Afterwards: An "After" Fanfiction

Chapter 21: Ready to Run

FREE LINK TO AFTER WE COLLIDED: https://mixdrop.co/f/vnkn8ezkfl70w

A/N: Soooo I watched AWC online at the suggestion of other fans, because it's Coronavirus and there's no way I'm stepping foot inside a theatre. ALSO: You can definitely watch it free if you want, and THEN also pay to stream it when it comes out / pay to watch it in theaters to support the series. This is just for those people like me who couldn't wait. I thought it was a lot better than the first one, and I can't even wait another year for part 3 to come out. Anyways, in the mean time, here's another chapter :)

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Had she heard Trish correctly? She couldn't have meant that Christian was Hardin's father. Tessa looked about the small room, trying to find Ken, but saw no one else. "What?"

Hardin was silent, his jaw clenched, as his father stood up from the kitchen table. "Merry Christmas Hardin." Vance managed before his voice cracked. "Good to see you had a safe flight as well, Tessa."

Tessa's eyes darted from one man to the other. "What's going on?"

"Told you it was complicated." Her boyfriend grumbled under his breath.

Trying to save what Christmas spirit was left, Trish held out a homemade apple pie. "I changed up the tradition this year. I heard Tessa was allergic to nuts, so I hope you don't miss the pecans." She smiled weakly as she realized nobody was listening. Eventually, she set the dish down and tapped her guest on the shoulder. "Chris, why don't we give them a little space?"

"Of course." Vance agreed. "Nice to see you both."

When the other two had left the room, Tessa began to panic. "Wait. What the Hell is going on? Vance is your father? What about Ken? Why haven't you told me that I've been working for your dad this whole time?"

Placing two firm hands on the girl's shoulders, Hardin guided her to a chair and sat her down. "I know it's not what you expected. I didn't want you to find out this way, I was planning on telling you myself...eventually."

"That's a pretty big secret to keep!"

"I know, and I apologize." Hardin craned his neck towards the kitchen entrance, making sure his birth parents had truly given him privacy. With a sigh, he began his explanation. "I learned Vance was my real dad a few years ago. Back when he was still friends with Ken. Mum...she cheated on Ken with Christian. Then I was born."

Tessa let out an audible gasp, but she let the other continue.

"Mum kept the true identity of my father from me for years, but I never got on with Ken. I knew something wasn't right. When they split up, I naturally chose to live with her in England.Then, one day, I caught Vance and my mother together. The truth came out after that, and I found out Ken had known the whole time." He paused then, reaching across the table for Tessa's hand. "That was just too much for me. I started drinking and doing drugs. Spun out of control. I was beyond help, and Mum couldn't handle it. She sent me to live with Ken and his new family...thought somehow that would help me."

"You don't have to keep talking about it. I can see how much it hurts you." Tessa's bright eyes were saddened, somewhat duller in the light.

"I want you to know." He nodded, taking his lower lip between his teeth. "Not even Landon knows. Karen agreed we shouldn't tell him about any of it. Anyways. It only got worse after I moved in with Ken. When the drugs got really bad he kicked me out. He agreed not to tell Mum what happened, so she doesn't have a clue. I just got involved with all the wrong people in the states. The worst of them being—"