Page 16 of Heat Stroke

My eyes are trained on the side of her face. I know she knows I’m looking at her, but she is flatly refusing to look at me. I see her swallow.

Shit…

Leaning up, I rest my hands on my knees and turn my body to face hers. I sigh in resignation. “Wren…” Her jaw tightens, but she continues to stare straight ahead. Reaching out lightly, I take the bottle from her hand and set it on the table. She still doesn’t look at me. My chest physically hurts.

I heard it in her voice.

I hurt her.

She asked if I was tormenting her again.

That’s what I did… I tormented her. Hurt her… over and over… on purpose.

Of course she thinks that’s what I’m here to do again.

Sighing, I reach for her arm; she jerks it back. I swallow as I realize just what impact I had on her with my stupid teenage actions. My hands curve around my knees, squeezing them. I want to touch her, but I know that my touch is definitely not welcome.

I knew this was going to be hard. I just didn’t know how hard.

“Wren… I’m sorry.” My voice is sincere. I’m sincere. I am sorry. So sorry. I hate that I did that to her. She inhales, but her arms cross over her chest as she stares ahead. She swallows. “I know you don’t have to and you probably don’t want to, but can you look at me while I say this?!” Her jaw tightens. “Please, Wren.”

Her head turns toward me and the raw pain on her face guts me. It steals my breath.

I did that. My selfish actions as a punk teenager did this to her.

My hand swipes at the sweat beading on my forehead and upper lip. Her hazel eyes are now a sage green and I can’t look away from them. “Tormenting you is the last thing I want to do… Ilikeyou… I want to get to know you… That’s my only goal here…

“I am so very sorry for everything I did to you. I am. I hate that I caused you pain and I hate that you’re still feeling it. You didn’t deserve my teasing and bullying. I wish I could say that I didn’t know that I got to you, but that would be a lie. I did know. I knew and I kept on because it made people laugh. It made people laugh at you. I purposely hurt you for the entertainment of others and I hate myself for that.” My hands curl into fists and I punch my own thighs. She jumps. “Wren, can you accept my apology for the utter hell that I put you through?” I stand and sigh. “If you can’t… I do understand. But, I hope that you can and that you know and believe that I am truly sorry…” She’s not saying anything.

I need to go.

I said what I needed to say and if she chooses not to forgive me… I have to live with that.

My staying here is selfish. This whole thing was me being selfish.

Leaning down, I press a quick kiss to Wren’s forehead. As my lips meet the crinkled skin, showing how uncertain she really is, I quickly inhale. Her scent fills my nostrils and wisps of her hair tickle my lips.

She gasps and stares up at me… still silent.

Smiling sadly, I turn toward the door. With my hand on the knob, I turn back. “Goodnight, Wren. I’m so very sorry.” And, I let myself out.

Chapter Six

Wren

Ican’t work!I can’t get Blaze out of my head. Ever since he came over last night and then he just left, I’m all twisted up. I have work to do and I can’t do it!

He just left!

What the hell?! He was sweet and sincere and said everything I’ve wanted him to say to me since he was eighteen and then, he just left!

How dare he apologize like that and then just leave!

I have shit to say.

I’m staring at my computer, completely and utterly unable to work because everything he said last night is on a freaking replay loop in my mind.

Sure, I didn’t say anything, but I was processing. Anyone would need a minute after that. And, he just left!

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