Page 115 of Frozen Flames

“Yeah, but he’s going through a lot right now,” Gemma throws her way.

Am I though? Even with Gemma in front of me right now, I can admit that I missed her a bit and she’s familiar, but I’d never trade that for what I have with Claire.

“I know,” Claire agrees. “That’s why I…”

“Leave,” Gemma whispers, and it takes me a minute to realize she’s talking to Claire.

“I have every right to be here.” Claire crosses her arms over her chest, her cheeks more than rosy now—they’re purely blushing with embarrassment.

Gemma turns to me. “Harv, tell her toleave.”

I don’t even know what to do or say. I’ve never seen Gemma like this. Maybe she has something important to share with me?

I turn to Claire and give her a small nod, trying to indicate that she can go to my room while I find out what Gemma wants.

I wish I could tell Gemma to fuck right off.

That she can’t treat my future wife like that.

But something stops me.

Maybe it’s the years we spent together or the fact that this girl took care of me when most of my friends dipped post-accident, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m curious as to what she has to say.

Either way, I don’t doubt for a second that Claire will be angry about this.

When Claire heads to my room, Gemma comes closer and drops to her knees in front of me, holding on to my hand, her eyes focused on my tattoo.

“Harvey.” She shakes her head. “Promise me you won’t hurt yourself.”

I snort. “I’m just tipsy. Didn’t mean to scare you.” I chuckle, and it feels good to laugh and let loose and drink.

Fuck, what did I text her? I can’t remember all my texts.

“Promise me.”

The drama, Gemma.

“I won’t kill myself.” I roll my eyes. “If I wanted to, I would’ve done so a long time ago.”

I’ve thought about it—many, many times.

Not necessarily in a planning way, so perhaps there’s a distinction there. It’s more like I’ve had days when I wished I weren’t alive.

When I wished I could disappear.

Gemma nods, biting her lip, looking worried. “I hate that you could so easily give her what you couldn’t give me.”

I don’t know what to tell her.

It barely even crossed my mind that she could’ve heard us when she knocked, but I’m sure that’s what she’s referring to.

I stroke her hair in a friendly gesture. “I hate myself for it too. But it wouldn’t have mattered. As long as you would’ve met him and I her, it wouldn’t have changed anything in the long run.”

She looks away, seeming to be in her own world as always. “How are you,really?”

I can’t tell her I’ve been doing really good. Besides, the truth is, nights have been hard. “I have good and bad days.”

She takes my hand and presses it over her heart. “One phone call and I’m here. Okay?”

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