“What?”
“You did that. Without Reed and Hayley asking, you did ‘shit like that’ and look where it got you. I bet you’d do it again in a heartbeat, even knowing how it all plays out.”
He pauses for a second and I can see the moment he loses his resolve. “I would.”
“Exactly. My dad would do the same.”
“Do what exactly?”
I huff out a laugh. Seems he’s never going to move on unless he can talk about all the things he’s guilty for. “He confronted your dad and baited him like your dad did to you. Told him that he was planning to ruin his life for what he did to you and me. That he’s going to make sure everyone knows what kind of people they are. Etcetera, etcetera.”
“Etcetera?”
“Yep. He wouldn’t tell me the rest so I’m sure it involved cursing. Either way,yourdad lost his mind, and what do you know, he tried to beat the shit out of mine. I want to say like father like son, but I’m sure now’s not the time for that.”
Zane snorts and it sounds more like a laugh than anything else, so I take it as progress. “Is that what got the charges dropped?”
“No, your dad boasted about it being his word against my dad’s, but luckily, your boss was in Dad’s car, watching it all. He jumped out and broke up the fight, and your dad withdrew his claim.”
“Wait, your dad was with D’Angelo?”
“Yep. I’m pretty sure they’re ride or die now.” I bounce my eyebrows but he doesn’t see the humor.
“B—”
“Sorry, it’s not funny. But the point is Dad’s planworkedand he’d do it again in a heartbeat. Sound familiar?”
“Then what about Nathan?”
“Nathan?” My eyes widen and I huff in frustration. “Why the hell are you bringing him up? Are we going to go through everything from the past?”
“I asked him to call you.”
“He did. Can we move on now?”
“Soon, but first, what did he say?”
“He told me about their disgusting games, if that's what you’re referring to?”
Zane flinches as though I’ve slapped him. “I’m sorry I never told you about it. I should have mentioned it back in high school. Or again when I first found out you were dating.”
“Is this the last thing on your guilt list?”
“I—”
“The answer is yes, Zane.”
“Okay. Yes.”
“Good.” I instantly relax. If that’s all he’s worried about then we’re going to be fine. “I don’t blame you for that. I’m sure you had your reasons.”
“I did. But they’re not good ones.”
My lips pull into a smile and I let out a soft laugh. “You didn’t have many good reasons for anything back in high school.”
Zane smiles but it still doesn’t reach his eyes. “No, most were selfish.”
“Did you have proof?”
