Damaged Queen (Darkness Within Duet 2)

“I was thinking we could go around to my parents’ house this weekend,” he said.

His parents were really judgmental and always asking questions. She tried to avoid them as much as possible.

That wasn’t true, and Harper hated herself for thinking it. They were kind people, sweet, and they deserved to have a daughter-in-law who cared for their son and loved them. It looked like she wouldn’t be getting her wish of avoiding them. There were only so many excuses she could make.

“Of course. I’ll stop by the grocery store today on my way home.”

She grabbed her bag and rushed back to the fridge.

“Love you,” Ethan said.

“You too.”

She rushed out of the apartment, and instead of going to the elevator, she went straight to the stairs, releasing a breath as she broke out onto the busy city street.

Rain was already rushing down, and she pulled the hood of her jacket over her hair and headed in the direction of work.

She stopped off at a coffee stand, grabbing herself a pastry and too-bitter coffee. Still, she didn’t have to linger at the apartment, and whenever thoughts of Draven entered her mind mid-cock suck, she always felt the need to get the hell out of dodge, to avoid questions. To avoid everything.

Her life with Draven was nothing more than a memory.

A few short months that changed her life, and yet, she was no better now than she was back then.

It’s not like she could go and visit her mother’s grave. She’d not been in contact with Ian, her father. All her life had changed because of Alan Barries and his threats. He’d torn her away from what she loved. She could give up her father—she fucking hated him anyway. The others, that was the hardest thing she had ever had to do in her life.

The thought of being in a world that didn’t have Draven had killed a part of her. Even though her life was a good one, she knew deep down something was missing. Draven, Axel, Buck, and Jett. They were all missing from her life, and there was no way of getting that back.

She finished her pastry, throwing the wrapper in the trashcan, followed by the coffee. There was only so much bitterness she could stand before it became too much.

Checking the time, she saw she had ten minutes before getting to work, but decided to be there early. There was nothing wrong with waiting to open up the shop.

Shoving her hands into her jacket, she bowed her head, watching her feet and those around her so she didn’t bump into anyone.

The days were getting darker, shorter. It wouldn’t be long before winter was upon them. It was already cold.

Ethan liked to snuggle. Most nights she only got a couple of hours’ sleep with his constant mauling.

He’s your boyfriend. He has a right to snuggle.

She got to the shop and saw the security barrier was already up and Miss Farris already there, setting out the shop.

Entering, she gave her boss a little wave before heading in the back.

She removed her jacket, placing it over the radiator, before putting her bag into the locker she’d been given. In a way, it was exactly like high school, only dirt wouldn’t spill out of this one.

Nor would it have shitty, crass names scrawled all over the metal. They never had told her who wrote on her locker. It was going to be one of her tests, and she’d not been around long enough to see it through.

Putting her fingers to the door, she felt the tears sting her eyes and pulled away.

“How are you today?” Miss Farris asked.

“Good. You?”

“Really well. I had a hot date last night.”

“Was this with the rich billionaire?”

“Nope. This was with a sweet guy. He’s got a couple of scars to his face, but he came in a couple of weeks ago, and you know, we hit it off. He loves the scent of flowers.”

“You haven’t told me about this guy.”

“To be honest, you’ve looked a little out of it. I didn’t think you’d want to talk.”

“Oh, I’m fine. You know me. Staring into space. You got a picture of this guy? Is he hot?”

Miss Farris, or Stephanie, was a sweet woman in her early thirties. Harper got her job as she passed the shop one day and it was Mother’s Day. Stephanie was completely overrun, and she hadn’t walked away. She’d gone into the shop and helped.

Stephanie hired her on the spot.

They were friends in a way. Neither of them hung out or socialized. Stephanie loved going to luncheons and dancing, while Harper preferred her own company and often declined any invitation. It worked for them.

“He doesn’t like having his picture taken. I don’t know what to say about him. He’s fun, sweet, charming. He makes my heart race.”