Page 11 of Blaze

I blame the dog that ran out into the road, she blames me for singing and dancing to music, for not paying attention, but hey…

Blaze frowns as he looks at my laptop screen, then towards Mama, confusion written all over his face, but I ignore it, and I retort, “Norman, mother of mine?!” and she narrows her eyes.

“I knew I should have beaten that sass outta you growing up!” she growls, causing Blaze to tense, but he soon chokes on a laugh when I reply, “You are the one I learned it from!”

“She’s got you there, babe!” Norman calls, and I scrunch my nose up again and look at Blaze, who is already looking at me, and I admit, “I definitely threw up in my mouth this time,” as I pat my chest and gag, and he laughs.

“Oh, hush, Blair, it’s natural to be loving with your partner, it isn’t my fault you refuse to date,” Mama scolds, and I slowly close my eyes as Blaze laughs louder.

“Mama, I’m with a client,” I sigh but she retorts, “Sweetie, I saw your client shake his naked tooshie when he was a child,” and this time I let out a laugh while he groans, “Damn Crash for making me come here,” which just makes me laugh louder but I’m soon nearly on the floor when she continues, “I even have it on video if you want to see?”

“No, no one wants to see that, Ms. Hallows,” Blaze grunts while glaring at me, and I wave my hand at him as I try to catch my breath, but I soon freeze when Mama mentions, “Blair, I don’t know why you’re laughing. I still have your old dance tapes.”

Oh, hell no!

“Mama!” I gasp and my eyes widen, and Blaze mutters, “Not nice when the shoe is on the other foot, huh?” and out of instinct, I elbow him in the ribs making him choke out a laugh as a tingling sensation rushes up my arm. I ignore it just as his phone rings and he sighs, “Right I’ve got to go,” he looks at me and smirks, “It was nice meeting you, sweetie,” and I narrow my eyes at him teasing me with Mama’s nickname which just makes him chuckle before he walks over kisses her cheek.

“I expect to see you again soon, mister,” she orders, and he mutters, “Of course,” as he walks out and pulls out his phone, and I swallow hard, the room suddenly feeling cold, scaring me.

“Sweetie?” Mama questions, and I swallow hard before I admit, “Poppy showed up this morning, saying she wanted to make amends. Before I could even open my mouth, she shoved me aside and said she needed to use the bathroom. Her husband tried to hit on me, so I slapped him just as Poppy returned from the bathroom. She smacked me before calling me selfish for treating her husband that way while he smirked, then left.” I sigh, “I went to the bathroom and noticed the back of the toilet had been moved, she had stashed several pills and a few bags of white powder, and just as I finished flushing it all, the police knocked on the door.”

Momma gasps, and I sniffle, “Want a coffee before I have to go to the hospital?” needing some time with her, and she nods instantly, wrapping her arm around my shoulders before guiding me out of the conference room.

I only came in today as a favor to Norman, with the MC being my account.

“So, about Blaze?” she asks, but I shake my head immediately, making her groan. As soon as I say, “He has a girlfriend,” she nods once in understanding while guiding me out of the building. I try to unscramble my thoughts, the feeling I had, the connection I thought I felt, the tingles…

I don’t want that, I never did, and I’m not starting now. I refuse. Besides, I won’t see him again.

Chapter 5

Blaze

I lean against the wall, hiding in the shadows, watching the door to Norman's accountants, my heart in my throat.

I should leave, I should go to El, who has called five times despite her knowing that I was in a meeting. She’s already becoming clingy at the thought of becoming my old lady. I am wholeheartedly regretting offering that. I know I won’t back down, not now…I can’t back down now because I want Blair, my little shortcake with sass. That is a problem I don’t want right now.

As soon as we locked eyes, I fucking knew what was happening. Spending half an hour in that room with her, feeling the connection between us, the fire burning, the way we gelled and laughed like I’ve known her all my life, fuck it scared me. Scared me enough that I answered my phone. I only turned the ringer on, so I’d get out of that meeting quicker. Instead of ignoring the call, I wanted her to know I’m seeing someone, even if it isn’t like that.

I don’t want a forever girl, I can’t have one, I’m too fucked up.

My mom was a druggie, my dad's a prick, and my head is all over the place. I’m not good enough for her, which is why I’m pushing to claim Elenor.

The door opens and I tense seeing her walk out with Ms. Hallows, my old foster mom who had me for about five years before mom got custody of me again. She grins at her daughter, a daughter I didn’t even know she had, though something in my gut is telling me she’s not biologically hers. The photo of a man and woman on her laptop raising my suspicions, yet she called her Mama.

Blair grins at Ms. Hallows and lays her head on her shoulder as they walk down the street, and my stomach tightens while my heart pounds. I’m fucking petrified it’s going to come out of my chest.

Cage and Drew, Crusher and Alex, Trick and Clark, Knuckles and Kodi…

I watched them all fall, I watched them struggle, and fuck, I don’t want that. I don’t want someone who has to rely on me, I don’t want someone I could possibly hurt. No, not even hurt, fucking destroy…

My text alert rings, and I swallow hard as I get it out and take a look.

El:

Baby, where are you? How much longer is this meeting? Xxx

Clingy, clingy, clingy…