Chapter 25 #2
“The doctors said that they couldn’t understand why.
There was no reason for it. I think she died of a broken heart,” Harlow whispers.
“She couldn’t live without him. I never knew two people more in love than my parents, even after all those years together.
” She looks up at me, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
“That’s the kind of relationship I want someday.
That kind of love that endures everything. ” She gives a ghost of a smile.
Something in my chest tightens. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She nods; it’s clear to see she is fighting to hold it together.
An uncomfortable silence stretches between us. I should say something comforting, something to ease her pain, but I’m not good at this. I never have been.
“I think my parents were happy too. Very much in love. We have that in common as well.”
“Do you want kids someday?” she asks, lifting her brows, her eyes bright.
“I hadn’t given it much thought. I’m a long way off from taking a mate,” I hear myself saying, trying to shift the conversation to safer ground. “Right now, I’m too focused on my career.” We’re in troubled times.
“Right,” Harlow says quickly. “Amelia might have mentioned that.”
“Oh?”
“Um…yeah…um…she said you were doing good work. That bringing about change is important to you,” she mumbles, not looking me in the eye. There’s a blade of grass at her feet that seems fascinating. “She said that you’re focused more on that than anything else.”
“What else did Amelia tell you?”
She shrugs, looking uncomfortable now.
“Just that…that she was in love with you.” A pause.
“She said that it was why she acted so irrationally. She told me she was jealous of me.” Harlow laughs and waves a hand.
“There was no need… I mean…” She makes a noise.
“Then she warned me against making the same mistake…against falling for you.” She snort-laughs and rolls her eyes.
“Against getting involved with you like she did at the start of your journey. As if.” She shakes her head; her face is blood-red.
I should leave it alone. Should let it drop. Who cares what Amelia told her? It shouldn’t matter.
“What do you mean by involved? Involved how?”
“I mean…” She looks me in the eye. “You know.” She shrugs.
“I don’t. Involved how? Spell it out for me, Harlow. What did Amelia tell you?” I narrow my eyes.
She lets out a breath and licks her lips. “I’m not judging or anything. It’s none of my business what you—”
“Judging what?” I’m on my feet now without realizing it. “Tell me exactly what Amelia told you.”
“Okay, fine.” Harlow stands too, crossing her arms. “She said the two of you had a casual, sex-only fling when you first partnered up. At least, it was only supposed to be a casual fling, but she accidentally fell for you. You ended it, and she was left wanting more.” Harlow tugs on her ponytail, her hand sliding from the base to the tip before she lets go.
“You’re both adults. It’s not my business.
I shouldn’t have brought it up. Let’s just forget I ever—”
“It’s a bunch of bullshit,” I bite out, fury coursing through me.
“I would never fuck around with a Tribute. Especially one I mind-bonded with. Not ever. I’m not sure why Amelia told you that.
” I shake my head. “Or why the two of you felt the need to talk about me. This conversation is over, Harlow.”
I turn and start walking away. I can’t believe Amelia would say something like that. That she would lie like that. I guess you never truly know a person. Not really.
“Wait!” Harlow calls after me. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean—”
“Practice your meditation,” I shout over my shoulder. “I have work to do.”
Why make up a story about us having a sexual relationship? She tried to kiss me soon after becoming my rider, but I put the lid on that immediately. The end!
Was she that jealous? That worried about something developing between Harlow and me that she felt the need to fabricate the whole story about a casual fling?
Or was she trying to protect Harlow? Trying to warn her away from me by making me seem like the kind of man who fucks around with his riders? Who fucks around, full stop? I don’t! I can’t remember the last time I fucked anyone.
I spot Scar standing near his vehicle. I change direction, heading straight for him.
“Scar,” I call out as I approach.
He turns, taking in my expression. “Everything all right?”
“I need to get back to the office,” I tell him, keeping my voice level despite the rage still simmering beneath the surface. “Can you give Harlow a ride back to the training facility when the session is over?”
Scar frowns. “That’s not really how this works, Drake. You’re supposed to stay with your bonded rider for the full—”
“I know how it works,” I interrupt. “But I have something urgent to attend to. Will you do it or not?”
He studies me for a long moment, and I can see him weighing whether to push the issue.
Finally, he nods. “Fine. I’ll make sure she gets back safely.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t let this become a habit,” he yells after me.
Ignoring him, I jump in behind the wheel of my SUV and gun it out of there. I realize that I’m running like a coward, but I don’t care.