Page 96 of Frozen Flames

She’s right.

“No, no, you’re wrong.”

But it’s like I refuse to believe it. I’m willing to do anything to try to keep the hurt away.

“Harvey, please, I don’t want to fight.”

“Babe, I’ll do anything.” I can’t remember the last time I called her that. I can feel the clock ticking.

My time is up.

The girl is gone.

The fears are creeping in.

She stands up from my lap, and I know that this is it.

The ultimate moment.

“Good night, Harv” is all she says.

She’s walking away, and I can’t stop myself. I can’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth before it’s too late. Before I offer her the final prize on a fucking platter.

I might as well hand her my balls at this point.

I already gave her my heart and look what she did with it. She threw it away as if I’m trash.

“Therapy,” I whisper, hoping she’ll rethink things. “I’ll go to therapy with you.” I toss out the offer, wondering if I’d even agree to go to therapy and talk about myfeelings.

She’s still facing my bedroom door, but she stops in her tracks. “I can’t do this anymore,” she says, and I believe her.

It’s obvious in her voice.

“Take your space, but let’s try. You promised you’d try,” I plead with her to reconsider.

“It was wrong.Iwas wrong to promise you that.”

The same way I’m wrong now for offering therapy as a last lifeline.

“Therapy—think about it,” I coax her, desperate for everything to be right in the world again. “Good night, Gemma.”

She leaves, and I get in bed, knowing I’ll pass out tonight after many sleepless nights.

Humans will go to great lengths to avoid pain.

Claire

It was an uneventful weekend.

I read in my room while the last snow of March piled up outside. My mind was elsewhere though. I hadn’t spoken to Harvey since Wednesday, and I’d been tempted to text him to make sure he was okay, but my pride wouldn’t allow it.

Instead, I texted him Thursday and Friday last week to call in sick.

My mom and Audrey have been eyeing me since, knowing there’s something wrong with me. Alas, I told them I was feeling a little under the weather.

In my defense, I did have a cold, but more than that, it was a much-needed break. When I’m around Harvey, I can’t think properly.

Because this is what he does.

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