8

Zade

Let it go as if it's hot.

As if summoned by mere thoughts, I spotted her familiar figure at the far end of the field. Squinting, I focused on her, my gaze tracing her curves. She was stunning, and the surrounding noise faded to a hum, everyone else disappearing. It was just her and me.

She stood, staring, her body tense like a deer about to flee.

Desire surged through me. Every pore seemed to open up, consumed by a raging heat. My arousal was undeniable.

Suddenly, she turned, braid swinging beneath her cap, and sprinted away. I halted, feeling as if the air had been sucked out of my body.

"What the hell?"

Shaking myself mentally, I looked down, forcing myself to remember my anger. She deserted me when I needed her most. Of course, she ran away, too ashamed to face me. The pact we made to love each other seemed silly now, but I was young and in love. Her betrayal hurt like nothing before, and my rage was all she deserved.

Slowly unclenching my fists, I calmed down, then looked up. At the spot where I last saw her, not fifty feet away, stood Randy—blond hair gleaming, not a strand out of place despite the breeze. His obsession with looking perfect used to be mocked by classmates.

I hadn't seen him since my release, but today, he confirmed his attendance on the email thread. His personal message for 'Sapphire,' whether for my benefit or not, fueled my determination for revenge.

Behind my sunglasses, I stared at him as he mingled near a hot dog stand. Even from a distance, his smiling irked me. Watching him act as if the world was his oyster strengthened my resolve to destroy him, just as he had blindsided me. And he would be clueless about what hit him, just as he caught me off guard. It was only a matter of time.

He turned away from the crowd to watch Sapphire fleeing. Even at a distance, I felt the intensity of his gaze. Fury engulfed me, my throat closing up. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled slowly, needing to control my temper. The past filled with trusting naivety and stupidity couldn't be altered.

Randy encountered her first, desired her first.

Then, at the bar, she made it clear she preferred me. Briefly, I pondered whether he resented her choice, but I dismissed it as unworthy of us both. He was my best friend, and he assured me that nothing, especially a mere woman, could come between us.

In those days, Randy went through women so rapidly, it was hard to keep up.

Naturally, I believed him when he claimed she would have been just another fling for him. He asked if I was truly serious about her. I replied that I wasn't just serious; I was utterly smitten. Head over heels. She was my life, everything to me. He hugged me, wished me well, and expressed happiness for me. Someday, he said, he would find a woman to marry and keep forever.

Foolishly, I judged him by my standards. I would have done the same for him.

I assessed the situation calmly. The past was unchangeable, and that was okay. I was no longer interested like the love-struck boy I once was. Now, I focused on the future. As far as I was concerned, Randy and Sapphire could go to hell together, and I would gladly pay for their ticket.

I thought about the two accounts BB Tech had already taken from Randy this week. That was just the beginning.

Turning away, I walked in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. Grabbing a snow cone to cool off, I felt my eyes once again searching the crowd for Sapphire.

I found her easily.

Engaged in conversation with a group of children, she always loved kids. Memories of discussing having children with her lingered. She wanted six, settling for three if I didn't agree. I laughed, telling her she could have thirty-six if she wanted. She made a face I'd never forget.

I circled a few more times, keeping her within sight. She seemed on the move, throwing glances over her shoulder.

She was avoiding me.

As the fairgrounds started to empty, I saw my chance. She stopped to talk with another staff member at the Ferris wheel. While the other woman left, my feet moved on their own.

I heard her clear voice as she loaded the ride, and I stood still, placing myself somewhat in her line of vision. Her laughter died as her eyes met mine. Time seemed to stand still. The feeling from when I first saw her across the field started sweeping over me once more. My feet moved toward her. Just as I was closing in, she suddenly took flight. I stopped, staring at her retreating form. So, that was how it was going to be? She invited me here, only to keep running away?

I enjoyed her running. She should run.

For another half-hour, I played her game of 'chase Sapphire,' unnerving her each time I appeared in her line of vision. I watched her watching me. The crowd, thinning pretty fast, worked to her advantage, but when it was only her and the staff left, what then?

Would she have security escort me off the field?

Closing time approached fast. I had to make my move. The opportunity came when she became engrossed with some staff members and failed to see me slip away. Circling around behind tents, I glimpsed her looking around frantically. I came up behind her stealthily, standing a few feet away. A staff member facing me noticed first, her widened eyes telling me Sapphire had discussed me. She looked at Sapphire, wincing. Sapphire's shoulders stiffened before she turned slowly. I stepped within arm's reach.

"Hello, Sapphire."

She swallowed, licking her lips nervously. "Uh... hello."

"I came."

"I see."

I deliberately let an awkward silence grow between us as the other staff wandered off. From the corner of my eyes, I could see them throwing curious glances our way. Sapphire kept her gaze fixed on me, and I was close enough to see the gold flecks in her hazel eyes. My mind went back to the last time I saw her that weekend before her birthday. I felt a rush of warmth remembering our last time together. Thankful I hadn't tucked my shirt into my jeans, my physical reaction revealed the hold she still had over me.

This was Sapphire, who turned her back on me, betrayed me with the man I thought was my best friend. My sweetheart, who didn't call me after my arrest, visit me during the trial, or show enough curiosity to attend the courtroom. This was Sapphire, who, instead of reaching out to me, hooked up with the man who framed me and put me behind bars.

Recalling her sins killed my arousal, and I reminded myself this wasn't a lovers' reunion. It was a face-off and confrontation. I watched as she bit her bottom lip and reached around to fish her braid over her shoulder, telltale signs of her nervousness.

I smiled tauntingly. "A little nervous?"

"M-Me? N-Nervous? No, I'm not."

Taking another step closer , I was pleased to see her take a corresponding step backward. I chuckled almost maniacally. It was nice to know I made her as uneasy as she made me. I saw her lick her lips, and I did the same. If circumstances were different, I would have drawn her tightly to me and devoured those juicy lips greedily.

"You are nervous, Sav. I'd say you're as nervous as a mouse in a room full of hungry cats. I wonder why, though. Have you done something to make you jumpy around me, the love of your life? The man of your dreams who you left to suffer alone for four fucking years. Hmmm, Sav? Is that why you're nervous? Perhaps you were hoping I wouldn't show up?"