Page 75 of I Blame the Rival

Rolling my eyes, I glance over and see Vector studying me carefully.

“Just let me know if you need to hide a body. I’ve got a few places in mind.”

“I’m sure you do.”

He stares at me for another beat before climbing to his feet and heading inside. I don’t say anything when he goes, my silence as familiar as the disappointment filling my chest.

My brother may have been the one who made the decision that changed everything, but I was the one who enabled it.

And now I don’t know where that leaves us.

Chapter 16

Lacey

He bought me a book.

He bought me aromancebook.

Giddiness fills my stomach as I stare at the adorable floral cover in Skylar’s hands. I wasn’t sure what to expect when he said he wanted to see me tonight, a few days after my mental breakdown, but here he is.

Casually holding my personal form of kryptonite in his hand.

“It’s an apology. For rushing out the way I did.” Skylar chews his lip, temporarily distracting me, “You might have already read this one, but I thought it could be a project as well.”

“Project?”

He nods slowly before passing over the treasured item.

“I went ahead and covered up the sex scenes with sticky notes. I tried to label some of the sections so you can work your way up without taking a sharpieto the page.”

Opening the book with shaky fingers, I flip through the pages until I find the sticky notes. Skylar didn’t just label the sex scenes for me. He drew an entire symbol table that carefully explains what each colour of sticky note hides and what intensity level he associates with it.

It’s simple and thoughtful and so perfectly Skylar.

“Thank you.” Pressing the book against my overflowing heart, I can barely stop the tears from spilling over.

Skylar shrugs, shuffling his feet, “Like I said, it’s an apology. I shouldn’t have run out on you like that. Not after you opened up to me.”

“It’s okay.”

“No. It’s not.” He blows out a breath, “I grew up seeing the consequences of my father’s anger and now the thought of being out of control scares me. When things go sideways, my normal response is to turn and run but that isn’t fair to you.”

I frown, “You don’t have to worry about hurting me, Skylar. Hurting people is a choice and that is not one you will ever make.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes. I do.”

Shaking my head, I grab his hand and pull him further into my dorm, “You don’t give yourself enough credit. I’ve seen the way you extract yourself from situations when your temper flares up. It’s cautious and thoughtful and not the actions of a violent man.”

Skylar reaches up and brushes a wayward curl behind my ear.

“I don’t know how you do it, but you give me hope. It’s a dangerous feeling, but it feels safe when it’s from you.”

“Of course it does. I’m a reliable source.”

He huffs out a laugh and my smile grows wider. Skylar’s laughter comes out even less than his smile does and it makes me appreciate it that much more.

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