His words only confused me, so I said nothing as he took my hand and linked our fingers as the hostess showed us to our table. The place was full of familiar faces, none of whom I knew personally but from celebrity gossip pages instead. Some of them turned to watch as Shane pulled me through the masses, others didn’t find us interesting enough to bother.
I was too concerned about what Shane could have possibly meant to care or to notice the two women sitting at one of the best tables in the restaurant, watching us make our way toward them. It wasn’t until we were mere feet away from them that I realized my mother and stepsister were about to pounce.
Shane
I felt Harper stiffen beside me and knew that she had spotted her family. Dallas’ warning that I could possibly lose the best thing to ever happen to me echoed in the back of my mind. My stomach clenched with what could only be fear, but I pushed through it.
If I was to understand the girl I intended to spend the rest of my life with, we had to deal with this now.
Harper suddenly stopped and I was forced to turn and face her. My heart ached at the sight of her pale face and the hurt shining at me through those glasses I loved so much. “I don’t want to be here,” she whispered so softly I had to strain to hear her.
My fingers tightened around hers, and I bent my knees so that we were on the same eye level. “Why?”
She glanced over my shoulder for a moment, taking in her mother and stepsister. Before my eyes I saw her transform from a scared little kitten to a very sexy, very angry tigress. Her jaw clenched and those incredible violet eyes grew cold. I wasn’t confident that was a good thing, but at least she no longer looked like a kicked puppy.
“Let’s get this over with,” she bit out in a voice that told me I was not her favorite person any longer.
Knowing that I had hurt her hurt me twice as much. In that moment, I was ready to take her away from there and beg for her forgiveness. I could only pray that Dallas wasn’t right and that I wasn’t about to lose the beautiful creature before me. “We don’t have to stay,” I rushed to tell her. “We can go home. Make love. Forget that this ever happened.”
“No. You obviously had a reason to set this up.” I wish I knew what she was thinking behind those now arctic purple eyes of hers. “I’m not sure I care what that reason was, but whatever.”
She jerked her hand from mine when I tried to keep hold of it and pushed past me. I swallowed hard and pulled my phone from my dress pants. A rapid texted message was all I had time for before I turned and stepped beside Harper.
Monica and Ariana Calloway looked more like mother and daughter than Harper and her mom. Sure, the two other women were beautiful with their designer label dresses and makeup perfectly applied. Both had dark blonde hair that was obviously from a bottle. It couldn’t compare to Harper’s natural caramel hair. A glance at Monica told me that Harper must have gotten her eyes from her father because hers were a kind of muddy brown that weren’t even close to interesting. Their makeup was so thick it looked like if they smiled the wrong way their faces would crack.
As I stepped behind Harper I was overwhelmed by the very expensive—very French—perfume that the two women wore. As a kid I had suffered from asthma and the feeling of being unable to draw fresh air came back with a vengeance for a moment. When I could finally breathe, I found two sets of eyes on me: one hungry, the other disbelieving.
“This is your boyfriend?” Monica demanded.
The very tone of her voice made my hackles rise. I had planned on a simple dinner where I found out what the deal was with Harper and her mother. I could already make a small guess and was hating the bitch standing before me more and more with each passing second.
“Boyfriend?” Harper’s tone was still cold. “Is that what you call the guy that warms your bed?”
Her words were a stab to my heart, but I knew that I deserved it.
Monica sucked in a shocked gasp. “Harper! You don’t say things like that in public. I swear, that Dallas has really ruined you.”
“No, Dallas saved me,” Harper corrected her mother.
I felt a cool hand touch my arm and glanced down to find Ariana had moved closer. “Wow. Shane Stevenson. I never thought Harper would be able to get the most talked about sex god of rock and roll to look twice at her.”
The way she looked up at me through her fake lashes with those blue eyes of hers was supposed to be sexy. And maybe two months ago I would have quickly taken the blatant invitation being offered with that smile of hers. But Harper was the only female that could even make my dick twitch. I covered her hand on my arm and pushed it away. The coy look left her face, and her cheeks heated with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.
