Chapter 7 - Ezra
As I settled into a familiar rhythm and started on cardio, running on one of the new machines in Zoe's gym, it felt good to use professional equipment and be in the place she cared about so much.
I wanted to believe I was getting a solid workout in solely because I was just feeling especially focused, but I had the feeling Zoe had a great deal to do with it, even if she wasn't there.
Knowing how much love and care she put into the twenty-four-hour facility made it feel even more special, and I was happy just to be there.
Between hanging out with Sebastian and bringing Zoe back and forth whenever I had the chance, I was sure I'd be spending a lot of time there.
Even if it was nice to get lost in my workout in Zoe's facility while Sebastian was busy hitting the punching bag nearby, it was a difficult reminder of everything.
Not just for roping her into the mess with my parents but also for what happened in the past. What I did to her and how I treated her despite knowing just how badly it would hurt her.
I had been completely heartless to her, and honestly, I didn't deserve to have her help with convincing my parents to leave me alone.
Yet, she agreed anyway, and while I was sure the arrangement wasn't easy for her, I was grateful for the help.
Running gave me an excuse to zone out, and I was glad it continued as I slowed the machine to a stop and eventually got started lifting weights.
A few others were working out around us, but luckily, we found ourselves in a more private corner and had the luxury of taking up the space.
After a few sets, losing my concentration to thoughts about Zoe and how to convince my parents that we were serious, Sebastian's eyes were on me.
He grabbed the punching bag to stop it, then leaned against it as he caught his breath with a fairly quick recovery.
"All right, what's bothering you?"
I silently cursed myself for making it obvious and not paying better attention.
I didn't feel like getting into everything, but knew I'd have to bring it up anyway. If Sebastian heard rumors that I was engaged to Zoe without me letting him know first, he'd kill me.
Playing it cool, I continued with my reps and took a deep breath. "My parents."
I caught the look of surprise in Sebastian's expression, and I knew why, of course. It was no secret that I rarely shared anything about my life with the guys, let alone my past.
It was a weak and difficult period for me, and rather than letting my vulnerability show, I did my best to suppress it.
But over the last few months, I have been connecting more with Sebastian, and I find it easier to open up to him, even if it has mostly been about small things.
As his gaze lingered on me with a sense of curiosity and support in it, he seemed to test the waters a bit. "What about them?"
Aware that he knew nothing about my parents or my past, I knew I had to start from the beginning and explain everything.
"My mom and dad are an alpha and luna pair, and as a kid, they expected a lot from me," I started, continuing my reps to push down the pain that came with opening up. "They pushed me to my limits and were more abusive than I could even realize at the time. I ran away when I was old enough and didn't look back. It was the best decision I ever made for myself. While I struggled, I eventually met you guys and established my own pack. I haven't seen my parents in years."
Sebastian took my words in with quiet respect, nodding occasionally. He lifted a brow. "I'm assuming that has changed recently."
I nodded. "They stopped by the other day to drop a complete bomb on me, telling me they had arranged an alliance with another alpha. They promised him I'd marry his daughter when she became of age, and of course, that recently happened."
A look of surprise overcame him. "So, they showed up to collect you to fulfill your end of a bargain they never told you about?"
"That's right..." I mumbled, pausing my set, then shook my head in disbelief. "You should've heard how they told me...how they expected me just to give in and agree."
"What did you tell them?"
I scoffed. "That I wanted nothing to do with some alpha and his daughter, who is almost half my age."
"No doubt."
Letting go of a huffed breath, I continued curling the weights. "Of course, they didn't want to take no for an answer, so they're sticking around until I change my mind. Which won't be happening, by the way."
Sebastian snickered, though it lacked any genuine amusement for my situation. "I don't blame you at all...that's a terrible deal and a ridiculous expectation for them to have. You're your own man...and an alpha, for Christ's sake. Nobody should be pushing you around like that."
Nodding, I huffed. "That's what I tried to say."
On the same page as me, Sebastian shook his head and reached for his water bottle, taking a generous mouthful. "What's your plan then?"
Sighing, I put the weight down, aware that it was time to stop avoiding the nitty-gritty of it.
"This is going to sound crazy, but hear me out," I began, giving him an almost pleading look, still somewhat guarded about it.
He cocked a brow at me, far too curious to not hear it then. "All right...what is it?"
I had come to rely on Sebastian's friendship, and no part of me wanted to ruin it. But still, I had to tell him, and it was already too late to back out.
"During the opening day, my parents showed up, and my dad's beta was hitting on Zoe, so I made it seem like we were...engaged. They didn't seem completely convinced, but it got them off my back at least," I explained, rushing my words more than usual to get them all out before he could blow up on me. "Since it helped us both, the two of us came to an arrangement. While my parents are sticking around, we pretend to be together. I thought I'd tell you before you heard something about it in passing."
Sebastian looked surprised, to say the least, as he blinked back at me. He was quiet for a moment as if trying to come up with the right words to say. Then, he let out a bark of laughter.
I was certain my shocked expression had mirrored his previous one, caught off-guard by his amusement. But considering that he was laughing instead of losing his mind on me, I figured I'd take it.
"You two managed to exchange enough words actually to come up with a collaboration like that?" Sebastian mused, chuckling to himself still. "You two are constantly at each other's throats...how the hell did that happen?"
Somewhat sheepishly, I huffed out a breath and shrugged. "Desperate times?"
"You must've been desperate to recruit Zoe's help, but if your parents are as bad as you said, then I can imagine why you'd be willing to put your differences aside," he continued, considering the idea more. "Still, I'm surprised she agreed."
"Same here."
It was true that Zoe had no real reason to help me, and her agreeing to the whole thing seemed unlikely. But she did, and I owed her more than I cared to admit because of it.
Sebastian shook his head, still snickering. "If it gets your parents off your back, then whatever works. Good luck appearing convincing, though. You're not exactly her favorite person."
Even though it was a good thing he thought so, the idea still sent a sharp pain through my chest.
For a brief moment, I had half the mind to inform him that didn't used to be the case. At one point, I had been at the top of her list. She wouldn't leave me alone most days, not that I complained, and Zoe would've done nearly anything for me if I asked.
We had something, but I crumbled under the pressure—the idea of Sebastian hating me for seeing his younger sister.
It felt almost ironic how he seemed accepting of our arrangement but only under the guise of it being fake.
Regardless of our past, I resisted the urge to say more and kept those details to myself.
I didn't know when I'd be ready to tell Sebastian about the times I hooked up with Zoe. Disclosing the fake engagement was hard enough, but saying anything more would be akin to torture.
If I did, I could say goodbye to our friendship completely.
Keeping my mouth shut brought a heavy burden of guilt, but I had to do it.
"I guess we'll see what happens," I murmured, returning to my reps as Sebastian wandered over to one of the machines, still chuckling his amusement about the whole thing.
I tried to focus as much on my reps as I could, but my mind was still on Zoe.
There was no mistaking how careful I needed to tread moving forward with her.
She may have been staying at my house, and the implications of our agreement were intimate in nature, but I couldn't let it become anything more than that.
I couldn't hurt her again and risk Zoe hating me and Sebastian too.
If he'd even let me live after, that is.