Page 99 of The Prospect

What?

“I’m an idiot to have ever thought that Hazel would have wanted me over you.”

“Don’t say that,” I fire back. “You know that’s not true.”

“But it is,” he protests, “and you know it, Green. Don’t kid yourself.”

I swallow hard. There’s been a lump in my throat since he found us, one that I haven’t been able to resolve. I know why it won’t dissipate. It won’t rid itself until I make this right.

“She’s sorry, Hart.” I come to the conclusion that pleading my case is probably the last thing he wants to hear right now. He can stay mad at me forever; I can handle it, but Hazel, I know he wouldn’t be able to do that to her.

“I hope you know that she never would have wanted to hurt you. It was me who orchestrated this whole plan to set each other up with someone else. Not her.”

“Yeah,” Hart scoffs. “It sounds like something you’d do.”

For the first time since this all began, I watch as he rolls his eyes yet softens his face.

“I’m an idiot, after all, am I right?” I can’t help but take advantage of the way the corners of his mouth fight the urge to curl into a smile. “I mean,” I keep on going, “you said it yourself, Hart.”

Eventually, he cracks.

“Christ, Green.” He says with a shake of his head and a half smile on his face. “You’re always going to piss me off. I hope you realize that. Truth be told,” he says with a laugh. “I think it might just be your superpower.”

“Hey, you’re no walk in the park either.”

“Fair enough.” He places his hands into his pockets, this time standing up straighter—taller. “But no matter what, Green.” He finds my eyes. “You’ll always be my teammate. My friend. My brother.”

He pulls one of his hands out of his pockets and extends it in my direction.

“And that,” he says, “will never change.”

I’m reluctant to accept his grasp before I hear the words of confirmation come out of his mouth. “Does that mean we’re okay?”

He nods. “We’re okay.”

We clasp our hands and just like after the first spat we had years back, as I release my hand from his, I know that we’ll get through anything together no matter what. Why? Because we’re a family—that’s what family does.

“Hart?” I hear Hazel’s soft, almost weary voice call out as she approaches the two of us, a blanket wrapped around hershoulders in place of my jacket. “Think we can talk?” she tries, wincing as she speaks.

“Give us a few?” Hart looks back at me, tucking his once free hand back into his pocket.

“Of course.” I nod, stopping momentarily by Hazel before I step into the house.

“Everything is going to be okay.” I kiss her cheek softly. “I promise you, Haze.”

HAZEL

I’m shaking as Green falls out of my line of view and there’s nothing left but Hart, myself, and this insurmountable guilt I can feel weighing me down.

“Hazel...” Hart says my name and the two syllables it makes up just about crush me. I want to collapse from this regret, but I know I can't. I need to do what’s right.

“Do you think you can find it in your heart to forgive me?” My voice may be weak but my emotion is strong.

Hurting Hart has hands down become one of the biggest mistakes in my life, but to make matters worse, I know I can’t right my wrongs. There’s nothing I can physically do to make him forgive me other than to just ask.

“Come here.” Hart extends his arms out, gesturing for me to step into his arms, and almost instantly, I do.

His embrace is warm. Not just from the heat that radiates from his body into mine but also from the way he nestles his head on top.

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