by Simone Elise
“Cause Ryder is a dickhead and comes from a line of dickheads.”
“So what, he has brothers?”
“Can we stop talking about him?”
“Fine,” I huffed, throwing my pen down. “Not like I’m going to see him again anyway. Plus, if I did, it's not like a guy like him would go for a girl like me. He’s a purebred, and I’m a mixed-up mutt.”
“Referring to yourself as a dog?”
“You know what I mean.” I gave him a very sharp and pointed look.
I could almost feel the tension and anger build up behind me. Zane was pissed off, and I would know because he mightn’t be able to pick up my emotions, but I could pick up on his.
Being a mate that was freed had that ability so I might be invisible to him, but he was not invisible to me.
I would class plan A as successful.
Piss Zane off has been accomplished. A part of me was pleased, and I wanted to kill that small part of me that still cared, that he still had some screwed-up feelings for me.
“Hey, Allie.”
My eyes literally bulged, and my cheeks whitened. Suddenly I didn't feel that confident. I slowly turned to the side to look at Zane.
“Yes.”
“You good with this stuff?”
“What stuff?”
“History.”
“Well, it kind of wrote itself, so it’s hard to not know the facts.” I kept the bitch reigned in - just.
“Well, I suck at it. You wouldn’t be interested in teaching me some of the key points?”
Was he joking?
No, by the seriousness on his face and the look in his eyes he was serious. What had driven him to this? Was he seriously that jealous he would sit through lessons with me?
“Don’t know if that is such a great idea.” Blake leaned around me, his eyes zoned in on Zane. “Considering she hates your guts.”
One on one with Zane. I could get him back. I could plot and plot, and get the man back for betraying me.
“I never said that,” I piped up, grabbing Blake’s pointed hand and bringing it down to the table. “I wouldn’t do it for free.”
“I’ll pay.”
“Like fuck you will, have you lost your brains?” Ebony literally snarled at him.
“Keep your thoughts to yourself, Ebony.” Zane’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “So, we got a deal?”
If he still cared about me, I could torture him. Temptation was the devil’s favorite tool.
“Yeah, Zane. We have a deal.”
A deal that will seal your fate so I smiled at him because that boy had no idea what he was in for.
Chapter Forty-five
"Are you even listening to what I am saying?" My words were soft and inviting, hidden with a happy note, but I was playing this game like a professional.
Zane hadn't managed to take his eyes off me since I walked into the room. Literally, his eyes ran down my body twice as I had walked towards him. That would be down to what I was wearing.
"Um, yeah. Listening. All ears." He played with his pen and glanced at the blank piece of paper in front of him. "Just not big on notes that's all."
"Right," I dragged the word out. "Or I'm terrible at teaching."
"Nah, it's not you, sweetheart, it's all me."
Sweetheart. How could that one word be like a hot needle through my heart?
"Well, I think that's enough for our first session anyway. I don't know about you, but I'm over studying, and it's a Friday night. Sure you have a hot date lined up or a party or something." Words were just tumbling out my mouth, and they weren't stopping. It wasn't part of the plan for me to get tongue-tied.
"You mean more like you do." His eyebrows arched with curiosity.
"If a rerun episode of Mcleod's Daughters and popcorn counts as a hot date then, yep, I totally have one." I closed the textbooks.
The school library would be closing around now anyway.
"Well then, considering I've ruined most of your Friday night already, you wouldn't care if I made it up to you?"
"Oh, really and how will you make it up to me?"
"I've got the game at six but after that what do you say to a late-night tea if your mom doesn't mind of course."
I stared at him.
Blankly.
Zane Harris just asked me out on a date, I think. I had forgotten he played on the school football team. I had also forgotten that tonight was meant to be some sort of big game. I remembered walking past a few posters.
"Um, you won't have time after your big win."
"So, I have a supporter on my hands."
I smiled, and to my utter disgust, it was a real smile. "Maybe."
"Come on, come to the game?"
"I'm not really into football, anyways, you'll have cheerleaders there for you."
"Yeah, but they don't have your looks. Come on, I'm begging."
How could I let his smile still melt my layers of hate away?
"You'll be too busy with the game to notice who is in the stands so I could just say yes and not go, and you would never know."
He leaned in closer to me, "Trust me, I would notice."
I swallowed sharply. "I'll think about it."
His hand came down on mine, and my eyes ran up his perfectly tattooed arm, until I met his eyes.
"Game starts in an hour. Meet me at the side of the locker rooms at ten to. I've got something for you."
I arched my eyebrows. "Now you're just trying to get me there with the lure of presents."
"Never." He winked, standing up and grabbing his books. "I'll meet you at the game."
"Don't be too sure on that," I said over my shoulder as he walked away.
So, going to the game wasn't part of the plan, and neither was smiling at him or enjoying hearing I had his attention. I sunk back in the chair. I hated myself for admitting it, but I really wanted to know what he had for me.
But I had never attended a football game, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to start now.
***
I was stupid for being here.
