Page 60 of Twisted Redemption

My heart stops, and my hands fly to my mouth.

When we were in high school, his parents went through a rather nasty divorce. His mom didn’t even try to fight for custody before she skipped town. She never even bothered to call on their birthdays, either.

Dominic handled it much better than Blaze did. I remember the countless nights when Mr. Grayson would call our house in the middle of the night, asking if Blaze was with us. He’d just disappear. It wasn’t until I followed him one night that I realized he’d go to the lake where we used to play as kids, sit on the beach, and just cry. It was easy since we lived so close, and thankfully Mr. Grayson understood once I secretly explained to him where Blaze was going.

At the time, it broke my heart to see Blaze like that. Because he always found me when I cried. And I had no idea how many times he’d gone out there to mourn alone.

After that night, I always followed him and held him until he stopped crying. A lot of times I’d cry with him, because I’ve always been overly emotional, and seeing him in pain would do me in, too.

So how—how did I never put it together that by leaving him, I was making him relive the hurt he had to go through as a kid?

“Blaze, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—oh god. Blaze...”

He works his jaw as we stare at each other in silence.

I knew I fucked up. I knew it the second I walked out of here ten months ago. But I didn’t realize just how badly I hurt Blaze until right now.

“You can go now.”

My stomach drops to the floor. “Go?”

“Doesn’t sound like you have anything else to say. So go.”

You knew this was a possibility. You knew he might not forgive you.

I stand. But then I sit back down. “I know I messed up. Blaze, I betrayed you in the worst way possible. You have to understand—”

“I don’t. Don’t really care to, either. You’re just like her. You don’t think of anyone except yourself. I have no desire to be anything more than acquaintances with you.”

His words are like a stinging slap to the face, but I deserve it. I really fucking do. “Is there any way I can fix this? Please, Blaze, I’ll do anything to make this up to you. Just tell me what—”

“Get out.”

For a moment, I can’t breathe. Can’t function. It’s similar to how I felt the first time I thought I’d lost him for good.

But reliving it is twice as painful.

I never should’ve hoped.

Blaze stands. “You want to fight for me? For the friendship you ruined?”

I look up at him. “Yes. Blaze, please. I’ll do anything. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I miss you, I never stopped missing you.” I stand and step toward him. When my hand touches his chest, he flinches. “Please just give me a chance.”

He looks down at me, and the lack of care in his eyes makes my blood run cold.

“You lost your chance to fight for me the second you walked out of my door. And, frankly, you don’t deserve another one. Now get the fuck out of my life.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

BLAZE

I LEARNED AT too young of an age that you can want to hurt someone while also wanting them. That you can crave someone’s love and affection while being so angry and hurt that you want them to feel pain.

Never in my life did I think I’d feel that way toward Brooke.

When my mother left us, it scarred me. My Daisy was the only one I let in—the only one I let share in my pain. And god, did she share in it. I lost count of the nights she stayed up with me until there weren’t any more tears left to cry.

Even when the lack of sleep started affecting her grades. Even when I had to carry her back home half the time. She did her best to be there for me the way I was always there for her.

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