After Everything (Hessa Fanfic)

3

Hardin's POV

I let Tess and I into my dad's house, glad he had given me a key and even more glad he hadn't made a fuss of it. He slid it over the table one day whilst I was stuffing my face with Karen's cooking telling me I was always welcome there before slinking off back to his fancy ass office. I waited until I was alone to attach it to my keyring.

'Where are they?' Tess asked as we entered the darkness, me clutching her overnight bag.

'They stayed at the venue with Landon. I was meant to as well.' I answered, almost forgetting about my brother's wedding that already feels like a lifetime ago.

It still feels weird using the term brother but really, Landon has earned it. Although he can be soppy, and really fucking annoying. He's helped the days not seem so dark and lonely.

Plus he gives me updates on Tessa whenever I ask. And doesn't complain too much about me asking.

'Oh.' Tess answered quietly.

'What's wrong?'

'I just feel bad that weren't not there for Landon. We left.' She smiled sadly.

'It'll be okay baby.' I reassured but Tess' face didn't change. She still looked deep in thought. I was praying she didn't regret any of this.

'They're having some breakfast thing in the morning, we'll get up early and meet them there, yeah?' I compromised, trying to wipe the sad look off my girls face. I know she was upset she missed some of their big day.

'Yes please.' She cheered up. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into my chest, kissing her forehead.

'Come on you, bed.' I insisted, guiding her up the stairs towards the room we once spent so much time in together. I flipped the light on, looking around, feeling fucking surreal about being back here with her after all this time.

'Do you stay here often?' She asked, rummaging through her bag.

'Sometimes.' I shrugged. 'It's different now Landon isn't here but I always stop by when I'm in the area.'

The truth was, life in Chicago was fucking lonely. I didn't really have any friends, or really many people I knew. The bright lights and busyness gave me a buzz for a while but really, the novelty of it all wore off pretty quickly. Although I stayed busy with work, there was always a part of me missing. When I first moved into the apartment in Chicago, Tessa's presence haunted me everywhere. She become the voice inside my head as I did my furniture shopping, advising me of the most practical lamp and telling me that I simply need a fucking rug.

The concept of the book signings and fancy ass events were exciting at first but eventually each one just became a fucking reminder that I was going home, yet again, to an empty apartment without Tess. The same question came up at every signing, will we ever get back together. I always answered the same 'I hope so', whilst praying she was somewhere listening.

I found myself often dialling Vance, Ken, Landon for companionship. Really just anyone who would listen and distract me from thinking about those blue-gray eyes, even if only momentarily.

Truthfully, I visited my dad's more often than I wanted to admit to Tess. I would make up fake work events and interviews in the area as an excuse to drop by and stay. I think they knew I was bluffing most of the time, but they never dared said anything. How much excitement could you expect from Pullman anyway.

Being here in this house made me feel close to Tessa, even though I knew she was miles away. Dad and Karen gave me updates on her and Landon's life. I slept better here knowing she'd once fucking been here, holding me together through the night. Battling the demons away.