Turn Up The Heat

Chapter 15 - Riley

I feel like I am suffocating. I know my friends mean well, but I can't take it anymore. I don't need babysitting twenty four-seven. I need to breathe, what I don't need is their pity looks. Thank God Blake taught me how to drive when I was fourteen, even though his mom gave us hell for it.

"Riley you need to ease into the breaks."

"I am!"

He gives me a incredulous look and laughs. "Ya that's why I have hit my head on the dashboard not once...but twice."

"Oh shut up!" I slap him on the arm, and the car swerves.

"Shit wildfire! Are you trying to kill us." He starts laughing again.

Oh this sexy asshole thinks he's so funny. Damn did I just say sexy? I shake my head, I can't think of him like that at all.

"Eyes on the road Ry."

"Shit! You're making me nervous Blake."

"Okay pull over."

I slowly pull over and barely miss the curb.

"No bad wildfire."

I inhale deeply. "I can't do this Blake, it's too stressful."

He turns and looks deep in my eyes. I swear he can see my soul with his intense gaze. "I believe in you Ry. I know you can do this." He moves a strand of hair from my face. I have to look away so he does not see me blush.

"Thank you." I say timidly. I pull out and start driving again. Eventually I got the hang of it even with all the teasing Blake did.

I get in my car and start driving. Luckily when I took my test last week I passed and I have Blake to thank for that. I feel guilty for leaving Lendze there. I know they are all going to start worrying about me. I go to the one place that helps me think better. Once I reach the bluff I pull off to the side and park. I walk towards the edge and just stand there looking over the whole town. It is so peaceful right here and I need that right now.

"You know if you think about jumping, I wouldn't recommend it."

I twirl around and see the one person I did not expect to see.

"Max! What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that." He lifts his eyebrow and smirks. "Actually I'm surprised you remember my name."

"Well I did get totally trashed with you."

"Correction you got trashed I got stoned. I didn't do anything else. I was keeping an eye on you."

I lower my head and feel ashamed for what I did. "I'm sorry Max."

"Hey don't worry about it. I know what it's like to need an outlet."

Now it's my turn to raise an eyebrow at him.

"Pain can be a bitch Red and we all have different ways to deal with it. Me I like to numb the pain by getting high."

I feel bad for him because I know the pain and guilt I carry around.

"I get it, I do. Losing my parents I feel like I should have died with them."

He moves closer to me and grabs my shoulders. I wince a little bit from the pain. He must notice and starts rubbing my shoulders. "It's not worth trying to kill yourself over."

"I'm shocked by what he says and take a step back.

"I would never."

"Then what the hell are you doing here!"

I'm taken aback by his tone. "Blake brought me here once when I had a fight with my parents once. We watched the sunset here and it was calming. I need that right now without reverting to whatever the hell I did last month."

"Sorry Red I shouldn't have thought."

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him.

"No you shouldn't have you don't even know me."

"True but we did talk a lot so I know more than you think. Like how obsessed you are with your boy toy."

"Shut up! He's not like that."

"I know he's got a killer right hook."

"Sorry"

"Don't worry about it Red." He playfully bumps my shoulder. "So why you hiding from everyone?" I was about to protest but he cut me off. "Do I need to worry about getting in a fight with him."

I shake my head and sigh. "I'll call them. I just needed a breather. I felt like I was suffocating. What I did was so out of character that they don't know how to handle it."

"I get it, I didn't use to look like I don't give a shit, but I actually do. Just trying to deal with my own pain. My brother died right here three years ago."

Why does that sound familiar? Then it hits me who he is. "Caleb Rexford." He nods his head and shakes a little. "Ya that was him."

"Oh God I'm sorry Max." I don't know what came over me and I gave him a hug. He shakes on my arms. Caleb was Max's twin brother. They went dirt bike riding, which tends to happen a lot along these cliffs. Something malfunction on his bike and he swerved and unfortunately went over the cliff. "I tried to save him and I couldn't." He is shaking so hard. I try to console him but then I hear a throat clear.

"I guess you are okay wildfire."

The look in eyes look so pain, and it hurts. Max slowly pulls away and wipes his eyes. Blake looks confused.

"I'll let you be Red." He starts to walk away but I grab his hand. "I don't think you should be alone right now."

"I'll be fine Red. I have dealt with this for a long time."

"Call if you need a friend."

He salutes and gives a sad smile and nods at Blake then leaves. Blake walks over to me and pulls me in a hug. "I'm glad you're okay." He kisses my forehead and I close my eyes. This is what I need to help me feel calm. But the warmth I felt from him is gone as he steps back.

"Sorry if interrupted something." The pain in his voice is evident. I step forward and put my hand on his cheek. "You're fine I promise. Do you know who that was?"

"Ya the jackass who let you get fucked up." I feel his body tense, but I smack him on the chest because I am irritated.

"First off he didn't force me I did that on my own. Second that is Max Rexford." Blake looks at me with shock written all over his face.

"Oh shit!"

"Ya"

Blake pulls me back into a hug and I feel safe finally. He guides me to sit down on the grass and he sits behind me, bringing me closer to him and I can't help but smile. I tell him why I had to leave and he understands, but also voices his concerns.

It feels nice like we are a couple with him pressing tender kisses on my shoulder. What are we? Are we together or is just a fling? Oh my god what will Sam think?  "You're in your head again wildfire." I shake my head and clear away those thoughts. That is something I can worry about another day.

"Sorry." He lifts my chin and turn my face towards him. "I'm crazy about you Ry." I turn to face him completely, where I'm practically straddling him.

"You are"

"Yes." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I move my head closer and I brush my lips with his. This kiss is more tender than any other kiss we have shared before.

When we finally break apart from the kiss I realize something. That Blake Makenzie has the ability to destroy me more than anything or anyone ever could. That alone terrifies the crap out of me.