Chapter 23
Harlow
Istoodinthe doorframe of the apartment front door, stalling as I watched Dex, Finn and Bryson walk inside. The three of them paused to look at me in question.
They had all demanded to bring me home after I had finally been discharged from the psych ward. A week felt like a month and I was glad to be home, but I couldn’t push away the dread that also hung around.
Finn walked over to me, his hands on either side of the frame as he leaned towards me.
“It’s going to be okay, Har. One day at a time. Come on... you can do this,” he reached out his open hand, gesturing for me to take it.
I slowly put my hand on top of his, letting him pull me inside where Dex and Bryson stood waiting. Thankfully, we were all in better clothes now. I had thrown that gown off so quickly the moment I got the thumbs up to do so.
Dex fluffed up a pillow on the couch. “Here, sit down. I’ll get you a drink of water. Do you want some food? I can make you something.”
My eyes lit up as I looked at him in awe. “You’d make me something again?”
He nodded, and I noticed a look between him and Finn though I wasn’t sure what it meant.
“I’ll make you whatever you want. Do you want quesadillas? They were your favorite.”
I looked at him with disbelief, my stomach rumbling at the thought. “I’d love them...”
Dex smiled. “Okay. I’ll get started. Finn and Bryson will keep you company in here.”
Finn sat on the couch, patting the vacant cushion next to him. I laughed as I walked over, plonking myself down as Dex disappeared into the kitchen. Bryson sat down on the armchair and crossed his leg over his knee.
“Do you need anything?”
“I’m okay. But I’ll need to go to my room eventually...”
The two of them shared a look, Finn leaning back into the couch. “We’re just in the process of getting your room sorted. For now, we’ve all ... discussed it. And it’s best you stay in Dex’s room.”
“What?” I gasped, looking at them.
Neither of them looked overly fond of the plan but apparently I couldn’t be trusted on my own so this was the alternative.
Bryson waved his hand in a calming gesture. “It’s just for a few days. And we’re going to take turns hanging out with you. I know it’s hard, but we’ll get through it.”
I crossed my arms and glared at them. “I don’t need a babysitter. And I don’t need to sleep in Dex’s bedroom.”
Bryson at least had the nerve to look conflicted. Finn showed no mercy at all.
“Too fucking bad. This is what is going to happen. Har... I’m sorry. But we can’t risk that happening again.”
“Hey!” Dex appeared in the doorway. “What did we say?”
Finn shrugged. “She’s a big girl. We’re not skirting around the elephant in the room.” He looked at me. “Har, until we are confident you are doing okay and can be alone, I’m sorry but we’re going to be your guardians. I know it’s stern. But we’d rather you be pissed at us than have you dead.”
Bryson and Dex both let out yells of warning at Finn. But I just nodded, too tired to fight and frankly, understanding exactly why they wanted to do it.
“Fine. But don’t coddle me,” I murmured, picking up the pillow and hugging it to my stomach.
The dark thoughts still lingered but I tried hard to push them aside. I told myself that maybe I wasn’t alone after all and that they could fix things. I had to believe it because at this point, I had nothing left to lose.
Dex came out awhile later with steaming hot quesadillas. When he placed a plate on my lap, I couldn’t help but stare at it in shock and awe. It had been months since he had cooked for me, but now it seemed like no time had passed at all.
We all ate happily and I ignored the narrowing eyes of Finn as he watched me inhale my food. I was still eating when Bryson grabbed our attention.
“So Harlow. We’ve been talking, and we believe you when you said you were set up.”
I looked at him, mid-chew with a mouth full of food. “You do?”
The three of them nodded as Bryson continued. “We’ve been trying to look into it. It’s hard getting access to police reports and financials. But we need to know your story first. The full version... everything you remember about that night.”
My eyes shifted between the three of them and I lifted my plate, putting it down on the coffee table in front of me.
“Everything?”
“Everything.” Bryson echoed, his face stern as he braced himself.
It must have been hard for him too. He was there that night.
I looked to Finn and Dex, gaining some confidence as they nodded at me in encouragement.
“Well...” I started, “I’ve had a stalker for nearly a year. At first it was prank type stuff and I brushed it off but it escalated just before the city dinner. He would send me threatening messages and I think he was there, too.”
The three of them stayed silent and I faced Bryson. “Do you remember when you went to give your friend their keys?”
Bryson nodded. “Yeah, it was just before it happened.”