All Chapters of A Sketch Away From Perfect: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

HarperScott Bauer: Hey, Harper. What are you doing this weekend?I roll over and look at my phone. My adrenaline spikes with both excitement and trepidation. It’s Scott!We haven’t corresponded all week, and this is the first time I’m realizing it. I am such a bad girlfriend.Potential girlfriend.Hey, wait, why hasn’t he texted me before now?I might be a little indignant, actually.Harper Ward: Hey, stranger. How’ve you been?Scott Bauer: Missing you. *cheese emoji*I laugh.Harper Ward: LOL, liar. You been busy?Scott Bauer: *pouty face emoji* I really have missed you. But yeah, busy. Some asshole crop duster was a little off on his aim and sprayed pesticides on a small area of the farm.I wince, and text back quickly.Harper Ward: Oh, Scott, I’m so sorry. That sucks big time.Scott Bauer: Yeah, well, I had to rip out that crop. It’s all fix

TomásI’m sure Carmen’s humiliation was masterful and her exit the perfect end to a toxic relationship. I was only tertiarily aware of it, however. As soon as that disgusting cerdo of a man began eye-fucking Helena, I was only aware of the blood rushing in my ears.It’s a good thing Alex is a dentist, because if they hadn’t left when they did, I was going to knock his teeth out. “I’m sorry, Helena. I didn’t expect that man would be such a pig.”She slides her hand into mine and squeezes it. “I kind of did, so don’t worry about it.”I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it. “You were spectacular.”“You weren’t even paying attention,” she replies shrewdly.“No.” I brush my fingers through the hair at the back of her neck, the part she’s left down. “I wasn’t.” I lean close to her.She cups my cheeks, k

HarperMy mother gasps. “What are you saying?”“I’m saying get out of my apartment,” I state clearly.“Yeah, get out!” McKenzy backs me up.“I swear, young lady, the moment we step foot out that door, you can consider yourself officially disowned,” my father snaps, rising and tugging my mother up with him. “You’re going against decency, and I will not have that in my house!”“This isn’t your house,” I remind him. “And you go ahead and take that up with your preacher or whoever. I’m completely at peace with my decision.”Melody stands and puts her arms around my parents. “I’m so sorry this turned out so horribly. I’d hope to help you intervene.”“You’re the biggest whore I’ve ever met,” McKenzy says snarkily.“Melody has repented,” my father says. “As should

Harper“Harper?” I hear Scott call from above me.A cow meanders over to the hay that just fell and begins to munch on it, giving me a  glare. The others are very agitated, stomping their feet and mooing in various states from anger to fear.“Scott?” I croak.He comes down a ladder,  shirtless, wearing only a pair of Wranglers. He’s sweaty, his chestnut hair plastered to his forehead. “What’s wrong? What’s the screaming about? Are you okay?”I run to him, and completely ignoring the fact that he’s drenched in sweat, launch myself into his arms, hugging him hard. “Oh, thank God. No, everything is okay. I just couldn’t find you.”He wraps his arms around me and drops his chin onto the top of my head. “Something’s wrong. I know you well enough to hear it in your voice, Harper.”“I thought someone might have hurt you,” I c

HarperDamien is the last to arrive, late in the evening, but then, he flew in from New York. He’s still in his power suit and, since Scott warned him over the phone about Jack, he has two bodyguards with him.Rafe, who is still on a high from the Viking’s win earlier today, has made himself at home in one of Scott’s armchairs, munching on some potato chips Scott had in the cupboard. He waves at Damien like they’re old friends.“Ah, yes. Thanks for padding my Fantasy Football score.” Damien smiles as soon as he spots him.“I told him the same thing,” Scott says with a chuckle.Rafe shrugs. “I do what I can.”Tomás leans against the wall, looking awkwardly at the others. I can’t blame him, really. I mean, Forbes Top 50, Football Star, and we’re all in Scott’s house, so… yeah. But when he looks at me, there’s determination in his eyes, and that makes my heart beat faster. He’s not rich, he’s not famous, and he’s not trying to save the world through organic farming. But he does mold yo