Sweet Carolina Girls Part 11

There was silence on the other end, only the soft sound of someone taking a breath, as if they were about to say something, then the call ended. Harper checked the calls received list. It was Lauren's number. She thought about calling back, but decided not to. Lauren obviously didn't know what to say. Harper sat there looking at the phone so long she jumped when it rang again. She checked the I.D. this time. It was Abby.

"Hey, Abby," she said, sounding a little disappointed evidently.

"Geeze, you sound disappointed. Expecting somebody else," Abby said, through the phone.

Harper walked into the kitchen for a bottle of water, "No, I'm just so d.a.m.n tired of being cooped up in this house. I can't wait to start work Monday."

"Well, get out of the house. Come over tonight."

"Is Lauren going to be there?" Harper asked cautiously.

"No, she isn't coming and Shelby said she probably wouldn't either, so I think the coast is clear."

"Is Julie going to glare at me all night?" Harper said, back on the couch.

"Probably, but don't let her scare you, Harper. If she gets too bad, just tell her off again. She secretly loves that. She likes you, because you don't let her intimidate you, but don't tell her I told you," Abby added quickly.

Harper laughed and because she would go crazy if she didn't get out of the house, she agreed to come over about eight o'clock and thanked Abby for inviting her. She called to see if Max would be available tonight and when he was, she scheduled her pick up. It warmed up and stopped raining that afternoon, so she took Jasper and herself for a much-needed run. She had been working out on the weight machine like a fiend all week, but nothing felt as good as a run.

That night she dressed in jeans, tee shirt and her favorite blue denim shirt with the cowboy snap pearl b.u.t.tons. It was old and worn out, but it was one of the pieces of comfort clothing she hung on to; it had been her mother's.

Max arrived on time and tried to bring up Lauren again, but Harper ignored him. She changed the subject to Tar Heel basketball and he quickly forgot about her. He rambled on about the young team and how good they were going to be next year the whole way to Abby's house.

Harper recognized several cars in the driveway and knew most of her teammates were here. She found them in the corner of the pool house. Alicia, Becky, Ellen, B.J., Julie, Shy Lynn, and even Dee and Chita were sitting with Abby. Everyone seemed happy to see her, except of course Julie who glared just like Harper knew she would. The room was less crowded with people this evening. Harper discovered later, with the exception of the team and their husbands, most of the partygoers were Sandy's friends.

Harper thought she'd break the ice, "This isn't an intervention is it?"

That cracked the women up and set the mood for the evening. For the first time n.o.body asked Harper questions about her past or tried to fix her up with someone. She was just one of the girls, swapping stories and bulls.h.i.tting the night away.

Harper actually relaxed and only thought of Lauren when the conversations lulled. She and Becky took on Dee and Chita at pool. Becky was a very good pool player. While they played, Becky told Harper she had been in love with Ellen for years. She saw other women, but she was just waiting Ellen out. She figured Ellen would give in eventually.

When no one else could hear, Becky, said, "Don't let Lauren get away, if you think she's the one. The way she was looking at you, when you sang that Sugarland song, she never looked at Shelby like that. Lauren has fallen for you. She's just scared to admit it."

Harper didn't say anything. She just swallowed hard and excused herself to the bathroom. Becky had said what Harper had been thinking all along. She had fallen for Lauren too, but Harper was scared to admit it, as well. It seemed to Harper, everyone failed to see that she had as much to lose as Lauren and Shelby.

Harper did not let herself be loved very often and she tried not to love anyone, too much. It could all go away so fast. It took her forever to get a dog, because she knew it would die before she did. Jasper was a real commitment for her. The fact that she might have fallen in love with Lauren frightened the s.h.i.t out of her. Harper felt like she had one chance to get this right. Make the wrong move and it could all end in disaster.

When she got back from the bathroom most of Sandy's friends were gone. Soon the husbands retired to the TV, in the main house, leaving the women on their own. Dee and Chita pulled a cooler over to the corner, so the beer would be closer. Harper laughed and joked and probably talked more than she ever had, in front of this group of women. Somebody pulled out a joint, which got pa.s.sed around the circle. Harper didn't usually smoke pot, but an occasional buzz never hurt anyone, she thought. The pot animated the group even more. Even Julie started smiling.

