CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE #2
And when there’s a parking space directly out front, I know what I have to do.
Darting across traffic once more, I pull into the space and come to a stop before they’re down the front steps, calling out as I exit the car. “Blair.”
They both turn, and while neither are happy to see me, it’s the venom in Blair’s expression that really stings.
“Are you kidding me?” she snaps, shaking her head. “I’m going to kill her.”
“Who?” Nathan asks, confused.
“Jenna.”
“Why?” I challenge, ignoring her glare. “Because she cares?”
“Go away, Zane.”
Not possible. I slam my door shut and chase after her, standing tall when Nathan steps in front of me. “Move out of the way, asshole.”
“Not a chance. She told you to leave.”
“And if I’m not mistaken, she just walked out on you.”
“That’s not what happened.” Nathan clenches his fists, but a moment of doubt crosses his face.
Blair jumps between us, the fire in her eyes making me smile.
“Lose the smirk, Zane. This isn’t the time.”
“You don’t even know what I’m smiling about.”
“It doesn’t matter, but I can guess.”
“Is this fucker bothering you?” I ask, waving to Nathan.
“He’s my bo—” She stops abruptly and Nathan winces. “You’re bothering me, Zane. I want you to leave.”
“No.”
“No?”
“I tried. I did. But fate had other ideas.”
Blair groans, the frustration clear in the way she holds her entire body. “You and this stupid fate idea. Nathan, can you go inside? I’ll be there in a minute.”
Nathan’s eyes light up and I actually pity the fucker. “Are you sure?” he asks, giving away the fact that things aren’t all rosy between them. Though I didn’t need this interaction to know that.
“I’m sure.” Blair forces a smile. “Zane’s leaving. Aren’t you, Zane?”
“Nope.” I continue to stand my ground.
“Zane.”
“I can’t believe you ever liked this asshole,” Nathan interjects and my lips curl. Keep talking. Give me a reason to deck you.
“Please, Nathan, go.”
“Not until he does,” he grates and my hands ball into fists.
“Do as she asked, before I make you.”
He turns to Blair as though waiting for her to scold me.
“Please, Nathan,” she asks again, her tone soft, her eyes boring into his until he gives in and walks away with a huff.
“I can’t believe you like that asshole,” I mock, imitating Nathan as I wait for him to disappear out of sight. “What a soft cock,” I mumble, borrowing the term from Luke because it seems quite fitting.
“A soft cock?” Blair scoffs. “That’s a new one.”
“I think it’s Aussie.” I shrug.
“Okay. So what? He’s a soft cock because he did something I asked him to do?”
“Nope. He’s a soft cock in general.”
The hint of a smile graces Blair’s lips before she wipes it clear off her face. “Why are you following me?”
“I’m not. I was driving past on my way to the airport.” With her hands folded over her chest, Blair hits me with a look that screams bullshit, and I laugh out loud. “I’m surprisingly not lying. I was at Bo-Bo’s. It’s just around the corner. Great food, by the way. We should go there.”
“What? I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Yeah, you are. One day.”
“God, you’re insufferable.” Her nose flares and I’d feel bad if I wasn’t so desperate to spend time with her. “I have to go.”
She turns to leave but I grab her arm, spinning her to face me. “What did he do? You were pissed off when you were leaving.”
“It’s none of your concern, Zane. Please go home. Stop forcing fate.”
“That’s not what this is. And you know it.”
She sighs, running a hand through her curls. “I have to go. Please don’t follow me again.”
“I can’t promise that. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
“Why? Why is it so hard for you to let me live my life the way I want to?”
“Because you’re not happy, B. You may think that you’re hiding it, but you’re not.”
“Then don’t look.”
“What?”
“Don’t look. If you leave me alone, you’ll be none the wiser.”
I huff incredulously. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?” If it was that simple, I wouldn’t be in LA now, would I?
“Of course I do.” Blair shakes her head, her frustration growing. “You disappeared from my life once; you can do it again.”
“B—”
“No. You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why? Because he’s here?” My eyes flash to the door, and I swear I see movement behind the semi-frosted glass.
“I don’t mean here here. I mean LA. You shouldn’t have come back. My happiness is not your concern.”
“Your happiness is the only happiness I have ever been concerned about. I’d choose your happiness over my own. Any day. You know that.”
Blair sucks in a breath but recovers quickly. “I knew that once, but it’s different now.”
“Not to me.”
“Prove it.” The door opens and a group of guys walk out, instantly recognizing me. One of them pauses, but he must see something in my expression, because he whispers to the others, and they move on without comment.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“Prove it,” she repeats, her hands on her hips, her expression unwavering. “Walk away, Zane. Walk away now and don’t look back.”
“I’ve done it before. I can do it again. If it’s truly what you want.” I call her bluff but I’m lying. “The thing is…I don’t think you do.”
Blair stares at me deadpan, her eyes void of emotion, hoping I’ll believe the lie about to pass through her lips. “It’s what I want.”
“Fine. But I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” Her gaze flits to the building, and she knows what I’m about to ask.
“Promise me you’ll listen to your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t stay with him. You deserve better.”
“You don’t know anything about our relationship.”
“Maybe not. But I know you. And I can see the doubt reflected in your eyes.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Okay. Well, if that’s not reason enough, how about this? No one will ever be good enough for you. Least of all him.”
Blair’s throat bobs but her expression remains stoic. “And I suppose you are?” she challenges, thinning her lips, clearly expecting me to say yes.
“No. Not even close.”
Her lips part but before she can say anything else, Nathan opens the door, waving for her attention.
“You better go before he explodes.” I roll my eyes, a sinking feeling settling in my gut. “Please remember what I said. I’ll be seeing you.”
Turning to leave, I’ve only taken a step when she calls out after me. “No, you won’t, Zane. You won’t be seeing me. This is goodbye.”
I grin to myself, waving over my shoulder without looking back, my lips curling into a soft grin. “We’ll see. Night, B.”