Page 115 of My Favorite Secret
My fist slams into the wall and I kick the leg of a nearby chair. I’ve never used aggression as an outlet for anger, but there’s no containing the rage burning within me. I’m filled with panic, knowing everything my father speaks is true. There’s no winning here. Whatever option I take, someone loses.
“You’re angry with me.” Dad remains calm, even apologetic, straightening his suit. “I understand. I know this is tough for you. But your silence will keep everyone safe. Felix’s future depends on us.”
“Like you really care about Felix,” I snap. “You were about to turn him in if he didn’t choose Westbridge.”
“That was a scare tactic. Your brother needs to pull himself together and nothing I have tried this far has helped him. I’m desperate, Tyler. I’ve made mistakes as a father, I’ll own that. But I’m trying to save him now. Hear me clearly. No matter how much trouble and stress youboys cause me, you are all my sons and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe.”
My molars grind together, conflicted with gratitude and anger. My mind races, searching for some way out of this disaster. “Harper will see through your cover story. You don’t want her knowing Felix killed Paul, but she’ll piece it together when she hears he died in a fight.”
“She didn’t see Paul’s death. She may wonder, but when an official statement is released about a group brawl, she’ll realize there were more details about that night she didn’t witness and accept it as the truth.”
“She’s not dumb?—”
“If she questions anything, it’syourjob to steer her down a different path of thinking.”
I groan, punching the wall again.Hatingthis.
“What am I supposed to tell Harper and my brothers about Felix’s absence?”
“I’ll be telling your brothers Felix and I got into a fight over how I refused to reinstate his trust fund. He then fled the city in anger.”
My chest heaves with labored breaths. Sweat breaks out across my brow. “Fled to where?”
“He’s unreachable. Felix has cut off contact with everyone. No one knows where he is or how long he’s gone for. It will be a believable lie. He’s erratic, led by anger, and has always been motivated by his trust fund. Tell Harper the same thing.”
Perhaps it will be a believable lie to my brothers, but not Harper. She’s seen the change in Felix. She knows he’s not erratic or filled with anger. Since Clara’s passing, he’s done nothing but prove he’s committed to Harper. An argument about money wouldn’t drive him away.
“Harper won’t believe the lie.”
“Makeher believe it,” he urges, grabbing hold of my shoulders again. “You know her better than anyone.”
My throat burns. “Don’t make me do this. It would break Harper. Let me tell her part of the truth, that you sent Felix to a correctional school.”
“That information would lead to questions and suspicions. Why wouldFelix agree to attend a correctional school when I never hold any power over him?”
He’s right again. Felix wouldn’t submit to our dad under ordinary circumstances.
“I… I can’t lie to Harper.” My voice cracks with pain. I push my father away once again, but this time with no force, shattered inside. “Dad, you know I love her. Felix loves her too. It will destroy our relationship with her. She’s everything to us.”
It will destroy my relationship with Felix, letting Harper believe he’s run off on her. He’ll never forgive me. He’d want Harper to know the truth. Therehasto be some other way.
“I need time to think.”
“Tyler, that girlcannotknow the truth, and she cannot report Paul’s attack. I know there are a lot of feelings tangled up in this. But you must protect your brother at all costs. Don’t be responsible for Felix ending up in jail. Don’t put yourself and those you love in danger’s way either.”
I’m shaking, defeated yet still searching for a way out. “What’s stopping Felix from telling the truth when he returns?”
“He’s proven tonight he has at least some sense of self-preservation. He’ll keep up the lie to save himself. Tyler, I need you to protect yourself, Harper, and everyone in this family. I know they’d do the same for you. Do I have your word you’ll keep Harper and your brothers out of this?”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
HARPER
Morning sunshine streams through the window, waking me from a deep sleep. I smile as memories of last night return to me. The high from eclipse. The party filled with masked spectators and naked couples in their rawest moments.
Felix making love to me in the maze.
I’m tingling all over, blissful and wholesome. What I have with Felix and Tyler is the most special thing I’ve ever experienced.
