Chapter 11
We spent the night, laying in bed, eating pizza, and watching Netflix. I was grateful to be able to be back in our bedroom upstairs, instead of the downstairs guest room. I was still having headaches, but they were at least bearable. I wanted to get back to work, sitting around the house “taking it easy” wasn't as easy as it sounded, especially when Harper wasn't home to distract me. She left early this morning, to help Zoe with decorations again, so I decided I was going to get out of this damn house.
I couldn't drive yet, because I was still having dizzy spells, so I decided to take a walk on the beach instead. I kicked my shoes off on the back deck, and put my keys, and cellphone into my shorts pockets. Taking a deep breath, I looked out across the ocean, admiring the view. It was early yet, so the beach was pretty empty, not that it ever got too crowded. It was one of the perks of living directly on the beach, privacy.
I was walking for around ten minutes, when my phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize, so I let it go to voicemail. A few seconds later, the same number called again. After the fourth time, I decided to pick it up. Stopping in my tracks, I hit accept. “Hello?”
“Glad to see you're up and walking. I heard you took quite the blow to your head.”
“Vanessa.” I said, the anger rising in my voice. I spun in a slow circle, squinting my eyes in the sun. She was here, I just didn't know where. I used my search as a distraction, to hit the record button on my phone. I doubted she'd say anything about where she was, but it was worth a shot.
She laughed into the receiver. “You won't be able to see me Cole.”
“What do you want?” I gritted out.
“I don't know what you're trying to prove by “dating” my sister, but I'm telling you right now, it isn't going to work.”
“I don't have anything to prove to anyone Vanessa, especially you.”
“You have a thing for sisters? Is that what this is? Because, while I'm up for a little menage a trois, I'm not sure Harper's into that kind of thing.”
“Fuck off Vanessa, you got your money, leave us alone.”
“Leave you alone?” She said, with anger. “You're fucking my baby sister, because you feel bad for sicking me on Wes, and his little play thing. I'm not going anywhere. Not without Harper.”
“She's happy. She's finally out from under your thumb, and living her life. If you ever gave a damn about her, you would take that cash, and your boy toy, and get the fuck out of the country! Start over! She sure as hell has.”
“Do you really think she's done that? With you?” She mocked. “Do you really think she loves you? She needs someone to protect her. She's never been on her own. She's only using you. The sooner you realize that, the easier you'll make things on everyone.”
Before I had a chance to respond, she hung up. I swore under my breath, saving the recording, and shoving my phone back into my pocket. I dropped down onto the sand where I stood, and ran my hands through my hair. Harper was so sure that Vanessa wouldn't hurt her, and maybe that was true, but she wasn't planning on leaving her alone either.
I don't know how long I was sitting there, watching the water crash up onto the shore, but when I felt a hand on my shoulder, I jumped. “Hey baby.” Harper's voice said softly, as she sat down beside me. “You alright?”
I placed my arm around her shoulders, pulling her tightly against me. “You're back early.” I said, my eyes still not leaving the water.
“I've been gone for a few hours.” She said, warily. My stomach grumbled then, and she laughed. “Have you been here all day?”
“Yeah, I guess I have.”
“Cole? You're worrying me.”
I turned my head to look at her, kissing her temple lightly. “I'm sorry Sweetheart, I've just got a lot on my mind I guess.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Your sister called me.”
“What?” She asked, jumping to her feet, and crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you mean she called you? How did she even get your number? What did she want? Why would she-”
I stood then, pulling her into my arms. She was stiff against me, her arms still crossed. “Calm down.” I soothed, pressing my lips to her forehead. “Why don't we walk back to the house, alright?”
She nodded against my chest, and releasing her from my embrace, I took her hand. Together, we walked down the beach in silence towards our home. I wasn't sure if I should play her the recording just yet. She was already upset enough, knowing that Vanessa had called, but to hear the way her own sister spoke of her, it might be too much. Everything in me wanted to protect Harper, but I also knew that she was much stronger than she let on. If she and I were going to work, and be happy together, I couldn't treat her like Vanessa did.
When we got back inside, I placed my phone on the kitchen table. I motioned for her to sit down, and I sat beside her. “I recorded the conversation.” I said, pulling it up on my phone and sliding it towards her. With a shaking hand, she pressed play. I watched her expression change from curious, to angry, and back to curious again. She replayed it over, and over again. I wasn't sure what she was listening for, but I didn't stop her. When she'd finally heard enough, she slid the phone back to me.
“Do you believe her?” She asked, sounding far away.
“Of course I don't. I've told you before, you're one of the strongest women I know, and I'll tell you every day if I have to until you believe it.”
“She isn't going to stop is she?”
The sadness in her voice almost broke me, but I had to be strong for her. I took her hand in mine, forcing her to face me. “The police are looking for her, they know she's still in town. And thanks to Jake's friends in high places, we know she's with Robert Drake. We'll find her.”
“You would tell me, if you were only with me because of her right? I mean, I'm not just some charity case to you. You really love me?” She asked, her head hanging down, staring at our interlocked hands.
“We've gone over this.” I said, releasing her hands to use my finger to lift her chin. “If I have to tell you I love you every day until you're convinced, I will Sweetheart.”
“I'm sorry. I know I'm being selfish, and insecure. Vanessa does that to me.” She said, the anger rising in her voice as she stood, making her way towards the front window. “She makes me feel weak, and desperate, and I hate her for it.”
“You are neither of those things.” I said, coming up to stand behind her.
“Not anymore.”
“Not. Ever.” I reaffirmed, placing my hands around her waist, and kissing the top of her head.
“I want to do something, anything. Maybe I could draw her out, talk to her, convince her to leave.”
“Jake has people on it, and so do the police. It's safer if we leave the luring to them.”
“Safer for who? Me? You? Zoe? What if she comes after Zoe again? She's pregnant Cole. No, I can't keep playing the victim. I know what I need to do, and I know how to make her come to me.”