“Harper is everything I’ve always wanted. Beautiful inside and out. Unlike some of the fake bitches I see right now.”
Harper pulled a chair out and sat gracefully, leaving us all to follow suit. I took the seat directly beside her and attempted to catch her hand. She pulled away and clasped her hands together in her lap as the other two women took their seats. A waiter appeared and offered a wine list. I ordered a bottle of Harper’s favorite white wine and a bourbon for myself, knowing I was going to need it.
“Well, Harper,” Monica lifted her water glass and took a sip before continuing, “tell us how you met this…charming young man.”
“He’s Lana’s brother-in-law.”
“Ah.” Monica grimaced in distaste. “I see.”
“How is dear Lana?” Ariana asked, her tone full of sarcasm. “And the rest of your roommates.”
“Fine.” Harper’s answer was pointed, leaving no room for follow up questions.
“There is no reason to be so snippy, Harper,” Monica scolded. “Your sister is only being nice.”
“Stepsister,” Harper snapped.
“What is wrong with you? You never talk to me like this.”
Harper raised a brow at her mother. “You mean I usually say nothing while you and Ariana sit and tell me how awkward I am. How I will never compare or be beautiful. Sorry, Mother. Shall I sit here and shut my mouth now? Maybe I should offer suggestions? I have gained two pounds since you last saw me. Ready, set, go!”
All of Harper’s self-esteem issues clicked for me.
For so many years I’d seen the effects of the physical abuse on Emmie from her mother. Now I was understanding that abuse didn’t always leave bruises that were visible. Some broke the soul and, in this case, destroyed a person’s feeling of self-worth.
Well fuck that!
“You are evil bitches.”
“Excuse me?” Monica demanded in a haughty tone. Gods, her soul was ugly when she got that look on her face, as if she thought she was better than everyone around her.
“I said, you are evil bitches.” My gaze went to the clone sitting beside her, letting Ariana know that I was including her if she hadn’t gotten that message yet. “I don’t know what your problem is and, really, I don’t give a fuck. You are one of those women that get off on making others feel less than they really are so you can feel better about yourself because you know that you will never be beautiful.”
“I am beautiful.” Monica sounded so sure of herself as she gave me a sneer in disgust.
“Sure you are. It only takes a gallon of paint and a few grand of designer clothes to make you that way. Meanwhile, your daughter has true beauty. She doesn’t need the makeup, or hooker perfume, or clothes to make her stand out. You only wish you were that beautiful, and that’s why you can’t stand it. So you bring her down so that she thinks that she can’t compare to you and Miss Thing over here.”
“I’m a model!” Ariana argued.
“Who the fuck cares?” The tables around us grew quiet and I realized I had spoken louder than I had intended, but I didn’t care. “You’re a model, good for you. I’m a rock star, bitch.”
Chapter 15
Emmie
After getting a text from Shane, I wasted little time. Leaving Mia with Layl
a and Jesse, I grabbed Nik and pulled him out the door.
It had taken ten minutes to get to the restaurant by taxi. When we walked into the exclusive eatery, I ignored the hostess and headed for the table that I’d reserved for Shane earlier that day. From the look of the other patrons, Nik and I were severely underdressed in jeans and T-shirts. I hadn’t known what Shane had planned, only that he was meeting Harper’s mother. Of course, Lana had told me a few hours ago that Harper and Mommy Dearest weren’t exactly a happy match.
Nik was right behind me as we walked through the dining room. I heard the murmurs of other diners, mostly the females, as they realized who Nik was. Sighs and giggles reached my ears, but they didn’t bother me like they once had. I was more confident in Nik’s love for me these days.
I spotted Shane at his table and could tell right away that there really was a problem. Shane was running his mouth, his face almost purple with his temper as he spoke loudly to the two women across from him. Meanwhile, Harper was just sitting there like a statue. She looked pale, and there was something in the set of her shoulders that told me she was less than amused. The way she was looking off in the distance made me wonder if she was even aware of the conversation going on around her.
