"I always let you down, you're shattered on the ground, but still I find you there, next to me. And oh, the stupid things I do, I'm far from good, it's true. But still I find you next to me." —Imagine Dragons.

My mom seems pretty excited about the dinner with Mr. Blake, but on the contrary, I am feeling rather indifferent about this whole thing. Based on our last heated argument, I should be in a state of obviation where Blaze is concerned, and that means staying away from him.

Despite how alluring it is to see him and talk to him, I think a little distance would be better for us, but my mom, apparently, has different thoughts.

How did she even manage to become such good friends with Mr. Blake in such a short space in time? She's kind of an introvert, like me so I find it rather astonishing how close she has gotten with him. I guess Mr. Blake has the same captivating aura as his son.

"Here we are." My mom smiles as she turns into Blaze's spacious yard. If only she knew how many times I have been here.

My body goes under a state of anxiety rush. What am I doing here? This weekend was supposed to be about me staying away from anyone related to Homewood and freeing my headspace, but now I am walking right into the lion's den. What will Blaze's reaction be when he sees me? He will probably think I am just as psychotic as Maddie and just won't leave him alone.

Mom, I blame you for this.

"Phew, I am so tired." She breathes as she opens her door and climbs out of the car.

I roll my eyes skyward. If she were tired, she would have just stayed home instead. She has no idea how hard this dinner will be for me.

Eli fell asleep before we left, so my mom called Jenna, the babysitter, to look after him until we get back. I volunteered to stay with him, but she insisted I come along, saying Mr. Blake specifically asked for my attendance.

My mom rings the doorbell, while my mind flows back to the party Blaze had many nights ago and also the times we spent together here. Talking, watching movies, and...grinding on each other.

We can hear faint footsteps as it seems someone is making their way toward the door, and involuntarily my heart misses a beat.

The door opens to reveal the older host of the house, and I relax a little. Thank God it isn't Blaze, although I would have to see him eventually.

At the presence of my mother and me, his lips turn up in a glittering beam, showing off his perfect teeth. "Welcome, Haylee and Harmony."

"Hi." My mom and I speak at the very same time, then exchange smiles like two silly schoolgirls.

Mr. Blake chuckles and shakes his head. "Like mother, like daughter, come on in."

We step inside the house, and I can tell my mother is impressed with the infrastructure. She has always been the type to fancy housings and furniture, so the admiration on her face isn't a surprise for me, plus without a doubt, Blaze's house is aesthetically pleasing, so it's hard not to be captivated upon entry.

While she basks in the glory of the grey and black interior, my eyes go to work, scanning the home for any sign of the boy I should be staying away from. I see no trace of him, but I notice that his room lights are on, so he is probably upstairs.

Mr. Blake speaks, satisfying my curiosity. "Blaze is upstairs; he will join us shortly. Please follow me."

"Okay." My mom smiles while Mr. Blake leads the way to his dining room. "Have a seat, alright? Dinner is almost finished."

I can smell the food as I find a seat around the table, my stomach grumbling at the delectable aroma. I wonder if Mr. Xander is as great a cook as Blaze is because those cheesy noodles last time were amazing. But I'll probably never taste them ever again.

Mr. Blake walks to the living room, and I can hear him yelling up the stairs. "Blaze, look here for a second!"

"What?!" A response comes from him, and my heart speeds up.

"Just come down here; food is ready!"

Mr. Blake returns over to us, smiling and shaking his head. "No manners." He walks to the kitchen, and my mother chuckles a little.

After a while, a door slams from upstairs, and then the sound of footsteps flows through the home as it seems Blaze is on his way down. All of a sudden, I can't feel my feet and my palms are sweaty.

"This house is really nice, isn't it, Harmony?" My mother comments, but I can't listen to her right now. I am too close to having a cardiac arrest.

He strolls into the dining room wearing a pair of blue shorts and black T's, ruffling his hair obliviously. And then our eyes connect like wired electricity.

He stops in his tracks, and he seems...startled?

