Chapter 57: Please Be Okay

~“You left me so dark and afraid, hopelessly stuck in replay, over again.” —Ria.~

Chapter Theme Song: “You Made” by Ria.

BLAZE

^Flashback^

^(What Happened in the Room with Amber)^

I was sitting on the bed, the soft sheets beneath me, when Amber climbed onto my lap. Her bare thighs brushed against my beach shorts as she moved her hips in a slow circle, her arms wrapping around my neck.

There was a time when this would have stirred up desire for her, but now, for some reason, I couldn’t find that lust.

“Finally, I can have you the way I want...,” she whispered into my ear, her teeth tugging at my earlobe.

I wasn’t into it, but I needed a distraction from my thoughts. If this was a way to stop thinking about Harmony, even for a moment, I was willing to try.

“You smell good, baby...”

I leaned back on my hands, trying to escape her whispers. It was uncomfortable, her voice more like a buzzing bee than a seductive whisper.

“Have a condom?”

“Of course. I am prepared, sweetie.” She reached into her swim bra and pulled out a shiny packet. I was surprised. I thought carrying condoms was a guy’s job.

She waved it in front of my face. “I am always ready for you.”

I took it from her and slipped it between my fingers, freeing my hands to rest on her waist.

I flipped her over so I was on top, and she grinned up at me.

“Ooh. I missed your strong hands.” She squirmed beneath me, her legs wrapping around me, pulling me closer.

I braced myself on the bed next to her head while she leaned up to kiss my neck.

I closed my eyes and swallowed, uncomfortable, but she didn’t notice. She took my hand and placed it on her leg.

“Touch me while I kiss you,” she murmured in my ear, and I was beyond irritated.

I pulled away from her, grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her back onto the bed. She looked confused until I pinned her to the pillows.

“Skip the foreplay and lovemaking. You want to fuck, right? Get to the point.”

She smirked. “Oh, I forgot you like it rough.”

Ignoring her, I tore open the packet and pulled out the condom while she bit her lip, her hand running down my chest.

I stared at the condom, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to do with it. Something was holding me back—and Harmony’s green eyes and small face flashed before me.

I closed my eyes. ~Damn.~

This was supposed to help me forget about her, even for a few minutes. But it only made me feel worse.

Amber frowned, sensing my hesitation. “Blaze.”

~I don’t know what Harmony Skye did to me, but I can’t seem to focus on anyone but her.~

“Blaze, come on.”

I ran a hand through my hair and tossed the condom aside. “Sorry, see you around.”

She gasped. “Are you serious?”

I got off her, and she sat up, looking annoyed. “Blaze Xander, seriously? Where are you going?!”

“Back to the party, obviously.” I left the room and slammed the door behind me.

^Present^

A loud knock on my door woke me from my restless sleep.

I’d spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to get Harmony’s tear-streaked face and shiny eyes out of my mind.

I sat up, groggy, and sighed as the knocking continued.

I groaned, reached for my T-shirt, and pulled it on as I got out of bed.

The knocking came again, louder this time, and I rolled my eyes. If they knocked one more time, I was going to punch whoever it was.

“It’s so damn early, seriously...” I grabbed the handle and opened the door, barely hiding my irritation when I saw my cousin.

“April...” I sighed. “It’s six o’clock.”

“I know, but it’s important.” She looked worried, her hand buried in her curls. “It’s Harmony—I don’t know, I think something’s wrong with her... I think she’s sick.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What?”

“She’s not responding and she’s burning up—”

“Shit.” I quickly grabbed my Converse and put them on, leaving the room with April close behind me.

I walked into their room to find Harmony lying on her back, sweating heavily. Her lips were pale, and the sheets beneath her were soaked with sweat.

I felt a knot of worry in my stomach and ran a hand through my hair as I hurried over to her. I crouched down next to her and gently touched her arm.

“Harmony? What’s wrong?”

She turned her face towards me, but her eyes remained closed. Her breathing was uneven, and her lips moved but no sound came out.

I looked at April. “Is it her asthma?”

She looked surprised that I knew about Harmony’s condition, but she quickly answered.

“I don’t know, I—I just woke up and found her like this. Oh my God, I hope she’s okay...”

She started to panic, pacing back and forth behind me. Her anxiety was making me even more worried. She needed to calm down.

I pressed my hand against Harmony’s forehead to check her temperature.

“She’s got a fever,” I say, my voice heavy with worry. “A really bad one.”

“Oh no...poor Harmony.”

“April, you freaking out isn’t helping. You’re making me nervous. Sit down. She’ll be okay, nothing’s going to happen.”

“Should we take her to a doctor?”

“We need to. It looks pretty serious.” I wrap my arm around her small frame, gently lifting her into my arms.

