Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It’s been two weeks of Zara coming to these appointments with Dr Finn.
After the first two sessions, she started going in without me.
I wait for her in the lobby. I hate not knowing what they’re discussing, if she’s okay in there without me.
Zara insists she is and that she likes Dr Finn.
I also see her scribbling in that journal the doc gave her.
I’ve only found her crying in the library twice since she started.
Overall, her mood seems to be better. There are even times when I look at her and I can see a new light in her eyes.
It’s not as often as I’d like to see it, but I’m hopeful these sessions with the doctor are helping to dim the darkness that she’s constantly fighting.
I wish I could syphon her pain, take it on myself so she doesn’t have to feel it. If I could, I would. I want her to be happy, truly happy.
It’s Zara’s eighteenth birthday this weekend. Her parents have arranged a huge-ass party. I know she doesn’t want it but is going along with it to please them. Thankfully, my family is on the invite list. I would have crashed it if I wasn’t. No way am I going to miss her birthday.
I’ve also planned a trip, a weekend away. Just the two of us. She doesn’t know about that yet, and I’m debating if it’s better to leave it a surprise or tell her so she has time to think it over and decide if it’s a stupid idea.
Fuck, I’m going to have to tell her.
The door opens and my head snaps up. My eyes scan every inch of Zara’s face, looking for any sign of distress. She smiles and then thanks the doctor before making her way over to me.
I stand and meet her halfway. “How was it?” It’s the same question I ask after every session.
“Good.” And that’s the same response she gives me after every session.
“Are you okay?”
“Mhmm.” Zara nods her head.
Taking hold of her hand, I lead her out of the building and open the passenger side door of my car for her.
I’ve been picking her up and driving her to school every day since that night she called me upset at her father.
I’m sure she’s getting me to pick her up to prove a point to him, or to piss him off.
Whatever her reason for it is, I’m not about to say no to her.
I pull out of the carpark and look over at Zara. “Are you excited for your birthday?”
“I’m excited to finally be eighteen, not so much for the party. But you will be there so it’s not all bad.” She smiles.
“I’ll be there. I have plans,” I tell her. “For this weekend, after your party. Just the two of us.”
“Yeah? What plans?”
“I’ve booked a cabin in Hobart for the weekend.”
“Tasmania? You want to go to Tasmania for the weekend?” she asks.
“Yeah, it’s a short flight. I’ve already got the jet ready. If you want to. You can say no. It’s your birthday.”
“You really want to spend the entire weekend with me?” She looks surprised.
“Why the fuck wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. I’m a lot to handle,” she says.
“No, you’re not. I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather spend the weekend with. So, is that a yes? You want to come away with me?”
“Yes.”
I’m more excited for the weekend to come now.
When I get to Zara’s house, I drive through the gates, another new development on her part. “Thanks for dropping me home,” she says.
“I’d much rather take you home with me.”
“Your parents will get tired of me being there.”
“Never.”
“Mhmm, I need to go over some last-minute party things with my mum. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll pick you up,” I tell her before she has to ask.
“Thank you.”
I watch her go inside and then I drive out. It’s not until I get home that I find her journal on the floor of the car. I send her a text.
Me:
I’ve got your journal. You left it in my car.
Zara:
It’s okay. I’ll get it off you tomorrow.
Is she not worried that I’ll read it? There are no boundaries I won’t cross when it comes to knowing everything I can about her. I want to read what she’s been writing in here. I need to know. I need to see where her mind is at.
I don’t. Instead, I open the glove compartment, throw the journal in there, and close the door.
I’ve read her messages on her phone and tracked her GPS location.
But something is telling me reading that journal might be taking things too far.
I haven’t been watching her phone activity as much lately, not now that she calls and texts me.
She tells me when she’s not feeling great.
At least a lot more than she used to. There could be other thoughts she’s not telling me, though.
The moment I walk into the house, my father calls out to me. “Ares, get in here.”
I step into his office and find my Uncle Gio sitting on the sofa, my dad sitting opposite him. “Did you book the jet for this weekend?”
“Yeah.”
“What the fuck are you going to Hobart for?” Uncle G asks.
“It’s Zara’s birthday. I want to take her away for the weekend.” I sit down on the empty single-seater. “Is it a problem?”
“No, but you can’t just wander off without anyone knowing where you’re going to be. There’s shit going down and you need to be protected.”
“From who?”
“There are rumours a new family is trying to rise up. The Aslans. They’ve been small time for a while but now they’re getting more reckless. We had two of our restaurants hit with firebombs last night.”
“Was anyone hurt?” I ask.
