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I drag my teeth along my bottom lip. “There was this one time back in middle school when this high school aged girl tried to kick my ass. Granted, I probably deserved it—I was a real brat back then.”
He sinks his teeth into his lip, then flinches. “Just back then?”
“Yes, I’m an angel now,” I say with a straight face, causing him to chuckle. “But anyway, she tried to kick my ass. And everyone kept telling me to just curl up and take it—the girl was freakin’ huge and I was all chicken legs and arms. But I wouldn’t listen—wasn’t very good at that either. And I ended up throwing punches and kicking and pulling her hair. And do you want to know what happened?”
He rolls his eyes. “Let me guess. You kicked her ass.”
“Oh no. I got my ass kicked. Damn bitch even broke my arm.”
He stares at me, utterly confounded. “How is that story supposed to help me?”
“Because if the thirteen-year-old me can try to defend herself against a girl who probably has a really good chance at becoming a professional boxer, then your bulky, muscly,” he starts to smile until I add, “and very hairy-chested self can at least try to defend yourself against your dad and his little minions.”
“They’re not really little, though,” he reminds me. “And my dad… Fighting back isn’t really something I was taught to do.”
I gently pat his arm, making sure not to touch an injured area. “All my dad ever tried to teach me was how to lie, cheat, steal, and get wasted and look how fantastic I turned out.” I flash him a cheeky grin then shove the car door open. “Take care of yourself, dude.”
“I will,” he assures me. “But if my ass gets kicked, you get to come play nurse for me.”
And that ends my little trying-to-be nice moment.
I snatch up my bag from the backseat, hop out of the car, and hike toward the fence that divides the Porterson’s property with mine.
“I don’t really give a shit what’s going on,” Blaise is saying to Amelia, but trails off, doing a double take when he notices me walking toward him. “You’re okay?”
“Of course.” I wave it off, but inside I feel like I’m slowly withering from the stress and worry. “Always am.”
He shifts away from Amelia and walks toward me, his gaze sweeping up and down my body. My gaze does the same to him, taking in his lean body, his nearly perfect face, his gorgeous eyes.
Why were you in my memories?
Do you remember why?
Have you been lying all this time?
“Did he hurt you?” Blaise asks as he nears me.
I stop at the fence. “Austin?” I dismiss his question with a wave of my hand. “Nah, that boy is a sweet little kitten at heart.”
Blaise gives me a tolerant look. “I doubt that, but I meant Axel.”
“Oh.” My everything-is-fine attitude slightly falters. “No, he didn’t hurt me.” At least not physically. Mentally, I feel all achy and bruised from the mental mind game Axel and I played.
“Are you sure?” He scans me over again.
“Blaise, I’m fine.” I hoist myself over the fence, place my hand on his shoulder, and look him straight in the eye. “He didn’t even touch me.”
He presses his lips together forcefully, then sweeps a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Are you sure?”
When I nod, he visibly relaxes. That is until Amelia struts up to us, swaying her hips.
“See you on Saturday, gorgeous,” she purrs, then pushes up on her toes and drags her teeth along his earlobe.
Blaise jolts, then sidesteps, swatting at her like a bug. Me, I’m not sure what to make of it, but it bothers me. And Rhyland more than notices, giving me a knowing look.
I roll my eyes.I’m so not in the mood for this, buddy.
Smirking, Amelia spins toward me and sticks her hand down her shirt. “This is for you, beautiful.” She pulls out some cash from her bra and hands it to me.
