When Faults Collide (Faultlines #1)

by Claire Granger

  When she turned eighteen, though, since she still held custody of Blake, nobody stopped her from walking out the door with him. She had told them she was going to a halfway house for young mothers, but she walked right back into the arms of her pimp, Blake in tow.

  “Does it make you angry?” I asked him softly.

  “Does what make me angry?” he asked me in confusion.

  “That she took you with her. Do you wish she had just left you in foster care, that you could have been adopted?” I asked.

  “It did. It’s one of the many reasons I was so angry when I was a kid, though I couldn’t really verbalize it then. Now, though...no, it doesn’t.”

  I bit my bottom lip and looked down before asking my next question.

  “Why did they do it? I ask myself all the time. Logically I know that maybe she really didn’t have any options in Kolkata. But the emotional side of me... I just don’t understand why our mothers put us through it.”

  Blake sighed deeply. “I don’t know for sure, Asha. Nature? Something biological...primal? We were their children and they had to have us with them, in their minds. The fact that they were in such bad positions wasn’t really their fault. At least, I don’t think it was. My mother was a victim. I don’t know the entire background of your mom, but it sounds like she was too. I can’t blame her for being brainwashed and running back to that scum bag with me anymore than I could blame you for having flashbacks.”

  I made a small smile before my eyes met his. “How did you become such a good guy?”

  He chuckled softly. “Not on my own, to be honest.”

  He reached over and stroked my hair and we sat in silence.

  Later that evening I galloped down the stairs, my sweater dress flouncing from side to side as I went. I went into the kitchen to make a latte and found Blake sitting at the dining room table reading from his Kindle.

  I leaned down and kissed his cheek before making my way into the kitchen.

  As I went to walk past him to head back upstairs, he reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me into his lap.

  I giggled and then leaned in for a kiss, which he reciprocated happily.

  We sat there making out like love-struck teenagers when, all of a sudden, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

  “You should move in,” I said, then covered my mouth quickly, once I realized what I had said.

  His head tilted to one side, then he pulled off his glasses and set them on the table.

  “Do you really want me to?” he asked, searching my eyes.

  I reached down to play with the buttons on the front of his shirt, then bit my bottom lip and nodded.

  His eyes and expression went from worried and searching to elated.

  “Well...okay then,” he said before picking me up and carrying me upstairs.

  I squealed and giggled the whole way up before he kicked the door closed.

  Chapter Twenty One

  “Second base. That’s what it’s called, right? We made it to second base before we both couldn’t go on,” I told Katherine and Lily while sipping a latte.

  Lily had started accompanying me to see Katherine every other week because of her specialization in human sexuality. She had recently come to the conclusion that she wanted to become a therapist and had already enrolled in an Master of Social Work program that was set to start that spring. Because of the closeness of our relationship, and her background, Katherine agreed to let her come bi-weekly so that we could chip away at what they called our “intimacy issues,” while also giving Lily some good practice.

  The next step was to bring Blake once a month, but I wasn’t quite ready for that. We were totally happy in our bubble, “intimacy issues” and all. I wasn’t ready for that bubble to burst.

  “So, you were able to do this after deciding to move in together?” Lily asked, taking notes on a legal pad.

  I nodded, then glanced at Katherine to see if I could gauge what she was thinking.

  “Okay. So, other than the issues you guys have in the bedroom, which we will get back to in a second, have you had any other episodes since your major episode a month ago?” Katherine asked, tearing off a piece of a bagel as she spoke.

  I shook my head. “No. Not even anything close. I don’t get it, Katherine. Granted, I had avoided major issues, but I’d had anxiety in crowds and minor episodes all the time before. Why did it just stop?”

  “Lily, I’m going to let you give us your thoughts before I give mine,” Katherine said before glancing in Lily’s direction.

  Lily chewed on the end of her pen and stared off as if deep in thought.

  “Has anything else changed in you and Blake’s relationship since then?” Lily finally asked.

  I nodded and then took a sip before replying. “Yes. We tell each other more things in detail.”

  “What things specifically, dear?” Katherine asked.

  “Like, about our childhoods. We don’t just give the broad picture; we talk about specific memories and situations. It’s more in-depth.” I said.

  “Really?” Katherine and Lily asked at the same time before looking at each other. Lily wrote down a few more notes.

  “Okay. So, I think that your PTSD—” Lily started.

  “My ‘episodes,’ please” I said, hating the clinical term for my condition.

  “Right, your ‘episodes.’ Sorry. Your episodes have stopped because you are suddenly sharing very intimate details about your childhood and life with Blake. Details, I may add, you haven’t shared with anyone else, us included. You aren’t sinking into flashbacks and memories because instead you are sharing those things out loud. Essentially, you are dealing with them,” Lily said proudly, looking to Katherine for confirmation.

  Katherine nodded. “That’s exactly it. And as you do that, your trust in Blake is building. So, as your relationship and trust is progressing, your intimacy issues are resolving. And his too, apparently.”

  “Didn’t you tell me that we would either heal each other or ruin one another?” I asked her.