I stare at him, feeling every muscle in my body relaxing with ease. I hadn't realize how taut I was until I see him. His mesmerizing eyes feed my starved soul. I miss him. So much.

"Good evening." My mom waves at him, and he breaks eye contact with me to offer her a little smile.

"Hi."

He gives his father a questioning glare, as he walks into the room with a frown. "Give me a hand in the kitchen, Blaze. You're not a guest, so why are you gesturing to sit down?"

My mom chuckles, and Blaze looks at me again before following his dad to the kitchen.

••

"Are you serious?" I glower at Blake while he pretends to be innocent, pouring a bottle of orange juice into a large jug.

"You could have told me you were going to have guests; that's normally the right thing to do. Oh, so this is why you pulled me away from Homewood, huh?"

"Relax, Blaze. I just felt it would be nice if we invited them over for dinner." He shrugs casually.

I hiss. "You should have told me. What if I came down naked?"

He chuckles as he grabs some glasses and begins placing them on a tray. "You wouldn't do that."

Is he saying this right now? I am the type to lay naked after a shower. I'll stay naked for the entire day, furthermore.

The last time he brought someone over, I came downstairs shirtless in just my boxers with a half-naked girl trailing behind me. And the lady, who he invited over for business, almost had a heart failure. I suppose he wanted that incident to repeat itself, with Harmony and her poor mother being the victims of my half-naked image this time.

I am not sure when I have started caring about my appearance. I usually would not care what others think of me or the impact I have on people. But since Harmony, I am not the same. My nature is doing odd things, and sometimes I am not even aware.

I stare at him straight-faced, and he gives me a fan of dismissal. "Okay, you're right, maybe you could have come down naked or in just your boxers, judging by that time you almost gave Mrs. Saunders a heart attack, but it's no big deal. Besides, Harmony has already seen that much, hasn't she?'

His expression is cheeky saying that statement, and I know he is referring to that time he caught our almost-touch in that hospital room.

I frown. "No, she hasn't, and what's up with you and her mom? I hope you're not trying to hook up with the woman."

"Seriously, Blaze? Now, why would you think something like that?" He puts his mitten on, staring at me with an expression of bewilderment.

"Because for a forty-year-old man, you can't control your hormones."

He feigns offense, giving me a deadpan face. "I can, by the way, and I am thirty-nine years old Blaze, Jesus, you don't even know my age."

"I wasn't far off." I grab a cup to pour myself some juice, and he snatches it from my hand.

"Wait until we are eating, now help me take the food out, you greedy bastard."

I roll my eyes and reach for two mittens myself.

••

Mr. Blake and my mom are talking nonstop, laughing at things I wouldn't find funny while Blaze and I keep avoiding eye contact while we eat.

It's awkward, but I can tell it's less apprehensive for him since he is scrolling down his cell as his cope mechanism. For me, I have to keep my head down on the plate of pasta as if I am trying to discover some hidden facts about the cooked noodles.

This sucks. I want to go home; I can't take the anxiety anymore. I would not be surprised if my heart begins to malfunction after tonight. After all this agitation, it would probably end up strained.

"Yes, I have seen it a couple of times." My mom laughs at Mr. Blake's statement, and he joins her. During their shared blithe, his eyes drift between Blaze and me. Noticing the awkward silence between us, he clears his throat. "You kids alright?"

I smile as I raise my gaze to him. "Yeah, I am."

"Oh, I know Harmony; she's usually silent when she's bored. Maybe we should head home now." Mom says.

Blaze's eyes turn up from his cell to look at me.

I shake my head. "It's okay. I am fine...just a little tired."

"Aww, I can tell; you must be. School is hard work, isn't it?" Mr. Blake enquires.

Not really, but your son is.

"Yeah, it's really tedious." I press my lips together, and he sighs.

"I can understand. Well, why not just stay the night, dear?"

Both Blaze and I throw him a flabbergasted gaze, and he chuckles lightly at our reaction. "Just for the night. I am taking Blaze back to Homewood tomorrow for school, so you could just hitch a ride with us, plus your mom must be tired." Mr. Blake looks at her with optimistic eyes.

