Page 118 of Frozen Flames

Henrik frowns, and I know he probably can’t picture Gemma being a dick to Claire either. Up until now, even with everything that transpired between us, Gemma has kept her cool. Maybe it’s the fact that she heard or saw us fucking? I’m sure that wasn’t fun for her.

“What’s bothering you most?”

I stare behind him. “Claire left.”

“She’ll be back. She literally works here.”

I shake my head. “I messed up for good this time.”

“Harvey.” He opens his mouth to say something, then stops short before he continues. “If you chase Claire right now, she won’t get the best version of you, brother. You’re hurt.”

Deep down, I know there’s some necessary preaching and valid lessons in there, even from a guy who’s never been in love.

Yet I don’t want to listen.

All I can think about are Claire’s tears and her face when I nodded at her to leave the room. It pains me to even think about it.

I let her down.Again.

Why should she even forgive me this time around?

“I’ll be fine,” I tell Henrik, hoping to convince myself.

“I know you will.” He gives me a small smile, and I know he’s ready to pass out in his bed. I know his ritual.

I wheel backward and stare at him for a few seconds. “You know, you shouldn’t get high and drive, Hen.”

“Pfft.” He throws a hand in the air. “The po-po’s too slow for me.” He laughs.

“It’s not about the police.” Sometimes people make me want to scream. “Do you want to end uplike me?”

He looks at me, bewildered, as I barely chastise his actions even though I don’t agree with them, and we both know it.

“I’ve built up a tolerance to it.”

“Think of others, Henrik, and yourself—you wouldn’t last a day in my chair.”

He seems taken aback by my comment. “You know what? You don’t need to be a dick about it!” He stands before cleaning up my mess without another word, and I know I pissed him off.

I don’t blame him. I can be an asshole.

But the fact that he puts himself at risk triggers something in me.

I know he’s young and immature and figuring his life out—hell, I am too, even now. I just don’t want my brother getting hurt.

Claire

I might get fired.

And I might’ve lost the man I love.

I haven’t been to work in two days, and I spent the last three in bed.

Audrey seems to have had enough of my crying over Harvey. My mom asked me if it’s worth it and if hetrulymakes me happy.

All I know is that he’s hurt me deeply this time.

He doesn’t understand.

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