“Me neither. Let’s check out the next shop.”
We left and Renzo stayed behind with Alura.
Do you think Renzo’s an ally or setting a trap? I asked as soon as we we’d passed a couple buildings.
I’m not sure, but dropping my guard would be too risky, Zack said.
Let’s get out of here, I said. He makes me nervous.
Hopefully, we’ll see them tonight at Bill’s Bean and Brew though, so they can witness our breakup. He steered me to my car.
† † †
That evening, as Zack and I cruised through the driveway of Bill’s Bean and Brew, I caught a glimpse of Renzo and Alura already seated at one of the wrought-iron tables. After parking, we picked a table where we’d be easily seen. Zack didn’t want the werewolves to miss the show. Moments later, Maya and Trevor arrived.
“Hey, Alura.” Maya flashed her a smile. “Did you have a good time last night?”
“Sure, after I dumped my date.” Alura grinned, then took a sip of the steaming liquid from the paper cup. “It was a nice crowd.”
“Did you find anything you liked in any of the shops today?” I asked, trying to keep a slight distance so she couldn’t catch my scent as easily. With my increase in strength, in theory my scent should follow.
“No,” Alura answered. “It’s a great little street though. I’d love to come back around Christmas. You all know my uncle Renzo?”
“Nice to meet you,” Maya said. “I’m Maya.”
“Hey.” Trevor gave him a man nod. “Trevor.”
“A pleasure to meet you. Thanks for taking such good care of Alura last night.” He took a sip of his coffee and switched to silent communication. Any sign of Charles?
No, Zack answered.
Renzo observed us while Zack pretended not to notice. Maya made small talk with Alura while I eyed Zack from under my lashes. He met my gaze, lifted one brow a fraction of an inch, and I remembered why we were there. I dreaded Maya’s disappointment to our breakup. Worse, I wasn’t looking forward to the werewolves witnessing my humiliation. Most of all, I knew I was losing Zack in some small way.
Remember, anything I say means nothing. He rested a hand on my thigh and squeezed. Do it.
“I know she’s pretty Zack,” I raised my voice slightly. “But you think you can stop staring for just a few minutes?”
Zack glanced at me. “What do you mean?”
“First you dance with Gina, then you stare at the new girl.” My voice grew louder. “I’m not enough for you?”
We had Maya and Trevor’s attention, the werewolves riveted.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Zack narrowed his eyes.
“Zack, of all the things you could have done, dancing and flirting with Gina was the worst. And if you could take your eyes off Alura for just a minute, you’d see what a jerk you are! I mean, did you think I wouldn’t notice? Or did you think I’d be totally fine with it?”
“Autumn, you’re paranoid. I’m not interested in either of them.” Zack slammed his cup down and caramel liquid sloshed over the rim.
“Yeah.” I stood, reaching for my purse. “That’s what Daniel used to say. At least if you admitted you were staring, maybe I could get over it. But the fact that you’re denying it only makes me lose faith in everything else you say.”
Zack rose too, grabbing my wrists. “Autumn, don’t do this. Sit down and we’ll talk about it.”
“I can’t be with a guy I don’t trust.” I shook my head. “I’m not mad, Zack. I just think maybe this was a mistake and we’re better off as friends.” I switched to Trevor. “You’ll drive him home?”
Trevor nodded, stunned into silence. Maya stared at me, eyes wide and mouth slightly parted.
“I’ll see you guys at school tomorrow.” Spinning away, I bolted toward my car without looking back at Zack, my friends or the werewolves. I hit the clicker before I passed through the parking lot. When I reached for the door handle, Alura had moved in front of the door, blocking me from getting inside.
“Autumn, I—”
“You’re really pretty and he’s a guy. Can’t blame him, right?” I forced a smile, waiting for her to step aside so I could get in my car.
“There’s nothing going on between us. I swear. I’m engaged and even if I wasn’t, Zack doesn’t interest me in that way. Besides, I could never crush on a guy who has a girlfriend.” She rested a hand on my arm, her eyes pleading.
