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

Chapter 87: Tyler

Sunday, 10:46 AM PST

“Thanks for coming to help get the baby’s room together!” Harper tells me with a small laugh. “I’m sure you didn’t want to be up this early, but it’s for a good cause, right? Look at how cute your daughter's room is!”

She motions around to the huge pink, gray, and white themed princess room we’ve spent the last two hours putting finishing touches on. This little girl will want for nothing, that’s become pretty clear. The Golds spent over three thousand dollars on the carpet alone!

I have to admit though, the room is pretty cute.

Harper’s mom ordered a custom crib for the baby’s room at her place, but after much deliberation, allowed me to choose the one to put here. Though not pink, gray, or white; the black crib makes a perfect centerpiece.

I bet that’s the most I’ll get to do as a father.

Between Mama G hating me, and what I can only imagine Hayden to put me through after what I’d done? I’ll never get to see the baby.

“You’re welcome,” I mumble anyway, thankful for the opportunity nonetheless. “You don’t think I’m… doing this for nothing, do you? I mean, we’re not even sure Hayden will take me back! Should I even be here doing all of this? I don’t want her to think I’m forcing my way into-”

Harper cuts me off, and I can’t help but silently thank her for putting an end to my rambling. I hate how insecure Hayden makes me…

“It’s your baby too, Ty!” she tells me wearing a face as if I’m crazy. “You’re going to be in her life one way or another. You’re just nervous because she’s getting out soon.”

The ache I feel in my chest as she reminds me is a silent confirmation to her theory. Of course I’m nervous!

It was one thing to try rectifying this while Hayden was across the country. Everything I’ve done, I assumed to be the right thing because she hasn’t been around to tell me otherwise!

But to have her back? And constantly be scrutinized for what I did, no matter what I’ve done or plan to do to fix it?

How am I supposed to handle this?

“I fucked up beyond repair,” I mumble. I feel my body sink back into a depression. “Maybe I should back off? When she’s ready, she can-”

“Tyler!” Harper interrupts me, crossing her arms over her chest. She makes her way across the baby room until she meets me, grasping onto my shoulders and shaking them. “You need to stop, okay? See how things go, then make a decision. Stop overreacting.”

I take a deep breath, still feeling panicked, but able to keep it to myself.

“I’m sorry,” I mutter under my breath. I’m not sure what else to say, but Harper fills in the silence anyway.

“Mom actually suggested you stay here with her for the first couple of days she’s back…” she tells me with a sigh. She gauges my face for a reaction before continuing. “I know it’s crazy considering how she acts about your relationship, but she doesn’t know about what happened with Sophie. And she doesn’t want Hayden by herself. She’s… trying to give you a chance.”

That’s a lot to take in; What the fuck am I supposed to do about that?

Now I have to tell Mama G about what I did to yet another one of her daughters? Or convince Hayden to let me stay with her in her new house after I cheated on her with my ex?

Was that supposed to make me feel better?

Harper must see the range of emotions that pass over my face. I can tell from her expression that she knew my predicament all along.

“I’m screwed,” I tell her, shaking my head. “I’m fucking screwed.”