Page 127 of My Favorite Secret
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
TYLER
“Your names were in the paper for underage drinking only last week. Now I come home and find the place trashed from a party you two have thrown. Explain yourselves.”
Wow. One of those rare occasions when my father is home. I hear him scolding Killian and Dan before I’ve even stepped through the front door.
As soon as I enter and see the state of the penthouse, I understand my father’s anger. The floor is scattered with red plastic cups. Furniture is out of place. Chairs have been knocked over. The glass coffee table is shattered.
Dan shrugs, perched on the armrest of a couch with an amused look. “We wanted to have fun. Why else would we host a party?”
Killian tries to keep a straight face, but a snort bursts from him.
“Go to your room!” Dad shouts. “Right now. Both of you.”
Once they’ve cleared out of the living room, my father slumps into the couch, groaning and covering his eyes with the heels of his palms.
“Dad.” His hands lower from his face the moment I announce myself. “I can see this isn’t a great time, but we need to talk.”
“Tyler, not now.”
“It’s urgent. I’ll be in my room when you’re ready.”
He sits tall, concern crinkling his eyes. “Is it about Felix? The Fergusons?”
Dad told me to move on with my life and stop worrying that the Fergusons could have something on us. I haven’t stopped worrying for the last six weeks. I don’t think the fear will ever leave me. But as more time passes, the more I wonder if we’re in the clear.
“No. It’s not about either of them,” I say.
“Thank God. I cannot deal with?—”
“I got Harper pregnant.”
His face pales. “Jesus, Tyler. How could you be so careless?”
“I wasn’t careless,” I answer, keeping a level tone. I won’t let this escalate into an argument. “Accidents happen.”
He covers his eyes again and groans. “You boys are going to be the death of me.”
Dad sinks back against the cushions, remaining silent. When it becomes clear I won’t receive a further response, I walk to my bedroom with broken glass crunching beneath my shoes from the shattered coffee table. If my father were home more and not off with so many women, my brothers would have less opportunity to wreck the place. But now isn’t the time to share my opinions.
“Tyler, wait. Sit down.”
I turn back, finding Dad sitting upright again, scrubbing both hands over his face. He doesn’t sound pleased,but at least he’s calm, so I place my bags on the ground and make my way to the couch opposite him.
“How are you handling the news?” he asks. “How is Harper?”
“She’s not good. Thomas is furious with her. With us. As for me… The news is a shock but I’m going to support Harper in whatever way she needs. She only found out today. She’s scared. But she wants to keep the baby.”
Dad sighs, looking me dead in the eyes. “Son, this is not easy for me to say, but you and Harper are both so young. You have your whole lives ahead of you. There’s plenty of time to have children in the future. This baby… Don’t do it. Make a life for yourself first. Then have kids.”
“That was the original plan. Life happens. Plans change. You know that better than anyone. I’m sure you never imagined yourself as a single parent with four boys. This is Harper’s body. It’s her choice and I want her to do whatever she feels is right. I did this to Harper and I’m not going to abandon her. Dad, I love her. I’ve asked her to marry me, if it’s what she wants and needs.”
“Should I even ask how Felix fits into this? The three of you…”
“I don’t know, Dad. I’m just trying to give Harper what she needs.”
My father rubs his temples, comprehending all that I’ve said. He’s quiet for a long moment before he finally nods. “You’re a good person, Tyler. While I don’t agree this is the right path for you and Harper, I’ll support it. You’re acting like a man, and it makes me proud. I’m exceptionally proud of how you’ve handled yourself ever since Felix left. You’re doing the right thing, protecting Felix, Harper, and your brothers. I know it hasn’t been easy on you.”
