living with the bad boy

Chaper 17

As my eyes fluttered open the events of yesterday came flooding back and I sighed. I glanced up at the ceiling and nearly jumped out of my skin when instead of the ceiling, my eyes met with Peyton's. Her face hovered over mine with concern. 

"Did you even get a wink of sleep?" I questioned, chuckling at her quizzical facial expression. She shook her head and then shrugged. I could tell she wanted to talk about yesterday. She had a wary look in her eyes, suggesting she didnt want to push my buttons but she had questions that needed answering.

"Talk to me. I know youve got something on your mind." I sighed, sitting up and hugging my knees tightly to my chest. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, struggling to find the words. 

"I couldnt help but notice that Blake's face is well.. you know..." She trails off, not wanting to say something that will offend either me or Blake. My face fell as I remembered Blakes bruised face, he looked like he was in so much pain. My chest tightened at the thought of him hurting because of me. I didnt want to hurt anybody.

"He and Adam got into an... altercation last night and I guess things got pretty heated. I have never seen Adam angry before. I cant wrap my head around any of this. I am supposed to bring out the good in him not the bad. Im supposed to help him when he is at his worst not put him there. I wish I could fix this but.. you should have seen the look in his eyes, im never going to forget that look. I wanted to reach out to him, to beg him for forgiveness and to take away the hurt in his eyes. One day was all it took for me to screw up. He liked me for so long and I threw that away. He deserves better." I released everything I was feeling as if at a therapy session and Peyton listened intently, twisting her face whenever I would say something she disagreed with but not vocalizing her contradictions.

She scooted right next to me, laying her head on my shoulder and grabbing my hand in hers.

"You both deserve better. I know you want some instant solution to this but its going to take time. Adam is a fragile guy, he isnt going to want you to try to explain. He isnt going to want to even see you because it is going to hurt him. You have to realize that you guys were only exclusive for a matter of hours but he has been smitten for you since day one or well day two because we didnt really like you on day one. But anyways, my point is that he is heart broken, it may take a while but he will move on. You cant hate yourself for not knowing what you want. Ive known Adam for years he will forgive you. Trust me." I closed my eyes, leaning my head against Peytons and smiling with relief. 

"Knock knock." Blake says, popping his head into my room without actually knocking. I waved him over and he looked at Peyton hinting for her to  leave but she refused

"Im not moving a muscle. Last time you two were alone together-" She cut herself off, not wanting to twist the knife. With reluctance she detached herself from my silk sheets and presumably went to the kitchen to find something to eat. I fidgeted uncomfortably in my spot, refusing to look Blake in the eyes once again. It just felt so hard, I couldnt look at his face, not without feeling guilty. Ive been feeling that a lot lately. 

"Hey" his voice was soft like red velvet, it was soothing, I found myself at ease with the oceans tides as opposed to yesterday when I quite literally fought and struggled against the tides.

"Please look at me." He said, his voice sounding wounded, he cupped my cheek in his calloused hand and leaned his forehead against mine. I hesitated for a moment then looked at him. He had a colorful bruise surrounding his  left eye, a busted lip, and a few scrapes on his cheeks and chin. I reached out to touch his face and he winced, I immediately pulled back.

"Sorry. I just. I hate seeing you hurt." I said, bowing my head down and placing my hands loosely in my lap. He let out a humorless laugh and smiled.