fix it for ten and fall fast asleep.
Beep... beep... beep.
I slap at the ear-piercing sound on my nightstand. "No way that was two hours." I drag my ass up, grabbing the first clean clothes I can find. A toothbrush and a ball cap later, I'm on my way.
A quick drive up Highway Seventeen, I pass the street to my home and turn left onto the dirt road just above it. I roll down the window as I approach the back gate, I hit the numbers required for entrance.
I pull through, watching for it to close before driving on. The back road is close enough that I can see the lights to my parent's home, Landon, and Scout's, and even Emerson and Aksel's across the street from mine.
"Damn girl, this ole dirt path brings you back to me every time. I swear, I can even smell that sweet strawberry scent of yours." Thoughts of her as I pass that old barn elicit a smile from me, I can't control. "I'd give every damn thing to be lying next to you in that ole thing again."
I park my ride under the canopy of trees just off the path and slide from the seat. After I pull my jacket from the back and put it on. I like to make my rounds, to settle my own nerves.
I find my place underneath the old oak tree, mere feet away from her. The house is lit up like Christmas with lights on in every room. I don't have a clue how they sleep with it looking like day inside.
"Where are you tonight, Harper?" I search every window, hoping to get a glance at her. The back door opens, and Aksel stalks toward me. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Let me get closer, we don't want her to know right now." He fades into the night, but not enough that I can't keep my eyes on him.
I point toward the fence. "Careful at the step."
"How in the hell do you catch anything in this lighting?" He's cautious as he steps through, closing the opening behind him.
"It's my place, I've cut my teeth on this property."
"Apparently, but I'm not wanting to knock mine out trying to get to you." He chuckles.
I glance at him. "So, what's happened?"
"Weston's been sitting in front of our house since around nine tonight." He hands me his phone, there're photos from their security camera's.
I scroll through them as the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. "Son of a bitch."
"The outstanding thing is, he hasn't even looked toward this place but he's definitely watching her parents and brothers' places." Aksel shoves his phone back into his pockets.
I point to it, still gazing at the house. "Be sure to save those, they'll be good for court."
"I thought they were grainy." He grumbles.
"They were but anyone can clearly see it's that asshole, so keep them."
He rubs the back of his neck. "I need to get back in, Em's been a little off since I spotted him across the street."
"Let her know, I'm going to double security and I'm still here." My stomach knots, knowing I'm asking my little sister to put her and her husband in the middle of this. "I appreciate y'all helping."
He pats my back. "Naw man, it's all good. Dad wants me here too."
"One's been great, he's offered help to coordinate everything." I rock back on my heels, reeling that he's so close.
"Well, if this country song of a house hasn't gotten his attention yet, I think she's safe." Aksel sniggers.
I cut my eyes at him. "What do you mean, country song house?"
"Every light in the house is on." He laughs, nodding toward the well-lit place.
"Why are all the lights on? Not that I care, but it's as though every room is lit up!" I chuckle with him.
He looks at me as though I'm insane. "You don't get it?"
"No." My brows raise.
"She needs it." He sighs heavily. "Mom used to do it before One came into her life, even with all of us home, she kept all the lights on."
My jaw tightens as the realization hits me. "So, they can see them coming."
"Yeah, bumps in the night are hard as hell." Aksel's voice quivers. It's then it dawns on me, I don't give this young man enough respect, he's protective as hell of his mom. I won't ever have to worry about my baby sister with him around.
"Not an easy life, that's for sure." I swallow hard, in a quest to cool my rage.
"This is a good thing, Ridge. I know she means something to you, but this is above and beyond." He drops his head. "I'm gonna head in, get ready to hit the bed."
"Alright, Bub."
I have so much I want to say to him, things I need to share with her, but until Weston is out of the way, I'll wait. I need to see him rot in jail for what he's done and I'm damn well the guy to make sure it happens.
The night takes its toll on Harper, she's restless and it's apparent. She moves around the room, never staying in one place for long. "I hope you're comfortable or is it more?" I murmur to myself.
Day touches the horizon, still she doesn't sleep. "For some reason, I think we're doing this wrong." I chuckle under my breath, watching her through the window.