It was hot, stinking hot, and, to top that off, I had no plan. Yep. That's right! I came here on his terms, and I didn't even have a plan.
I took a deep breath in and glanced at my clock. Five minutes to. I rounded the corner half expecting him to not be there but, once again, I was surprised.
Zane was leaning against the brick wall, staring across at the stands, looking more distant then I had ever felt.
His head snapped in my direction as I took a step around the corner.
"You came." His voice was coated with shock.
"Sorry I'm late."
A grin spread across his lips. "It doesn't matter. You're here now."
"Yeah, and you have to be on the field in like five minutes. Wouldn't your coach want you right now?"
"Doesn't matter. Um, here." He handed me a shirt, and I unfolded it.
It was the football team’s jersey.
"It's got my number on the back," he added.
My eyes bounced from the jersey back to him.
He scratched the back of his neck. "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."
Then a plan clicked into action - on the spot.
"No, I was just thinking it's too hot to be wearing two tops. Here, hold this." I handed the top back to him and reached for the hem of my tank top, pulling it off and over my head. "Jersey please." I put my hand out.
His eyes were wide with need and painted with desire.
"Um, Zane, jersey, before someone else walks around that corner."
"Um, right." He handed it back to me, and I slipped it on. I had to admit it was cool on my skin.
"Thanks." I grinned at him and took in more satisfaction at his shocked and utterly stunned face.
He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Taylor and a few of the players on the team came out of the changing room door.
"Ther
e you fucking are. You had Coach all up in knots thinking you had taken off." Taylor swung an arm around Zane's shoulder, completely missing the fact I was here. "Come on, the captain has to lead us on the field."
Zane disappeared into a crowd of players, and I took a few steps back to get out of their way.
Well, I had shocked him by stripping, but still I counted that as a win. The old Allie wouldn't have done that, then again, the new Allie wouldn't have either so maybe I was becoming an entirely different Allie altogether.
I frowned staring down at my feet.
Was that a good thing?
Then I felt something soft, warm and completely unexpected. My head whipped up, meeting Zane's eyes. My heart was pumping outside my chest. He had just kissed me on the cheek. Zane Harris had just kissed me.
"Stay for the game. I'll know if you leave." He gave me a foolish grin followed by a wink before jogging off, leaving me standing here like a star-struck virgin.
Zane Harris just kissed me.
And just like that, the little fucker had turned the tables on me because he had fired something back up inside me I couldn't turn off.
***
The sun had set hours ago, and only the lights surrounding the oval kept the parking lot alight. The game was over, and they had won. No surprise Zane kicked the winning goal. He performed like a star.
Even I had to admit it.
It was after nine, and I had stood in the stand for a while until people started leaving, and then I couldn't put it off any longer.
I was going to let Zane off his promise for a late tea. The guy had played a full game, and if I were him, I would want a warm shower and bed, not taking out a girl he didn't really have feelings for anymore.
***
ZANE
"Come on, just a couple of beers to celebrate." Taylor peeled off his top. "Come on, buddy, you won us the game. For God sake, come have a drink."
"Nah, got a plan. I'll see ya when I see ya." I had my bag packed and was already leaving. I still had a chance of catching Allie before she took off.
When I walked out of the changing rooms and she wasn't there, I knew she wasn't taking me up on my offer for tea. I broke out in a jog and scanned the parking lot.
Perfect.
Looks like she hadn't left yet.
"Hey, Winters!" I yelled and ran towards her retreating back.
She spun around, and those beautiful soul-sucking eyes were on me. "I thought you would be celebrating with your teammates."
I slowed down. "I would, but I kind of had plans with this girl. You might know her. She is kind of shy, has killer curves, and likes to strip in front of guys before a game to give him a heart attack."
Her lips cracked into a smile, and I never thought I would see her smiling at me again like that - ever.
"Well, hopefully she only strips in front of one guy," I added, pulling on her jersey, bringing her closer to me. "Cause I wouldn't mind a heart attack like that again."
Her cheeks slightly turned a shade of red. "I wouldn't call it heart attack worthy."
"Trust me." My eyes locked with hers. "It is."
"Hope I didn't ruin your game."
"Just drove me to want to impress you more, babe, which I must have because you stayed for the whole game."
She scoffed, "Come off it, Zane, I bet you don't even know where I was."
"Second stand, third row, six deep."
Her eyes widened. "You really did find me in the crowd."
"Told you I would." I leaned in closer, dipping my mouth to her ear. "It was hard to keep my eyes off you."
It was the fucking truth. Knowing she was up there standing, wearing my number. Had to make her proud of wearing it.
Her hand landed on my chest, slowly running up it until she reached my shoulder. "You still hungry?"
"You have no idea." And I wasn't starving for food. No, for her. I was hungry for my mate.
"Then let's go." She stepped back. "Before all the good places shut down for the night. Oh, and I'm driving."
"Why are you driving?"
"Because I'm not leaving my baby out here and you didn't even bring a car."
"How the hell did you know that?"
