The Straight Crimes (24 page)

“Sweetie,” Traci called through the crowd.

Every time someone more important than the one before walked in, Harper was pulled in their direction to make their acquaintance. However, as soon as the conversation directed away from her, she’d slip away.

After an hour of dealing with Harper’s antics, Traci’s forced smile began to fade. She’d grown tired of the elusive cat and mouse game.

“Kendall,” Traci hissed, digging her claws into her arm.

“Damn, what?” she asked.

“Over here.” Traci pulled Kendall towards the alcove to the living room. “Where the hell’s Harper?”

“I’m not sure.”

“She keeps running away. It’s very irritating.”

“So? What do you want me to do about it?”

“Go find her. Keep your eye on her and make sure she’s at my disposal all night. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes ma’am.” Kendall curled her lip.

“You’d better watch it. I don’t think you fully appreciate the situation you’re in. For a high school dropout with a criminal past, your options are quite limited, my dear.”

Kendall fought all of her rage and simply kept her mouth sealed shut.

“One more thing,” she scowled. “I don’t appreciate you talking about my mother with Harper.”

“I wasn’t.”

Through her heated words—and aware of everyone’s eyes on her, Traci flashed a fake smile. “You’re full of shit. I know you were.”

“I didn’t say anything, I swear.”

Traci snatched Kendall by the jaw. “If you breathe a word about her to anyone, you’ll pay severely. Is that understood?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’d hate to find out you betrayed me again.”

“I won’t say a word, I promise.”

“Perfect. Now go find Harper.”

As the guests exchanged false sentiments to feed one another’s overweening egos, Harper sought refuge on the balcony.

Aside from the mindless prattle, something caught Harper’s atten
tion. There was a sense of contentment, not between acquaintances, but within couples. Everyone seemed to have a plus one by their side. Between women locking arms with women and men leaning on their guys’ shoulders, Harper felt utterly alone. She desperately wanted to be beside Nik, but instead, she was Traci’s shiny bauble.

In that moment, while scouring the sea of strangers, Harper closed her eyes tightly and had a vision…

She dreamt of a room full of vivid brightness, with light that diminished ignorance. Harper held onto Nik’s strong hands. Everyone around them noticed their undying affection for one another, but no one cared.

Harper and Nik weren’t worried about obscene remarks or judgmental glares. For once, they were welcomed and treated with equality. There was an overwhelming sense of serenity, a sweetness shared not by outcasts, but by soul mates.
 

Suddenly, the light grew brighter, everyone vanished, and Harper wrapped her arms around Nik. They were lost within each other, together forever—frozen for all time in their immaculate love…

“Hey.”

Harper jumped, feeling a cold hand touch her bare shoulder. “Damn Kendall, you scared the hell outta me.”

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“Yeah, just spacin’ out.”

“Traci’s looking for you.”

Harper groaned. “Like I care.”

“You’d better hurry, she’s upset.”

“I’m real worried,” she said sarcastically.

“I need you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Don’t tell Traci anything about our conversation from earlier, especially what we said about her mother.”

“The only thing you told me was that Andrea ran away with someone.”

“Shh.” She put her hand to her nose. “Traci will kill me if she knew I said anything at all. Just don’t say anything.”

“Why would she care?”

“It doesn’t matter. I need you to keep it between us.”

“What’s goin’ on, Kendall?”

“Nothing.”

“There’s somethin’ you ain’t tellin’ me.”

Kendall’s hands began to shake. She tucked them under her armpits and closed her eyes.

“Out with it,” Harper insisted.

“Look, she doesn’t want me talking to anyone about Andi, but that’s all I can say. So please stop asking about her.”

“But like I said—”

“Seriously, no more. You have to drop it or I’m in deep shit. Okay?”

“Fine, I’m sorry.” Harper relented, knowing she wasn’t getting the full story from the tight-lipped maid.

After taking a moment to let the awkwardness wear off, the women made their descent into the foyer.

That’s when a stranger grabbed hold of Harper’s arm and pulled her away from Kendall.

“My goodness, you must be Harper,” she insisted.

She looked at the tall, skeletal woman in confusion. “Do I know you?”

“No, darling, but Traci’s told me about you.” The vivacious socialite, heavily drenched
in diamonds, offered her hand as if she were royalty.

Harper momentarily considered responding with a curtsey.

“Where are my manners? I’m Jaslene Porter, a dear old 
friend
 of Andrea’s.”

“And I’m Harper Jones. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, darling.” Jaslene clicked her tongue, instantly detecting the solemnity in Harper’s tone. “Traci shared your devastating news. I’m terribly sorry about your mom. I wanted to offer my condolences personally. It may seem strange since we haven’t met, but I felt compelled to share my sentiments. Who’s to say, maybe it’s a natural reaction for a mother to comfort someone who’s faced such adversity.”

“Thank you.”

As a waitress passed by, Jaslene pulled a glass of champagne from her silver tray and handed it to Harper. Then she whispered in the server’s ear, “I shouldn’t have to tell you how to do your job, but you always offer a drink to a beautiful lady.”

She awkwardly took the glass. “I appreciate it, but I’m only eighteen.”

“One glass isn’t going to turn you into a woman, but maybe that’ll change after three or four more,” Jaslene cackled. She ran her fingers through her layered black hair and pulled up her strapless designer dress.

Harper politely took a sip from the crystal glass and quickly placed it down. “So, how long have you known Andrea?”

“A very long time, darling.”

