Page 77 of A Kiss at Midnight

“You bought a house because of Justin and me?” My head’s spinning all over again.

“Yes, for the three of us,” he says. He sighs as he allows me to look away again. “I’ve never wanted to be in a relationship before... at least not a real one. We’re in one, though, whether we care to admit it or not. It’s not perfect, but what relationship in life is? We’ll have problems, and we’ll work through them. At least we’ll have a house to do it in.”

I cling to the one thing that I can focus on and manage to give him the barest of smiles.

“Are you admitting that you aren’t perfect, Blake?”

He looks horrified at this statement. “I’d never say such a thing.” The laughter in his voice makes me realize the man truly does have a good sense of humor. Maybe it’s hard for him to let this side of him show... like it’s hard for me to allow myself to be vulnerable.

“I don’t know, it sounds to me like you’re admitting you aren’t perfect,” I push.

“Well, to be honest, anyone who knows me realizes that I’m about as close to perfection as it gets,” he says with a cocky grin.

“I wish I had half of your self-confidence.”

“Why shouldn’t I? I know who I am, and I know what I want. To top it off, I alsoalwaysget what I go after.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I get it. You’re the cat’s meow,” I say, trying to keep a straight face, but not succeeding. I smile, as if we’re in this intimate bubble I don’t care to pop.

“Things are rarely black and white,” he says after a heartbeat. This is his vulnerable side he rarely shows. I’m well aware there’s more to his story than he’s shared.

“I know, Blake, probably more than anyone else,” I say. He turns so we can see each other again, and I watch as he fights whatever demons reside inside him.

“I’m about to do something I’ve never done before,” he says.

I feel like this is a make-or-break moment for us. “What are you going to do?”

He pauses for so long I wonder if he’s already changing his mind. But then he sighs, not turning away from me this time, raw determination in his tone.

“I’m going to tell you the truth. If you can give me a chance when I’m finished, it’s worth it. Whatever you choose, though, you’re getting your brother back... and very soon. The wheels are already spinning.”

He stops for a moment as my heart thunders in my ears. What’s coming next? I’m here... and there’s nothing in me that’s telling me to run.

Chapter Review

Chapter Forty-Four

Blake

It’s time to tellJewel about my family. I’m aware if I don’t do something drastic, I’ll lose her. This means I need to give a piece of myself up, or else I’ll be without her... and that’s unacceptable.

I’m thankful to my brother and Bill for talking to me, grateful I listened. I’m so used to getting what I want, no matter what I have to do to get it, that somewhere along the way I’ve forgotten the basic rule that a person gets more with honey than vinegar. I’ve never tried to sugarcoat anything, but maybe it’s time to take some valuable lessons from my youngest brother. I look Jewel in the eyes, then speak, trying to show honesty in my expression.

“You already know that my family’s incredibly messed up, right?”

She warily looks at me. “I know there’s a story to be told.”

“I grew up wealthy. My father was averyrich man, and my mother... well, my mother was a gold-digging bitch.”

Jewel’s eyes pop wide open. “Surely, she couldn’t have been that bad.”

“What do you think of, Jewel, when you hear the wordmother? Whatever adjectives come to mindcan’tbe used to describe the woman who birthed me. She was vain, egotistical, and out to get whatever she could. I don’t feel even a glimmer of emotion — unless contempt counts — when describing my mother.”

“Is that why you hold everything so close to the vest, Blake? Is that why you push people away from you?”

“That’s certainly a part of it.”

“But a person can only use past experience for so long to justify being a jerk. At some point you have to take responsibility for your actions.” I can’t help but agree. But instead of addressing her remark, I continue with my story.

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