“That’s no longer an issue.” I sighed, shaking my head as tears burned the back of my throat. It felt like we’d broken up for real. “It doesn’t matter. I like him a lot, but things were easier when we were just friends. This isn’t your fault. Really.” As if the whole thing wasn’t traumatic enough, now I had to console the girl who’d broken us up.
“Okay. But it’s a shame, that’s all,” she said. “He obviously cares about you.”
“The real shame is starting something we shouldn’t have. I need to go.” I nodded pointedly toward my car door.
“Oh, sorry.” She moved aside. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah. ’Bye.” I flung the car door open, scrambled in and peeled out of the parking lot.
When my car hugged the curb outside my house, my fingers still trembled on the steering wheel. As if in a trance, I let myself in through the front door, hung up my coat and keys, then sat on the couch and stared at the wall.
Should I wait for him to call or should I just show up in his room?
Are you okay? Zack asked me from wherever he was.
Not really. You?
Trevor and Maya are taking it hard. Trevor thinks you’re being hormonal. Says you’ll calm down if I give you some space. But Maya isn’t speaking to me anymore. Right this second, she’s demanding that Trevor spend the rest of the evening talking some sense into me.
It didn’t slip my notice that he hadn’t answered my question. I’d asked about him, not Trevor or Maya. Wasn’t he freaked out at all? I hope they don’t start having problems because of us.
Me too. I really don’t like lying to them this way.
Was that all that bothered Zack? He wasn’t the one who had to do the dirty work and upset his friends by acting like a jealous psycho. It’s good practice for lying to your mom and Cara.
Yeah, but we don’t have to deal with that tonight. Man, I’m not looking forward to tomorrow.
What about tonight? Was he looking forward to me sneaking into his room or did he not care anymore? Me neither.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens when all the guys at school realize you’re on the market again, Zack said. And when I say interesting, what I really mean is annoying. Are you coming over?
I wanted to let him stew in it since the whole unpleasant thing had been his idea. But I couldn’t. I needed to see him. When do you want me? Seconds later, his answer still hadn’t come. Zack?
My head swam with pain and a hint of nausea crept up my throat at how real our fake breakup felt. To distract myself, I darted upstairs to take a shower.
It wasn’t just Zack that upset me, but Maya too. She’d interrogate me tomorrow and once the news spread through school, everyone would be whispering. Gina would gloat, of course.
Sorry, Zack said, while I was scrubbing with suds in my hair. Maya was saying good-bye to Trevor, but she had to scold me first. We’re heading home now. Let me know when you’re on your way.
I will. I closed my eyes and the warm water rolled over my face, rushing past the threatening tears.
Breakups sucked.
~~~
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, I woke to Zack’s lips nuzzling my neck. My eyes fluttered open and I met his gaze with a sleepy smile.
Today, everyone finds out about the breakup, he said. And then we’ll meet here tonight, right?
My smile faded. It would be more than twelve hours from now before I could be alone with him again.
Just remember it’s not real. Zack’s f
ingertips caressed my skin as he swept up a lock of my hair and gently moved it away from my face. We’ll be fine.
The bed creaked as he rolled over on me, hooking a hand under my thigh. My greedy fingers hungrily sought his bare skin and raced up his back, pulling him closer. Our lips touched and he released a shaky breath, then he growled and rolled off me. You’d better go before we’re too weak to move.
And that was a bad thing? Oh, right. Of course it was. I shook my head and the Zack-induced lust-trance began to fade. Not all the way though. Forcing myself out of his bed, I muttered a quick good-bye, morphed into a tabby cat and scurried out his window.
† † †
Once I found a parking spot at school, I dialed Maya’s number. After my fake spat with Zack at the café, she had to be dying for the scoop. Maybe even crazy-worried about me. I’d been too wrapped up reminding myself the fight wasn’t real that I’d completely neglected calling my best friend. I should’ve let her know I was okay. Some BFF I was.
She picked up after one ring. “Hey, Autumn! Where’ve you been?”