“…I’m a rock star, bitch!” Shane’s words filled my ears and I rolled my eyes. Whatever was going on, it seemed more like a pissing contest than anything else.
“You’re trash,” came the retort of the older woman at the table that I assumed was Harper’s mother. She looked nothing like the sweet girl I had met just a few days ago, so I had to make a guess.
Hearing that old biddy speak to my friend like that did nothing for my own temper. I stopped just behind Shane and glared down at the older woman that smelled like a perfume factory and looked like an advertisement for clown school with all the makeup she was wearing. My mouth opened and I wasn’t even sure what was about to come out when a strong hand covered my lips.
I shot Nik a glare, but he just grinned down at me. “Sorry, baby girl. We want to stay and your mouth will get us kicked out.”
Of course he was right, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
“High paid trash, actually,” Shane informed the older woman with what sounded like a smirk in his tone. “With big connections. One phone call and that cushy modeling contract you have will no longer exist.”
Oh, I liked that idea. I didn’t know if Shane was bluffing or not, but I planned to follow through on it. Mentally, I rubbed my hands together in glee. Nik, seeing the wheels turning in my eyes, laughed and released me.
Before I could step forward, Harper stood. She murmured something about the ladies' room and hurried away. Shane started to follow her, but I put a hand on his shoulder. I felt some of the tension leave him when he realized that I had arrived. He knew I had his back and would always do so.
“Hey.”
I grinned down at him. “Hi. I would ask how your evening is going, but I caught the last five seconds of your conversation.” My gaze went to the two women seated across the table. “Why don’t you show these two delightful ladies to the door while I go talk with Harper?” I suggested with frost in my tone.
“She’s so upset…” Shane’s voice cracked ever so slightly, making my heart squeeze for him.
“I’ll be gentle,” I promised. After everything that had happened with Lana, I had learned my lesson. It didn’t matter that I had only been looking out for Drake. I should have treated Lana better. Unfortunately, it had taken her nearly dying for me to realize that…
Pushing those thoughts away, I followed after Harper.
The bathroom was empty except for the beautiful girl standing by the long sink frowning at her reflection. Shane had told me so much about her over the last month or so. I hadn’t really believed him about her self-esteem problem until now. I mean really? She was gorgeous with her thick, silky caramel hair. And that body? Fuck, I would kill for that ass. And those eyes? I had to spend a good ten minutes on makeup to get that wide eyed, soulful look even behind those kick ass chic glasses.
“No offence, but your mom is a bitch,” I told her.
She stiffened at the sound of my voice, and I watched her eyes fill with annoyance in the mirror. I didn’t blame her. She probably thought I had come to put my two cents in. I was sure that Lana had vented to her friends about me, and I only respected Harper more for being loyal to Lana.
But instead of sounding annoyed, Harper’s tone was just tired when she agreed with me. “Yeah, she’s always been like that.”
I sat down on the little sofa. I still couldn’t understand why there was one in the ladies’ room at these snotty ass restaurants but appreciated it in that moment. “I can relate. My mother was a real monster.”
Harper turned to face me. “She told you on a daily basis that you were ugly and would never compare to your incredibly beautiful stepsister?”
“No, sweetie. She beat me daily. That is when she wasn’t stoned out of her mind.” I patted the spot beside of me on the sofa when Harper’s face paled.
After only a small hesitation, she moved and sat beside of me. “I…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. That part of my life was over when she overdosed.” And that was when my real life began on the road with my guys—my family, if not by blood then by choice. “There are different types of child abuse, though. And I think you were just as much a victim as I was.”
Harper shook her head. “No, my life was perfect compared to yours…”
“So you enjoyed being called ugly?” I rolled my eyes at her. “Verbal abuse leaves wounds too, sweetheart.” She clenched her jaw and I sighed, not wanting to argue with her. “So tell me about it. Tell me how it was growing up with that hag out in the dining room.”