My mom won't say yes. I know her. She's overprotective, so she will not agree to something so—

"Oh yes. I was going to ask you to let her stay for the night, and maybe she could get a ride with one of you tomorrow morning since your son attends the very same school. I would appreciate it, Mr. Xander." She says.

My eyes are even wider now if that is even possible. Is this still my Mother? Who are you?

Blaze averts his eyes back to his phone, and I clear my throat, shifting to the edge of my seat. "Um, I don't even have my bag and stuff that I need to take back to Homewood for scho—"

"Oh no, sweetie, I packed your stuff and took them with us because I was actually going to ask Mr. Blake to allow you to crash for the night. I have to be at work very early tomorrow, dear, we are getting a new boss and I have to clear some things before he arrives."

My mouth hangs open. She took my stuff with her? No, this is definitely not my Mother. How on earth can she just—

"Awesome, it's settled then!" Mr. Blake beams. "Harmony will stay the night, and I will ensure she is back to Homewood bright and early tomorrow."

Why would she think this is even remotely okay?

"Thank you, Mr. Blake. You must be annoyed with me constantly asking for you to drop my daughter off; I owe you big time." She continues, then giggles like a schoolgirl. It catches me off guard. She's acting strange.

Mr. Blake gives her a fan of dismissal. "It's okay, Haylee. I have plenty of rooms in this house, and I don't mind keeping her. You could stay too if you like."

"I would love to, but I need to be at work early tomorrow, and my son is home. Thanks so much for your help."

"It's a pleasure."

I can't believe my Mother. She normally wouldn't agree to me sleeping over at anyone's house; how is it so easy for her to trust Mr. Blake despite knowing the man has a twenty-year-old son in his house?

What is wrong with her?

Apparently, Mr. Bake used the oh-so-famous 'Xander' charm. The same one Blaze used on me, and now I can't get from under his spell.

••

"Okay, remember to get to bed early, no staying up watching 'Pretty Little Liars' or whatever TV series you kids love so much." My mom warns while handing me my knapsack.

I stumble at the weight. What did she pack in this? It's a lot heavier than what I came home with.

She closes the door to the backseat then turns to me. "And call me if you need anything. Also, he has a son, so no fooling around with him. I am making this slide because Mr. Blake is a conscious man who wouldn't tolerate anything inappropriate. His son might be as cute as him, but don't be light-headed."

"Mom, don't you find this a bit odd? Why would you let me stay here? You barely know them."

"Mr. Blake will be a friend of mine for a long while, so you should get used to him. What? You don't trust yourself? I have grown you with so much discipline; I don't need to fear leaving you here, right?"

I shake my head, lowering it.

"Exactly. And what do I normally say about boys?"

"Mom."

"Say it."

I roll my eyes. "Boys mean Babies."

"Correct." She reaches over and kisses my cheek before opening her car door. "Call me. Mr. Blake is a cop, so you'll be fine."

Him being a cop means nothing. She's making absolutely no sense, to be honest.

She gets in the car. "Go get some sleep."

I sigh and wave at her as she steps on the gas and drives away. Leaving me here.

My mom has lost it. It's like anyone who comes in contact with these two males end up losing their sanity.

So much for keeping my distance from Blaze.

I make my way back inside, and Mr. Blake has already cleared the table. Blaze is still sitting there with his head in his cellphone. At the sound of my footsteps, he looks up, and our eyes connect again. The electricity is felt between us once more, and I tear my gaze away from him as Mr. Blake walks over to me.

"Don't worry; I will ensure you get to school safe and early tomorrow."

I smile. "Thank you, Mr. Xander."

"Also, I have two guest rooms, but..." He scratches his temple. "One is without a bed, and the other is closed under renovation; the roof needs fixing."

"Oh...okay." I smile. "I'll take the couch."

He chuckles. "No, no way I wouldn't do that to a guest; I was wondering if you could stay in Blaze's room for the night?"

What?

My eyes are the size of melons, and at this rate, my eyeballs will soon pop out and fall to the floor. This night is full of too many astonishing things.

