Page 57 of Redeeming Heart

“I have to get back to my hotel,” Hailey said, looking at her watch and I saw another tattoo on her wrist.

“You should see my other friend, Camille,” Sasha remarked when she caught me looking.

I looked at her and saw her knowing smile. “It amazes me how people can endure that pain of a needle stabbing into your skin.”

Her smile grew. “Depends on the size and how much definition you want.” She explained.

“Do you have a tattoo?” I asked, out of curiosity.

She nodded.

“Do you ever regret it?” I know it was probably a dumb question, but I wasn’t brave enough to sit down and have an artist prick my skin with needles.

She shook her head. “It’s something that I will forever have with me.”

It was sentimental. She didn’t have to explain, but with the way, her eyes dulled it was obvious.

“Is there a particular reason why you are avoiding me?”

I bit back a smirk at her question when I realize that there was nothing wrong with her observation skills.

My crush for her ran deeper than her looks and skills. I love how she doesn’t beat around the bush. She says things how they are and it was refreshing to know I don’t have to pretend around her.

“I still feel like a fool for what I said the other night,” I confessed, aware that we were walking alone and towards the exit. I had no idea where Hailey or Jake was and at this stage, I wasn’t too bothered. I was alone with her and even when my palms were sweating and my heart was racing, it felt incredible.

“You did touch a sensitive topic,” She acknowledged with a slight nod of her head, but she still smiled and it was rare to see her smile.

“But it was necessary because it is truth. I’ve been thinking about everyone’s hurt except my own, but I guess I got it from my mom. She was selfless and by the looks of things, I am following in her footsteps.”

“I was always taught that you can’t pour from an empty cup. You first have to look after yourself and make sure you are okay before you hand out your soul because not everyone would do the same for you.” I know she has a good and strong heart, but she needs time for healing as well.

“I never took you as someone who talks about serious topics and understands healing.” She noted.

“Why because I am a jock and it only looks like I care about picking up girls?”

Her laughter warmed my heart and I couldn’t stop the smile from unfolding.

“If I have to think about it now, you are not that kind of person. Surprisingly, you are different. You understand me and my love for something I am passionate about because you share the same love.”

“People used to love teasing me about it and I started to pull away from the world because they didn’t understand. I just never knew it has gotten to the point where I buried my soul.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

It’s been a long time since I had someone to talk to. Someone besides the girls who understood me and accepted my weirdness.

I found it insane to share my problems with a guy and how easy it was to get lost in conversation with Brandon, who wasn’t Jaylin or Camille.

Hailey left to meet Elizabeth while Jonah and I left with Brandon who came over for a few minutes, waiting for me to get dressed for my shift. He offered to drop me off at the pub and stayed a while when I offered to buy him a drink since he has been helping me out and mostly Jonah.

“What made you join the girl’s hockey team?” Brandon asked, accepting his soda.

“You did.”

His reaction was camera-worthy when he almost choked on his saliva.

“Me? What did I do?”

“Have you ever craved being part of something that you will do anything?” I asked him and his frown only deepened.

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