Chapter 10

Harper

I tried not to be too obvious as I watched Noah across the table.

I couldn't get the image of him crying out of my mind.

The eggs tasted like cardboard and the toast was burnt but I didn't even notice. All that I could focus on was Noah.

I can't believe how selfish I was... I never even thought that he was struggling with everything too.

"Hey." My dad said suddenly, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"What?" I snapped out of my trance, glancing up at him in shock.

"You alright there, kid?" My dad frowned, scanning my face.

"Tired." I replied honestly, focusing on him and only him.

My dad just nodded, the furrow growing between his eyebrows.

"Well you stay here today, okay? We're going over to Charlevoix today and then some conditioning later so you stay here." My dad told me.

"Got it." I nodded, looking down at my untouched food.

"You not hungry?"

"Not really." I shook my head.

My dad let out a sigh but didn't say anything back.

I didn't look at Noah again for the rest of breakfast and as soon as I could, I disappeared back up to the attic.

With everyone gone from the house for the day, I was free.

Instead of doing something crazy and exciting, I laid out on the beach all day and hoped that I'd work on my tan.

I had my headphones in and sunscreen all over my body as I sprawled out on the towel on the warm sand.

It was a beautiful day and I quickly fell asleep to the beautiful words of Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Hamilton soundtrack.

I woke up hours later with a stiff back and a sore stomach.

I'd been laying on my stomach for too long and as I moved to sit up, I got a handful of sand in my face.

"Fuck." I gagged, trying to get it out of my eyes while spitting it out of my mouth.

Needless to say, I was a sweaty, sandy mess when I walked into the house a moment later.

And of course my dad and Noah were in the kitchen.

"What the hell happened to you?" Noah's eyes widened.

"Nearly burned to death in the sun then choked on sand, the usual." I sighed.

"Did you get sunburned?" My dad asked nervously.

"I don't burn." I shook my head.

"Turn around." Noah laughed.

I proudly turned around to show them my nicely tanned back.

"You get that from your mom." My dad laughed.

"Clearly." I laughed, pointing at his already sunburnt head. "What were you guys discussing?" I asked happily as I walked to the stairs.

"Your dad was giving me dating advice." Noah replied, trying to keep a straight face.

I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh yeah?" I laughed.

"He thinks I'm lonely." Noah replied, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Lovely." I grimaced. "Dad, never try and give me dating advice or I will run away."

My dad laughed as I turned and ran up the stairs.

I had a weird feeling in my stomach as I got up to the attic.

I always wondered what it would be like if my dad and Noah were close...

But not in this way... If only they could be close in the 'you're dating my daughter' way rather than the 'I'm you're coach and have no idea that you dated my daughter' way.

With a loud groan, I laid back on my bed.

"What's up with you?" My dad asked, walking into the attic.

"Oh, hey." I smiled, sitting up straight.

My dad let out a sigh, sitting down on the bed next to me.

"I'm sorry you had to come to this, kid." My dad said softly.

I shrugged. "It's alright. It's kind of relaxing when I forget about the obscene amount of sweaty boys in this house." I grimaced.

My dad laughed, bumping my shoulder with his.

"Next weekend, next Saturday afternoon specifically, you and I are going to have a daddy-daughter day." My dad said happily.

"Father-daughter day, please." I replied with a laugh. "The term 'daddy' makes me uncomfortable. I'm no longer six."

"That is true." My dad nodded, scanning my face. "Yeah you really aren't six anymore, are you?"

I shook my head.

He let out a sigh, shaking his head as well.

"Harper, how are you?" My dad asked quietly.

"Um, fine?" I frowned. "Why?"

"No... I mean like with everything that's been going on. It doesn't take a professional to tell that you've had a really shitty two years." My dad said softly.

"Yeah well it certainly hasn't been a picnic but I'm managing." I shrugged. "Mom just wasn't uh... She hasn't been the same since everything happened."

My dad ran a hand down his face, letting out a sigh.

"Did you ever talk to anyone about what happened?" My dad asked softly.

"About moving in with you? It's been like two weeks but-"

"No, Harper. I'm talking about two years ago. You know..." My dad trailed off.

"When mom forced me to get an abortion and ran the love of my life out of town?" I raised my eyebrows. "Yeah, I had Jasey to talk to, and his best friend too."

"But not him?" My dad frowned.

"Mom made it pretty difficult to stay in contact." I grimaced.

"This was a serious thing?" My dad asked softly.

"Yes, dad, it really was." I nodded, instinctively reaching up to play with the engagement ring around my neck.

I quickly pulled my hand away, not wanting to draw attention to it.

But I wasn't quick enough and my dad's eyes narrowed in on the necklace.

"He gave you that?" He whispered.

I nodded, my stomach twisting.

"A while ago. I only still wear it because it's cute." I muttered, tucking my hair back behind my ear.

"You really never spoke to anyone professional about it?" My dad asked quietly.

"No, dad. But I'm fine." I reassured him. "Honestly, it was tough with mom because she resented both of us for it but like... Now that I'm with you, it's nice. You're easy to live with."

"Yeah, well you know, I'm glad you're here." My dad said honestly. "I like that I can get to know you now."

I offered a smile.

"Exactly." I said softly.

"You know, I would've been around more if I could. Your mother absolutely slaughtered me in the custody case which is why I didn't get much time with you." My dad said quietly.

"Yeah I figured." I shrugged. "I just always had a feeling."

My dad nodded, just looking at me.

"Well as lovely as this conversation it, I only talk about that shit for so long and I think I need a nap." I lied, standing up from the bed.

"Yeah, totally, I've got to go over some stuff with the other coaches." My dad nodded, getting up as well.

As soon as he left the room, I grabbed my phone and called Jasey.

I had so much to update her on, I didn't think there were enough hours in the day.