BLAZE WITHIN

make up for the loss of money on Saturday night. Alaric never text

ver the lunch hour when Ace came in. My smile at his appearance faded

ndoors?” I jokingly asked him as

. “I came here to eat,

ly and unkept. His jaw was set and his hands twitching slightly. He shifted on his feet as though he couldn’

on drug

want?” I aske

as he looked around him as though to show everyone nearby how dumb of

, my voice lowering. “I don’t th

to my skin. “Don’t tell me what the hell I can or can’t do

naline pumping through my veins. I drew in a shaky brea

t as I turned to leave to help my other tables. He grabbed my

you going?” he

gers dug in. “I have other tables,” I hi

ch glanced around before yanking on my wrist and pulling m

l. He let go of my wrist and I stood up

ne was mean and condescending. “Relax baby. I’m no

in my throat down.

ck an order for what he normally ordered before leaning over th

en for you,” Sarah, anothe

ward table fifteen, my eyes on my worn sneakers, as I took a deep breath and plastered my be

chest and a silver cross necklace. His dark blue jeans clung tightly to his legs. His wavy, brown hair fell downward on either side of his face topped with a tan fedora with a black ribbon. He had random rings

I knew I looked a mess and I mentally cursed myself for leaving the house without makeup. My fingers shook as I grabbed the paper and the pencil and looked back up at him, for the first time noticing there were

s?” I asked nervously a

attered away. I took some deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart as I got Ace drink

he wasn’t there when I brought them. I went toward t

looked at the food. He took my hand into his

to the table beside his food. “Here’s your bill. Don’t forget to t

turned back toward him. “I don’t pay for this shi

ice to avoid a scene from his raised one.

led the receipt in his hand and threw it at me.

pt up off the floor. “If you don’t pa

aned back in his seat. “Go ahead a

ed as he suddenly shot up out of

ow, threatening voice. “Go ahead,

as I slowly shook my hea

a kiss on the cheek and sat back down

om in the far corner of the restaurant wit

when he wasn’t on drugs. But when he was on them, he w

rush. I stumbled backwards as arms grabbed me. We stumbled

t as I looked up and met Al

ed in his accent which se

ut as my mind tried desperately to grasp

ddle of cursing the hell ou

osed to hear that

gorgeous smile and I lite

at I became a messy, unin

ork,” I finally forced

ell

d him at the s

e for a second. “You di

jection tore at my heart and sealed the se

dded his head and I turned away

besides the common courtesy “thank you” as the food was served. They left a more than g