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"I'm not here to lecture you, Rylee. I'm just trying to help."
I groan, my voice muffled by the blankets. "That doesn't sound like you at all. And please save it. I know what you're going to say."
I feel the bed move with his weight as he sits down next to me. I resist the urge to move away, not overly comfortable with his close proximity.
"You're being a baby," he murmurs softly.
I lift my head, turning to glare at him. "Sorry that life's shitting on me right now and I'm having an emotional response to it. How dare I be human and feel some type of negative reaction which makes you uncomfortable."
Blake rolls his eyes. "I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just saying there's options. They aren't the best options, or your first preference, but they could be a temporary solution."
Pushing myself up, I roll back until I'm sitting up with my legs folded. "I don't see how that temporary solution works for anyone to be honest. It would make shit way too complicated. And all it will do for me is remind me that I failed. Again."
His eyebrows crease together as he processes my words. "You haven't failed, Rylee."
"It feels like it," I mutter.
"You did the best you could and these are circumstances outside of your control. Having to wave a white flag doesn't mean you are giving up. It means you get another opportunity to do it again. Like I said, it's only temporary. It would keep you safe, and put a roof over your head. You could also save up money while you search. I get it, it's frustrating because the rental market is shit," he says and I look at him like he's grown two heads.
"Okay, who are you? And what did you do with Blake? Did you switch with Zayn?" I mutter, trying my best not to laugh.
Blake's face falls flat as he glares at me in annoyance. "Now we both know that's definitely not true. If Zayn were here, he wouldn't be giving important advice."
"You're right. His dick would probably be inside me," I taunt.
Blake pulls a disgusted face. "And if Asher were here, he'd be whining about his problems and you'd start fighting. Probably ending up with someone crying."
"It's usually me," I snort.
His face softens. "I'm just trying to help."
I give him a small smile. "I know. I just don't want to give up everything I worked so hard for. It's like a kick in the teeth. And to be honest, I can't face my mother. She would be the worst one. I know how to handle guys… but her? Gosh, she'd never let me live it down."
Blake nods in understanding. "If it helps, I believe she's back at the ranch. We don't have to tell her. What if we could find a way to keep her and my father in the dark about your return? I could keep an eye out, and if I get wind of their return, I'll let you know and you can hide out somewhere."
"Why?" I ask.
He looks at me confused. "Why, what?"
"Why are you being so nice to me? Why are you trying to help me? It's very unusual for you."
Blake looks thrown off by my question. He stays silent for a moment before answering. "I'm not a bad person. Just because we don't like each other, doesn't mean I don't have common decency. Nor does it mean I want to see you fail."
"You told me I was a bad person," I point out.
He tilts his head, eyebrows shooting up. "I may have said some things a bit heatedly. You're not a bad person. You just make really shitty fucked up decisions. And you're still… family," he says, almost painfully.
"Awh, brother," I mock. "Look at you being all caring."
"Don't push it," he warns.
I stretch my legs out, reaching for my vape next to the bed. "I really don't want to move back."
"I really don't think you have much of a choice at the moment," he says. "And frankly, I don't want you back in the area. It's not safe. But at least this way, Zayn and I can keep an eye on you. That's if you can manage to keep yourself out of trouble for once."
I snort. "Now you're stretching. Trouble finds me where ever I go."
"It's pretty easy," he says, rolling his eyes. "Stop going to biker bars. Stop getting into fights. Stop fucking your stepbrothers. Problems solved."
