Page 100 of The Devil's Weakness

I open her door and slam it closed behind me. Mounting my bike, I take the long way home to clear my head.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

It washell trying to fall asleep last night.

I’m so angry at Blade, yet I missed him in my bed. My head is killing me thinking about it all, and I would give anything not to feel like this anymore. To make matters worse, I have Steve sleeping on my sofa. I was worried about him driving last night because, once he came to, he couldn’t see out of his left eye.

We need to talk about what happened. I wasn’t in any mood to discuss it after last night, but I can’t have him trying to save me like that anymore. Not only do I not need it, but I don’t want him thinking I feel more for him than I do.

He should never have tried to stand up to Blade, but that’s just who he is. Ready to defend the honor of any innocent person. Especially me. I feel awful, like I’m to blame for what happened. I should have told Steve to back away, gotten in between them or something. I can’t believe that Blade actually left when I kicked him out. I never expected that. I thought for sure he’d continue pummeling Steve.

I get out of bed and grab my cell phone off of my dresser. My heart pangs at the absence of a message from Blade. Not that I was expecting an apology.

Maybe I drove him away for good this time?

I should be happy about that, but I only feel pain and regret thinking about him no longer having a presence in my life.

Focus, Sasha.

Padding into the kitchen in search of coffee, I see Steve is already awake.

“Good morning,” he says, getting off of the sofa and joining me.

“Morning. God, your eye looks terrible. Does it hurt?”

“Not really,” he answers.

He places his hand on my cheek, but I back away from him.

“Listen, we need to talk about last night. Thank you for trying to defend me, but you shouldn’t have done that. Blade is an asshole, but he wouldneverhurt me.”

“I still don’t understand how you got yourself entangled with him and the Devil’s Skull. You’re so worried about Michael, but I think you should be just as worried—if not more—about your newfriends.”

“I can’t talk about it. I’m sorry. All you need to know is they aren’t a danger to me.”

Anymore.

“You need to stay away from them.”

“Steve, with all due respect, you don’t get to tell me what to do. I appreciate everything you do for Michael and me. You’re an incredible friend, but that’s all it will ever be. At a time where my life is beyond chaotic, you added to it instead of listening to what I was saying and backing down. I can’t take anymore right now. I’m worn thin, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold myself together.”

“You’re right. And I’m sorry. I’m still not over you, Sasha. I thought you’d come back to me after you had some time to mourn your dad. When you didn’t, it hurt. All this time, I’ve been trying to prove to you that we’re good together. But I think I’ve been driving you away rather than pulling you in.”

“Steve, you deserve way more than I can give you. You’re a great guy, and I know that there is an amazing girl out there waiting to find you.”

He gives me a tight-lipped smile, and I know he doesn’t like what I had to say, but I’m not going to lie to him to spare his feelings. I should have had this talk with him a long time ago. Maybe then he wouldn’t be staring at me with one eye swollen shut.

“I’ll see you later, Sasha. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

As the door closes behind him, I take a deep, calming breath.

One problem down, a million more to go.

I put the coffee pot on and sit on the sofa while it brews. Pulling my phone out of the pocket of my robe, I open my text messages and scroll through my conversation with Blade. I’m far from being over what happened yesterday, both here and at the diner, but the urge to reach out to him is overpowering me.

No. Don’t do it, Sasha.

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