Page 127 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

Seven miserable days without the guy

I’d come to love more than anything.

If it wasn’t for Felicity and Hailee, I might have driven myself insane with worry. As it was, they’d kept me updated about his mom’s condition. Which hadn’t changed since she came out of surgery.

At first, I’d tried to keep myself busy. To go on with life as normal. I managed four days. Four days until Kellie Ginly and her gymnastic friends cornered me at Ice-Ts and ripped into me as if I was the one who had pulled the trigger. School had been hard enough that day, facing the onslaught of whispers and stares. But it was nothing compared to having Kellie all up in my face, telling me that I ruined Asher’s life.

I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever let someone speak to me the way she’d belittled me. But I’d just stood there, taking her abuse and insults, letting them seep into my pores, sinking deep inside my bones. Because I did feel partly responsible. Part of me, no matter how misguided or irrational, felt like I deserved her wrath. She was Asher’s people long before I ever arrived in Rixon.

And me?

I was just the Latina girl from the hood who had ruined his life.

“I know, child, I know.” My aunt plopped down on my bed, wrapping her slender arms around me. “Love is a cruel, wicked thing. But this is not your fault, Mya, you hear me?” Slipping her fingers underneath her jaw, she tilted my face up. “Tell me you know that.”

“I... I know.”

“You need to believe it too. What happened with Mrs. Bennet was nothing but a tragic accident. Me and the ladies at church have been praying for her.”

“Y- you have?”

She clucked her tongue. “Don’t sound so surprised. Just because this town has never welcomed me with open arms doesn’t mean I’d ever wish harm to anyone. We are all God’s children, Mya. A fact some of the good people of Rixon seem to forget. Has he called yet?”

“I... no.” I shook my head, shame and embarrassment burning through me.

“If he’s worth your love, he will. And if he doesn’t, then you know he’s not.”

“He blames me.”

“No, he doesn’t. But sometimes, blaming someone is easier than accepting the truth.”

“I just feel like this is karma. That I’m paying my dues for leaving Fallowfield Heights and abandoning Jermaine.”

“Mya, Mya, Mya, for a bright, intelligent girl, you really are quite the fool sometimes. This isn’t karma. This is life. And life can be hard and messy and painful. You got out of Fallowfield Heights because you knew if you stayed, you’d end up hurt again, or worse. Ain’t no life for a girl like you there. Your mama knew that. Keelan knew that. And deep down, Jermaine knew that. Don’t ever feel guilty because you got out. Because you made the hard decision and walked away.”

“Why couldn’t he just let me go?” I cried, clinging onto her. “Why did he have to come back?”

“Because while you were strong enough to let him go, he was weak. Jermaine will pay for his sins, Mya. One way or another he’ll pay.”

Even now, it still didn’t make me feel any better. There had been too much hurt and pain.

“Your guidance counselor called,” Aunt Ciara said. “She’d like to see you tomorrow if you’re up to it?”

Drying my eyes with my sleeves, I nodded. “I should go back to school anyway.”

“That’s my girl. Don’t ever forget who you are and where you came from, Mya. Being born and raised in Fallowfield Heights is a part of who you are but it doesn’t define you.”

“Thank you, for everything.”

“For my favorite niece, anytime.” Her laughter made me smile. We’d had a rocky time recently, but when all was said and done, we were family, and no matter what happened, I knew she would be there for me.

“Hey,” I said as I walked up to Felicity, Hailee, and the guys.

“Mya, thank God.” Felicity enveloped me in a hug. “I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m okay.” I wasn’t, but I would be.

I had to be.