Chapter 5
ZACH
The drive back is quiet, not awkward exactly, but not easy, and that speaks volumes to me.
I pull up outside the Stella offices and kill the engine.“I can take you home,” I offer, even though I’m certain of her answer.
She turns to me quickly.“No.Please—this is fine.I’ll get an Uber back.”
But it’s no trouble.I can wait.Or—”
“No.”She shakes her head, firm now.“You’ve done enough for me.I don’t want to ruin your evening more.”
I turn to her.“Maya,” I say gently.“You could never ruin my evening.This has been—”
“It’s been a long day, Zach.I need to go.”I can’t miss the pleading in her voice.She wants to get away from me.
What the hell happened to us?I have so many questions, but I can tell already that this isn’t going to be as easy, or as wonderful as I first thought.
“You’ve done enough.Thank you for helping me out of this mess.”
She doesn’t want me sticking around.Doesn’t want me taking her back to her place.Doesn’t want to owe me.
She doesn’t wantme.
“Okay,” I say quietly.“I hear you.”Loud and clear.
I watch her climb out of the car and I hold back, fighting the urge to help her as she carefully balances an assortment of bags, a box and Cecil’s precious laptop.
Watching her walk away, I’m confused and bewildered by how she’s being.She seems colder and more indifferent.She doesn’t smile as easily.Her eyes are sad and her body taut with tension.
And yet I feel it.The touch of nostalgia, the harking back to the old days, when we were starting to fall in love.Now she has me doubting my memories, and my feelings, but I know what I felt back then.I know what she meant to me.
On my way home I consider whether to pass by the penthouse to see Dad or just go home.
He’s still recovering.Three months on from when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease, he looks better.He’s back in suits, and back at his desk in the office most days.But everything around him is more controlled than ever.I don’t mean his mannerisms.My father has always been restrained, not one to show emotion, but his life has been curtailed somewhat, and I know he hates that.He’s on lots of medication, and his diet is strict.The doctors call it management, but my father calls it temporary.I’m not so sure.I wouldn’t put it past him to ignore the doctors’ advice and do his own thing.He has been, and always will be, his own master.Nobody else matters.He doesn’t care for the opinions of others.
I decide that it’s late, and I don’t want to disturb him, so I return to the apartment block I share with my brothers.
I knock on Dex’s door, because I expect my brothers are all still there and the dinner party is probably still in full swing.
Dex opens the door.“What time do you call this, brother?”His mischievous smile widens as he opens the door to let me in.
“Thought I’d show my face,” I mumble, walking it to find that everyone’s here, except for Matteo.Surprisingly, Enzo is here as well.
“We’re honored that you came, dude.”Rio lifts a lazy brow.Raquel is curled up beside him on the couch.They look so perfect together.I feel a twinge low in my chest.It’s not envy, exactly, I’m happy for Dex, but I’m more aware of the void in my life.A void that’s been bigger, because first it was Jett, who found love, then Dex, and now Rio.I’ve just left Maya standing outside her office building.We were polite and distant, and that contrast hits hard, especially when I’m here, in Dex’s apartment, surrounded by domestic bliss.
“We’re about to leave,” Cari says, disappointment heavy in her voice.“I wish you’d come earlier, Zach.We missed you.”I like Cari.She’s always so caring and thoughtful.It’s been a tough time for her, and I’m aware that she’s a single child, and I sense she quite likes these get-togethers with everyone.
“He was probably busy looking for trust fund babes,” Jett mutters.
My older brother, unfortunately, is still as grumpy as ever when it comes to me.But he’s a complete softie when it comes to Brooke and Cari.
“Give the guy a break,” Enzo retorts, making everyone turn his way.The guy barely speaks much.Maybe he’s more talkative when he’s with his brothers, Rio and Matteo, but usually, he’s just one of the silent ones.
Dex hovers around expectantly.“Dinner’s over, bro, but I’m sure we have some leftovers for you.”
“We have plenty of leftovers.”Dani’s voice carries over and then she appears, wiping her hands on a dishcloth.“Hey, Zach.You’re so late!”
