Chapter 17: Fight for Me

He got out of there like his ass was on fire and got to the club as quickly as possible. When he arrived, Harvey was going inside. He followed. “Let me guess, Kira called you to come and pick up Harper,” Harvey said. Cole nodded, “Yeah.” They made their way over to the girls. Harper had face-planted onto the table and Kira was clearly buzzed. Harvey helped her up, “Need help with Harp?” “No, I’ve got it but thanks,” Cole replied. Harvey nodded and led Kira out. Cole bent down in front of Harper, “Harp.” She raised her head, “Cole, you came?” He smiled, “Yes, I did. How much did you drink?” She grinned, “Not much; just a few cups.” He shook his head, “Come on, let’s get you into bed.” She pouted, “I don’t wanna. I want more to drink first.” He shook his head, “Hell no. Your brother’s wedding is tomorrow.” She stayed silent for a moment and Cole was sure she was going to agree but she did the unexpected; she started crying. Now he was alarmed: did she not want Harvey to marry Kira? Of course she’d have a problem with Kate being related; Kate hadn’t exactly been welcoming. He clenched his fists; when he got ahold of her in the morning. Hopefully, he could convince a drunk Harper that Harvey was happy with Kira and that was all that mattered.
As it turned out, that wasn’t why she was crying. “What’s wrong?” he asked, pushing the hair out of her face. The look she gave him broke her heart. “I...I didn’t want you to give up on me!” Give up on her? What? When? “What do you mean?” “When I said I was going to Princeton. I wanted you to fight for me, for us. But you just walked out. I never felt so alone, dammit. I wanted us and Em to be a family. I wanted to marry you. I loved you and you let me go without a fight. I wanted you to tell me that you’d follow; that you’d support my dream the way I didn’t tell you how scared I was for you when I learned you were in the military. I just wanted you to love me unconditionally no matter where I going. Then you left and I didn’t see you for two years! I was so alone. Yeah, I had a few friends but not like what we had: I could share everything with you. You understand what I was going through with Em and all that. And you came to my graduation; I was soo happy. That’s the happiest I’ve been in years. We came out here and I met your girlfriend or whatever. Jealousy isn’t an emotion I have experienced before but hell, I felt it when I walked in and saw her kiss you. I’m talking too much, aren’t I? I just want us to go back to the way that we were. But I know it’s too late because my feelings are one-sided. I regret leaving, okay? I was mad at the way you lashed out at me while the trial was going on. I should just stop now. ” Cole’s mouth worked for what seemed like an eternity. He didn’t know whether to bless alcohol or curse it. Hearing what she felt when he left was unexpected. But what surprised him the most was the fact that she still had feelings for him. It was like a part of his heart was unlocked.
Instead of replying to her, he led her swaying form out to his car. He helped her inside then debated where he should take her. He could take her back to Paige but she was probably asleep, besides, he wanted to stay with her. His next option was where he planned to stay: with his brothers. Hell no. If he brought a drunk Harper back and she went on another spill, they’d never let her live it down. So, that left a hotel. He booked a room at a high-class hotel 20 minutes away. On the way he picked up some things they’d need then went to the hotel. He carried her to their room where he got her to take a pill for her impending headache then stripped her down to her underwear and helped her to bed. He didn’t take long to be ready himself and slip into the bed beside her. He pulled her back flush against his chest. “Harper,” he said quietly, just in case she was asleep already. “Hmm?” He sighed, “I love you too.” She rolled over to face him, “You mean it?” “Yeah, I do.” “What about Kate?” “I’ll deal with her, don’t worry. But you won’t remember any of this in the morning with all the alcohol you’ve consumed.” She frowned, “But I want to remember it.” He smiled, “I’m sure you do.” “Promise to remind me if I forgot?” He nodded although he wasn’t sure if he would. He wanted her to tell him she loved him without being drunk. “Kiss me goodnight.” He kissed her, intending it to be nice and chaste but it heated up very quickly. She ran her hand down her chest, causing his muscles to flex beneath her touch. He was hard now, and for a moment realized that this would be their second time: and she was drunk both times. Of course, at the moment, he was being ruled with his little head and not his big one. He did console himself in the fact that this time she was legal. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. His big head said, she’s drunk dummie, but he was too far gone to listen. He plunged into her slick heat without second thought.