"Um..." I gulp. "I am not sure."

"Don't worry; I'll be in the house so he wouldn't do anything to you." He whirls to Blaze. "Harmony will be crashing with you for the night, Blaze."

Blaze seems surprised as he looks between his dad and me, and quickly, I avert my eyes from his awkwardly.

"Come on, get up and show her to the room." Mr. Blake orders with a frown. "You are so far from being a gentleman. Jesus."

"It's okay." I shake my head in disapproval. "I can sleep on the couch—"

"Don't be silly," Blaze interjects as he pulls himself up. "You are not sleeping on the couch."

My cheeks fire up, and Mr. Blake lowers his eyes with a soft smile.

"Come on." Blaze turns away and moves toward the staircase, and I glance at Mr. Blake, who closes his eyes and nods a little, gesturing with his hand that I follow his son.

And I do, all the while my feet wobbling beneath me for some odd reason.

••

"You can use one of these," Blaze says as he extends something toward me, but my mind is preoccupied with memories as I stare at the mat that lies on the floor.

"Harmony." He snaps his fingers in front of my face, and I jolt back to reality, looking at him.

"Sorry..."

"What are you thinking about?" His brow has risen, and I shake my head.

"Nothing, what did you say?"

"Here, you can have this blanket." He hands me the grey cotton fabric, and I can smell his scent on it.

I half-smile. "Thank you."

"You can take the bed also."

He curls his fingers under the hem of his T-shirt as I begin to protest. "No, I won't. Where would you sleep? That's not the right thing to do, Blaze; we should just..."

My speech alters when my eyes come in contact with his toned chest.

I divert my gaze awkwardly while his body raises in a heavy sigh. "You're always being stubborn. Take the bed; I will take the floor."

He turns away and takes another blanket from the closet, then he moves over to the bed and grabs a pillow.

I sigh. He is really serious about doing this. I hate the idea of intruding into his personal space and taking his bed. It just doesn't feel right.

He throws them on the floor, but as soon as he is about to settle down on the cold ground, I crash down into his made spot instead. I am fully aware that I look immature and stupid right now, but I don't care.

He glares down at me in disbelief. "Really, Harmony?"

"Yes. I am the intruder; I will be fine down here."

"Get up."

"No." I place the pillow above me, and I hear him hiss as he grabs my shoulders in a swift motion and pulls me up to face him.

His hands are still on my shoulder while he stares at me with furrowed brows. His expression is unsmiling, but I notice how his captivating eyes study mine before they dip to my lips. I see the look of lust and longing they hold, and it makes my breath hitch in my throat.

"Take the bed," he mumbles. "And stop annoying me..."

His eyes are still fixed on my lips as he says this, but they return to my eyes in short order. "It's either that or I will sleep on the couch downstairs."

"I don't want the bed," I mutter.

"Fine...then I'll be downstairs, goodnight," he finishes, and I feel my heart break.

He turns away to leave, and anger swells within me from having countlessly tried so hard with this complex human being but still, somehow, always feeling hurt and disappointed in the end.

"Fine," I say. "Go. I won't chase you anymore. Do what you want. I am sick of this, you asshole..."

He freezes in his spot then slowly turns around to look at me, clearly confounded at my reaction and the words that just left my lips.

"Did you just call me an asshole?"

"Yes." I nod. "Yes, I did, Blaze Xander. You know, I am sick of you and this arrogant behavior of yours! You think that the whole world revolves around you or that people have to chase you until you feel it is right to talk to them; you're a dick! And I won't chase you around anymore! I don't need to, okay? You're not some god!"

He raises a brow. "You know my dad can probably hear you."

"I don't care! In fact, I don't care if the entire world does! You're a narcissist who thinks everyone should fall at your feet. You don't care about the hurtful words you say to others, and having ASPD does not give you the right to walk on people! I have been letting your petulance slide, but I won't make excuses for you anymore! Why? Because it is not fair, it is not fair to me, and I don't deserve any of this, I do not deserve to be treated like one of those girls who has slept with you!"

He crosses his arms against his chest, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Continue."