Page 19 of Blaze

“Oh fuck, no, I did not need that visual,” he groans as he throws his head back.

I laugh, “I didn’t need to hear them, let alone see him in that state, I mean, that man is my boss.”

I shudder, and he chuckles just as my phone rings and I shake my head before grabbing it, only to swallow seeing the name.

“Now, is she calling because of what day it is, or is she calling because she wants money?” I mutter, and I feel Blaze tense, but he doesn’t say anything as I answer, “Hello?” as I put my phone to my ear.

“Look, I’m still pissed that you hit my husband,” she begins, and I raise a brow, “but I need some money…”

Shocker.

“Okay, so you’re not calling because it’s Mom and Dad's death anniversary?” I confirm, and she huffs while Blaze shakes his head.

“No, they left me with nothing, they can rot for all I care. Now, about the money, I need at least fifteen grand,” she states so casually, and I blink.

Fifteen…

“And how exactly do you expect me to come up with fifteen grand? And what do you even need that type of money for? You’re thirty-nine, Poppy. Isn’t it time you stop trying to rely on your little sister, you didn’t even want?” I say softly with no malice because I don’t hate my sister. I just hate her life choices.

We didn’t grow up together, so it is what it is. I always knew I couldn’t rely on her.

“You have your trust! And you lied and said my husband attempted to rape you!” she snaps, “You said he shoved his fingers inside you, why would I keep you in my home when you were a lying little bitch, huh?”

Pretty sure if Blaze gets any tenser, he’s going to snap.

Am I shocked that is the only thing she focuses on? No, not really. Do I think her husband owes money to people, and she’s trying to use me to pay them off? Absolutely.

“He did try, just like he got away with it with several other women,” I say, not backing down, “And I don’t have access to my trust, and even if I did, I wouldn’t give you a cent.”

She screeches before she hangs up, and I huff as I drop my phone, and I mutter, “Like I said, being alone is perfect.”

“But lonely,” Blaze mutters, and I shrug.

“I have Mama, and I have Snow,” I whisper as my eyes mist, but I blink several times to stop the tears from falling.

“Who’s Snow?” Blaze asks softly, and I murmur, “My husky...”

He chuckles, and I look his way, seeing his attention already on me, and he says, “Now why am I not surprised?” and I shrug before looking back at the sky.

“How long has it been?” he asks after a few minutes of comfortable silence, and I whisper, “Fifteen years.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, and I shrug one shoulder, not knowing what to say as I look at him and his eyes trace my face, the pull between us undeniable. He lifts his hand and gently tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, I close my eyes, a sense of security centering me.

He cups my cheek, and I open my eyes before locking with his intense light green ones, and he is all I can see, his warm hand sending tingles throughout my body as he rubs his thumb over my jaw.

Everything in me wants to lean forward, to give him a kiss, to see if it is any better than Billy Traits in college, before I pulled back and shoved him away because he tasted like weed and stale beer. A phone blaring breaks our connection and I pull away as he drops his hand with a sigh and I look back at the sky as I hear him answer, “Yeah,” and I instantly scold myself.

What am I doing?

He’s taken and me, well, dammit, I don’t want to rely on anyone. I don’t want to be hurt again, and something deep down is telling me if Blaze ever hurts me, I’d never survive.

“She’s here again demanding to be let in,” I hear, but I try to zone out, not wanting to intrude.

“Alright, I’m on my way,” he grunts before he hangs up and mentions, “Crusher needs my help,” as he stands then stretches, and I look up at the Greek god of a man, and I ask, “You going to tell him about your mom?”

“Nah, nothing good would come of it now,” he replies, and I mention, “It may do you some good to talk to him.”

“And what about you?” he retorts softly, “You going to take your own advice and try and make friends, or even reconnect with Clark and the girls?”