Chapter 009: Echoes of the Past
1418 Words
~SAFFRON~
The lounge had snapped back to life around me, but Jason’s absence hit like a vacuum, sucking the air straight out of my chest. His touch still lingers on my wrist. Those ice-cold blue eyes that scream betrayal won't stop flashing behind my eyelids. And that kiss—the way he had kissed that girl—keeps replaying in my head.
And I wonder, what difference does it make? Why am I obsessing over every move he did tonight?
I thought he and I could start fresh. I really did. But now I’m almost certain there’s no hope of that happening. Because aside from being arrogant, Jason is very controlling.
So whatever this ache in my chest is… it’s because I’m beginning to get used to the fact that we're step-siblings. That’s all. It’s normal to feel like I made the wrong choice staying behind with a guy I literally just met instead of leaving with my step brother. And it’s also normal to feel like I did the exact right thing—like I'm letting him know he doesn’t get to control me.
But then again… there’s every reason to question Elixir’s intentions now. Like, was it a coincidence he found me on that balcony? He clearly knows Jason. And whatever unresolved s**t between them that exploded in the lounge.
We’d stepped out of the penthouse a few minutes ago after Elixir sweetly apologized to me, for the scene he and Jason had created. When I asked him if he knew I was Jason's step sister, he’d led me down to his car so we could talk about it privately. Not forgetting that the auburn-haired girl shook her head at me before she walked away from the lounge—her expression twisted. I’m probably overthinking it.
But who even is she? Jason’s girlfriend? Ex-girlfriend? A friend?
“I swear on my life that I didn’t know you were his stepsister,” Elixir says, looking straight at me from the driver’s seat, pulling me from my thoughts. “Didn’t even know he had one,” he adds.
The front doors of his car are opened, and the beat from the penthouse pounds low in the background, if I care to listen.
“I was surprised when he stormed over,” he continues. “I only realized he was the stepbrother you mentioned when he wanted you to go with him. I asked you if he was your stepbrother, remember?”
I sigh and then nod. I’m inclined to trust Elixir. He sounds so genuine. He’s been nothing but decent and nice to me, and I can’t deny the connection on that balcony felt real.
“So what happened between you two?” I murmur. His throat works. “That wasn’t nothing back there.”
He looks away, head dropping back against the seat as he puffs out a breath. His eyes move like he’s deciding how much to say.
“Jason and I…” He starts. “We go way back. He was my best friend.”
A quiet gasp escapes me.
He meets my eyes again. “While we were still friends, we played on the same hockey team.” He gives me a second to process before continuing. “Jason thought I was jealous of him. Everyone thought so. Even now, the rumors are still floating around. And I don’t blame them.” he sighs “Jason’s perfect—the best hockey talent I’ve ever seen. He balances academics and social life like it’s nothing. I’m… sort of the opposite, you know.”
Elixir runs a hand down his face, and for the first time tonight he actually looks sad. It tugs at something in my chest.
“But you mentioned you played hockey,” I say.
“Play,” he corrects with a painful little chuckle. “I still do. Just not as good as Jason.” He exhales. “We stopped being friends when he chose to believe the rumors over me.”
My stomach twists as he speaks, imagining the fallout.
“What rumors?”
“That I was planning to overthrow him as captain… and that I made him not participate in a tournament.”
My shoulders tense, my skin prickling at the thought of how betrayed Jason must have felt when those rumors reached him. But why would he choose to believe them over his best friend? It doesn't make sense.
“I'm proper gutted about it still,” he says, and the hurt is right there in his eyes. “No one believes the second best guy when the first best is standing right there. Yes, I was once jealous of him.” He admits, and I swallow a lump forming in my throat. “I'm only human, Saff. But I didn't let my emotions get the best of me. I would never have betrayed my best friend.”
He drags in a deep breath. “That’s what happened between us. And I’ll quite understand if you have doubts.”
I stay quiet, processing everything he's said.
I want to believe him, but I can’t do that. Not until I hear from Jason. Yet again, what's the point in caring?
“Saffron, please… say something.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper. It's the truth.
He nods, accepting it. His hand finds the steering wheel. “Do you… Do you want me to take you home?”
“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
He smiles faintly.
The drive is completely silent. A thought keeps circling though: why would I trust him to take me home safely if I didn’t believe at least some of what he said? I glance at his scar again, tracing its faint line under the passing streetlights.
When we pull up to the mansion, the little doubts I have begin to fade away. Elixir knows how the house security works, exactly where to park. The second we step out of his car, he looks completely comfortable, like he’s been here a hundred times before.
“Thanks for the ride,” I tell him.
He nods, and then I turn to leave, noticing the big living room light turned on—Jason’s home. It’s the only explanation.
“Saffron.” Elixir calls, and I face him. “One last thing.” He steps closer, but doesn't say anything. We stare at each other for a long time, and I'm wondering what he wants to tell me. “I would prefer you hear it from me"
My breathing grows shallow.
“I shagged around.” He drops it like it’s nothing. “With girls. A lot,” he explains further.
My stomach drops, eyes widening as doubt floods back in. “Oh.”
If there's a tiny place in my heart that wants us to hang out again, I’m not so sure about it now.
“But not anymore. I've changed… I—I am different from the person that I was.” He says quickly, catching the doubt flash across my face. “It’s the truth.”
“Okay,” I murmur, looking down at my feet.
“Jason was only being protective of you because of my old reputation. You should know that. I would do the same if I were in his position.”
He’s right. I was annoyed when Jason didn’t look after me like his father had instructed, and the second he finally did, I pushed him away. If only he’d been nice about it.
I rub at my shoulders, a weird feeling crawling over my skin like I’m being watched. I glance up at the mansion windows—a curtain twitches. But there's no shadow. No sign of anyone. No sign of him. But the chill lingers still.
“Thanks again for the ride.”
Elixir waves it off. “Don’t mention it.”
I look at him one last time. “Goodnight, Elixir.”
“Goodnight, Saffron.” he sighs, shoving his hands in his jean pockets. “I really hope we get to see and talk again soon.”
I smile at his words. And as I walk toward the main door, I think… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to hang out with Elixir again. He’s as open as a book, and I really enjoyed talking to him tonight. But a pull in my chest warns me not to dive in too fast; after all, Jason's protectiveness might stem from something deep.
- Writer
