Idon’t get embarrassed. I don’t dothis. I need to get my head out of my ass and calm the hell down. I don’t know how I thought I could handle any of this. This is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done. The girl is a minx, and I don’t understand what she’s doing to me. I hate the fact that I’m supposed to be focused on this…mission? I don’t fucking know what it’s called, and whatever this witch woman has done to me is somehow seeping into my soul. It needs to stop. I can’t let her keep this up—no more slip ups on my end.
I look at my soiled pants and let out a groan as the woman who caused it slams the door open.
“Zack! Just come back inside, okay?” Hazel’s face almost looks apologetic, but there’s a slight smirk on her face, and I know the woman isn’t being serious.
“Hazel, I need a minute,” I grumble out, clearly fighting with the imperceptible feelings that swirl around me. My browis furrowed as I look back up to her beautiful—absolutely not. Shut up, Zachary Lucas Blake—hercompletely averageface that definitely doesnothingfor me. I have to remember that my life doesn’t need any of the unnecessary bullshit that comes with emotions.
Hazel looks at me with those eyes. I know that she’s done nothing wrong, but I am too old, far too complicated. And right now, this girl has just lost her best friend, and I need to remember my place. Someone like Hazel would never be good with a person like me. I am not a good person. Hazel is sunlight, and I am the unexpected storm in the middle of summer. Dark, gloomy, and usually the reason your plans have been ruined.
Hazel’s soft voice echoes along the patio. “Zack, are you okay?” Her voice is unexpectedly concerned, and a pang of guilt hits me.
“Hazel, I fucking said I’mfine,” I growl out, knowing that if I’m cruel, nothing will come out of this. She will just let things be, and I won’t hurt anyone else. Rolling my eyes, I try to act unaffected by her.
“Listen, Zack. What we’re absolutelynotgoing to do is act like some mopey little bitch. You are literally so dramatic. Is this because you came in your pants?”
I stand in front of Hazel, slightly dumbfounded that she honestly had the gall to ask me that. But I’m beginning to realize this woman doesn’t have a filter—nor does it seem like she much cares for the opinion of those around her. She’s soft and beautiful like a daisy and bright like sunshine. She’s also strong,like the world around her hasn’t been kind—as if she doesn’t knowhowto bend or break.
“Hazel, I need you to just give me a minute.” I try to sound less…annoyed, but she just pops her hand on her hip and stares at me.
With a groan, I realize despite my best efforts, Hazel isn’t going to leave me alone. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re absolutely irritating?”
Her eyes crinkle in the corners. “Only everyone I’ve ever known.” Hazel’s eyes bore into my soul. Part of me realizes she is going to be my end, and it hits me like a train running off the tracks. Hazel lets out this half-laugh, half-scoff, and it cuts through the tension like a knife as defeat and pure annoyance are thrown my way. “You know what, Zack? Fine. Take your damn minute.”
She throws her hands up, turns on her heel, and stomps off, her boots clacking against the wooden patio. The door slams behind her with a sharp crack that rattles through me harder than I’d ever admit. I got what I wanted…at least I think I did.
For a second, I just stand there. The silence that follows is deafening—no smart remarks, no piercing stare, no sunlight-girl energy filling up the space. Just me, the distant hum of the crickets, and the sound of my own heartbeat thudding too loud in my ears.
My chest feels tight, like I’ve just shut down something that was never supposed to start. I drag my hands down my face and let out a long breath, trying to cool the heat still crawling under my skin.
“Good,” I mutter to no one. “Exactly what I needed. Peace.”
But the lie doesn’t stick. It never does. Because even as I stand there, forcing myself to be still, all I can think about is the look on her face when she walked away—the irritation and hurt. That’s safer than whatever just happened inside the house.
I shut down. I shut it all down. That’s what I do when anything is thrown at me. It’s easier to be cold metal than a bleeding human.
Still, the storm inside me doesn’t quiet—it never does. It just waits, low and heavy, for the next flash of lightning.
CHAPTER TEN
NO GOOD DEED
HAZEL
The door slams behind me harder than I meant it to, the sharp crack echoing down the hallway, but honestly? I don’t care. I’m too far past caring right now. The tension in my chest is coiled so tight it feels like I might explode if I don’t keep moving. Zack’s voice is still ringing in my ears, low and cold, laced with that specific kind of anger that’s just fear with a sharper edge. I’ve grown too accustomed to people speaking to me that way, and it’s honestly just not fair.
“Hazel, I fucking said I’mfine.”
Right.Fine.
Because growling at someone who’s trying to help is the universal sign of emotional stability.
God, I should’ve known better. Idoknow better.
My footsteps are loud against the floor as I storm down the hall, arms stiff at my sides, hands clenched into fists. I can feel my nails digging into my palms, but I welcome the sting. Itgrounds me. Gives me something real to focus on—something that isn’t the way Zack looked at me like I was the problem for asking if he was okay.
I don’t even know why I went out there in the first place. Why do I bother? It’s like I have this self-destructive reflex to keep poking at people who are clearly too wrapped up in their own storm to see straight. I reach out and get burned. Every time. You’d think I’d learn.
But with Zack, it’s different.
