“I thought you didn’t believe in that stuff.”
“I don’t. Usually. But—” A door slams somewhere down the street, and Zane pauses, glancing over his shoulder. “Can I come in?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t live alone.”
“I’ll be quiet. Your roommates will never know.”
“I don’t have roommates.”
Zane furrows his brow, and my fingers itch to smooth the crease lines between his eyes. “Your parents?” he questions, but it’s obvious from the shudder in his voice that he knows the answer.
“My boyfriend.”
“Right.” He nods, as if uncaring. But while his stoic expression might fool others, the hint of disappointment shines through, and I want to scream because of it.
“He let you answer the door?” Zane frowns with a scoff. “To me?” He’s fishing and I’m unsure of the right course of action. But it doesn’t matter because he answers for me. “He’s not home, is he?”
“No.”
“Then why can’t I come in?”
“It’s a small town, Zane. People talk. You know what that’s like. It’s why we were always so careful.” I close my eyes, cursing myself for bringing “us” up.
“It’s the middle of the night, B. I promise he won’t find out.Please.”
“It doesn’t matter what time it is. I’m sayingnoand you have to respect that.”
His face pales, and he steps away from the door, cupping the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I just spent hours with your brother and he never mentioned a boyfriend.”
“Typical.”
“Typical? You were always so close.” His frown deepens and he glances away, lost in thought. “What happened?”
“You haven’t been back inyears, Zane. So much has changed since then.”
When he nods in understanding, I breathe a sigh of relief until his expression turns inquisitive again. “Why’d you stay?” His question throws me off guard, and I swallow a lump in my throat. “After you graduated from college, why’d you stay?”
“I’d already started building a life here.”
“You stayed for a guy?” His face contorts, doing nothing to hide his disgust. “You always wanted to travel the world. Live in different cities.Explore.”
“Don’t pretend to know me,” I snap, releasing the built-up rage I’ve held close to my chest. “It’s been seven years.Seven. I know why you left; I’m not angry about that. But as I said, a lot has changed. You can’t possibly have thought we’d all be the people we once were.”
“Your brother is.” He lifts his shoulders in a half shrug and I finally smile.
“Actually, hehaschanged. A little. But yes, he’s the exception.”
“And you’re okay, staying here?” His intense gaze has my insides squirming, and I sigh in frustration. He’s never been one to let me get away with anything. And while I used to find that attractive, now it’s driving me insane.
“God, if you must know, I’m moving in a few days.”Dammit.
“House?”
“State.” I stare at him, watching as his eyes light up in excitement. For me.
