Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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"Good morning, lovebirds," Emma says, breaking through my sleep.
I slowly open my eyes and realize I'm really sleeping on this small, ugly couch in this dingy motel room and it wasn't all some nightmare. I can hear Hardin lightly snoring in my ear, but it just makes me smile. I love when he has peaceful sleeps because of me.
"You guys look so uncomfortable! You should have taken the bed," she says.
"Don't worry about it. How did you sleep?" I yawn.
"I slept through the night, but only because I was so exhausted from crying."
"Things will get better." I wiggle free from Hardin's grasp and get up off the couch. "You're staying with us for Christmas. No arguments."
"I couldn't do that to you guys."
"Tessa and I already agreed you're staying with us," Hardin says in a sleepy voice.
"Did we wake you?" I ask.
"No, my sore neck did," he groans.
"I've sure put you guys through hell these last few days," Emma says sadly.
"Let's just get out of here and get home. Does anyone want to shower before we leave?" I ask.
"In that bathroom?" Hardin asks with a disgusted look.
"No!" we all say in unison and then Emma and I start to laugh.
We grab our bags and make our way to the car. Hardin puts them in the trunk and we finally leave that horrible place behind.
"I love you so much, baby," Hardin whispers.
"Aw, I love you, too," I say back.
"Oh, I was talking to the car. I'm so happy it was still in one piece this morning."
"I thought you only called me baby," I tease. "Now I have to compete with your car and your Crackle Flakes for your love?"
"I'd choose you ninety nine percent of the time," he jokes.
"Now that's true love." I roll my eyes.
After driving for almost an hour, we stop at a diner for breakfast, then continue home.
"I'm bored. Let's play a game!" I say excitedly. "Um... I spy something... black!"
"Is it... Hardin's soul?" Emma laughs from the back seat.
"Very funny. Insult the driver," he says, trying not to smile.
We drive for a little longer before Emma breaks the silence. "Hey, before we get back to your apartment, can we make a stop?" she asks quietly.
"Of course, Emma. Where?" I ask.
"The police station. Because of me, you already got hurt two times and I could have prevented both if I had just done the right thing. This time I'm going to. I'm reporting Dan's abuse to the police."
"I'm so happy to hear you say that!"
"I'm not going to let him hurt anyone else."
"You know, Emma, you're one of the lucky ones. I'm really glad to hear you're reporting him," Hardin says.
"I couldn't have gotten through any of this without the two of you," she says gratefully.
After a very long drive home, we are finally within a few blocks of the police station. I can tell Emma is getting nervous. "Don't worry, Hardin and I will come in with you," I assure her.
"Okay," she whispers.
Hardin pulls into the parking lot and we walk into the building with Emma. We wait with her, until someone takes her so they can get her statement.
After waiting an hour, I begin to pace around the police station.
"This place... it brings back bad memories for me," I admit.
"I know, baby," Hardin says as he stands and walks toward me. "Just remember, you're safe in my arms, okay?" He hugs me tightly.
"I love you," I say into his chest.
Another hour passes before we hear anything.
"Okay, I'm ready to go," Emma announces as she walks back over to us.
"Did everything go okay?" I ask cautiously.
"Yes. Now, I don't want to give anymore thought to that abusive piece of crap. Let's just go to your place. I'm exhausted."
We finally leave the police station and get back to our apartment. We help Hardin carry the bags up to the apartment, but I'm too tired to unpack anything.
We order some pizza for dinner and decide to watch a movie. Hardin is outvoted, so we watch a romantic comedy.
"Is this how it's going to be? You two are going to gang up on me?" Hardin jokes.
"Pretty much." I giggle.
After the movie is finished, I go make up the bed in the spare bedroom for Emma. "Is there anything else you need before bed?" I ask her.
"No, I'm good. Thank you for everything!"
"Oh, one more thing, Emma... Make sure you lock the bathroom door so Hardin doesn't barge in on you, like he did me when I was first staying here," I warn.
"Oh, okay!" She laughs before going into the bedroom and closing the door.
"You know... that was a very good day." Hardin smirks.
"Hardin!" I shriek and playfully slap his arm. "You shouldn't have been looking at your best friend in a towel," I scold.
"Oh, I wasn't just looking. I was imagining all the dirty things I was going to do to you after ripping that towel off you." He continues to smirk.
"That's really what you were thinking while I was standing there embarrassed?"
"Yes." He laughs. "You look good in a towel. You should wear one around the apartment more often."
"Come on, perv! Let's get some sleep." I pull Hardin into our bedroom.