A grin spread across her lips. "You aren't the only one that can take note of something, Zane. Come on before I change my mind."
"Like that is going to happen."
She shrugged her shoulders. "It could."
"Couldn't."
She pushed my shoulder lightly and spun on her heel. "Just get in the car, Harris."
Chapter Forty-six
ALLIE
While things were coming to Zane and me well there wasn't much to tell. We had a dinner and we talked, and I couldn't lie and say I didn't enjoy it because I did, but then Monday rolled around, and it was like the weekend never happened.
He didn't look at me.
He didn't talk to me.
And any guilt that I had for playing games with him was wiped. He was still the same old Zane, hot and cold.
So, when the weekend rolled around again, and Blake offered to take me out, I didn't turn him down.
The bass was thick, and the drinks were flowing. Chase had ended up joining us, and it only made the night more fun. It was like old times. Times I wasn't meant to remember.
I was bouncing on my heels, drink in hand and Blake's arm wrapped around my waist. Club Midnight was packed as the hot weather had everyone out.
I was mimicking the words to the song to Blake, making him laugh when my body tensed. This couldn't be happening.
After that small amount of time spent with Zane, my inner wolf had picked up on him and his emotions. It had annoyed me all week, and it was beyond me how only a few days with him could cause my wolf to tune into him so quickly.
But she had.
And right now, she was feeling him.
I threw my arm around Blake's head, bringing our faces closer. His hand slipping down. We kept dancing, well more like grinding up against each other, but we both knew it meant nothing. Blake and I were like that, we could flirt, strip down naked in front of each other, but still have a friendship because we were never going to be anything more.
Zane was angry; I could feel his rage flow through my blood, and it only drove me to cling to Blake tighter.
***
ZANE
Fuck Ebony and Taylor for dragging me out. I wasn't in the mood for dancing and drinking. I was in the mood for working on my car and listening to loud, pissed off music because that was how I felt.
Pissed off.
Ryder got wind of me hanging out with Allie and of course went to the parents. Scoring me a lecture.
So, I did as they asked. I stayed away from her all week which felt fucking impossible, and was impossible.
I ignored her welcoming smile on Monday, and by Wednesday she was over me, and instead of smiling at me or looking to make conversation, she was turning her head or staring down at her feet.
"This is just what I need. A loose night with my best buds." Ebony linked her arms through mine and Taylor’s. "Come on, this is going to be awesome.
I scanned the floor as we moved towards the stairs and, just like a sucker punch to the stomach, I saw Allie.
Allie and Blake.
She wasn't on him. She was basically in him.
The people around them were like a blur, as all I could see was her and him.
"Hey, Harris, you moving or just planning on standing there?" Ebony tugged on my arm.
I nodded my head to the floor. "You alright with your mate all over mine."
Her head snapped, and I watched her eyes widen with rage.
What she was feeling was nothing to what I was feeling.
"Mine? What happened to her being dead to you?"
"Not in the mood for judgment." I strolled past her and took the stairs two at a time. My blood was fuming. It was hard enough being apart from her
all week, but seeing her all over him was just a knife to the fucking heart.
Thanks to Ryder telling mom and dad I was seen eating out with Allie, scored me a dinner with the folks outlining the arrangement again.
I knew the facts.
I wasn't meant to be near Allie.
Wasn't meant to talk to her.
Wasn't meant to care about her.
I was meant to forget her.
Like that was going to happen.
"Didn't expect to see you out." I stood behind her and screamed over the music.
She turned in Blake's arms, her eyes wired with alcohol. "Zane. Didn't expect you to be talking to me."
"What would have you thinking that?"
Her eyebrow arched. "Because you haven't all week." She crossed her arms. "Can I help you with something?"
"Wanna dance?"
"No."
"Wanna drink?"
"No."
Blake's arms wrapped tighter around her. "She's alright Harris so you can fuck off."
"Can I talk to you?" Ebony stepped in my view, her eyes zoned on Blake. "Now."
"No." He glared back at her. "You can fuck off too."
"Don't speak to me like that." Ebony's voice hardened. "We had an agreement, and right now you are breaking it."
"I'm touching Allie, get over it."
If he didn't move his hand, I was going to break.
"You and I both agreed, Blake. The whole point of a fucking agreement is to stick to it."
"You want me, Ebony, is that what you're telling me?" Blake let go of Allie and Allie moved closer to the bar, giving me a chance to get in between them.
Ebony and Blake went into a full-on conversation, but I was more focused on Allie.
"I'm sorry about this week." My eyes were locked on the side of her face while she ordered another drink.
"Don't worry about it."
"You see I am because it's upset you."
She rolled her eyes. "And what would give you that impression? Seriously, Zane, just leave it. I'm out with my friends, and you are out with yours."
Glancing over our shoulders, I was as shocked as her at what we saw.
Blake and Ebony were full-on kissing.
"Or I had my friend," She muttered.
"Just ignore them two." Of course, they would choose now to turn all mates on. "Hormones and stuff."