The Failing Hours Quotes

“The best part of me is you, Violet.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“I scowl. “What are you laughing at?”
“You trying to be nice.”
“I’m not nice.”
“That’s why I say trying.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“They say the bigger the man, the harder they fall. Well this is me letting you fall, Zeke. I can’t be there to catch you; I’m not strong enough to catch us both.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“But you’re not jaded—not like me. I’m a beautiful mess.” Rough thumbs tenderly stroke my cheeks. “You’re just beautiful.” His”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Soon she’s going to have me holding babies and volunteering with old people, I just fucking know it.
Whatever.
I’d do it.
I’d do it just to see those eyes of hers light up. I’d do it because when her small, slender body is pressed against mine, mine lights on fire. I could get used to these feelings, could get high now that I know how fast my heart beats when she’s near.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Dude, let’s be honest, you’re going to be a horrible boyfriend. Like, the fucking worst. You’re already off to a shitty start.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Shit, I don’t know what the hell I’m saying. Violet is turning me into a fucking pansy. I used to be a hard ass, and now I’m talking about feelings and all that other bullshit. Soon she’s going to have me holding babies and volunteering with old people, I just fucking know it.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“I’ve had time to recover and grow and move on with my life, but—I never do. Never. What I’ve done is adjust. Bend. Amend. Change. Learn to live without the things I once had. That’s what you do when you lose people you love. They say that once someone dies, they’re always with you in spirit; it’s something I know to be true, because I feel my parents every second of every day. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. It only hurts less.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Isn’t it wonderful that he’s so excited to meet you, Zeke?” She smiles, eyebrows rising a fraction…gives her head an encouraging little nod up and down until I hear myself saying, “Yes?” The kid does a fist pump. “I’ve seen all your home games, and last week at Cornell?” His voice cracks with excitement. “Holy shit man, that pin on JJ Beldon was sick! Seriously sick. My friends and I lost our minds.” Violet nudges my arm gently with a smile on her face. “Thanks?” She pats my arm and— Wait just one damn minute. Is she…is Violet coaching me on how to be nice? Her hand is still on my sleeve and I look down into her pretty, upturned face. Down at her bold, dark lips. Her huge eyes and long lashes. All that pale blonde hair. She’s a damn wet dream. Fuck me.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Her blonde hair is a wild, sexy mess. She isn’t hating me right now; I can see it in her eyes. I trust you. I twist the top off the milk and pour the mug full, muttering “Fuck,” when some spills over the side. Her laugh is sweet. “Want help with anything?” “I got it. You relax.” What. The. Fuck. Am. I. Saying.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“like my privacy; I want my privacy. I want Kyle gone. I want my bed and to be in it by myself. “Kyle is sleeping peacefully. There’s no reason for me to stay. Are you sure you don’t want me to leave?” “Only if you want to; there’s no rush.” “Where are your roommates?” “No idea. Probably with Jameson.” Mental groan. “Who’s Jameson?” “The nerdy girl my roommate is dating.” Then I hear myself add, “If you don’t want water I can make you some hot chocolate or something. It’s motherfucking cold out.” Shut up Zeke. For fuck’s sake, shut up. Violet smiles shyly, tripping up on her speech. “S-Sure, I can do a quick hot cocoa. That sounds toasty and delicious.” Toasty. I have a girl in my house that says shit like sounds toasty.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Your hair is a rat’s nest,” I put in helpfully. Summer, who appears at our side, rolls her eyes and shoots me a hostile glare. “You’re not supposed to tell girls they look like rats.” “First of all, I said her hair is a rat’s nest. I didn’t say she looked like one—there’s a big difference. Secondly, since when do five-year-old kids roll their eyes at grownups?” “I’m seven.” “Whatever kid. If you keep doing that, your eyeballs are going to get lodged inside your skull—permanently.” Summer gasps. “No they won’t!” “Try it and find out,” I intone cryptically. The kid gives me another scowl so deep I have mad respect for her. “Nuh uh.” “Yuh huh.” I raise my black brows. “It’s true.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Do I look like I care if you’re hungry?” “No. You look like a giant butthole.” “That’s because I am a giant butthole.” Jesus Christ, did I just call myself a butthole? How low toward this kid’s level am I going to sink?”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Get all the sorrys out? Jesus Christ, who the fuck is this chick? “Knock yourself out,” I rumble, leaning back in the chair and balancing on the back legs, crossing my arms as Violet takes a deep breath. “Go. Get it out.” “Sorrysorrysorrysorry,” she expels in one long breath. Then, “Phew! That felt great!” Even I, hard ass that I am, have to admit that was pretty darn cute; I nearly crack a smile. Almost.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Sor—” Violet bites down on her bottom lip, a nervous giggle unintentionally escaping her lips. “Shoot, I-I almost did it again, didn’t I?” Then. She smiles. My eyes, goddamn them, go to those curved glossy lips and rest there as she tries not to grin at me. Brilliant white teeth wink. Big, virginal doe eyes crinkle at the corners. She’s like a fairytale caricature. Like a pixie. So endearing it almost makes me want to barf.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“I don’t know why anyone considers grabbing a dude’s nuts through his jeans sexy.” I blink down at her. “Unless it was you. You can grab them any time you want.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“I know she’s selfless, but only to a point. Kindhearted. Quiet. Inexperienced. Stronger than either of us recognize. Too goddamn trusting. Too goddamn sunny for my gloom and doom. Too light for my dark. Too good for my bad. Too everything.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“That’s fine. I’ve been fighting for better my whole life. One scared man-child isn’t going to stop me from finding it.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Do you put perfume on this shit? It’s like pussy crack.” Oh”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“don’t know, because I’m an idiot, remember? I think I freaked.” Admitting that out loud makes it that much worse, because clearly, the more self-reflection I engage in, the more I’m convinced I’m actually just a giant pussy, not the badass I originally thought. It’s sobering.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“My taste in women is simple: one-night stands. Not someone you’d bring home to your parents. Women with dark hair. Blue eyes. Disposable.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“surprising strength, this optimistic flower rises up from the ground, turning its petals toward the sun. It breathes life into all in its presence. Bright. Radiates happiness. Colorful petals and resilient roots. The sunflower gives others the encouragement to seek joy, even on the gloomiest days. Celebrate your power; it grows from that ever-positive light within you.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“I might be a douchebag, but I’m not a quitter.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours

“Ethereal. Sweet, like she showers in flowers, rainbows, sunshine and shit.”
― Sara Ney, The Failing Hours