“What?” My heart slams in my chest as tears prick my eyes. “He never told you where he was going?”
“He might have, but it didn’t matter. I’ve been holding this anger in for too long. Ron told me not to voice my thoughts because people would judge me. But he’s gone too far. And to sink his claws intoyou. He’s poisoning your beautiful soul and you don’t even realize. Just like he did with Sierra. Did you know she was drinking that night? They found traces of alcohol in her system. Her reputation is tarnished because of him. We will never forgive him for that. Don’t go to him, Blair. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“I’ve gotta go.”
“Blair, no. Listen to me, I—”
“No, you listen. Zane was coming tome. He asked Sierra to help forme. Because I was distraught and needed him.”
“What?”
“If Zane hadn’t picked up his phone, I would have called Sierra next. Either way she’d have been in that truck. I was drunk. I was crying and I needed help. Zane loved Sierra. Helovedher. And he loved you. You told me you needed me because he ran. But did you really expect him to stay when you felt that way about him? If something happens to him, it’s on you.” I move to hang up, but stop myself. I have more to say. “And for the record, I gave Sierra the alcohol.Me. So if you’re going to blame anyone—”
The phone’s ripped from my hand and I spin to see Cade ending the call. “What the fuck, Cade?”
“You are not taking the blame for that, Blair. Not to them. Not to anyone. You hear me? Sierra wasn’t drunk. I’d been speaking to her less than ten minutes before Zane asked to help and she was completely sober. She’d even offered to drivemycar home.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that—”
“No.” He throws a hand up between us. “No. Have you been blaming yourself this whole time?”
I sit tall. I’m not having this conversation again. “Yes.”
“Jesus, Blair.” Cade slams his eyes shut and when he opens them again, they are watering. “The accident was not your fault.”
“You sound just like Zane.”
“Good. I’m glad he agrees with me. It means I don’t have to kick his ass.”
“He blames himself.”
“Of course he does.” Cade shakes his head, his voice exasperated.
“Now his teammate is dead, so…”
“God, this is fucked up.”
“Yep.” I nod.
“I’m coming with you.”
My eyes widen and it’s my turn to shake my head. “You don’t have a ticket.”
“I’ll buy one. It’s probably time I went home to face reality anyway. I can leave from San Francisco.”
“What about your clothes—”
“I’ll buy new ones if I have to, but I’ve got plenty at home.”
“Thank you. But I want to do this alone. Zane doesn’t need an ambush. He needs support. I’ll be okay. I promise. But maybe you should head home. In case Ron and Fiona decide to talk to Mom and Dad.”
“Shit. Do you think they will?”
“If they think I’m being a disobedient child, yes.”
“That won’t shock them.” Cade bounces his eyebrows and I laugh.
“I have no doubt that Mom and Dad will side with me. But they might need one of us there to explain the situation. I never told them how much Zane’s parents relied on me.”
