Tessa's Reflection

Chapter 6

Tessa's POV -

I woke up on the couch, I cried so much I must have exhausted myself. I feel sick, dried out from all the tears I shed aswell as a hollow feeling in my chest. I thought my heart had taken all that it could from my past with Hardin but it seems it still has some left to shatter. As I reach for my phone I see Hardin has tried to call and there's a text. I don't want his words to sway me, I saw what happened last night. I have the image etched into my mind but my curiosity wins as always.

I open the message, digesting his words over and over. I don't know why I do this, I always believe him and he always proves why I shouldn't. I reread it again, my gut is telling me it's the truth but my head is doubting each word that my eyes scan. It's an awful feeling when you don't trust your own instincts anymore. When your intuition has let you down so many times you can't help but doubt yourself. Landon's reaction comes to mind, he was shocked but he didn't seem to believe it was as simple as it looked. I trust him and his judgement more than anyone else in the world.

I decide to forward him the message, he will know for certain. As I hit send I add a follow up text to explain why amd what I sent. Within minutes my phone rings and I gulp at the idea it may be Hardin. Thank god it's Landon and I answer immediately.

'Hey, sorry to put you in an awkward position I just don't trust myself to know fact from fiction where Hardin is concerned' I sigh, embarrassed.

'Tess, I love you. Your my best friend and if I thought he did this I would be the first to knock his head off but I just don't see it. He has changed, he is better now. I mean the dude is even slightly likeable' he laughs and a tiny smirk crosses my face. I want so badly to believe this is just some messed up mixup but why the hell would Steph and Molly appear now after so long. What could they possibly gain from this. It makes no sense.

'I don't know what to do Landon. I don't think I can talk to him yet' I reply.

'Tess, don't let this brew. He explained without you having to force it from him, that's progress. You have to see that? I think you should call him. Don't let this go on without talking to him, you know I'm right. Now phone him and sort this out. Call me when your done' he orders, his bossy tone is so unlike Landon, maybe he believes in his brother and I should listen for once.

I hover over the call button but before I take the plunge the phone rings in my hand. Hardin flashes on the screen, I take a deep breath and hit the green icon.

'Tess, baby. Thank fuck you answered. Did you get my message. I have been going insane here' his words are rushed, laced with panic.

'Yes, I got it. I also got the image of you and Molly all over each other. This is fucked up Hardin. It makes no sense' I try my best to sound confident but I'm far from it as my voice trembles in sync with my hands.

'What did Landon say about it' he asks. I hate that he knows me so well, he knew I would go straight to his brother. If he's using this as a way to trick me? If Landon is on side he thinks it will be easy work to win me over?

'He said I should talk to you about it, that's all' I lie. I am not letting him know that Landon is backing him right now. I want him to be honest.

'Bullshit. Landon knows me nearly as well as you do. If he doubts me fine but I believe he will know straight away that this shit wasn't down to me. He is a good judge of character, we both know that Tess. I swear I didn't do anything, I was ambushed. I have no fucking clue why. I can't explain their motive only that they are a pair of witches and I fucking hate them' he sounds so vunerable and desperate. Each word is filling my hollow chest and hope is replacing where my shattered heart was. I can tell by his tone he is telling me everything.

'Hardin, I believe you. I don't understand it but I believe you' the words are out of my mouth and I hear him take a deep breathe in relief I think.

'Thank fuck! I couldn't lose you Tess. Baby we got through worse, shit that was my fault but this wasn't my doing. I can't tell you how good it feels hearing you say that to me. I have been driving myself crazy here at the thought of you never speaking to me again. Baby, I'm coming home. Fuck this book tour'

'No. Stay and finish the tour. I' ll be here when you get home just stay the hell away from them. If they turn up make them leave but finish what your doing first OK?' I beg. I don't want this to affect his progress as an Author that isn't fair. I want him to suceed and leaving will harm his reputation so he needs to stay there. He'll be home in 5 days. We can get through 5 days apart.

Hardin' s POV -

I pace the room, relived that my girl believes me. After we end our call I automatically dial my agent. I need this tour cut short. I can't spend another 5 days here with that shit Steph pulled. I want to go home and be with my girl. He agrees I can pull it off in 3 days. Thank fuck its an improvement on 5 that's for sure. I agree and get myself showered. I look like shit today, I'm glad I didn't slip up and drink. Damn I wanted a drink so badly last night but everytime I opened the mini bar I heard everyone's voice I ever hurt in my drunken state, Tess, My Mom, Ken, Karen, Landon and images of then and now ran through my mind. We had all come so far since then, I wasn't prepared to fuck up over this shit storm.

I make my way out onto the sidewalk towards today's book signing location minding my own business and stopping for a coffee from the friendly looking street vendor. As I stride and sip my black coffee I feel odd, like eyes are on me. The uneasy tension fills my body as I scan around to spot the culprit but everyone is going about their day paying no attention to me. I continue on without thinking to much into it but the feeling is still present.

As I enter the store a young man welcomes me and takes me out back, advising the que is round the block. Showing me to the area for my signing he stutters nervously asking me to sign his copy. I smile in agreement and write a message being sure to end it with a comment on being confident. I think he needs that. Who the hell am I? I wouldn't have cared before but now I consciously find myself wanting to help the people I encounter. Strange how people can change.

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