  Katherine nodded and then chewed for a second, internally debating her response. “I’ll be honest with you, dear. That’s still a major concern of mine.”

  I looked at her confused and questioning, then glanced at Lily to find sadness in her eyes.

  “What?” I asked them both.

  Lily reached out and held my hand. “You are finding healing in each other. We both think that’s wonderful. We also both worry what would happen if you two were to break up...if it didn’t work out.”

  “Why wouldn’t it work out?” I questioned.

  Katherine grabbed my other hand. “We aren’t saying it won’t. Some relationships don’t though, and we just want to make sure this healing that you are experiencing is healing you, and not just you with Blake as the caveat.”

  I slowly pulled my hands out of theirs as I leaned back in my chair, pondering their words.

  “We aren’t...oh, what’s the word...? Codependent. That’s the one. We aren’t that. We spend a lot of time together, but we still have our own interests and things that we do. He doesn’t control me; I don’t control him. We are just...happy. That’s all. Can a relationship not just be happy? Does there have to be more tragedy in our lives? I’m sorry, but I think Blake and I have had enough tragedy. We are ready for our happy ending now,” I said firmly.

  A tear slid down Lily’s face, which she quickly brushed off. And damnit if Katherine didn’t look like she was about to join in.

  What in the world?

  “You love him,” Lily squeaked before another tear fell down her face.

  I sat stiffly in my seat. “I don’t know. I care very deeply about Blake, and he me. We haven’t put a title on it yet.”

  Katherine cleared her throat, apparently trying to compose herself. “Well, when you do, you let us know,” she said, winking.

  Lily gasped as if she just had a thought. “Wait...what’s Blake going to do about his place?”


  “Sell it,” I answered, a slight playful glee in my eyes. “If only we knew a buyer interested in our area...”

  Lily bounced in her seat a little as she squealed. “I’m telling Tom! It’s done. Tell Blake to give me his realtor’s number so I can give it to ours. Done deal.”

  I giggled. “I figured as much. Here you go,” I said sliding the number across the table to her.

  She picked it up like it was precious metal and held it to her heart.

  “So, anything planned for the rest of your day, dear?” Katherine asked, gathering her stuff to end our session.

  I nodded, taking the final sip of my latte and slipping on my coat, which had been hanging on the back of my chair.

  “Yeah. I’m meeting Amy and Dave tonight,” I said, while slipping my scarf over my head.

  “His foster parents?” Lily asked while standing.

  “Yeah. Really though...they’re his parents. I mean, biologically no, but at the end of the day...he is who he is because of them. He calls them mom and dad. Legal adoption or not...they’re his parents,” I said, grabbing my bag from the floor and making my way towards the door with them.

  Katherine nodded. “I agree. Well, have fun. Call me if you need me, but otherwise I’ll see you next week.”

  I hugged both of them and made my way to my car, Tweeting as I walked.

  Asha Harris

  @AshaGirlRVA

  Meeting the ‘rents tonight. It’s getting real, folks. It’s getting real. #BoyfriendProblems

  I shivered as I climbed in and started my car, Howie Day playing quietly through the speakers.

  I smiled as I listened to the words of Collide and thought how appropriate it was and how much it made me miss my guy.

  I decided to shoot him a text before heading home.

  Hey mister. Howie Day is making me miss you.

  Damn him! :)

  He responded almost immediately.

  Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find that you and I collide. Miss you too, Beautiful.

  I hadn’t even said the song.

  How did you know which song?

  I put my car in reverse, ready to get on the road, when it dinged again.

  Two reasons. One, that song always makes me think of you. Two, I’m stalking you on Spotify literally as we speak. :)

  I giggled.

  After I just told Katherine we weren’t codependent you go and Spotify stalk me. Tsk tsk, mister. ;)

  I drove home in a few minutes and walked up the stairs towards our front door. My phone dinged right as I unlocked the door.

  Turn around.

  I turned around and saw Blake walking up the front stairs. I grinned immediately and leapt into his arms after he got onto the porch.

  He laughed and swung me around, setting me down to kiss me softly on the lips.

  “Hey, mister,” I said playfully.

  “Hello, madam,” he said, feigning a very formal tone before leaning in to whisper, “Is this like...role playing? Because that might be totally hot.” He waggled his eye brows.

  I pushed him playfully in the chest and then turned to walk inside.

  “What time do we need to be there?” I asked, slipping my boots into the basket.

  As he pulled off his Converses he answered, “Around six. Amy is overjoyed to finally meet you, by the way.”

  I hung my coat on the hook above the basket and then looked at him nervously.

  “What if she, like, asks me things?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “I’m sure she is going to ask you things. You are the first girl I’ve ever brought home. There will be a bit of an inquisition.”

  I laughed nervously. “Right, but...questions about my past?”

  His eyes met mine with understanding before he answered. “You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to. However, you may find yourself sharing more than you think. Amy has that way with people. For now, all she knows is that we have similar backgrounds, and that I’m crazy about you.”

