The Harper Brothers: All Bets Are Off (Wattpad Version)

History

Trigger warning: The following chapter will contain disturbing content. I recommend the reader's discretion.

Reese

Once Rafe fell asleep, I tiptoed out of his bedroom and went downstairs to get some water. His mom was in the kitchen, making coffee as I opened the fridge and grabbed a water bottle.

"Did you need anything?" His mom asked me.

"I needed some water." I held the bottled water up, cracked the cap, and took a sip. "Rafe explained somewhat what happened to me."

His mom stopped and turned to face me.

"Sage and I arrived in Oakridge during middle school. That's when we met Rowan and Bailey. Bailey mentioned the name Trevor but never elaborated about him."

Mrs. Harper poured a cup of coffee once it stopped brewing.

"Mrs. Harper, Rafe told me enough to get the gist."

She lifted the mug to her lips, sipped it, and held it her palms. "You want to protect your babies. It's what any parent wants. But how do you protect them from a monster?"

"You pray that you're stronger than the monster. It's what Devin would tell me when I woke up with nightmares after my parents died."

Mr. Harper nodded. I didn't press her for more information and went upstairs to Rafe's bedroom. I opened the door and slipped inside to find Rafe laying on his back with his hands behind his head and awake. I strode over to his bed and sat down on the side.

"Do you want to talk?" I asked.

Rafe looked at me.

"We don't have to talk if you want to." I shrugged.

Rafe propped himself on one arm. "I spent years burying what happened. I didn't want to think about it."

"Did your parents take you and your brothers to a counselor?"

"Yeah, they did. But the incident still crosses your mind. That's why Val protects us from other people."

"Because your brother blames himself for what happened."

Rafe gave me a slight nod. "The therapist said it wasn't our fault what happened. We spent years in therapy, trying to work through it. The worst part is my parents wouldn't leave us with just anyone because they worried something like this would happen."

I knitted my brows, placed my hand on Rafe's leg, and rubbed it. Rafe sat up, wrapped his arm around me, and pulled me to him. I wrapped my arms around his torso and held him.

********
JJ

I stood in front of a house and flipped through files before knocking. After two knocks, the door opened. I stepped over the threshold and hugged Liam and Casper. Tori came out of the kitchen while holding a ceramic cup.

A few minutes later, Maverick entered the house. "Hey, Tori."

Tori offered a small smile. Matthew and Elias arrived after us.

"Uncle Maverick? What are you doing here?" Matthew asked.

"I brought him," I said.

"Where are the boys?" Maverick asked.

"Upstairs," Tori said.

I flipped through the files. "We need them together in an empty room."

"Okay." Tori went upstairs.

I flipped through police and hospital reports. The files contained information from child psychologists. There were court paperwork and restraining orders. Sage and her friends came downstairs with Tori. I closed the files as Maverick, and I climbed the steps to the second floor.