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CHAPTER 26
Elijah held her against him. He’d scarred her. Left her broken… ‘damaged’ her, as she was saying…
“I’m sorry, Star. I’m so damn sorry.”
Starlight stared up at him but said nothing.
“I did what I thought I had to do,” Elijah said.
This time, she frowned then confusion appeared in her green eyes.
“What… What are you talking about?”
“I should’ve said this to you a long time ago… I should’ve looked for you and let you know why I did what I did… to you…”
“Elijah… I don’t understand… You’re not making sense…” Starlight told him slowly.
“Star, I… I hurt you when I should have fought for you,”
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“Okay, dude,” Edward said, “tell us what the hell did you do… We’re here for you… So, start talking…” Elijah took a deep breath.“Remember our breakup?” he asked.“The one where you were basically catatonic for a year?” Edward asked. “Yeah, good times… Fun times!” Elijah flipped him off.“That was a hell of a long time ago.” Jeremy crossed his arms over his chest.“I know we were kids, but I really loved Starlight. I mean… she was my everything. Losing her was a nightmare. I believed we were forever. It felt like it would be. But if you love someone like that, you have to put them first, right?”
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The next day, Meghan came over and helped her weeding through her old things. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. There were three large boxes that she and Meghan tackled together. But there wasn’t much. Mostly pictures and keepsakes gathered from before her father had left them. Nothing from her high-school years, or her life with Daniel… They hauled the boxes onto the front porch.“I can call James…” Meghan offered. “My brother has a truck.”“No, Megs… After what I did at the party... I can’t keep leading your brother on.”“Girl, you just kissed him under the mistletoe,” Meghan said, nudging her. “I didn’t see tongue, or groping…” Starlight laughed.“Be
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Elijah woke to Christmas songs, laughter, and singing. It took a minute to understand where he was… He groaned… This was Starlight’s bed, alone, covered in blankets. A shout of laughter made him grin. Starlight and Meghan, from the sounds of it. He kicked back the blankets, ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and glanced at the clock. Elijah covered his face with his hands and groaned again… It was almost 6:00 p.m. He had an hour before he needed to be at the station. Elijah turned on the bedside lamp and stretched. It had been a long time since he’d slept a solid five hours without waking. It made sense that he’d done it in Starlight’s bed. It was the one place he could truly relax and just… breathe. He glanced around the room, taking in the many changes made by her and Meghan. The pom-pom and trophies were gone… The walls were bare. Even the curtains had been pulled down. Swallowing hard, Elijah remember
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Starlight turned the moment Meghan was entering the room. Her face was pale. “Aunt Hazel called…” she whispered. “Elijah?” Starlight asked, already knowing the answer. Meghan took her hands. “He’s okay, sweetie.” “What happened?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Don’t freak out, okay? He was stabbed…” “What?! No!” Starlight yelled. “He’s in stable condition.” Meghan hurried to the door. “Where is he?” Starlight asked. “Saint Croix Hospital…” she said then paused. “But... EJ said for you not to come.” Starlight frowned. “Oh…” “I need to take Aunt Hazel. She can’t drive on the ice, too jumpy,” Meghan replied, hugging her. “I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.” “Okay,” she whispered, feeling numb. After closing the door, Starlight stood still, like a statue. The man she loved was hurt… But he was stable enough to tell her not to come. Starlight hugged herself, hating how cold she felt. “If he doesn’t want me there,
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Starlight stretched, feeling all sorts of aches and pains. All of her right side was covered in bruises. She groaned, going limp against the sheets. Everything ached. “That’s gotta hurt,” Elijah said, standing in the doorway. “It does.” “I brought you something.” Elijah sat on the edge of the bed, offering her some pain pills and a glass of water. “God… Best present ever.” She sat up and took the pills, aware that his eyes were fixed on her bruises. “I know it looks bad…” He winced, shaking his head. “You were extremely lucky. Unless your car…” Starlight wanted to reach for him. She loved the concern that creased his face. And hated herself for it. She’d lied to him last night. And she would keep lying to him. He didn’t need to know she was coming to him. Or that she loved him. Or that the way she felt, how overwhelming it was, scared her. She didn’t want to be scared… to hurt. Seeing his face in the hospital room,
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Starlight finished cleaning up the cups of cocoa, empty bowls of popcorn, half-eaten cookies, and candy cane wrappers. Meghan busied herself straightening the pillows and putting the television cabinet back to rights. And Elijah was asleep in the recliner in front of the fire. He’d dosed off halfway through the movie and had been snoring softly ever since. Every time Starlight brushed past him, she hesitated. “Are you ready for tomorrow?” Meghan asked. Tomorrow… California… Going away… She hoped, with time and distance, she could finally let go of Elijah. She couldn’t exactly start over if she was holding on to the past. “Not quite.” “What time is your flight?” Meghan asked again. “Seven thirty,” Starlight answered. “On Christmas Day?” Meghan frowned. “You could have waited.” “I didn’t know how depressing this year would be,” Starlight admitted, sitting at the kitchen table. “Not as bad as you thought it would be?” Meghan suggested.
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Starlight smoothed her hands over her hair and straightened the tie on her sweater. Her skintight black pencil skirt, clinging cream wrap-sweater and tall black boots hadn’t been the most practical traveling outfit, but it had definitely drawn a lot of attention her way. Hopefully, it would have the same effect on Elijah. He’d been right all along… They really needed to talk. And even though she’d shut him down, Starlight hoped he’d give her another chance… Being vulnerable was something she avoided at all costs. And Starlight was nervous as hell. The last five days had been good for her but not great. Kara had been a truly generous host and friend, showing her the sights of San Diego, the coastal beauty, and the friendly people. There’d been a lot of laughing, a lot of drinking, and too many late nights talking about what they wanted out of life. Starlight hadn’t wanted to bring up Elijah. But Kara had asked.“‘Talk to me about him… I’ve been dy
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When they arrived on floor seven, Elijah brushed past her, eager to get to his room and take a very cold shower. But Starlight followed him down the hall until he reached his room. She went around him, to the door next to his.“Well… Looks like we’re neighbors,” she said, smiling his way. He nodded stiffly, trying not to think about the fact that she’d be so close. His hands fumbled with his card key, dropping it. Starlight smiled and disappeared into her room.“Dammit,” he growled, picking up his key and resting his forehead on the hotel room door. She’d gone off to California and hung out with firemen? And did tequila shots? And who knows what else…! And then she came back wearing… what she was wearing. Elijah adjusted himself, his erection pressing against his already fitted pants. He tried his key. It didn’t work.“What the hell…” He tried again. Still nothing. Elijah punched the wall.“Dammit!” he bit out, then stared at her door.
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