"You left me so dark and afraid, hopelessly stuck in replay, over again." —Ria.

••

I sat against the soft sheets of the bed, and Amber wasted no time in straddling my groin. Her bare thighs pressed up against my beach shorts and she circled her hips while snaking her slender arms around my neck. I remembered a time when such an action would evoke sexual feelings for her, but now I couldn't find the lust within me for some odd reason.

"Finally, I can have you the way I want..." She cooed in my ear before pulling my earlobe between her teeth. I wasn't feeling it, but I needed the distraction from my racing thoughts, and if that was the way to stop thinking about Harmony for even a second, I was willing to do it.

"You smell good, baby..."

I leaned back onto my palms in an effort to escape her sensual whispers in my ear. It was madly uncomfortable because instead of being seductive, it more felt like a bee was buzzing at my earlobe.

"Have a condom?"

"Of course. I am prepared, sweetie." She dipped in her swim-bra and took out a shiny packet. I had no idea some girls took condoms around; I thought that was the guys' duty.

She waved it in front of my face. "I am always ready for you."

I took it from her grip and slipped it between my index and middle finger so that I could freely place my hands on her waists. I flipped her over so I was then hovering above her and her big lips spread in a wide grin.

"Ooh. I miss your strong hands." She wiggled excitedly beneath me, hooking her long legs around me and tethering me closer to her body. I pressed my palms into the bed next to her head while she hoisted up to trail her tongue along my neckline.

My eyes rolled and I swallowed in discomfort, but she didn't notice as she grabbed my hand and placed it on her leg.

"Touch me while I kiss you." She murmured in my ear and this time, I was beyond irritated by the gesture.

I shifted my neck from her lips, gripped her shoulders, and pulled her off me. She looked confused until I pressed her against the pillows.

"Skip the foreplay and lovemaking. You want to fuck, right? Get to the point."

Her mouth curved in a smirk. "Oh, I forgot you like it rough."

Ignoring her statement, I ripped the packet and pulled the rubber from it while she bit her lip, impatiently running her hand down my clothed chest.

I stared at the cream protection and for a second, it was as if I had no idea what to do with it. Something was holding me back and I got the revelation of what it was when Harmony's green eyes and her tiny face flashes before me.

I clenched my eyes close. Damn.

This should have helped me to not think about her—even for a few minutes. But it only made me feel far worse.

Amber frowned at my hesitation, sensing that I was about to change my mind. "Blaze."

I am not sure what Harmony Skye did to me, but I can't seem to focus on anyone but her.

"Blaze, come on."

I ruffled my hair and threw the rubber down. "Sorry, see you around."

She gasped. "Are you serious?"

I got off her, and she sat up with a petulant expression. "Blaze Xander, seriously? Where are you going?!"

"Back to the party, obviously." I left the room and slammed the door close behind me.

A loud bang on my door wakes me from my shallow slumber. It took me almost the entire night to finally fall asleep after Harmony had left. Her tearstained cheeks and shiny eyes couldn't leave my mind and I ended up twisting and turning in bed like a lovesick teenager.

I sit up groggily and blow out a sigh as the knock comes again. An irritated groan vibrates through my chest and I lazily reach for my T-shirt from the chair next to me, dragging it over my head in a quick motion while I haul myself off the bed.

The pound comes once again, this time louder than the first two times and I roll my eyes. I swear if they knock one more time, I am going to punch whoever it is.

"It's so damn early, seriously..." I grip the handle and open the door. I barely wipe the infuriation from my features at the sight of my cousin.

"April..." I sigh. "It's 6 am."

"I know, but it is important." Worry is etched on her countenance as she buries her hand in her curls. "It's Harmony—I don't know, I think something is wrong with her... I think she's sick."

I narrow my eyes. "What?"

"She's not responding and she's burning up—"

"Shit." I quickly grab my pair of Converse from the side of the bed and slip them on. I leave the room with April tailing close behind me, struggling to keep up with my fast strides.

I enter their room to see Harmony lying on her back and sweating profusely. Her lips are noticeably pale, and I can tell the sheet beneath her is drenched from her own perspiration.

My forehead wrinkles with anxiety and I fork my fingers through my hair as I hurry over to her. I squat beside her and gently touch her arm.

"Harmony? What's wrong?"

Her face turns in my direction, but she doesn't open her eyes. Her breathing is also irregular, and her lips have parted but no words are leaving them.

I look at April. "Is it her asthma?"

I can tell she's confounded that I hold such information about Harmony, but she still manages to offer an immediate reply.

"I am not sure, I—I just woke up to see her like that. I am not sure what happened. Oh my God... I hope she'll be okay..."

She begins to panic, pacing back and forth behind me, and when she acts this anxious she's scaring the living shit out of me. She should really sit down.

I press my palm against Harmony's wet forehead to check her temperature.

"Fever." I sigh. "She has a very bad fever."

"Oh Gosh... poor Harmony."

