Chapter 8
Thought that was the end of the story.
Then Blake showed up at my gallery.
This wasn’t some random encounter.
He walked straight up to me. “Glad to see you’re doing okay. Makes me feel better.“]
I smiled politely.
“Thanks.”
Blake looked stunned.]
Cleared his throat.
“Could we… talk?“]
Sitting face–to–face in the café, him studying his lap.
Never thought I’d sit at the same table as Blake Ashworth as equals.[]
He spoke first. “I fucked up back then. I checked the security footage–you never touched her lipstick.”
He told me everything that day.
How someone had wiped the lipstick on the floor, then put it back in Vivian’s bag.]
How they’d drop cockroaches in my backpack, pour ketchup on my chair.
How I’d sneak into the classroom at midnight to slip those socks in his desk
How I’d watch him study for hours, stealing glances when he wasn’t looking.]]
“Jesus, I’m sorry. I had no idea you felt that way.“]
“I was such an immature asshole. Should’ve known better.“]
Blake seemed genuine.[]
But a couple sorry’s couldn’t undo being pushed off that ledge.
I couldn’t accept it.]
I waved for the check.]
“Blake, this doesn’t change anything. The damage is done, and I’m over you.‘]
As I stood to leave, he grabbed my wrist.]
“What if I said I like you back then too?”
“I know.”
Blake went pale.[]
“You’d draw stupid shit on my back during class. Always snuck me extra food. I saw all of it. But you were too chickenshit–scared of being labeled a loser for liking the poor girl. So you let them destroy me instead.“]
Every word drained more color from his face
Bullseye.
“So save y
your bullshit like. I don’t need perfect love, but I need someone who’ll actually have my back.“[]
Yanked my arm free and walked out without looking back.
The rain had stopped.
Sunlight hit the puddles, throwing rainbows everywhere.
I exhaled deeply. Most of the weight lifted off my chest.
Glanced back through the window–Blake had slumped back into his scat, shaking hands fumbling for a pill bottle.]
One pill Two. Then the whole damn bottle.]
Staff rushed over. Ambulance sirens screaming closer.
I stood at the crosswalk, watching them wheel Blake away.
I’d noticed the scars on his wrists earlier.]
Even though he’d tried to hide them.]
Ugly and deep, like something crawling under his skin.]
Honestly? I didn’t know he’d gotten depressed. Had no clue it was this bad.
But so what?
He wanted to die.
ell
I actually did it.
Hailed a cab and sped past the ambulance.[]
Water spraying everywhere.