Harper was in the middle of telling how she had stood in line, as a kid, to get Pat Summitt's autograph, at one of the coaches many Final Four appearances. Just when she was to get her poster autographed Pat stood up. Harper was so into the story she stood up to act it out.

"There I was about three feet tall and Pat Summitt, my idol, unfolded herself right in front of me. I stood there staring up, at what looked like this giant woman. She sat back down and asked me my name. My mom had to tell her because my mouth was still hanging open and I was unable to move or speak."

Her teammates, who had been laughing, looked pa.s.sed Harper to the door behind her. Harper heard the door close and was afraid to turn around. If the look on Chita's face was any indication, this couldn't be good.

"That's a charming story, from such a charming young lady," Shelby said, with a hint of bourbon in her lilt.

Harper sat down without turning around, her back to Shelby.

"Now, now, don't be so shy. Please continue enthralling my friends with the tales of the amazing and talented, Harper Lynch."

Harper stared straight ahead. She could see Shelby's reflection, in the windows in front of her, holding a bourbon gla.s.s in her hand and getting closer, finally rounding the end of the loveseat to stand right beside her. Shelby put her hand on Harper's shoulder.

"Tell me Harper, since you're so intelligent, and you are," Shelby leaned down and whispered loudly, bourbon definitely on her breath, "I looked in your personal file. Shh, don't report me." Shelby straightened back up and weaved a little. "It seems you were one of the most sought after research candidates, in the country. Her idea is exceptional, by the way. Why pray tell did you decide to come to our fair city?"

The devil crawled onto Harper's shoulder and whispered the answer in her ear, which Harper immediately repeated, "Because I couldn't get into Duke."

This brought snickers from some of the women in the room. It brought the glare back to Julie's face. Shelby wasn't finished.

"Orphaned at sixteen, graduated early, full ride scholarship and more accolades than I can remember for athletics and academia. Did you know she graduated top of her cla.s.s in undergrad and graduate school, which she finished in record time, and now she is in search of her doctorate, at our prestigious research facility. Lauren was right. You are a phenom...me...non," she stumbled over the word, but kept going, "I'll have to be sure to be on your doctoral committee, so I can say I knew you when."

At that, Abby stood up, "Come on Shelby, let's go get some coffee."

Shelby was having none of it. She continued to provoke Harper. "Speaking of Lauren, have you seen her? She's doing quite well, actually. She loves living in her studio warehouse. You know I don't even think she misses me."

Shelby laughed, but no one else thought it was funny. Her hand remained on Harper's shoulder, steadying herself. Harper could feel Shelby weaving, as her fingers dug into her shoulder. Things were flying through Harper's mind so fast she couldn't keep up. She would have to move, she would have to find another research program, because Shelby was going to make Harper's life h.e.l.l, if she stayed.

"Come on Harper, sing us a song. My wife, I mean my ex-wife, said you were, now what were her exact words, af.u.c.king incredible,' I think it was."

Abby moved toward Shelby. Shelby put her hand up to stop her.

"No, I want to see this modern day Renaissance man, or woman should I say, perform. Maybe I'll want to get in line to f.u.c.k her, too."

Harper stood up too quickly. She unbalanced the already teetering Shelby and she toppled over, bourbon gla.s.s still intact. Abby and Dee rushed to Shelby and finally successfully stood her back up. They stayed under her armpits to keep her upright. The couch emptied and Shelby was laid out, her bourbon gla.s.s finally removed from her hand.

She started to say something else, but burst into tears and agonizing moans. It was tragic to watch. It was too much for Harper. She grabbed her coat and headed for the door. Shelby was being attended to by B.J. and Ellen. The more they tried to comfort her the louder her wails got. Abby stopped Harper, just outside the door.

"Harper, I'm so sorry. I know you don't want to be caught in the middle of this." Abby hugged Harper, "Maybe it will be dry enough to practice tomorrow. I'll see you then okay."

"Yeah, maybe," Harper wasn't talking about the rain.

She called Max from the driveway. She didn't want to wait in the house. Harper heard someone coming out the front door, behind her. It was Chita and Dee.

Chita was the first to speak, "Yo, Harper. Man that was some f.u.c.ked up s.h.i.t. You alright?"

Dee added, "s.h.i.t man, I don't know if I could have sat there and taken that bulls.h.i.t. I mighta had to pop her one."

Harper said quietly, "She doesn't deserve that. Her heart is broken. She doesn't know what she's doing."

