It Takes Patience III: Stripped

*Reagan’s POV*
At ten thirty I go downstairs and my pupils immediately shrink in order to adjust to the lighting in the hallways and in the kitchen. Everyone is still awake and the fire pit outside is still going. I jog back upstairs to pull on a pair of my sweats and my slippers before I come back down and outside in the backyard with everyone else. Anne and Robin greet me with warm smiles.

Gemma smiles at me also, but I can tell it’s the farthest from genuine because her and Harry share so many of the same qualities. When Harry fakes a smile, his eyes squint much like hers does and his dimples don’t appear, much like hers didn’t. Gemma’s friend raises her eyebrows at me and then nods her head as a gesture, but looks at me as if I’m less than a person.

I immediately want to go back upstairs or maybe downstairs to find Harry, but running is cowardice. I take the available empty seat and Tamsin turns her head to face me as she looks me up and down. Two can play that game however. I return her holier-than-thou glance causing her to chuckle slightly and then turn her head again towards Gemma, who seemed to be unaware of the entire exchange.

“How are you feeling love? Harry said you were a bit under the weather?” Anne brings my focus to her and I grin nervously. When I remember the way that Harry and I came upstairs it could have easily looked like we were having an argument and I wanted nothing to do with him. I’m glad that he came up with this instead.

“Oh, I’m fine now Anne thank you. I just had a headache and needed to lay down for a bit.” She nods her head in understanding before she smiles at me. She’s such a warm hearted woman. I’m sure Robin is one of the luckiest men on earth.

“Would you like a glass of wine Teagan?” Tamsin offers and I flex my jaw. I know she knows my name.

“It’s Reagan.”

“Oh my apologies, I’m horrible with names. But you have to admit I was pretty close though.” She grins and pours me a glass of wine before I can say no.

I take the glass wearily and wave it lightly around in circles not taking a sip. She takes a sip of hers and turns to me again to say something else, but all I can think about now is Harry and where is he?

“I would have thought that Harry would have taken you with him.” Tamsin looks at me with her eyes glittering. The fire seems to reflect in them and it looks as if orange flame dances in her blue irises. I would be lying If I said she hadn’t taken me off guard. I had no clue Harry was gone in the first place.

“Taken me with him?” She nods.

“Didn’t you know he left?”

I take a sip of the wine and she wets her pink lips before she grins, clearly realizing that I didn’t know.

“He left about an hour ago. Didn’t say where he was going when his mum asked, he just said ‘out.’ He should be back soon though seeing as how he has to be in the house before midnight.” She smiles a secret smile and it bothers me that she knows so much about Harry’s schedule, but I wouldn’t let her know that.

“Thank you.”

“Mhm.” She turns to face Gemma again and joins into the conversation going on between her, Robin and Anne and just as I’m about to send Harry a message, Anne brings me into the conversation.

“Have you gotten a dress to wear yet Reagan? The wedding is unfortunately postponed, but it’s still going to be a black and white themed.” I blush furiously. I had forgotten about a dress and I know that nothing I have with me is appropriate for a wedding.

“No unfortunately I haven’t gotten a chance to go yet.”

“Well maybe you can go with Gemma. She’s not usually one to dilly dally with things like this, but since she’s been helping me try to find a new venue nonstop I let her slide with that bit.
Gemma’s green eyes widen before she looks at me and nods while smiling. Her smile looks believable this time, but I know it’s only for the sake of her mom.

She finishes her glass of wine and then stands and stretches before giving her mom and Robin a peck on the cheek and Tamsin does the same, but except kisses she gives hugs.

“We’re off. I’m knackered.”

Anne warns Gemma to be careful driving home and she nods in agreement before she gets to me. She wraps her arms around me in a hug and I’m shocked by the action, but I still hug her back. Tamsin walks by and grins but her shoulder roughly nudges mine before she turns to apologize. My fist tightens at my waist, but I grin and nod telling her it was alright. She did it on purpose and I know it.

I talk with Robin and Anne for a few more minutes before Anne begins to yawn almost uncontrollably.

“You should go to bed love. You’re tired.” Anne shakes her head no and I immediately know why.

“Harry will be back. He has to be. The alarm will go off if he isn’t and I don’t think he wants to be in that kind of trouble right now.” Anne scoffs and takes another sip of her wine.

“It didn’t stop him before. And you know it’s almost been three months since-”

“Annie he’s not going to do that again, he has no reason to. He’s not sad or depressed, she’s here now and they’re alright. He wouldn’t do that again. He told you so.” Anne looks in my direction and I feel like this is a conversation that I’m not supposed to hear, but I think I know what they’re talking about.

Anne chews on her bottom lip and I can finally understand where Harry got the habit from. She stands to leave the back yard and so do I as Robin puts the fire pit out. She walks him to his car and I grab a glass of water to drink before I head back upstairs.

Anne knocks on the door to Harry’s room to tell me goodnight and it’s almost as if she’s looking for Harry to be here as well.

When she closes the door I lie awake waiting for Harry to come back. Eleven thirty rolls around and then eleven forty five and he’s still nowhere to be seen or heard. I shoot him a quick text to make sure that he’s okay and hopefully on his way back, but I don’t get a response. When eleven fifty-five rolls around, I sneak out of bed and head downstairs towards the door and the alarm system. I had seen Harry punch in the numbers before and I know the last thing he needs is to have this on his plate along with having to deal with court.

I punch the numbers in disarming the alarm for him hoping that he comes home soon.

At five a.m. I hear Harry come in the house. He sounds as if he’s stumbling over his own feet. I go out into the hall and down the stairs to see for myself what’s going on. When he notices that the alarm is already taken care of, I call his name startling him.

“Shite glasses! You scared the shit out of me. I think I might ave to put a bell on you or something...too quiet...like a ninja.” He chuckles as stumbles over to the couch in the living room and collapses kicking off his shoes before he lies down. His cheeks are a rosy hue and his eyes are red rimmed and glassy. He’s clearly drunk, but I hope that’s all he is.

I looked out the window and saw how recklessly he parked and I could see that the door wasn't closed all the way. I can feel myself get angry with him. He shouldn't be driving in the condition he's in.

"Harry you shouldn't have drove! You're drunk out of your mind."

"Lectures, lectures. Fine. No more. I promises." I furrow my brow not understanding a word of what he's saying as he slurs out his sentence. If that was a promise not to drive drunk again however, I'm going to hold him to it. His mom would flip shit if she found out what he did, especially since its almost been three months since his suicide attempt.

“Are you going to come to bed?”

“Too many stairs. Can’t make it. Can’t be bothered, and besides I wouldn’t want to accidentally touch you in my sleep. Wouldn’t want to get pushed away any further than I already am.” His words sting through me as if lightning hit. He told me that he wasn’t mad at me about that.

I turn on my heel and head up the stairs without saying another word to him, more than hurt and angered by his snide comment.

Notes

Hi loves!!! Update for you all because I love you! What did you think of this chapter? And what do you all think of Tamsin? Isn't she lovely? ;} Harry said some uncalled for things to Reagan :( Also Do you think that she should continue to cover up for Harry as she usually does? Can't wait to talk to you guys I've missed you so load me up with comments!!! ~LOVE YOU ALL FOR READING ANNND BE SURE TO VOTE AND SUB!!!

P.S.H HELLO NEW SUBSCRIBERS!!!! Xx :*