  “Well, I don’t know about me suddenly oversharing, but I do know that I’m pretty crazy about you, too,” I said before leaning up for a quick kiss.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  A little while later we were dressed and heading out. I had gone for a more casual look, at Blake’s request, and sported black skinny jeans, a coral top with a tan cardigan and tan boots.

  Blake was in fitted jeans and a Halo tee with, of course, his Converses.

  We drove over the bridge hand in hand and made our way into Westover Hills. This was a blend of middle and upper-middle class neighborhoods in south Richmond. It was beautifully landscaped and close to a lot of the big parks.

  We turned onto their street and pulled into the driveway. They had a small one level ranch with yellow siding and a huge yard. It looked like a pretty typical house, with bikes parked in front of the front porch and a box of what appeared to be toys sitting next to the door.

  We got out and Blake took my hand as we started walking towards the door.

  Suddenly the front door opened and a woman burst down the stairs and practically tackled Blake with her embrace.

  “Ahhh!” she squealed happily, “my sweet boy! I’m so happy you’re here!”

  She pulled away as Blake laughed.

  “Hi, Mom,” he said happily.

  She turned to give me the once-over. She was a curvy, shorter woman, much younger than I was expecting, with brown hair falling in soft curls over her round face. Her hazel eyes narrowed for a moment as if inspecting me and then she grinned and opened her arms for an embrace.

  “Asha, right? So happy to meet you, honey!” she said, pulling me towards her.

  I was a little taken back by her excitement and very bubbly personality. I was expecting her to be more, I don’t know... matronly?

  What the heck did I know?

  “Hi,” I squeaked.

  She pulled back and stroked my hair as she turned to Blake again.

  “Well, she is gorgeous,” she said with a wink before turning to head back inside.

  As we made it to the door, a short pre-teen boy with dark skin ran right through us as he was being chased by another boy, who looked only slightly younger. They tackled each other in the yard, laughing.

  “Marcus! Quinn! Get your butts back in this house right this instant and you better say sorry to your brother and our guest!” Amy scolded them firmly.

  Ah...so there was the tough no-nonsense mom Blake warned me about!

  The boys obediently stopped roughhousing, straightened their clothes, and walked towards us.

  The older boy held out his hand to me. “Hi. Sorry about that. Marcus Green.”

  The younger boy reluctantly followed suit. “Sorry. Quinn Green.”

  I shook both of their hands and smiled.

  Blake hugged them and they made their way in the house, with us finally following behind. Blake leaned in and whispered, “Sorry. It’s a little nuts around here.”

  I smiled a small smile and squeezed his hand reassuringly. Truthfully, it didn’t feel nuts. It felt warm. Home-like.

  He led me inside to what was like a great room: one large room, open-concept, that housed the kitchen, living, and dining room. Both modern and traditional furniture was spread throughout, the walls covered with art and photographs of all the kids.

  I smiled and walked over to see all of the the pictures of Blake as a younger kid.

  “Wasn’t he always so handsome?” Amy asked me, stepping next to me and looking at her giant wall of photos.

  I nodded. “Still is.”

  Amy laughed and then made her way towards the kitchen.

  “Can I get you something to drink, Asha? Please make yourself at home. Really.”

  “Water would be great, thanks.”

  Suddenly I heard shrill screaming. Not upset screaming; happy screaming.

  I saw two young girls with dark skin, their curly hair pulled into little puffs, both appearing about the same age as the bo
ys outside. They were running towards Blake.

  Blake opened his arms and greeted their tackling embrace.

  This was a hugging family, that’s for sure.

  The older girl, so petite with a babydoll like face, turned my way and smiled.

  She walked towards me with her hand held out. “Peyton Green.” She said with a smile.

  The younger one, also petite but absolutely stunningly gorgeous, followed behind before flashing a million dollar smile and holding out her hand. “Aspen Green.”

  I smiled and took their hands, introducing myself.

  I looked between all four kids, the boys sitting on the floor in front of the TV playing Xbox, and the girls standing in the foyer with Blake.

  Amy must have seen me looking between them.

  “Two sets of twins,” she said, popping a carrot stick into her mouth as she added carrots to a roasting pan and slid the pan into the oven.

  “Oh. Are you guys all...oh...nevermind.” I didn’t want to use the “politically incorrect” words for anything, so better to just be quiet.

  “Yeah, we’re all brothers and sisters...biologically.” Quinn said from the floor.

  “Oh, okay,” I said, not certain whether I should ask any more questions.

  Amy walked over to the sofa and sat down, indicating a spot on the other sofa for me to sit.

  I walked over and sat politely, still feeling a little unsure, like I wasn’t sure what was okay to ask or say.

  “No need to be nervous,” Amy said with a smile as she handed me the glass. “We’re an open book...and we don’t bite.”

  “Most of the time!” Marcus quipped.

  I giggled and felt more comfortable immediately.

  “So two sets of twins? That’s pretty intense,” I said casually.

  Amy nodded. “Yeah, when they were little...it was pretty intense. It becomes your normal though. It’s all we know. A house full of kids.”