She feels delicate and breakable as her head rests against my chest. My eyebrows knit together in concern. I reach up to brush the sweat from her forehead, and she lets out a soft moan.

“What did she do last night...after she got back?”

April looks puzzled for a moment before she answers. “Got back? Wasn’t she with you last night?”

“Yeah...she was.”

Memories from last night flood back—our kisses, our arguments—and I’m filled with regret.

April tilts her head, clearly trying to piece things together. I ask again.

“Did she do anything after she got back?”

“Um.” She rubs her forehead. “She went straight to the shower, but I thought I heard her crying. She said she was okay, but I knew she wasn’t.

“I warned her that taking a shower so late could make her sick. I guess that’s what happened... Oh no...”

My face tightens and my heart aches at the thought that she was probably crying all night because of what happened.

~I don’t deserve her, do I?~

April watches my distant expression. “Did...did something happen between you two last night?”

I sigh and hold Harmony closer, deciding now is not the time for this conversation when the girl I care about is sick in my arms.

“I’m taking her to the hospital. Can you take her stuff back to Homewood for me? And hand me her phone?”

“Okay.” April rushes to the table to grab Harmony’s phone while I check her temperature again.

She’s even hotter now and my worry deepens. This is all my fault.

“Got it.”

I turn my pocket towards her. “Put it in.”

She slips the phone into my jeans, her face filled with concern as she looks at Harmony. “Poor Harmony.”

“I’ll call you,” I promise before I leave the room.

Harmony’s eyes flutter open at the movement and our gazes meet. Her pupils dilate and she mumbles something before her eyes close again.

As soon as I turn the corner, I nearly run into Kite.

~Fucking jerk.~

My jaw tightens, and he looks surprised to see Harmony nestled against my chest. I hold her closer and see a possessive glint in his eyes.

If Harmony wasn’t in my arms right now, I would have punched him.

Ever since I met her, I’ve been strangely defiant. If I were the same person I used to be, I would have already killed Kite and hidden his body. He’s lucky I met her.

“What did you do to her, Blaze?”

“Get the fuck out of my way.” I try to move past him, but he grabs my arm to stop me. I roll my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.

~It’s taking all my self-control not to break his arm right now.~

“What’s wrong with her? Did you hurt her?”

I glare at him. “Let go of my arm, if you know what’s good for you. You’re lucky I haven’t killed you already. Stay away from her. If you touch her again, you can pick out your fucking coffin.”

Anger flashes in his eyes. “She’ll realize soon enough that she’s wasting her time with you.”

“And you’ll realize soon enough that you’re wasting your time.”

He smirks. “Really? I’m not giving up, if that’s what you’re hoping.”

I narrow my eyes. ~He’s pushing my buttons, isn’t he?~ I step closer to him, and he tries not to flinch, but I can see the fear in his eyes.

“Listen to me. I will cut your fucking intestines out. Keep pushing me, and you’ll be dead sooner than you planned.

“Remember that next time you try to get close to her. I lose my patience easily.”

His bravado falters and he opens his mouth to say something. I don’t need to hear his bullshit. His words mean nothing to me.

I shrug off his hand and head to the parking lot. I don’t have time for his drama.

I open my car and lay Harmony in the passenger’s seat. Her head lolls to the side as I reach over to fasten her seatbelt.

“Blaze...”

Her voice is weak and tired, but I’m relieved that she’s responding.

I squat down so I’m at eye level with her, my expression softening. “Harmony.”

Her eyes barely open and meet mine.

“You’re going to be okay, all right? I’m so sorry...”

“I’m...cold.”

I look at the tank top she’s wearing, and it’s clearly not warm enough for her condition.

Without a second thought, I pull off my T-shirt. Luckily, I’m wearing a white tank top underneath, or I would have had to go to the hospital shirtless.

The cool morning air raises goosebumps on my arms, and I realize just how cold she must be.

I pull her against my chest and slip the shirt over her head. I guide her arms through the sleeves and frown at how thin they feel in my hands.

~I hope she’ll be okay, or I’ll never forgive myself.~

My T-shirt is like a dress on her, but I figure it will keep her warm.

I hustle to my side of the car and slide in. Without wasting a second, I fire up the engine and back out of the parking lot.

As I navigate down the road, I steal a glance at her. Her eyes are shut tight, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

I let out a heavy sigh and reach over to crank up the heater. I gently take her hand in mine, pressing it to my lips as I hit the gas.

My heart is pounding a wild rhythm in my chest. It’s been a while since I’ve prayed, but right now, I’m sending up a plea to anyone listening that she’ll pull through.

~Please, let her be okay. I can’t lose her.~