Secret Lovers (A Jordan Knight Fanfiction)

24

"Joey?"

Joey's smile fades as he takes in Harper and Jordan coming out of her bedroom, his, arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Harper? What's going on here?"

Harper steps forward, "Joey, I can explain. It's not what it looks like." Joey looks from Harper to Jordan and back to Harper. "I'm not sure it can be anything other than how it looks. You and a parolee coming out of your bedroom. A bedroom he looks pretty comfortable coming out of. When did this start?"

Jordan comes to Harper's defense, "Its not Harper's fault. We met right after she moved here. We dated for about a month. Then we ran into each other at the office. She didn't know I was on parole and I didn't know she was a parole officer. She broke it off as soon as she found out. This, here tonight, is not what it looks like. We were just talking about the...we were just talking."

"What's so important that you had to talk tonight?" Harper looks at Jordan then at Joey. "Joey, the baby isn't yours its Jordan's. I'm sorry. I didn't know for sure until I talked to him the other night." Joey's face fell and he starts to go to the door. "Joey, please, don't go. I'm really sorry."

"Harper, you better get your shit together. Any relationship with Jordan Knight, is going to bring you nothing but trouble. And if they find out at work you'll get fired. I'd really hate to see you get into trouble. You're too sweet of a girl for this. Look, I'll be here if you need me." He kisses her on the cheek. He puts his hand on her belly and says, "I was really looking forward to you being a little McIntyre." He wipes the tear that slid down Harper's cheek and says goodbye before he walks out the door.

Michael, a little shocked by the scene he just witnessed, "Wow, Harper, you really fucking know how to figure out who you are. Is this who you've figured out you are? A girl who sleeps with two guys, gets pregnant, then isn't sure who's baby she's having? I don't know who the hell you are anymore." He storms out of her apartment. Slamming the door behind him.

Harper sits down on the couch and begins to cry. This is all too much for her. She's always been the sweet girl, the good girl, the girl who brought a smile to everyone's face. That's who she was used to being. But after tonight she wasn't sure she'd ever believe any of that about herself again. Michael was right, this can't be who she really is. This isn't who she wants to be. She hurt two really great guys. Michael was always so good to her, for eleven years he put her first. He'd loved her and taken care of her when she lost her dad. And Joey had been such a great friend to her since she met him. He didn't deserve for her to start something with him when she had wanted to be with someone else.

Jordan sits down next to her, feeling terrible about what she's going through. He rubs her back, trying to comfort her. This gesture only makes her feel worse. "Jordan, you should go too. I've got a lot to think about. And you being here only makes me more conflicted. Once I've gotten into a better head space I'll call you, okay?"

He removes his hand from her back and leans towards her, "Okay Harper, if that's really what you want. But I'm here, for you and for our baby. Please don't shut me out. And please don't make any rash decisions without talking to me. We can make this work. I'll do whatever you need me to do to make this work. I love you and we'll talk soon." Then he's gone too. Harper sobbing, falls over into Amy's lap as soon as her best friend sits down. Amy just rubs her hair and quietly tells her it's all going to be okay.

Harper can't help but not believe her. How's it all going to ever be okay again? Harper feels helpless and lost. Knowing she's royally fucked up every relationship in her life right now. Except the one she has with Amy. She can always count on her not to go anywhere. She's her ride or die, her best friend for life. They share a bond like no other. Realizing this Harper sits up, wipes her tears and hugs her BFF. "Amy tell me what I need to do."

Amy pushes Harper's hair out of her face and smiles at her, "How about we get some rest first and we'll talk in the morning?" Harper nods her head in agreement and they walk into Harper's room together.

Jordan runs into Michael as he leaves Harper's apartment. Michael looks up at him from where he's sitting on the stoop. Jordan stops, he starts to say something but decides not to. He walks past him and just says goodnight.

"Jordan. Can I ask you something?" It pained Michael to have to ask Jordan anything. The thought of someone else being with Harper hurt him, deeply. The thought of someone else getting her pregnant, was killing him. Jordan didn't say anything, he just stopped and turned to face Michael. "Do you love her at least?"

"Yes, I love her."

Michael shook his head. "No, I mean do you really, truly love her? Like can't imagine living life without her, love her? Wake up every morning thinking about her and going to bed every night thinking about her, love her? Feeling like your heart beats only for her, love her? Would be willing to raise another man's kid, love her?"

Jordan's head raises up to finally face him, "Look Michael, I can't say I love her like that, or like you do. But give me eleven years of it and I'm sure I'll be where you are. Get one thing straight though, no one else will be raising my child. No matter what happens with me and Harper, I will be a father to my kid, okay?" Jordan turns and leaves Michael sitting there, alone with his thoughts. And Michael definitely has a lot to think about.