emotions. He had wanted to hear her say this for years. He had been in love with this one girl since it was innocent enough to be just a crush. She mattered most to him, and as he stared into her beauty, he was mesmerized. She wasnât overly sexy, but she was just his type. Brown skin, shoulder-length hair that fell in messy curls around her face, hips wide, waist slim, and a smile uniquely hers. A small gap rested between her two front teeth, just big enough to notice. Bleu hated it, but like a mole was to a model, it was more a gift than a curse. Her body more dangerous than the curves of a racerâs path, he had enjoyed watching her walk away from him so many times before. Today, however, he dreaded it, because he knew that it would be the last time. He just stared at her, gripping the phone as he tried to paint a picture of her beautiful face in his head. He knew that he couldnât keep her. There was still a bounty on her head. She was like a walking money bag. Anyone with a thirst for some quick cash would try to off her. With Noah locked up, she would have no protection. She would be a sheep among wolves. Every gun in the city would be at her head until she was dead. She couldnât stick around and wait for him, but he knew if he told her the truth ⦠if he told her that he loved her more than the air in his lungs ⦠that he saw his future in her ⦠that besides money she was the only thing that occupied his thoughts ⦠if he told her these truths, she would stay regardless. He had to lie to get rid of her.
âDonât wait for me,â he responded.
She frowned in confusion. âWhat? What are you saying to me, Noah?â
âIâm in here because of you. You brought that heat to my crib and now Iâm doing a bid behind it. You Hollywood, right? That was your dream? Youâre off to sunny California, and Iâll be rotting away behind concrete and steel bars. Youâve overstayed your welcome, B. I should have never taken on your burdens. Maybe you should just catch that bus to the West Coast,â he said without flinching, showing no emotion.
She blinked in confusion as her mouth fell open, flabbergasted by his rejection.
He saw her feelings fold as a hint of heartbreak reflected in her eyes, and it ate away at him that he had caused it.
âNoahââ
âJust go, Bleu! Damn!â he interrupted. âHigh school is over. Itâs time we went our separate ways.â He got to his feet and slammed the phone down. He didnât even turn around to give her one last glance before he disappeared out of her sight.
Bleu stood abruptly, pushing out of the chair with so much force that it fell to the floor. Everyone turned to look at her, and she rushed out of the room, embarrassed and in despair.
By the time Bleu made her way back to Noahâs apartment, she had made up her mind. She was leaving town. Fuck this cruddy-ass city, she thought as she tore down the police tape and pushed open the door. She stopped and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the blood-stained floor where her stepfather and the man who had attacked her had fallen. The smell of death lingered in the air. She was almost afraid to walk inside. Taking a deep breath, she willed herself forward. I canât stay here, she thought. She would lose her life if she stayed in Flint. It was the city where the good died young, and she felt the ruthlessness firsthand. She wouldnât even stay to put her stepfather in the ground. Noah was the only person who could have talked her into remaining, and he had made it clear he wasnât interested. Bleu made her way to the bedroom and gathered her things. She didnât have much to her name. She would leave most of it behind, except for a suitcase full of clothes. Struggling and in need of rest, she managed to drag her bag out of Noahâs room. He didnât want her there. He blamed her for everything that had
âDonât wait for me,â he responded.
She frowned in confusion. âWhat? What are you saying to me, Noah?â
âIâm in here because of you. You brought that heat to my crib and now Iâm doing a bid behind it. You Hollywood, right? That was your dream? Youâre off to sunny California, and Iâll be rotting away behind concrete and steel bars. Youâve overstayed your welcome, B. I should have never taken on your burdens. Maybe you should just catch that bus to the West Coast,â he said without flinching, showing no emotion.
She blinked in confusion as her mouth fell open, flabbergasted by his rejection.
He saw her feelings fold as a hint of heartbreak reflected in her eyes, and it ate away at him that he had caused it.
âNoahââ
âJust go, Bleu! Damn!â he interrupted. âHigh school is over. Itâs time we went our separate ways.â He got to his feet and slammed the phone down. He didnât even turn around to give her one last glance before he disappeared out of her sight.
Bleu stood abruptly, pushing out of the chair with so much force that it fell to the floor. Everyone turned to look at her, and she rushed out of the room, embarrassed and in despair.
By the time Bleu made her way back to Noahâs apartment, she had made up her mind. She was leaving town. Fuck this cruddy-ass city, she thought as she tore down the police tape and pushed open the door. She stopped and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the blood-stained floor where her stepfather and the man who had attacked her had fallen. The smell of death lingered in the air. She was almost afraid to walk inside. Taking a deep breath, she willed herself forward. I canât stay here, she thought. She would lose her life if she stayed in Flint. It was the city where the good died young, and she felt the ruthlessness firsthand. She wouldnât even stay to put her stepfather in the ground. Noah was the only person who could have talked her into remaining, and he had made it clear he wasnât interested. Bleu made her way to the bedroom and gathered her things. She didnât have much to her name. She would leave most of it behind, except for a suitcase full of clothes. Struggling and in need of rest, she managed to drag her bag out of Noahâs room. He didnât want her there. He blamed her for everything that had
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