Dee wouldn't let up, "I don't know man. She was harsh. Do you think she's really going to f.u.c.k up your school s.h.i.t?"

"I don't know," and Harper really didn't "Well, you're good people Harper. Don't worry about it. She probably won't remember any of this anyway," Chita said, trying to make Harper feel better.

Dee was unsympathetic, "If Shelby had taken care of her s.h.i.t at home, she wouldn't be in this mess. d.a.m.n if I would've left a fox like Lauren alone, as much as she did. If you ask me, Shelby's got n.o.body to blame but herself, for this. She's the one that f.u.c.ked it up. You're just the one who reaped the benefits."

Harper flashed angry, "I am not f.u.c.king Lauren! Nothing happened between us, nothing."

Chita chastised Dee, "Shut up man... you never know when to shut up, do you?"

Dee dropped her chin to her chest like a scolded child, "I'm sorry."

Harper calmed down, "It's okay. I'm just a little uptight right now, I hope you understand."

Max's headlights flashed into the driveway. Harper had never been so happy to see a taxi in her life.

"See you tomorrow, at practice," Harper said, getting into the taxi.

She shut the door and laid her head back in seat. She sighed so deeply, Max turned around.

"You okay, Miss Lynch?" He sounded genuinely concerned.

"No Max, my life is one big f.u.c.ked up mess and I don't know how it happened," Harper said, not raising her head.

Max tried to cheer her, "Oh no, you're young and beautiful. What could be so wrong?"

Harper covered her face with her hands, "Everything. Everything is f.u.c.ked up."

Max gave up and put the car in gear. He didn't ask where she wanted to go. He just took her home.

Chapter Thirteen.

Harper didn't go to practice on Sunday, even though the sun was shining for the first time in a week. She called Jane with the excuse that she needed to go see her grandmother. She didn't really. She had planned to go down and take Grandma to her old church next Sunday, because it was Homecoming. Instead, she and Jasper went for a drive. They drove south out of the county and let the winding roads just take them away. Away from Chapman's Mill and the mess Harper found herself in.

Four hours later, they ended up at Caswell Beach on the coast. She took Jasper out to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. The water was cold, but it didn't bother Jasper. He played and splashed, biting at the waves, for hours. He and Harper combed the beach for sh.e.l.ls and found a few worthy of taking home. Even though she was thoroughly enjoying Jasper's antics, her problems back in Chapman's Mill were never far from her mind.

Harper was f.u.c.ked any way she looked at it. If Shelby got it in her head that Harper was the cause of all her problems, she could make big trouble. There wouldn't be anything right about it, but Harper would get f.u.c.ked just the same. She'd seen it happen before. If a dean or professor decided to railroad you, you were done. Harper had worked so hard to get this research grant through this facility and it was about to all go up in smoke. If Shelby decided to blackball Harper, no university would touch her.

The real b.i.t.c.h was that she had done the right thing. She hadn't taken advantage of Lauren when she was drunk, which would have been so easy, but so wrong. Harper had been the southern gentleman, for lack of a better term. She hadn't tried to see Lauren. She had only sent that one text message. What in the h.e.l.l had set Shelby off? That was the real question. What had gone on this past week between Shelby and Lauren? How could Harper know? She had stayed away like Shelby asked.

When the sun started going down it began to get colder. Harper decided it was time to leave at four o'clock. They stopped for burgers and then Harper let the navigation system take them back to Kerrville. It only took a little more than three hours to get back. It was eight o'clock when Harper finally sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. A few minutes later, there was a knock on her front door.

Harper couldn't imagine who it could be, but she feared the worst and her fears were answered. There on the other side of the beveled gla.s.s stood Shelby. Harper thought for a second about not letting her in, but opened the door anyway.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I think we need to talk and I didn't want to do it over the phone," Shelby, said when the door opened.

Harper stepped aside, "Come in."

When they were seated in the great room, Shelby began, "Harper, I am truly sorry for my behavior last night. I've been told I was extremely rude to you, although I don't remember much. That's not an excuse, just a fact. I was mortified when I woke up and found out what I had done."

She waited for Harper to say something, but getting no response, she continued, "We have to work together or at least in the same department. I just wanted to a.s.sure you that I will be completely professional when it comes to our interactions."

