Brothers

Chapter 9

Hardin's POV

"Hardin wait." Tessa says as I open the car door.

"Get in the car Tessa. We should have never came her in the first place."

"What happened Hardin? What did he say to piss you off?"

"He's trying to fucking blame me for everything he did. He's trying to make me look like the bad guy when all he did was fucking leave." My breath is heavy, I rest my forehead against the steering wheel. I hold in the cries that want to escape.

"He's blaming you? He said he wanted to apologize Hardin."

"He did. But that doesn't fucking matter." I looks up at Tessa. "Tessa you don't understand. He promised me he wouldn't leave after what my father did, and he left just like him. Leaving us to pick up the pieces of his life and fighting his battles. Just like my fath— Ken."

Tessa puts her hand on my back, rubbing it ever so gently to comfort me.

"Hardin at least he's trying. Anastasia said he has been sober for ten years."

I scoff, good for him. It's about time I say.

"He can't take back what he did in the past, but he's trying to make up for it. He came back to apologize to you because he owes that to you. And he loves you."

"I hate him." I say through my teeth.

"I know baby, and I'm so proud of you for coming today and trying to talk to him. It's a big step."

I look at her, cupping my hand over her cheek. God I love her.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. I wouldn't be this if it wasn't for you. I love you Tess." I smile.

"I love you, Hardin."

It's true. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be half the man that I've become. I would be out fucking women with no emotion. Because sex, sex made it all okay. It made all my demons go away. I don't know what it is about Tessa, but I need her. She's my drug. I need her and I need more of her. I'm addicted.

"Now don't get mad. But Anastasia invited us to her show next weekend. She was hoping you guys would work things out, but that didn't go as planned."

"Absolutely not. I'm not going to that." I Scoff.

"Well I am. I like her and she was showing me some of her work and she's amazing.

"God dammit Tessa."

"Please Hardin. It'll be fun. You don't have to talk to him." She laughs.

"Fine. But if he says one word to me, Don't think I won't hesitate to punch him in the face."

"Oh my god. Alright macho man." Tessa rolls her eyes.

"Alright let's get home. I wanna get home and fuck you."

"Excuse me?" She gives me a look and uses one of my famous lines.

"You heard me baby. Did you want me to repeat it." I tease her. I know how much she hates when I use that language. But I love making her squirm.

"Just drive the car." She laughs.