“No, but we don’t know how cocky these bastards are going to get before we manage to wipe them all out. Just be careful. And I’m sending Aurelio and Roman to Hobart with you.”
“I don’t need those two assholes babysitting me.”
“It wasn’t a request, Ares. If you’re going away, so are they. Besides, you won’t even know they’re there. I’ve booked them into a nearby cabin.”
I shouldn’t be surprised my uncle already knows all the details about this trip. I also know if I want to take Zara away, I don’t have a choice but to go along with his plans for my cousins to be there.
“Fine,” I grunt.
“Does her father know she’s going to be away with you for an entire weekend?” Dad quirks a brow at me.
“I only just told Zara today. It’s up to her to tell her parents where she’s going to be.” I shrug. I have a feeling if she told her dad where she was going and with who, he’d probably lock her away and swallow the fucking key.
“He’s going to be pissed.”
“He’s already pissed she chose me.”
“Yeah, but you taking her away for an entire weekend? That’s only adding fuel to the fire. I can tell you now I wouldn’t want to be thinking of Cara disappearing with some punk-ass kid for a weekend.”
“I’m not doing anything Zara doesn’t want to do. I asked her if she wanted to come away. She was excited for the trip. I’m not going back on my word now.”
“I take it you’ve had the sex talk with him? He knows to wrap it before he uses it, right?” Uncle Gio looks to my dad for confirmation.
“Kill me now,” I groan.
“He’s not an idiot,” Dad replies.
I’m not. Zara and I haven’t gotten there yet, and I’m not expecting that from her this weekend either. Don’t get me wrong, I want it to happen. But I want it to happen when she’s ready for it to happen.
“Is that all you wanted? I’ve got homework to do.” I stand.
“Yep.” Dad nods his head.
As soon as I get up to my room, my phone buzzes.
Spencer:
I’m on my way over.
Dan:
Me too.
James:
Be there in fifteen.
Me:
See you soon.
My house has always been the hangout spot for my friends. I’ve been ignoring them lately, choosing to spend as much time as I can with Zara. Alone.
Three hours. That’s how long I’ve been sitting in the games room with the guys. I’ve had drinks and snacks spread out for them. Spencer and Dan are playing a game of pool, while James and I are sitting down taking bets on who is going to win.
“You excited for your girlfriend’s party?”
“How do you know about Zara’s party?” I ask.
“Got an invite.” James smirks. “Guess she likes me.”
“Fuck off.” I shove his shoulder. “She’s just being polite. It’s how she’s been raised.”
“Whatever. We all got invites.”
“Her father hates me enough without associating me with you degenerates,” I groan.
“Promise to be on my best behaviour. Think she’ll have hot, rich girlfriends from that preppy school she came from there?”
“No idea. I haven’t requested the attendee list.” I roll my eyes.
“One can hope,” James mutters.
“You seriously done with Cynthia?” I ask him.
“Done and dusted, mate.”
My phone beeps and I see Zara’s name pop up with a message.
Zara:
You free?
Me:
For you, always.
“I’ve got something to do. I’ll catch you all at school tomorrow,” I tell all three of my friends, who smirk back at me.
“You know you jump whenever she says so,” Dan says.
“And that’s a problem for you because…?” I press him.
“It’s not. I’ve just never seen you so hung up on a chick.”
“She’s different,” I tell him before walking out of the room. Zara is different. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love this girl.
My steps freeze. Holy shit. I love her. I’m in love with Zara McKinley. It makes sense. I guess I have been for a while, but now that thought is stuck in my head.
When her name flashes on my screen again, this time with a video call request, I answer it. “Hey.”
“I need help.”
“What’s wrong?” I look for my keys, ready to go to her.
“I have three dresses to wear to this party. I need you to tell me which one looks the best,” she says.
“Dresses? You need help choosing a dress?” I drop my keys and rake a hand through my hair. “You’re okay then?”
“No, I’m not okay, Ares. This is serious. I’ll be in photos, so many photos. I need the best dress.”
“Okay. Show me what you got.” I told her I would help her with anything. I guess helping her choose a dress for her birthday party is the anything part of that.
“Are you sure you’re not busy?”
“Nah, I wasn’t doing anything important,” I say as I jog up the stairs.
“Okay, thank you.” She smiles, and I swear I feel that smile in my soul. I want to see more of it.
“I like that.”
“I haven’t shown you anything yet,” Zara huffs.
“Your smile. I like your smile,” I clarify.
“Oh, thank you. Hold on. I’ll put the first one on.”
“I’ll be here,” I tell her as I sit on my bed and get comfortable.