Page 18 of Chasing the Flame
She’s covered, too. That’s the sad thing. She’s not showing too much skin. If anything, Averie’s modesty draws me in even further. There’s a tattoo peeking at the edge of her shorts, and my curiosity has piqued all morning, trying to determine what it is.
That’s how bad I’ve got it.
Whatever the hell these feelings are, they’re driving me insane. Slowly, ever so slowly, she rises from her spot. Stretching her limbs, she moves, reaching her arms above her head toward the sky.
I gulp, swallowing hard, before returning to the same piece of siding I’ve been trying to install for over thirty minutes. “Get it together, Noxwood,” I grumble, cursing when I trip over my toolbox, righting myself only to knock over the ladder behind me. The loud crash of metal clanging together sends my nerves skyrocketing. I grab hold of my dog tag, rubbing it gently to soothe myself.
A slow slew of giggles split the air, sending a ripple of anticipation down my spine. I stall, my gaze snapping to hers. Averie’s hysterical,holding a hand over her mouth, and giggling like a maniac. And I just know it’s because she saw me trip. The frustration and anxiety holding me in a vice grip dissipates immediately. In it’s place swells an emotion I can't quite name, spreading through my chest like wildfire.
A chuckle slips from my lips, and pretty soon I’m laughing along with her. I run a hand through my hair, ruffling it before bending to pick up the ladder. Clearly, I need a break.
Once I’ve situated things, I grab my pack of cigarettes and head to the shoreline. I didn’t made it thirty steps before sensing presence behind me. Whirling around, I come face to face with a very startled and mischievous-looking Averie.
“Taking a break?” She asks, her startled expression quickly phasing into something that has my palm itching to bend her over my knee. The kind of expression that smells like she’s up to no good.
“Stalker much?” I challenge, as a slow smile spreads across my face.
She grins, but shakes her head, walking past me toward the lake. Excitement courses through my veins, and I take off after her, quickly catching up. We walk silently the rest of the way, and I slow my pace to match her shorter strides.
This satisfies her, and the tension I noticed earlier appears to fade by the second.
When we stop on the sandy shore, we both take in the view. The clouds are white and puffy, skating across the sky. Ripples flit across the lake, and a fishing boat glides across the water, the sound of its engine the only thing above the small waves.
I look at the horizon, relaxing my stance and crossing my arms. There’s something about being by the water that soothes me. Nothing else in the past has ever come close. However, experiencing it with Averie standing just a foot away from me certainly adds an element I wasn’t expecting.
“So,” she says, breaking the silence. Turning to me, she puts a hand on her hip. “Can I ask you a question?”
Amusement twitches at the corner of my lips, “Sure.” She practically lights up, nearly vibrating with excitement.
“I was wondering…Luke’s your cousin, but I’ve never heard of you until we moved here. Why is that?”
Damn, that wasn’t what I was expecting. The question is like a sucker punch to the gut. There’s a million reasons why I hate Luke Blackthorne, but the first and foremost is so damn deep. I’m not remotely ready to go down that rabbit hole of fucking corruption.
No, I’m not ready to share any part of that monstrous life. A life that very nearly claimed my own, and ruined me long before the military did. My palms sweat, and my heart thunders, beating in time with the throbbing pulse drumming in my ears.
I struggle to find the words for a second, but Averie is patient, never prodding or rushing me along. She simply waits, ever so often turning her gaze to the lake. When it looks like she’s about to backtrack on her question, I speak, my voice edged with grief. “Let’s just say that we parted ways nearly fifteen years ago, and he hasn’t looked back since.”
She doesn’t say anything for a moment, like she’s soaking in what I said and trying to understand without prodding too much. Her thoughtfulness sends a pang through my chest, warmth settling deep in my stomach. “It’s a long story, but the cliff notes are that our family was never good enough for Luke or his father. Donald Blackthorne is not a good man, and neither is Luke. If Luke didn’t tell you we were related, it’s because he loves holding his status over anyone he can. It’s a power move, babe.”
Averie sucks in a breath, her eyes widening in surprise at my forwardness. She doesn’t say anything for the longest time, her eyes glued to mine like her life depends on it. She just stares, drinking me in withher beautiful eyes that remind me of the moss in my favorite hunting spot, and I do the same. I soak up every second of this interaction with her, burning with such an intense longing that it knocks the breath out of my lungs.
My resolve is crumbling, breaking apart piece by piece, and I’m beginning to wonder just how long I can keep the high road where Averie is concerned. It’s clear there’s a longing there, too, hidden deep behind her smiling facade. It’s probably what drew me to her in the first place. I can feel it deep in my bones that we’re two fucked-up people who are burning with an intense need to be seen.
So, before I do something stupid, I lighten the mood. “Oh, and let’s not forget that I used to scare the fucking piss out of him any chance I got.” My gaze darkens, a growl escaping my lips. I really do hate that mother fucker.
She cackles, her laugh bold and carefree, aiding her in releasing any lingering tension over asking me the questions burning in her mind. God, she’s fucking beautiful. The wind is whipping through her rich coppery-auburn locks, the strands sticking to her face. She doesn’t deserve this shit. I don’t know a lot, but I know that this woman doesn’t deserve the shit she’s been dealt. “I’d have loved to see that in person,” she whispers, worrying her lower lip.
I say nothing. I shouldn’t even be telling her any of this.
It fucking kills me that Luke is such a condescending prick. He’s always been that way, but I hoped getting married would chill him out. That’s the only goddamn reason I didn’t hang up on him the day he called. Aside from the money, of course. One doesn’t turn down a damn-near limitless budget, especially when that same someone is basically begging for scraps and has been for the last several months.
For the most part, I do alright, business is typically perfect, but for some reason, the last few months have been slower than usual. IfLuke’s job hadn’t come along, I wouldn’t have had the money for my house payment this month. So, with that thought in mind, never mind the fact I know this is fucking wrong, I take several steps back putting some distance between the two of us. “That still doesn’t fully answer my question, Jettson.” The sound of my name on her lips is like a caress on my skin. She says it so quietly that I thought for a second I misheard her.
“I know. But it’s all I can give you. If you truly want to know, you should ask him what happened fifteen years ago on the night we took daddy’s boat. But, something tells me he won’t tell you the truth.” My fists are clenched at my side, my body trembling in rage at the thought of Jenny, and that fateful night all those years ago.
She steps toward me like she isn’t quite sure what to do. Her hand comes up, like she wants to reach for me, her mouth parting like she wants to say something but can’t quite form the words. She’s becoming the biggest distraction. I can’t let it keep happening. I know better than to let her get too close. People who get close to me tend to die, and that’s just not something I wish for the beautiful woman in front of me.
So, I do the only thing I can do. “You should quit seeking me out, it’s only going to piss him off more. I think we both know that.” My voice is low, desperate, and it guts me completely to watch the light die in her eyes. “We can’t be friends. I can’t be your friend, Averie,” I say, refusing to look away knowing that I’m hurting her, even though its the last thing I want to do.
