After 2

Chapter 123.

I walk to the bathroom to remove the makeup off of my face and pull myself together. I am much more calm than I was fifteen minutes ago and I am actually glad to be back here. Despite everything that Hardin and I have been through, I am glad to know that I still have a safe place to land with him. He is the only constant in my life, I remember him saying that to me once. I wonder if he meant it then. Even if he didn't, I believe that he feels that way now. I just wish he would tell me more about how he feels. Seeing him breakdown yesterday was the most emotion that I have seen out of him since the day I meant him, I just want to hear the words behind the tears.

The warm water washes away all evidence of my eventful morning. I am not sure why I was so emotional over my father's return when I didn't know he left in the first place but think that it was a mixture of my anger towards my mother, the unexpected mention of my father, and everything going on with Hardin that caused my breakdown. I go back into the room to find Hardin sitting my bags down onto the floor.

"I went down and got your stuff." He informs me.

"Thank you, I really hope I am not intruding." I tell him and bend down to grab some sweats and a t-shirt. I have to get out of this dress.

"I want you here, you know that don't you?" He says quietly.

I shrug and he frowns.

"You should know that by now, Tess."

"I do.. it's just that your mother is here and here I am bringing all this drama and crying." I explain.

"My mum is glad that you are here and so am I."

My chest swells but I change the subject.

"Do you guys have anything planned today?" I ask him.

"No, I think she wanted to go to the mall or something but we can go tomorrow."

"You can go, I can keep myself entertained." I don't want him to cancel plans with his mother when he hasn't seen her in over a year.

"No, it's fine really. You don't need to be alone."

"I'm fine."

"Tessa what did I just say?" He growls and I look up at him.

He seems to forget that he doesn't get to decide things for me anymore. No one does.

"Sorry.. you stay here. I will go shopping with her." He corrects himself.

"Much better." I say and try to fight my smile.

Hardin has been so gentle, so ..afraid the last few days so it is nice to see he is still himself.

"You could come?" He offers.

"I just want to stay in today, it's been a long day already and it's only four."

"Alright, I will see if she wants to go now then so you can have some privacy."

"Thank you." I say and walk into the closet to change my clothes.

Just as I lift the dress over my head he taps on the door.

"Tess?"

"Yea?" I say.

"You'll be here when we get back?" He questions.

"Yea, it's not like I have anywhere else to go." I snort.

"Okay. If you need anything call me." He says, the sadness in his voice is clear. 

"Yea." I agree.

A few minutes later I hear the front door close and I emerge from the bedroom. I probably should have went with them so I wouldn't be here alone with my thoughts. I already feel lonely. After watching television for an hour, I am beyond bored. I wish Hardin would come back already.  My phone finally stops buzzing, it seems my mother has given up on trying to call me. I grab my nook and start to read to pass the time but I can't stop looking at the clock.