Page 2 of Heat Stroke

Alena says, “Blaze Carrington…” She glances over at me and I can see she’s flicking her lip with her tongue. She’s always done that when she’s up to something or waiting for a reaction. “He was in school with us, right?”

My ears start to ring and my vision goes black for a split second. My step falters and coffee splashes from my cup onto my white t-shirt. It’s still hot, so I gasp at the contact.

Blaze Carrington?

Alena knows damn well that we went to school together.

No fucking way. He’s not the builder… he can’t be.

He left!

Well, he left to go to college and I heard he started some business when he graduated. But, why would he come back here?

Why now?

He’s the builder for the Community Center?! No way.

The universe is not that cruel.

Alena stops and glances at me with concern. There’s no hint of mischief on her face now. “Wren, are you ok? I know… I’m sorry I was teasing you.

“You look like you just saw a ghost.”

A ghost… no… Blaze is no ghost. He’s a damn demon.

Nodding, I smile at her, controlling my racing mind and trying to avoid her question. “You’re right. I’m ok. Sorry. I just tripped on my shoes. You know I can trip on air.”

Relief crosses her face as she looks down at my feet before laughing out loud. “This is true. You’re the only person I know who falls on flat ground and chokes on air. I seriously need to buy you as bubble!” She nods at my feet. “You know flip flops aren’t smart in here. Hello, splinters in your heel!”

I chuckle with her. It’s true. I’m the most accident prone person ever.

If there was an Olympic competition, I’d win the gold.

We reach the warehouse and I push the door open. Alena walks past me since both of her hands are full. I hear shuffling around and immediately head toward the sound. As I reach the corner, I raise my voice, “Daddy! How many times do I have to tell you not to touch shit in my office?! Your company…My office.Where’s my Purchase Order?”

I freeze. My jaw drops and my legs stop working. I just stare.

Daddy laughs, but, I’m too focused on the man beside him to pay him any attention.

Son of a bitch…

Noooooooo.

Daddy says with a smile, “Blaze, you remember my daughter, Wren…”

Blaze Carrington is here. In the warehouse. The boy who made my life an ever-living hell… the boy who tormented me unrelentlessly… the boy who made everyone think I was a leper, so I never got to attend any dances or games or even go on dates…

He stole my childhood.

He hurt me just to do it.

He humiliated me.

He made me a loner.

“Of course. Hello, Wren. It’s very nice to see you again.”

What? No, it’s not. Why would it be? Why does he sound like that?

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