She was quiet for so long that I started to wonder if she was even going to talk to me, but then she grimaced. “Monica and my dad divorced when I was young. Neither of them really took an interest in me, not that I cared. Less than a year later, she married my stepdad. He had more money than my dad…but Cecil was sweet. He cared about me. Still does.”
“That’s great. I’m glad you have him. Shane’s told me about him and the few times that you guys have gone out together.”
Violet eyes flashed with surprise. “Really?”
“Of course. Shane is always talking about you. I’m seriously getting tired of hearing all about Harper Jones.” I was only half joking because, really, I couldn’t call Shane without having to hear about the girl.
“I knew Ariana even before my mom married her dad. Our mothers were best friends. I was being compared to her from birth, actually. But when she became my stepsister it got worse. Then she started the modeling and life went from bearable to not so great in the blink of an eye. Of course puberty sucked ass.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I had horrible skin, thick glasses, and braces. Really, I was hideous.”
I couldn’t contain my snort. “That’s just teenage years. They suck for us all, babe.”
“Yeah, well it’s hard when you’re surrounded by perfect models and the attitude that goes with them,” Harper informed me, and I tried to see it through her eyes. I had never really had a girl as a friend until I had met Layla, but I knew that teenaged girls were nightmares from the one year I’d spent in high school before I’d gone to live with the guys. Girls were truly evil. I could only imagine the horror of being surrounded by those types of girls that also got paid for their looks.
All of that on top of being told by the one person that should have been supportive but was nothing but negative would have given any girl a complex.
“Isn’t your best friend one of those girls though?” Shane and Lana both had told me that Dallas was an ex model.
A small smile teased the corners of Harper’s Cupid’s bow mouth. “Yeah, but Dallas isn’t like them. She never wanted to be a model. Her mom is even more of a nightmare than my own. She forced Dallas into beauty pageants back in Texas until she was discovered and her mom signe
d her life over to a modeling agency until she turned twenty-one.”
“That sucks.”
“It hurt Dallas a lot. She always dreamed of being a nurse. She’s really caring under all that attitude.”
“I believe you.” I had actually really liked the other girl, her tattoos and piercings only drawing me to her more.
For a good twenty minutes I sat and talked to Harper. Then Shane started texting me, and I figured it was time to go out and let him work things out with this girl of his. I stood but Harper remained seated. “Come on, let’s go out and have some dessert,” I urged her. “I know you have a weakness for lemon cake.”
She gave me a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You go. I just need another minute or two.”
I shook my head. “He really is sorry, Harper. Shane cares about you and would never willingly hurt you.”
Her jaw clenched and she didn’t answer, but I wasn’t going to get in the middle. Not this time. I had learned my lesson with Drake and Lana…
When I returned to Shane and Nik it was to find that Lady Tremaine and the ugly stepsister look alike were long gone. One look at Shane told me that he wasn’t doing too great. His face was pale, his eyes glazed with a mixture of tears and alcohol. I sat down beside him and grasped his hands.
“Talk to me.”
“I’ve fucked up. I played a game with my relationship with Harper and lost.” He tossed back the last of what looked like bourbon in his glass.
I couldn’t disagree with him. I’d seen for myself how upset Harper was, but that didn’t mean he lost her. Just as I’d seen how upset she was, I’d seen a little deeper than the other girl had liked. Miss Harper Jones was in love with one of my guys.
Harper
I waited until the door was closed behind Emmie and then started counting. Slowly I reached one hundred and grabbed my purse.
Tonight had been a disaster!
All I wanted was to go home and hide under my covers. I felt like I was eleven years old all over again, wanting to hide from my mother and stepsister and the disdain I knew they felt for me. I had no idea why my mother hated me so much that she felt she had to constantly beat me down with her mean, vile words. Ariana was different. I knew all her reasons for hating me, and I hated her right back. Even if at one point in our lives I had hoped that we could be friends.