Fall'n For The New Guy | | Harrison Reid

Chapter 130

After a while, we began our climb back up the wooden stairs. The steps felt different now more intimidating, more demanding. As we started up, I immediately felt the strain in my legs. My muscles, already tired from the descent, protested with each step, and I could feel the slight pressure of my growing belly making every movement feel slower, more deliberate.

The stairs were uneven, the wood slippery from the mist, and I had to grip the railing tightly to keep my balance. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the heat rising in my chest as I climbed higher. My breath came faster, the exertion making my chest tighten slightly.

I heard Harrison's voice behind me. "You okay?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the frustration bubbling up inside me. Of course, I wasn't okay—this was hard, but I didn't need him constantly asking. "Yeah, I'm fine," I snapped, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I'm just a little tired."

I kept moving, but it didn't help that each step felt like I was dragging myself up. The stairs seemed endless, the wood creaking beneath my feet, and I could feel the burn in my legs with each step. As I took another pause to catch my breath, Harrison's voice came again, quieter this time but still full of concern.

"Tess, maybe we should slow down. You don't have to push yourself."

I glanced at him, irritation flashing through me. "I said I'm fine, Harrison. I don't need you hovering over me every step of the way," I replied, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

He stopped in his tracks, looking at me with concern. "I'm just trying to help. I'm not trying to hover, but I don't want you to overdo it."

I let out a frustrated sigh, trying to regain my composure. "I know what I'm doing, okay?" I muttered, even though my legs were starting to feel like they might give out any second. "I just need a break, that's all."

He stayed silent for a moment, but I could feel his eyes on me, still worried. I closed my eyes for a second, trying to steady my breathing, and then motioned for him to move ahead. "I'm fine, really. I just need a second."

But, of course, he didn't listen. He just stood there, hovering like I was about to collapse at any second. My patience, already running thin from the exhaustion, snapped.

"Harrison, for god's sake, can you just go?" I huffed, glaring at him. "I don't need you watching me like a bloody nurse! I just need a break without you breathing down my neck."

His brows lifted slightly, clearly taken aback, but he still didn't move. Instead, he had the audacity to tilt his head like I was some fragile thing about to shatter.

"Tess, I'm just—"

"Just what? Making me feel even more frustrated? Because congratulations, you're doing a fantastic job," I snapped, crossing my arms. "I swear, if you ask me one more time if I'm okay, I'm pushing you down these stairs."

Harrison blinked, his lips twitching slightly, like he was fighting back a laugh. Which, honestly, only made me more annoyed.

"Alright, alright," he finally said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'll shut up. But if you fall, I am catching you, no matter how mad you get."

I roll my eyes, "Fine whatever."

With an annoyed huff, I took another step up, but the moment my foot hit the slick wood, it slid right out from under me. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I lost my balance, gravity pulling me backward.

Before I could even register what was happening, strong arms wrapped around me, stopping my fall. Harrison caught me effortlessly, holding me tight against his chest, his breath a little unsteady from the sudden movement.