Jenalyn: From the Inside (#3) [Complete]

Chapter 8: Tyler

Sunday, 11:18 A.M. PST

I run downstairs and pull open the front door as soon as Gage calls out to let me know I've got company.

I almost expect it to be Sophie. I have to brace myself for yet another blow out because she's back on her shit again, and wants me to leave Hayden for her.

I open the door to find Harper instead...

"Oh, hey?" I mumble questioningly.
I haven't seen her since the hospital, and although the Golds were pretty supportive of me throughout the whole thing, I didn't expect a home visit.

"I'm sorry to just pop up like this," she says uncertainly. I invite her in before she continues. "I just wanted to check in on you, and like... ya know- see if you knew what you wanted to do."

We only make it to the midpoint between my front door and the living room, but I pause in my tracks and turn around to face her with a look of shock on my face.

"What I want to do?" I ask, confused.

What does she mean? As far as my decision to be with Hayden?

Harper looks uncomfortable, but I can't help but press with my eyes. I hope she didn't come here to see if I still wanted to be with her sister. What kind of guy does she think I am?

A shitty one... a voice instantly reminds me as soon as the question passes my mind. It's no secret that Harper thinks I'm pretty shitty for how Harlee and I ended... and probably how Hayden and I began.

"I know she hurt you, Tyler," Harper says after a few moments, finding her way to my living room couch before going on. "She hurt me, too! Everyone who's put time and heart into all of this for her, really! But- I hope you're not going to abandon her for this. I think we did the right thing getting her some help, especially now! Before the baby-"

I cut her off before she has a chance to continue rambling. I know what she thinks, but she's got it all wrong. I'm not that guy anymore.

"I'm not going to abandon her, Harper," I say matter of factly, flattening my brows at her as if to ask how stupid she thinks I am. "She's getting help. I know it's going to get better. She's just... having a hard time transitioning into all this. I don't really think the hormones help... or the whole baby with Sophie thing... but- I'm sure she'll be alright."

Harper looks like she doesn't want to believe me. Her face scrunches up in worry, and she cocks her head to the side as if to ask if I even believe myself.
I think I do.

I think that's what's been the factor holding me back from being so mad at her... Either way, I don't really feel like I need to explain that to Harper right now.

Maybe her intentions for this visit are a little blurred to her- but it seems to me like she needs a little reassuring herself.

"You having a hard time with this?" I ask though the answer has already become so clear.

I forgot that Harper was the one to have to sell Hayden out... I know Hayden is super close with Harper- I'm sure it sucked to have been put in that position.

Harper nods, her eyes welling with tears as she falls into the friendly embrace that I offer her.

"I don't know if she's going to be able to do any of this if she doesn't trust me, Ty-" she cries almost uncontrollably. "And she's never going to trust me again because I caused all of this!"

I'm not going to lie, I feel a little weird. I'm not usually one to mediate when someone other than Hayden is upset...

But I mean, I get where she's coming from; breaking Hayden's trust is easy to do and hard to fix.

"Harper, you did the right thing!" I say as reassuringly as I can. "You saved our baby's life! Probably Hayden's too!"

Harper responds immediately, her voice pained as she continues to cry. "She won't see it like that, Tyler! You don't understand! She needs me! She doesn't feel like she fits in with the family- only me!"

I feel bad. I can empathize with Harper right now because my feelings aren't that far off from hers...

She's probably right though; I wouldn't understand! I can barely understand my own relationship with Hayden, let alone her relationships with other people!
What am I supposed to say to help her? I can't even help myself.

"Do you love her?" I ask suddenly, gently pulling Harper away from me to have her look at my face as it grows serious and stern.

Harper nods, wiping the tears from her cheeks with embarrassment. "So much," she says.

I love her too; so much I can barely understand it sometimes.  That seems to be the one thing that keeps me pushing through the shit storm she's thrown in my direction.

I'm not usually one to mediate, as I've said... but I think I've got this?

"Then you're going to get through this!" I say with confidence that I didn't even know I had left. "Your job is to just keep loving her, okay? That's all we can do to help! I think Hayden just... needs to learn that she can accept love. Real love. It's kind of a foreign subject for her."

Harper nods slowly, her eyes wandering as the words run circles in her head.
Did I do it? Did I fix her?

"Tyler, you're not a bad guy..." Harper says after a second, a small smile cracking on her tear smudged face.

I can't help but chuckle, trying to hide the relief that washes over my face. "Gee, thanks!" I say sarcastically with a playful eye roll.

Harper laughs now, continuing to wipe the tears from her face as she responds. "You know what I mean!" she says, shoving me gently. "I'm just saying... I think you're actually really great for Hayden. You love her, and I can see that a little better now."