After Forever & Ever

Chapter 50

Tessa-Present

I think this was the first time I have genuinely been upset with Kim. She attacked Hardin for no reason and I don't blame him for leaving.

I know Vance is really upset too. I try calling Hardin as soon as he leaves just to let him know I'll go with him wherever it is he's going...but of course he ignores the call.

I decide I don't want to be around Kim....and her and Vance obviously need to talk so I go into Hardins room.

I feel like I have no idea what to do with myself.

After an hour of thinking about all the things he could be doing.

Zed texts me and says "this is the guy who you want to be with?".... and sends me a picture of his face.

First thing I text back is "....funny because he has a broken hand."

"Okay and that hasn't stopped him before..."Zed texts back. (Which is true he did break his hand when he punched the wall at Vance's office when he first came back and then got into several fights after that all with a broken hand) which is probably why it's still messed up.

"You will do anything to try and make him look bad." I text him.

"Ask him." He simply texts back.

"How about I ask you why you broke into my apartment" I text to him.

"I didn't?..."he texts back.

"Zed you need to leave us both alone." I text him.

Here is the proof...
He sends me screenshots of texts between them. And it's Hardins number.

Basically setting up that they meet.

And I didn't believe him until I saw that.

Not that Zed didn't deserve it....

But am I surprised?... no

I hook up with Zed, Zed breaks into my apartment—which in turn Hardin finds out he had a key, Kim tells Hardin how horrible he is...

I am surprised he didn't do worse honestly.

I wait until I hear Kim leave and I walk out to the living room and I show Vance the picture of Zed and the screenshots.

He was skeptical at first too because of his hand. But one of the people Hardin fought with a broken hand the last time was him and he recalls how crazy Hardin can hit with his left so he said it's definitely possible although he wishes it wasn't....and well so do I.

We both wavered back and forth on how to confront Hardin about it when he got back and I guess when he finally walked in I panicked and went the 'I don't believe you or whatever you have to say....you definitely did this' route. And I can tell right away that wasn't a good move but then again why would it be. But here I am the one overreacting now.

Vance becomes the voice of reason luckily.

"Hardin, can you just tell us where you went tonight?" Vance asks.

"Why does it matter you both apparently know where I went..." he responds.

"Hardin I'm sorry...I just knew you were upset and well....I just" he interrupts me.

"Just assume Zed is the one who is honest with you....and not your fucking boyfriend?" He says slightly raising his voice.

"Hardin! I..." he interrupts again.

"You didn't even give me the benefit of the doubt you just come at me with —'you couldn't just leave it alone'....like what the fuck Tessa." He says now really raising his voice.