Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 35: Harper

Sunday, 7:42 P.M. PST

“I really think we should just let her be, guys!” Ty’s voice booms over us. “She said that she’ll reach out when she’s ready!”

We all continue to talk over each other anyway, fighting to have our opinions heard.

“Are you crazy?!” mom snaps from across the kitchen island.  She slaps her palm down onto the counter before trying to regather herself. “How do you think that would go? Huh? Don’t you recall just a few months ago when she pulled this same stunt, and we almost lost your child? Come on! Use your brain, Tyler Robson!”

Mom has been pretty frantic since we all received a generic text from Hayden on an unknown number informing us of her decision to call it quits on the life we’ve given her. As if that weren’t bad enough, we also found out Ty just… allowed it. He allowed her to run away and then proceeded to fly back here to California without saying a word about it. 

And now he’s trying to sit here and convince us to, what? Support her decision? 

Has he lost his fricken mind?!

I can’t blame mom for being upset with him; I feel it too! He knows what happened the last time she tried to run away, I don’t understand why he’s trying to be okay with this now! 

Ty clears his throat uncomfortably. “I remember…” he says, his tone reluctant. He’s quick to add on. “I really don’t think this is the same thing though… I- I think she may be trying to avoid something like that again. She’s been really overwhelmed, so maybe if we just back off…”

Harlee shrugs her shoulders, I furrow my bros in confusion, and mom scoffs while nodding her head in sarcasm. 

“Oh yeah!” she exclaims, rolling her eyes. “Let’s leave a 17-year-old pregnant, and recovering drug addict to her own devices! That sounds like a perfect plan, Tyler!” 

I want to be on mom’s side of the fence, especially after getting that concerning message from Hayden. I mean, she really is in no position to be out there by herself! I get it!

A part of me can’t help but sympathize with Ty though. I know what’s been going on between them behind the curtains, and it’s not completely far-fetched to believe Hayden might just need… alone time.

I mean, think about it!

She came out here to follow her dreams alongside her childhood idol, only to find out her idol is a bitch of a workaholic that has no time or interest in her whatsoever; The man she used to dream about being with cheated on her while she was in the hospital trying to get better for him; She’s been on a tighter than usual leash since getting home from inpatient; And on top of all of that, she’s pregnant with her abuser’s child, and having to live out a lie to make it work for her life out here…

I don’t blame her for questioning if this is really what she wants! It’s a lot to handle for a mentally sound person, let alone someone that suffers from the things she does!

”M- Maybe we should listen to Ty?” I can’t help from suggesting after a moment. I know it’s going to floor mom, but my lips are already forming the words to continue. “The more pressure we put on her, the more she’ll try to withdrawal…”

Both mom and Harlee look at me as if I were crazy- mom because of what I said, and Harlee because I had to nerve to say it.

“Harper Catherine!” mom scolds, turning to me with her eyes wide. “She’s 17, for goodness’ sake! Have you lost your mind?! You’re about to be 22, and I wouldn’t allow this behavior!”

Ty uses his eyes to thank me for agreeing with him, but as the daughter I am? I can’t help but fear to say anything else in his favor. 

I know Hayden is 17, and I know my mom adopted her into this family with intentions of keeping her here… but maybe the only way to do that is by giving her the break that she’s asking for? We can’t force her to do this if it isn’t what she wants, and I have faith that in time… she’ll find that it is. 

I take a deep breath, pushing past my child-into-adulthood fear of my mother screaming at me. 

“We can’t force her to do this, mom…” I say, my voice reflecting the reluctance I feel in doing so. “She’ll come back if this is where she wants to be, but for now… let’s stop chasing her.”