Before opening her mouth again, she scoured the foyer to ensure Kendall was out of earshot. “Jaslene, how did you two know each other?”

“Oh, Andi? She and I used to date.”

“Really?”

“You’re surprised. I get it.”

“No, it’s not—”

“We were together long before, well, you know.”

“Know what?”

Jaslene jerked her head to the side. “You know, before she started seeing that 
man
,” she sneered.

“Wait—what?”

“You didn’t know?”

“No.”

“Oops. I assumed Traci would have shared that tidbit.”

“No, she never mentioned anything about that.”

“Mercy, I hope I haven’t said too much.”

Harper couldn’t disguise the stunned expression on her face. Such a scandal seemed uncharacteristic for someone of Andrea’s prominence.

“I shouldn’t say I’m surprised by Traci’s discretion. From what I’ve heard, Traci was against their relationship from the start. The women had a huge falling out over it.”

“I didn’t know that either.”

“Funny thing though, Traci has no clue that I know about Andi’s relationship with the man. No one was ever supposed to know.”

“Then how’d you find out?”

“Andi must’ve been certifiable if she thought she could relocate to Port Vista without me hearing of it. Not to mention she unknowingly hired my former handyman, who spilled the beans after she fired him for stealing. Apparently she tried getting him to sign a confidentiality agreement to keep the torrid affair secret. Arrangements like that only work in Hollywood.” Jaslene cackled and chugged the rest of her champagne.

“How’d Andrea react when she heard you knew about her affair?”

“I never told Andi that I knew. To be perfectly honest, aside from Traci’s pride, I don’t see what difference it’d make if people knew about them now, considering they’re both gone. Still, I wouldn’t want to upset Traci. Let’s keep this our little secret. Port Vista’s always been a touchy subject for her.”

“Port Vista,” Harper whispered the name as she stared off, mesmerized.

In that instance, she slowly pieced together the separate conversations she’d had over time with Nik, Traci, Kendall, and Jaslene. An abrupt wave of certainty washed over her. Everything suddenly made sense: Port Vista, the runaway forbidden lovers, the timing, and the betrayal. Harper’s mind and heart raced in circles as the truth hit her like a truck. The man Andrea ran off with was Nik’s father, Patrick.

Jaslene wa
ved her hand in Harper’s face. “Yes, Port Vista...”

“After Andrea’s death, what happened to the man?”

“He died too.”

“What?”

“They both drowned, well presumably so, after the large storm came in while they were boating on the big lake.”

“Oh my God.” Harper’s mouth nearly hit the floor. She couldn’t believe it. “Do you remember the man’s name?”

“Patrick, well, Pat for short. Look, forgive me for saying so, but I’m quite appalled by Traci’s anonymity. I assumed she would’ve confided this information in you, especially since you’re her girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Traci shared the good news last month at my gallery. I’m sure she was planning to tell you all about her mother. Don’t let it upset you.”

“Wait—girlfriend, really?” Harper scoffed. “She ain’t my girlfriend.”

“She’s not?”

“Of course not.”

“How scandalous. She’s been telling everyone that you two are dating.”

“You’re frickin’ kiddin’ me.”

“No, darling. I wonder how she got that impression if its untrue?”

“Me too, especially ‘cause I’m straight.”

Jaslene spit out her champagne, roaring uncontrollably. She fell over and tried to maintain her composure. “Straight?”

Harper stiffened her back. “You heard me.”

“Oh, it just keeps getting better. I might need another drink for this. That’s too rich.”

Aggravated by the loud disruption, Traci stormed across the room and separated Jaslene and Harper. “Jas, I see you finally made it.”

“Traci, darling, you slay me.”

She frowned. “What’s going on?”

“I’ve just been getting acquainted with your 
friend
, Harper.” Jaslene burst out laughing again.

“What’s so funny, Jas?”

Jaslene covered her mouth in amazement. “You’re just full of surprises tonight.”

“We need to talk right now.” Harper shoved Traci away from Jaslene.

“Stop man-handling me,” she whispered in a hushed tone.

“Move!”

“Are you out of your frickin’ mind? Why are you acting so crude?”

“I could ask the same thing. What the hell’s the matter with you?” Harper continued pushing her until they were beside the front door.

“What are you talking about?”

She was disgusted by Traci’s audacity. “You told Jaslene that I’m your girlfriend!”

“That’s absurd. She’s probably mistaken—”

“She said that’s what you’ve been tellin’ everyone.”

“You can’t trust anything Jaslene Porter says.” Traci put her hand to her full chest and exhaled.

“For once, will you just tell the damn truth?”

“What do you mean ‘for once’? I always tell you the truth.”

“Right, like how you forgot to tell me your mother was actually
 
straight
? Or how she moved away so she could be with a man?”

Traci’s green eyes flared in fury. “Kendall—that bitch, I told her not to say anything.”

“It was Jaslene, not Kendall. What difference does it make? All that matters is that you’re a liar. Why would you try keepin’ that from me? I’m straight. Don’t you think I would’ve understood?”

“Lower your voice.”

“Hell no I won’t!”

“People are staring at us. Get outside, now.” Traci followed Harper as she shoved her through the door into the downpour.

“Shit, it’d be so horrible if everyone knew the truth about your mother. How awful would that be?” Harper mocked in a dry, sarcastic tone.

“You’re ridiculous—”

“No, 
you
 are. This must be how you feel about me—ashamed to tell people I’m straight.”