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Chapter 0019
ALEXANDER
“I’m sorry that I hurt you. It was the last thing that I wanted to do, but I wasn’t given a choice.”
“I just said we shouldn’t talk about it!” She snapped before looking down the hallway, fear on her face. “Shit! We are going to wake her. Just.. just get out!”
“Look, I’m going to be around, especially if you’re going to be living with Ben. He’s one of my best friends, and you may not
know this since you don’t answer his calls, but he’s been going through a hard time, too.” I said, running my hands through my hair, irritation running through me as the raw skin of my wrists from that rookie cop purposely putting the cuffs on too
tight caught my eye.
“What? Is he okay? What’s going on?” Bailee instantly relaxed. Her concern for her brother was apparent in the way she stood
a little taller, as if instinctively preparing to shield or fight for him
“He’s fine, but it’s not my story to tell. Still, I think it would be best if we could put the past behind us to make things easier
for him”
someone and then tossing
“Why did you help me today? Why didn’t you just ignore me? That’s what you’re good at, using s
them away.” Bailee’s face hardened, but I didn’t miss how she blinked quickly to hide her emotions.
Guilt was a powerful thing, and my chest ached as I realized just how much I had hurt her,
But she had one part of that wrong
“I never used you, and when we ended. I didn’t have a choice.” The pain of knowing what we had was gone had been my first
real heartbreak, but I had also been just a kid.
My parents had been strung–out addicts, and I had to be pulled out of their home by CPS when I was only thirteen.
Yet, the pain of losing Bailee had hurt worse than any time my mother locked me in the bathroom and forgot I existed for a day or two, and it hurt even more than any of the times my father raised his hand at me or took his belt to me.
I didn’t know how to survive it. Not seeing her after 1 broke her heart had been harder than losing my parents
After being in the army, I knew there were far worse things than breaking up with my high school girlfriend.
“Yeah, you did. You just didn’t choose me.”
I ran my hand down the front of my shirt, smoothing the fabric, while subtly feeling for the dagger it felt like had just been shoved into my gut.
When my hand came back void of blood and weapon, I licked my lips, ready to try again. “You’re wrong.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night. Now, please, just leave.” Bailee grabbed my card from the counter before storming over and shoving it against my chest.
Instinctively, I grabbed her hand and held it to my chest, enjoying her touch. Her hand against my body reignited a fire inside of me that I hadn’t had in a long time. I was attracted to her, but I hadn’t expected it to return this strong from an innocent
touch
It wasn’t right to want her like this
She was right. I needed to leave to clear my head and make a plan.
If I didn’t take the right move I would just push her away.
But her touch was like a drug, and every thought in my head was foggy. I couldn’t make heads or tails of anything.
The sparks traveling through my body from her touch were not what I had been prepared for, and I frowned as an
ΤΣ
unwarranted wave of
of disappointment washed over me when she ripped her arm back
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“Now.” She insisted.
“I’m going to make things right, Bailee. I need to make amends.” I said, the words coming out before I could stop them.
“Amends? What are you, an addict?” Her words were dripping with sarcasm, but I could see the concern in her eyes. She was worried I had ended up like my foster parents and was in some 12–step program.
“Not everyone needs to be in recovery to make amends for their past wrongdoings.”
Ballee looked thoughtful, and when she remained silent, I decided to take my leave
As my hand wrapped around the doorknob, I turned back to her. “I’m going to make things up to you, Bailee.”
“We’ll see about that.” She called out as I opened the door to leave, and the corners of my mouth turned up at her familiar
attitude
She wanted me to make things up to her, even if she wouldn’t admit it.
Bailee could have shut me down, but she didn’t. Whether she realized it or not, she had just issued a challenge, welcoming me back into her life, and I had never been one to turn down a challenge.
