“What?”
“That they were the ones who attacked him.”
For a moment the only sound was the din of the background music.
“I’m sorry, Blaze.”
“You say that, but you’re still with Will.”
His words might’ve been harsh, but he was right. I didn’t know what to say. Luckily, he decided to continue.
“I’m not judging you. I’m the last one who should talk,” he admitted, looking down at his still-full glass.
“Are you talking about Jackson?”
Blaze nodded. Then he abruptly changed the subject.
“Amelia told me you two fought.”
“Yeah. We don’t talk anymore.”
“I’ll just say one thing: Be careful with James. I know I shouldn’t get in the middle of it, I just don’t want him to hurt you.”
I already understood what he meant. That I’d get hurt. Really hurt.
And maybe not just because of James, I thought, watching Will argue with Jackson.
“What do you mean, Blaze?”
“I saw you at Cooper’s house. You and Hunter were going into a room together.”
“Oh my god, Blaze. That was a big misunderstanding.” Was Blaze really jumping to conclusions that fast? “I just had to go change and have him bring me home.”
But then I was overcome by a more than legitimate question.
“Did you tell Amelia?”
“Yeah, but only because I was worried. I’m sorry,” he whispered, looking at the ground. That was why she’d had a go at me.
“It really isn’t what you think.” I struggled to clarify what had happened even though I didn’t have to.
“I believe you, but you should still be careful. James is no walk in the park. He has a ton of issues.”
“Blaze, thank you for your concern. I trust your instincts, and I don’t want to find out, but—”
“What?” The dark-haired guy frowned. “Do you think I’m saying that because I’m jealous?”
“Why would you be jealous of them, Blaze?”
He turned toward Jackson, who was still talking with Will. Now Marvin had joined them. Maybe they finally got him to calm down. “Because they have everything,” Blaze said with a sigh. “They’re hot, rich, athletic. If you look at their grades, theirs are even better than mine in some classes.”
“Despite the drugs, partying, and hardly legal activity?” I surprised myself too.
“It’s called luck, and not everyone has it, June. You’re either born with it or you’re not.” I nodded.
“Ours is honest jealousy,” I remarked, looking at them from afar.
I’d seen them from Brian’s perspective that morning, and from that of Taylor, Tiffany, and even from that of Becky and Blaze.
