Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Imade sure to get to school early today and parked in my usual spot at the front so I could sit here and wait for her. I’ve ignored messages all morning from my friends. I don’t need to hear their shit nor do I want to answer the questions they’ll have if they find out I’m here this early.
When my phone rings, I almost send the caller to voicemail until I notice it’s my mum. I never send her to voicemail. “Hey, Mum.”
“Ares, where are you?”
“School. That place you insist I need to be,” I tell her.
“This early?” she asks, doubting my answer. I don’t lie to my parents. I never have. I’ve never needed to. There isn’t anything I can’t tell them.
“I had something to do. Did you need something or just miss your favourite child?”
I don’t really think my parents have a favourite child.
They show me and my little sister equal amounts of attention.
Although, lately, it’s mostly on me because Cara decided she wanted to go off to some boarding school in another state.
And my parents let her. Apparently, the school had the best art program in the country, and at sixteen, Cara is already planning on being the next big name in the industry.
I admire my sister’s drive and passion. I’ve never had that kind of enthusiasm for anything.
“I wanted to make sure you’re going to be home tonight. The family is coming for dinner,” Mum says.
“The family? Everyone?” I groan. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. They’re just… a lot to handle when they’re all together.
“Yep, everyone. I expect you to be here, Ares,” Mum says.
“Sure,” I reply mindlessly, watching where Zara has pulled in on the other side of the carpark.
There are a few other cars, and students are starting to walk around. Zara pulls her visor down. She wipes at her face, under her eyes, and then I watch her put some drops into them.
“Mum, why do you think someone who has everything they could ever want could be sad a lot?” I ask.
“Are you sad, Ares?”
“No. It’s hypothetical,” I say.
“Is it your sister?” Mum presses.
“No, Mum. Just curious,” I tell her.
“I don’t know, Ares. Sometimes something happens to people and it can make them depressed. But sometimes, people suffer with depression and there is no reason for it.”
“How do you help someone who’s depressed?”
“Other than showing the person that you’re there for them, I would highly suggest professional help. There isn’t a lot you can do, Ares,” Mum says.
“Right.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
My eyes are still trained on the inside of Zara’s car. Something flickers, a flame, and then I see exactly what she’s doing. Smoking. Little Zara McKinley is smoking. What the actual fuck?
“Yeah, I’m good. I gotta go.” I climb out of the car and head in her direction.
“Make sure you’re home tonight, Ares,” Mum says.
“I will be. Bye, Mum. Love you.” I cut the call and pocket my phone. Zara doesn’t notice me approach. She really should be more aware of her surroundings.
Opening her passenger side door, I jump in and close it. As soon as I do, it’s obvious she’s not in here smoking a cigarette.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I snatch the blunt from her hands, bringing it to my mouth and taking a drag.
“I was enjoying that. Why are you in my car? And I want that back.” When she tries to reach for the joint, I open the door and throw it outside the car. “What the hell, Ares!”
“Why are you getting high at eight in the fucking morning, Zara?” I get it. I’m being hypocritical, but I get high because I like it. I don’t think Zara is smoking for the same reason.
“I don’t have to answer to you. Now, get the hell out of my car!” she screams.
“No.”
“What do you mean no? Get out, Ares, now.” Her voice gets louder, and a couple of students walking past look our way.
“You’re causing a scene, P.” I smirk. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks around here. But I know her, and I know she cares.
“You’re causing a scene, Ares. Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Pestering. I don’t need or want another father. The one I have does the job just fine,” she says.
“Really? Does he know you’re getting high before class? Wonder what Daddy would think about that, P.”
“Go ahead. Call him. Tell him. And I’ll be sure to tell him how much you’re bothering me. I’m certain his pigs could use some more protein.” She smiles at me.
It’s no secret what her father does at his ranch. My family has taken advantage of it over the years. There is no way Mr McKinley is turning me into pig food, though.
“I’m not scared of your dad, Zara.”
“Then you’re a fool,” she says.
“Are you?”
“A fool?” She shakes her head. “No.”
“Scared of your dad?” I’m digging. I want to know what the fuck happened to her, why she’s so fucking depressed all the time.
“Why would I be scared of my dad?” She looks confused.
I shrug. “Some people are afraid of their parents.”
“Right. Well, nice chat. Let’s not do this again,” she says, opening the door.
“Wait.” I reach out and grab hold of her arm. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t cower, nothing. She just looks… unaffected by my touch. But then I see the sharp intake of breath and the blush creeping up her neck. Interesting. “Why are you smoking weed?” I ask her.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s eight in the morning?” I remind her.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere,” she says.
“That’s not an answer. Why?”
“Why do you care?” She tugs her arm free and gets out of the car. “Leave me alone, Ares,” she says before slamming the door in my face.
I’m out and following her. It doesn’t take long to catch up. I throw my arm around her shoulder and glare at the assholes I notice watching her. A possessiveness washing over me that I’m not going to think too much about right now.
“I care because you’re family, P. And if something is wrong, I can help,” I tell her.
She pauses and looks over at me with her nose scrunched up. “We are not family.”
“Maybe not by blood, but our families are connected and you know it.”
“We’re not that close,” she insists.
“Wanna put a wager on it?” I ask her.
“What kind of wager?”
“I win, you have to tell me something about you no one else knows.”
“And if I win?” She quirks a brow.
“You won’t.” I pull out my phone and put the outgoing call on speaker.
“Ares?” Mum answers.
“Hey, Mum, can I bring Daniel to dinner tonight?” I ask.
“Family dinner, Ares, no.”
“What about Spencer and Constance?” I try again.
“Ares? Are you okay?”
“Fine, Mum, so can I bring them?”
“No, it’s family dinner,” she repeats.
“Okay, cool. I won’t bring them. Can I bring Zara, though?”
“Zara McKinley?” Mum clarifies.
“That’s the one.” I smirk at the girl currently glaring back at me.
“Of course, she’s always welcome here,” Mum says. “I have to go. Is that all you wanted?”
“Yep, I’ll let Zara know she’s coming for dinner,” I reply, pocket my phone, and look to Zara. “Told you, family. You owe me.”
“That doesn’t prove anything. It just shows that your mum likes me more than your dipshit friends.”
“Who’s the dipshit?” The question is followed by laughter as Spencer and Constance stop next to us.
“You apparently,” I tell Spence.
“Not you.” Zara points to Constance as she shakes out from under my arm, which was still resting around her shoulders.
“Clearly. Come on, these guys are cramping my style.” Constance loops her arm through Zara’s.
“You want to keep your hands working? Then keep them to yourself!” I call out. Constance responds by giving me the middle finger.
When I turn back to Spencer, he’s glaring at me, his head tilted. “I don’t care what your last name is, or that you’re my best friend. You threaten to hurt my sister again and I will fucking kill you,” he says.
“You can try.” I laugh.
I know he would too. I’ve never had a reason to cross Spencer, but I don’t like seeing Constance’s hands on Zara. I don’t even know if Zara is into chicks. I don’t care.
This jealousy is foreign. It’s making me irrational.
I have absolutely no claim on the girl. I don’t think I even want her.
I want to help her not be sad, but that’s because I’m a good fucking person and seeing her sadness breaks me.
I want her to be happy. I want her to enjoy everything this life has to offer her, which is a fucking lot.
That has nothing to do with me wanting her.