I shrug.‘I have no idea.I honestly don’t know what I did to them to make them hate me so much.I don’t even know them.’
He sighs, squeezing my hands.‘Sorry that I lost my temper.It’s something I’m working on.’
‘It’s fine.I appreciate you standing up for me.Thanks for letting me stay with you.’
‘Anytime.’
After one final squeeze, I release his hands and head over to the passenger side, climbing into his car.He drops in beside me, still looking tense as he starts the engine.
‘I recognise Emily and that other girl,’ he says.‘They hang out with Avery.’
‘Oh?’I say.
‘You know what that means?’he asks.
‘What?’I frown, not following.
‘They’re friends with Leasa.’He exhales heavily, looking a little stressed.‘Leasa made a comment about you to me a little while back when you and I had been sitting at a party together.We’d been sitting with Anya but she left for a bit and we talked for a while.Remember?’
‘Oh, yeah.’I nod, recalling the night.One of the rare times I went out, after Cami forced me to.‘On the lounge.I remember.’
‘Well, she saw us and said a few things to me.I bring this up because maybe they’re targeting you because they’re friends with her.’
‘Ah,’ I say, unsure of what to say.
‘So, if this is my fault, I’m very sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault at all.Leasa clearly has some issues she needs to work through.’
‘That she does,’ he agrees.
Silence falls between us for a moment and I try not to think too hard about what he just said.I never would have thoughta girl that looked like Leasa would feel threatened by me, but I suppose anyone who gets close to Zayden is a threat in her eyes.
‘I noticed something earlier,’ I say, casually changing the subject, wanting to fill the silence.
‘Hmm?’he murmurs, glancing at me.
‘A new, shiny something in the garage.’
A relaxed grin forms on his handsome face.‘Ah, yes.My new toy.’
‘It looks pretty cool.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Yeah.I didn’t know you rode.’
‘I don’t do it as much as I used to, but I’m hoping to get back into it.It probably wasn’t a great idea, blowing my entire life savings on it, but I wanted it.So I got it.’
‘Well, if it makes you happy.’I shrug.‘You’re an adult.You can do whatever you want with your own money.’
‘Exactly.’
‘I used to go on the back of Patrick’s bike a lot.He was a guy my mum dated for many years.We used to do rides together.It was fun.’
‘So what you’re saying is, you’d go on the back of my bike?’His mouth curves into a delicious looking smirk.‘That would be hot.Just saying.’
Smirking back, I shrug.‘I’d consider it.’I look ahead, trying to keep my cool.‘Maybe not when the roads are slippery.’
