“I know what you’re thinking when you look at it, that I didn’t fit in, and I didn’t, but my aunt and uncle weren’t unkind.

He doesn’t meet my gaze, just stares at the photo. He’s a proud person I can tell by the hard, set planes of his face right now. I could say, You look lonely, and if I’d been there, I’d have been your friend, but I don’t. I look up at him, my eyes skating over the chiseled face that looks like nothing could ever penetrate the surface. His hands are clenched tight against his legs, as if he’s holding himself as still as possible. His eyes…they’re squinted with a faraway look, his face flat. The little girls are sweet, their faces round and adorable-but Blaze stands apart from them, just a little. His uncle must be the man with his arms around a petite lady holding two babies in her lap while an older child hugs her leg. Worn out sneakers are on his feet, but it’s his face that gets to me. He’s wearing a baggy blue dress shirt and high-water jeans that show the edge of white socks. It’s a family portrait with him as a skinny boy, tall for his age even then. They’re a mess.” His lips curve up as if he’s thinking of them in particular, and I suck in a breath, afraid he’ll turn that megawatt grin on me. “I was eleven here, I think, and had only been with them for a year.

He reaches back, pulls out his wallet, and shows me a picture. “My dad’s brother and his wife raised me.” They’d both been in and out of jail for one thing or another.” A resigned look settles on his face. “I was ten when it happened, old enough to know everyone in the whole town despised them. My dad lingered on life support for several days until my uncle pulled the plug.” His mouth twists. He closes his eyes, unzips, then calls out… | “Ava.I shake my head. He looks in the mirror and drags a finger down the jagged scar on his face. You’re hiding in a tub at the biggest party of the year when he walks in.Īnd your boyfriend’s bestie. TikTok video from Ilsa Madden-Mills 'Ah, Ava and Knox! #❤️💔🙌 (TW for SA)#romancebooktok #emotionalromancereads #kindleunlimitedromance #sportsromancebooks #romancebooks #bookboyfriend #romancebooks #newadultromancebook #romancebook #newadultbooktok #footballromancebook #enemiestoloversrecs #booktok #romancebooks #youngadultromance #collegeromance #angstyromance #enemiestoloverstrope'.

Ah, Ava and Knox! #❤️💔🙌 (TW for SA) #romancebooktok #emotionalromancereads #kindleunlimitedromance #sportsromancebooks #romancebooks #bookboyfriend #romancebooks #newadultromancebook #romancebook #newadultbooktok #footballromancebook #enemiestoloversrecs #booktok #romancebooks #youngadultromance #collegeromance #angstyromance #enemiestoloverstropeģ5.5K Likes, 151 Comments.

I Hate You by Ilsa Madden-Mills