It was Harper's turn again to speak and this time she did, "Shelby, I have done exactly as you asked. I stayed away from Lauren."

"I know, she told me," Shelby said sheepishly.

"Then what was all that about?" Harper asked, even though she knew Shelby had no answer.

"I should never drink hard liquor when something is bothering me," was the only thing Shelby could come up with.

Harper had to agree, if last night was any indication of what happened, when she did. She kept that to herself though and simply said, "No, that's never a good thing."

They had run out of things to say to each other. Shelby looked around at all the new furniture. It wasn't there the last time she was here. Harper watched as Shelby's eye traveled around the great room.

"The new furniture is so beautiful. You have great taste," she focused on Harper again. "I hope you will accept my apology. I truly am sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," Harper said.

"What are you sorry for? From what I heard, you handled the whole thing much better than I would have, in the same situation."

Harper answered her truthfully, "I'm sorry you have to go through this. I can't imagine how much pain you're in. Believe me when I say I wouldn't wish this on anybody."

"No, I don't think you would. You're a good person Harper. I wish we had met under different circ.u.mstances."

Harper stood up, "Yeah, I do too." She started for the door.

They had said all that needed to be said. Shelby followed Harper to the door. At the door, the two women said their goodbyes through forced smiles. Harper stood at the door watching Shelby drive away.

"Jasper, this s.h.i.t just keeps getting more and more bazaar."

Harper went to bed at nine o'clock. She wanted to be fresh tomorrow for her first day of work. She had almost nodded off, when the cell phone rang on the bedside table. She picked it up and checked the caller I.D. It was Lauren.

She answered, "h.e.l.lo."

Nothing, but soft breathing came through the earpiece. Harper sat there, listening. She said nothing and neither did Lauren.

After a moment, Harper said very softly, "Goodnight, Lauren."

Lauren hung up. Harper lay there in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Part of her so desperately wanted to call Lauren back and beg her to come over; the other part knew Lauren wasn't ready. She'd only been on her own a week. She was probably just lonely. Harper closed her eyes and relived the kiss, in the kitchen. It only made the aching worse. She snuggled up to Jasper and tried to sleep.

Sometime later, sleep caught up with her. She dreamed all night of Lauren, Lauren running on the beach, Lauren painting in the studio, Lauren flirting, laughing, and teasing. Lauren made love to Harper, while Harper explored Lauren's body. She woke tired and unsettled. Her dreams haunted her through breakfast, getting dressed, driving to work. It wasn't until she was with her research team and focused on testing the athletes, that her dreams began to fade away.

A new material was developed for military and police protection several years ago. It was a liquid that became a solid when you tried to puncture it, then relaxed back into a liquid. Harper was studying the use of this material in knee braces, to protect the athlete from injury. They now had to test hundreds of subjects to get the design correctly formulated. Harper's whole dissertation was based on the studies she would be conducting. Her cla.s.s work had been done mostly at Midwestern, so she didn't have to attend as many cla.s.ses, as other doctorial students, giving her time to complete her research.

Harper called Sandy on Monday, after she came home to desperate Jasper, about to burst his bladder. Harper left a key on the back deck and Sandy came over with one of his workers, after Harper went to work on Tuesday. She came home to an extremely happy Jasper, with his very own doggie door.

When she called to thank Sandy, he told her he stayed long enough to teach Jasper how to get in and out. He commented on how smart Jasper was and how quickly he took to the door. Harper was a proud parent, when she hung up the phone. She ran with Jasper every morning before work, even in the rain. By the end of the week, they were both falling into the routine.

She never saw Shelby. They worked on opposite sides of the building. Shelby was rarely in the labs anymore, because of her other duties, Harper found out. Abby came over Wednesday and took her out to lunch, in the student center. Harper was glad to see a friendly face. They spent lunch talking about Harper's job and the campus. Abby never mentioned Shelby or Lauren, and Harper was grateful. Abby said some of the team were concerned that Harper would quit and they really wanted her to stay. Harper promised to come to practice on Sat.u.r.day, then they said goodbye.

Harper didn't tell Abby that Lauren called her every night, never saying anything, hanging up just after Harper said goodnight. Strangely enough, Harper waited for her call every night. It wasn't much, but it was something anyway. Harper still wasn't sure at all how this was going to turn out. For all she knew, Lauren was doing the same thing to Shelby. Harper really hoped she wasn't.