“Home. I needed to be alone. I’m sorry for not calling you.” The lie stung but I knew I had no choice. “Just got to school.”
“We can talk in a minute. Zack’s about to pull in now.”
Of course. Now that he wasn’t driving around with me in my Mustang, he had to repossess his Jeep that he’d let Trevor use. Maya and Trevor got to drive with Zack, but I couldn’t. A pang of sadness just about swallowed me whole. Only a few hours and I’d be with him again. I could do this. Zack, what did you tell Maya?
I told her you were fine and she didn’t need to worry. That we talked on the phone last night and agreed to be friends.
And she bought that? Just then, I spotted the old, red Jeep rounding a row of cars.
She will when you confirm it. Zack turned away from his passengers to shoot me a smile as he slid the Jeep between a car and the chain link fence.
I gave him a half smile, feeling a little awkward and uncertain. How were people supposed to act as only friends after being so intimate just that morning?
Maya strode ahead of Trevor and Zack and ushered me into the ladies’ room without giving me a chance to say a word to Zack. She ducked to check under the stalls for feet, before grasping my arms. “I called you a million times yesterday. What happened? How are you?”
I dug into my purse for my cell and scanned the missed calls. The last four were from her last night. “Oh. I forgot my phone in the car, then stuck it in my purse this morning without looking at it.”
“Seriously?” Maya gave my arms a gentle shake. “You broke up with Zack. I’ve been worried out of my mind.”
“I’m sorry.” It seemed backwards to be apologizing to her when I was the one who’d just lost my boyfriend.
“Thought you really liked him.” She exhaled noisily. “Why don’t you look upset?”
“Numb, I guess.” I shrugged and checked my face in the mirror, even though I knew it didn’t need anything. “Him dancing with Gina was too much. Then Alura last night. I can’t do that again, be with a guy who isn’t totally into me. You know?”
“Yeah, but he was totally into you.” Maya tilted her head. “I was so sure of it.”
“Maybe things were getting too serious and he got scared. Whatever. I’m actually relieved.” I gave her a smile, which was a million times brighter than my mood. I really hated lying to my best friend.
Maya rolled her eyes. “So long as he doesn’t start dating Gina, I’ll deal.”
I shrugged. “He’s not my problem anymore. Let’s get to class,” I said before I gave in and spilled the whole scheme to Maya.
† † †
John snuck peeks at me during fourth period like he knew something was up, but when the bell rang, he said good-bye and rushed off to meet Janine for lunch. Thankfully, he wouldn’t be interrogating me about Zack.
At the entrance to the cafeteria, I quickly located Maya sitting with Zack and Trevor. I wanted to sit with them, but anyone else who knew we’d broken up would get confused if I sat at his table. I compromised and sat on the other side of Maya where I had only a partial view of my “ex.”
I was about to say hello to him, but lost my chance when Maya asked me about my after-school plans. Maybe she’d noticed how uncomfortable I looked and was trying to distract me. A couple minutes later, though, Trevor captured her attention and I was back to feeling the awkward silence.
How’s it going? Zack asked the second Maya turned to her boyfriend.
I took a bite of my sandwich since we could easily talk telepathically with our mouths full. Okay. And you?
Just fine. You did a good job with Maya, huh? You were pretty convincing.
Of course he would’ve been listening to Maya and me in the bathroom earlier. But why did he seem irritated with me? I did exactly what he’d asked me to do. It was the right thing to do to keep us safe — what he wanted. I glanced at him and he looked up from his sloppy joe, zero emotion on his face except… was it just my imagination or was there a hint of the old Zack who had thought so little of me when we’d first met?
Isn’t that what you wanted? I asked.
Yes, but...
What?
It’s a little scary, that’s all. You’re very good at lying. He took a sip of his juice, then set it back down as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Zack was right. I’d been very persuasive in getting Maya to believe me, but demonstrating Zack’s unworthiness hadn’t been difficult since he had danced with Gina and he had been looking at drop-dead gorgeous Alura.
Our lives are at stake, Zack. Would you have been happier if I’d done a crappy job?
