“I shouldn’t have to,” Aaron snaps back.
“What’s crawled up your ass? Besides, you clearly have a spare key.”
Aaron ignores me, his wild eyes focusing on the carton of ice cream and my torn shirt on the floor.
“Is someone here?”
“Is that any of your business?” I keep my voice calm, even though I want to snap him in half right now.
“It is when you’repretendingto date my sister. Where is she? You don’t look like you need a nurse anymore.” Aaron’s anger is potent.
“Why don’t we talk when you’ve had some time to calm down? You clearly need food and two days of sleep.” I bend down to pick up my shirt, and when I stand, he’s right in my face.
“Is Zoe upstairs?” I can smell the liquor on his breath.
“Aaron, you need to leave.”
“Out of all the women in New York City, you had to go after my sister? What the hell is wrong with you? Getting laid means more to you than our friendship? You knew she was off-limits!”
“You sure you want to do this right now? Because you have no idea what the hell you’re talking about,” I say, my voice rising.
“Fucking enlighten me then.” Aaron’s body twitches, and my blood boils at the sight of his clenched fists.
Is he serious right now?
I step closer, towering over him. He falters for a second before holding his ground.
“Why don’tyouenlighten me on why you ditched Zoe the minute your parents showed up? Just threw her at me like shewas something you needed to hide. You know how much they trigger her. You, of all people, know what they did to her.”
Aaron is shaking with rage. I’ve never seen him this angry before. He’s usually so in control. Something must have broken him tonight.
“Don’t get involved in affairs that don’t concern you.”
“Anything, or anyone, that hurts Zoe concerns me.”
“Since when?”
“Always.”
Aaron’s brows furrow, but he doesn’t step back. “Stay away from my sister.”
“You don’t get to call those shots. We’re both adults. And if you force me to choose, I’ll choose her. Every single time.”
I watch the muscles flex in Aaron’s jaw as he struggles with a response.
“What?” Zoe’s soft voice comes from the side, distracting both of us.
“Lying straight to my face, Zo? You could have come clean at the hospital, or anytime after then.”
I’m seconds away from knocking Aaron out.
“Shut the hell up for a second, Aaron.” Zoe turns toward me, her voice shaking. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me,” I breathe, unable to take my eyes off her.
“Say it again,” she whispers.
Zoe’s dressed in black leggings and an oversized hoodie, making me remember how naked she was minutes ago, sprawled out on my kitchen island.
