The Harper Family: Love Connection (Wattpad Version)

Remodeling the center

Kyler

The police cleared the center finally. But before reopening it, Pops and Uncle Jayden decided to remodel it. It needed an update.

Mercedes and Rachel met me at the center. Rachel stopped when she entered.

I met her at the entrance. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I didn't realize returning to the center would affect me so much," Rachel said.

"That's one of the reasons Pops and Uncle Jayden are remodeling."

"What's the other reason?"

"They want to expand and include more space for the kids since our influx increased. They also want to hire a few more people to help."

Rachel nodded.

Mercedes looped her arm around Rachel's. "Don't let that asshole win. He doesn't deserve your fear." Then she dragged Rachel from the front door.

I shook my head and scoffed. I can always count on Mercedes not to dwell on things. It was helpful at times.

*******
Rachel

Mercedes dragged me down the hallway until we stopped at my office door. The door was shut, but I could still see what had happened that night.

"I figure we could share an office temporarily," Kyler said.

I nodded but didn't say anything. What's there to say? Heath attacked me at the center.

"I want to see my office," I said.

My request surprised Kyler and Mercedes.

"Are you sure?" Mercedes asked.

"Yeah. I want to see it."

Mercedes and Kyler looked at each other. Then Kyler unlocked the door. I opened it, flicked on the light, and looked at the mess. I closed my eyes, and tears streamed down my cheeks as I relived that night.

"Rachel," Kyler said.

I opened my eyes, but I didn't look at Kyler. "What?"

"It's okay."

I turned to face Kyler and Mercedes. "It's not okay."

Their brows furrowed.

"Heath had no right to do what he did. He had no right to come here and hurt me! He had no right!"

"Baby girl." Kyler took a step toward me.

I took a step backward and put up my hand to stop Kyler. "Don't. Don't tell me everything is okay. Nothing is okay." I lowered my hand, glanced at the mess, shook my head, and raised my arms to the side. "Why? What did I do wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong."

My head snapped to Kyler.

"Heath was here because Colby hid drugs here."

"What?" I looked at Kyler in shock.

Mercedes said nothing.

"That's why the police shut down the center. They found drugs in Colby's locker and underneath the floorboard. My pops was working with the police, so it wouldn't ruin what he and Uncle Jayden built."

"That would explain why Colby was acting weird," Mercedes said.

"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter. Colby brought drugs into a place with kids. What if the kids got ahold of them?"

Mercedes knitted her brows.

I shook my head in disbelief. Everything was making sense now. Heath wasn't using me to make a girl jealous. I was some pawn in what he was doing. I felt like an utter fool.