I can’t do that. If I do, she’s going to run. Instead, I walk away again.
I’m waiting at the front of the school, leaning against my car, when my uncle pulls up next to me. “You coming back to school?” I ask when he steps out.
“Whoever told you that you’re funny lied,” Uncle Marcel says.
“I’ll be sure to tell my dad you called him a liar.” I laugh. “What are you doing here?”
“Picking up Zara. How was her first day?”
“She was fine.” I shrug, knowing she was anything but. “Why are you picking her up?”
“Her father asked me to. He got held up in a meeting.”
Zara approaches us with a bright smile on her face. “Uncle Marcel, are we getting ice cream?” she asks.
“How often do you pick her up from school?” I look tomyuncle, not hers, seeing as they have no real relation.
“At least once a week,” Zara answers for him.
“And you take her for ice cream? You’ve never taken me for ice cream.” I point a finger at my chest.
Uncle Marcel rolls his eyes. “You wanna come for ice cream, Ares? Follow us.” He opens the passenger side door for Zara.
“Ares is way too cool for ice cream dates, Uncle Marcel,” Zara says.
“Aw, you think I’m cool, Zara? That’s sweet,” I mock her.
“No, I think thatyou thinkyou’re cool. There is a difference. Big one,” she throws back at me right before she gets into my uncle’s car.
“Whatever it is you two are shitty at each other about, fix it. She needs a friend here, Ares, not an enemy,” my uncle says as he rounds the front of his vehicle.
“Sure thing.” I give him a salute. I consider getting into my car and following them for fucking ice cream. I choose not to. I’ve seen enough of her today. She’s clouding my fucking brain. I need an escape, and I know just what it is.
I send a quick message to James, Spencer, and Dan.
Me:
My house.
It’s a simple request, for them to come hang and get wasted.
James:
Be there around five.
Dan:
On my way.
Spencer:
I need to drop Constance home first. Then I’ll come around.
I jump into my car and pull away from school. It’s going to be one hell of a fucking year if Zara stays.
Chapter Five
When I get home, the house is empty, bar the staff. I head straight for my suite. All I want to do is shower and get into bed. It’s exhausting pretending to be fine all day, especially when someone like Ares is constantlywatching me. And then having Uncle Marcel turn up to take me for ice cream, a tradition he’s been doing since I started school thirteen years ago…