"April when you panic like that it's distracting. You're scaring me; sit down. She will be fine, nothing will happen."

"Should we get her to a doctor?"

"We have to; it seems pretty bad." My arm encircles around her petite body and I gently pull her up into my arms.

She feels frail and fragile as her head rests against my chest and my brows come together in sympathy. I bring my hand up to wipe the sweat from her forehead and she responds to the action with a small moan.

"What did she do last night... when she came back?"

April looks confused for a second before she speaks. "Came back? She was with you last night?"

"Yeah... she was."

The images of all the incidents that took place in my room—from us kissing to quarreling replays in my head, and I am engulfed with remorse.

April tilts her head to the side as it seems a series of questions are going through her mind. I repeat the question.

"Did she do anything after coming back?"

"Um." She presses her hand to her forehead. "She headed straight for the shower, but I swore I could hear her crying. She said she was fine, but I could tell she wasn't. I told her that having a shower so late could cause her to get sick. I guess that's what really happened... oh gosh..."

The muscles in my face tighten and my heart breaks at the thought that she was probably crying all night because of what happened.

I don't deserve her now, do I?

April studies my distant expression. "Did... did something happen between you two last night?"

I sigh and lift Harmony into my arms, deciding now is not the time to be talking when the girl I care so much about is sick in my arms.

"I am taking her to the hospital, take her stuff back to Homewood for me. Could you pass me her cell?"

"Okay." April hurries over to the table in the room to grab Harmony's phone while I bring a hand up to test her temperature again.

She's a lot warmer now and my brows bump together in worry. This is all my fault.

"Got it."

I turn my pocket in her direction. "Put it in."

She slides the cell in my jean while glancing at Harmony with worry on her face. "Poor Harmony."

"I'll call you," I tell her before I walk out of the room. Harmony's eyes crack open from the movements and our gazes connect. Her pupils dilate and she mumbles incoherently before her eyes dim close again.

As soon as I break the corner of the hall, I come to a sudden halt as I almost bump into Kite.

Fucking son of a bitch.

My jaw clenches tight, and his brows furrow at the sight of Harmony snuggled close to my chest. I strengthen my arms around her and notice how his eyes flash with a territorial glint. I swear if Harmony wasn't in my arms right now, I would have punched the little asshole in his face.

Ever since I met her, my nature has been oddly defiant. If I were who I was back then, I would have already murdered Kite and disposed of his body somewhere only I know. He's lucky I met her.

"What did you do to her Blaze?"

"Get the fuck out of my way." I move around him and he clamps his fingers around my bicep to stop me. I roll my eyes skyward and blow my cheeks out.

It's taking everything within me not to dislocate his arm right now.

"What's wrong with her? Did you hurt her?"

I shoot him a livid glare. "Let my arm go if you know what's good for you. You're lucky I haven't already killed you. Stay away from her. If you touch her again, you can pick your fucking coffin out."

Anger glistens in his eyes. "She will soon see that she's wasting her time with you."

"And you'll soon see that what you're doing is pointless."

He snickers. "Really? I won't give up, in case that's what you're hoping for."

I narrow my eyes. He's testing my patience, isn't he? I step up to him, and he tries not to move away, but the twitch in his face tells his apprehension. "Listen to me. I really will cut your fucking intestines from your stomach. Continue to provoke me, and you'll be on your deathbed sooner than you intended. Next time you try to come close to her, bear that in mind. I lose patience easily."

His confidence wavers and his mouth opens to say something. I don't need to hear shit from him because his words are light as paper, holding no fucking weight or importance to me. I shrug his hand off and walk away to the parking lot. I have no time for his catfight.

I open my car and lay Harmony against the passenger's seat. Her head dangles to the side as I reach over to snap her seatbelt.

"Blaze..."

Her voice is soft and unenergetic but I am relieved that she is being responsive.

I squat so that I am face to face with her, my face softening in perturbation. "Harmony."

Her eyes barely open and locks with mine.

"You'll be okay, alright? I am so sorry..."

"I am...cold."

My eyes fall to the tank top she's wearing, and the attire is unquestionably inappropriate for her health condition. Without a second thought, I pull my T-shirt over my head. It's a lucky thing I am wearing a white tank top underneath or I would have had to get to the hospital shirtless.

The cool morning air adorns my arms with small bumps, and I realize that she really must be cold.

I bring her forward to lay against my chest while I bring the shirt above her head. I put her arms through the sleeves and frown at how frail they feel in my hands.

I hope she will be okay, or I wouldn't forgive myself.

My T-shirt could pass for a dress on her and I figure that will keep her warm.

I get around to my side of the car and get in. I waste no time in starting the engine up and reversing out of the parking lot.

I glance at her as I am driving down the road, her eyes are closed and her chest is rising and falling in small breaths.

I exhale hardly and reach over to turn the heater on. I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips as I step on the gas. My heart is racing in my chest, and I haven't prayed in a while, but today I am praying to a higher power that she'll be alright.

Please be okay. I need you.

~

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