Page 86 of Ransom

"But nothing," she cuts me off. "I don't need you to protect me, Ransom. I can take care of myself."

We lapse into silence again, the words I want to say stuck in my throat. I want to tell her that I know she's tough, that I've seen her handle way worse than Adam. But I also want her to know that she doesn't always have to be so strong, that it's okay to let someone else fight for her sometimes. To let me fight for her.

Instead, I just nod and keep walking, hyper aware of her presence beside me in the quiet night.

Blair finally mutters, "Thanks." Her voice is so quiet I almost miss it.

I seize the chance to lighten the mood. "For what? Fulfilling my dream of punching him in the face. It was more for me than you." Adam’s an asshole, and punching him felt damn good.

She doesn't laugh, but her lips curve slightly. For Blair, that's practically rolling on the floor. She laughs. A lot, actually. But that's usually with Maggie or her dad. Never with me. She's always serious around me, watching me with eyes that see too much.

We walk in companionable silence, and I can't help but reflect on how much has changed. Three years ago, I was a scrawny kid from Chicago with a chip on my shoulder. Now... well, the chip is mostly gone.

If I'd stayed in the city, I'd probably be dead by now. Or worse. Coming to Badger Falls saved my life, even if I'd never admit it out loud. Robert gave me a chance when no one else would. And Blair...

I glance at her, moonlight catching in her hair. My chest tightens. These feelings for her snuck up on me, and now I don't know what to do with them.

Clearing my throat, I ask, "So, uh, how's school going? You're graduating soon, right?"

Blair nods. "Three weeks. Then I turn eighteen."

"Cool. Are you applying to universities?"

She snorts. "Not going. I'm staying here and working with Dad."

My heart leaps. "Really? I thought you'd want to get out of this town. Your grades are really good, aren't they?"

"Nah. I like it here. It's quiet."

I nod, secretly thrilled. More time with Blair sounds pretty damn good to me.

"What about you?" she asks. "You've got another few years before graduation. Any plans after?"

I shrug, kicking at a rock. "Dunno. Maybe stick around, work at the garage. If your dad'll have me."

Blair's lips curve again. "If he's still there. He doesn't like this town as much as I do. Once you graduate, he'll take off and see the world like he always says he wants to."

As Blair and I keep walking, our hands brush against each other. It's innocent at first, but I can't ignore the electricity that shoots through me each time it happens. Our steps slow, and I feel my heart pounding in my chest.

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and link my fingers with hers. Blair stops dead in her tracks, staring down at our joined hands. I hold my breath, waiting for her reaction.

She looks up at me, her grey eyes searching my face. "What is this, Ransom?" she asks, her tone curious rather than angry.

I swallow hard, knowing this is my chance. "I... I like you, Blair," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Blair's eyebrows furrow slightly. "I'm almost eighteen, Ransom. You're fifteen."

I step closer, my hand still holding hers. "I haven't been a kid since my family died," I tell her, my voice low and serious. "I'm the size of a grown man now, and I've been through more than most adults." It's the truth. Any bit of innocence I had left after my family died was killed off in other foster homes, with other foster families.

Blair's eyes flick down to our hands again, then back up to my face. I can see her processing, thinking it through in that methodical way of hers.

My heart's hammering so hard I'm sure she can hear it. Slowly, carefully, I lean in. Blair doesn't move away, but she doesn't move closer, either. I press my lips to hers, soft and tentative.

Blair stands stock-still, neither pushing me away nor responding. After a moment, I pull back, my face burning with embarrassment. That's not how it went with the other girls Ikissed. They kissed me back or wrapped their arms around me. They did something, anything.

But not Blair. I should have known better. I'm such a fucking idiot. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have?—"

"Shut up," Blair cuts me off, her voice quiet but firm. "That was my first kiss. Give me a second to process, please."

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