Never mind. I’m sorry I brought it up. He stared at the food in his hands.
Sorry because he regretted ever getting involved with me? Or sorry he was being such a jerk? Acting like I was upset with Zack wouldn’t be so hard after all.
I had no business sitting with him, which only made it all so much more uncomfortable. I gripped my food tray. Maybe I’ll sit with John and Janine.
He’d already taken another bite of his sloppy joe without looking at me. It’d be more convincing, wouldn’t it?
Ouch.
“I’ll see you later, Maya,” I told her and walked away.
When I sat my tray next to John, across from Janine, all eyes at the table were fixed on me.
“Hi.” John stared at me cautiously, like he was bursting with curiosity, but didn’t want to upset me.
“Hi.” I gave him a weak smile — it was all I could muster.
“What’s up?” Ashley asked.
“Zack and I broke up. We agreed to be friends, but it felt a little weird over there.”
Trying not to notice their shocked faces, I took another bite of my sandwich. After a long silence, I set my food down and looked at John, then Janine and Ashley. “What’s the big deal? People break up all the time.”
“Well, yeah,” Ashley said, setting down her fork too carefully. “But we weren’t expecting it from you and Zack. You seemed so happy.”
I sighed, not wanting to go through all the details. I mean, geez, I wouldn’t want to upset Zack by lying too well, did I? “We were, until he danced with Gina at prom. Didn’t any of you see that?”
“He danced with Gina? Are you kidding?” Janine scowled. “What a creep.”
“And last night, we went out for coffee and there was this girl there.” I looked at each of them. “You know that girl who was sitting at our table on prom night?”
Janine gasped. “Oh, no. Did he hook up with her behind your back?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “But he couldn’t take his eyes off her. It reminded me too much of Daniel, so I got mad and broke up with him.”
Ashley patted my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” I felt dirty for lying to my friends and that yucky feeling permeated my skin, seeping into my bones. Worse, Zack had to be listen
ing and I wasn’t totally sure anymore where he and I stood. I wanted to go home and bury my head under my pillows.
I ate the last bite of my sandwich and checked my watch. “I want to get to my next class early. See you guys later.”
Stopping in the bathroom, I rooted through my purse for my makeup bag, finding it just as Gina walked in.
“Hi, Autumn.” She stood beside me and smirked at my reflection in the mirror. “Heard Zack dumped you. Too bad.”
Ah, she’d come to gloat over the news that traveled very fast. “You’re welcome to him if he’ll have anything to do with you.”
“Poor Autumn.” She gave me a sympathetic look, which quickly turned smug. “When I asked him about our science project this morning, he suggested we get together tomorrow night. In private.”
I’d known Zack and Gina had Lab together, with a project due soon. It’s not like he could blow it off and get an F. He had no choice but to spend time with her, which would likely involve working on it outside of school hours. But Gina made it sound like a date. I knew it wasn’t but… Zack had seemed awfully irritated with me during lunch. Maybe the strain of keeping up pretenses was already getting to him and he realized our relationship wasn’t worth the trouble.
Gina gave me a smug grin, spun and sauntered out. My temples throbbed and I worried I might puke. Checking the other stalls to confirm they were empty, I squeezed my eyes shut, leaned over and gripped the sides of the sink. Breathe in. Breathe out.
My limbs felt strange, like that moment just before I morph when I’m not quite comfortable in my own skin. I took a few more deep breaths, willing the tiny tremors in my body to subside.
My next class was English Lit with Zack. I didn’t want to see him again so soon, especially after he’d made plans with Gina. Mr. Hagar had a test last week so there was a good chance I wouldn’t miss much today. Leaving the bathroom, I headed straight to the nurse’s office. Since I’d never been sick at school, I’d never met the nurse. She turned out to be an Asian woman and I towered over her tiny frame.
“I’m not feeling so good,” I told her.
“Autumn Rossi, right?” she asked. I nodded, wondering how the staff learned the names of every single student, even those they’d never met. “What are your symptoms?”