“It will be safer for you and the baby, and this way we'll be able to make sure you eat nutritiously.” She'd reasoned.
Bree and I didn't care, if we weren't at Chase's house, we were almost always here anyway. The dorm was mainly only used if we were pissed off at Konrad and Brandon. And after I spoke to Brandon, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be welcome in the house anymore.
“Oh and you should call your father.”
That...was going to be a difficult conversation. I called him right away, twice, and he didn't answer. Not like I expected him to, I haven't actually spoken with him since the end of August, but I would have rather told him over the phone than via e-mail. Unfortunately, that was my only other option. I grabbed my laptop and typed out a quick e-mail explaining what I'd just found out and that I was sorry if I disappointed him. I asked him to call me so we could talk and told him I loved him. I knew he would respond soon, so I sat there and waited for it. I should have expected his response, but even Bree let out a string of choice words and ran down the hall screaming for her mom to tell her what he'd said.
'You made your choices, you'll have to live with them. If you keep it, you are no longer allowed in my house. This semester is already paid for, but if you want to continue your education you can find your own way. I'm busy now Harper, I don't have time to deal with you.'
I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach, but I knew being upset over the dad that never wanted me was pointless. I forced a smile when Bree and her mom came back in. “Well, that's two down...three more to tell.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears but she nodded her head, “Your appointment is a week from Wednesday sweetie.”
“Thanks for helping Mom.” I mumbled.
We spent the rest of the day moving out of the dorm, even though they didn't let me do much. I kept assuring them that I felt fine, but despite my attempts, I ended up supervising everything. Mom gave me the guest bedroom and said if the father ended up being a prick, I could live with them and set up the nursery in there too. I looked to Bree who was all smiles; at least she was sure Chase wouldn't bail. I didn't think his parents would let him not be there for the baby, but whenever I got the nerve to tell him, I would make sure he knew he didn't have to be anything if he didn't want to.
I didn't see, or hear from Chase until that next Wednesday. I had already been so flustered all day about the appointment, I didn’t even notice he was there until I ran into him. Literally. Bree, Mom and I were texting back and forth, they were trying to calm me down, and I had been so focused on my phone I plowed right into him and a group of other guys.
“What the he– Princess?”
Retrieving my phone from the ground, I stood back up and turned to leave as fast as possible. I couldn't see him, not today.
“Harper, wait up!” He caught my arm and spun me around so I was facing him. “You're not even going to say hi now?”
“Hi.” My voice cracked and I kept my eyes to the ground.
Chase gently placed his hand under my chin and lifted until I was staring at him through unshed tears. “Baby what's wrong?”
God I didn't want to hear him call me that. Memories of our times together flashed through my mind and my cheeks instantly filled with heat. “Nothing,” I cleared my throat and blinked back the tears, “it's just allergies or something.”
His look told me he wasn't buying that, but didn't push that subject further. Stepping back he hung his head and sighed roughly, shifting his weight a few times, “I haven't seen you around my house much. I know you don't want to be with me, but don't feel like you can't be there, I won't bother you and Brandon.”
“That's not why I haven't been there. I um, I broke up with him.”
Chase's head snapped up, “You did? When, why didn't you tell me?” He was failing miserably at trying to hide his elated smile.
“A little over a week ago. But it hurt me more than I could ever explain to do it, and I need time to get over that. I can't just rush back to you because Brandon and I aren't together anymore.”
He cupped my cheeks and hunched down so he was almost eye level, “I love you, I'll give you all the time you need. Unless. Unless you don't want me anymore?”
I pressed my face harder into his left hand and closed my eyes, inhaling his clean masculine scent. “I've told you, I will always love you Chase, but I'm still not sure you won't eventually leave me. Because of that fear, I don't know if I can be with you. And some things have changed since we talked last, you might change your mind about me altogether.”