Page 40 of Ruthless Blade

“You need to come home now, Alexis. We are going to talk about this. As a family. Get Kayden to come too. This weekend. No ifs and or butts, I’m tired of getting shit from you. The fall you had demonstrates that you are not fit to be a skater. You’re not good enough, Alexis. The quicker you own up to it, the faster you can move on.”

My hand gripped the phone. “Way to show support for your only daughter.”

“You need to be realistic. Some people were meant to be great. They were meant to be in sports. Take Kayden and your brother for example. They dominated everything they tried, where you...well, you know how that went.”

Tears gathered in my eyes. I really was alone in this world.

“You know I’m right; that’s why you’re not saying anything.”

I didn’t respond, but hung up. I couldn’t do this anymore.

A hand touched my shoulder and I jumped, wiping any stray tears from my eyes.

“Let me get you back to the dorm,” Hazel said in a soft voice, but I wanted to be by myself.

“Thank you, but I’ll walk. I need some space.”

I left them there, not caring that they heard my conversation. She thought I wasn’t good enough. I was never good enough for her.

As the tears fell from my eyes, I wished that she’d love me like she used to. When Dad was alive, when they were here.

But as much as I wanted to rewrite history, that would never change. They wouldn’t come back, and I’d continue to be alone for the rest of my life.

Chapter Twenty

LEXI

My shoes hit the asphalt, tears blurring my vision. Mom’s words were still ringing like a siren in my ears, a cruel reminder of how easily she could treat me like shit.

"Lex!”

The heavy stomp of shoes came up behind me, but I didn't stop. Even with his voice, I couldn’t look back. I kept my head down, arms wrapped tightly against my chest. I tried to swallow down the sob that was building in my throat.

I hate her. I hate her. I hate her.

Who was I kidding? I wish I hated her. It would be easier if I did.

A large hand caught the base of my elbow, pulling me into his chest. His lips touched my head, “I’ve got you.”

I wanted to tell him to leave me alone, but the words died in the base of my throat. He stepped back and I already missed his warmth.

The arrogant jackass I knew so well was gone and replaced with someone who looked like he actually cared. He stood under the flickering amber glow of the parking lot light, his eyes tight with worry. He clicked his key fob, and the headlights of his car flashed a few yards away, cutting through the shadows.

"Come on,” he nodded towards the car, “You don’t need to be walking alone like this.”"I’m fine," I choked out, a single tear escaping. I hated being weak. Especially in front of him.

"Look at me," he murmured, stepping closer. He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheeks, wiping away the damp tears. His touch did something to me, and I’d rather deny than admit it, but I wanted more. Come on Lex, snap out of it.

He took my hand and led me to the car. My feelings were all over the place. Can I trust this? Him? The ride back to campus was silent, the heater blasting air against our faces. In the springtime, the weather was relatively warm during the day, but at night those temps dropped significantly.

I stared out the passenger window, watching the streetlights blend in with the darkness. Every time a sob threatened to break through my lips, I bit my tongue until it bled.

When the car idled in front of my dorm building, I reached for the door handle, but the click of the lock stopped me.

I turned, expecting him to make a sarcastic remark; instead, he stared straight ahead, his hands curling around the steering wheel. It was different seeing him like this; he somehow looked smaller than he ever had, stripped of his armor.

His jaw was clenched, brows furrowed, “What did she say to you?”

I sighed and looked away. It really wasn’t any of his business, and I didn’t need him to tell me what a failure I was too.