“Oh,” he says. And nothing more.
He knows I’m lying. I have to be more convincing.
I try my best to make my voice sound light and airy. “It was fun though. Thanks for asking.”
God, I feel like shit.
“Of course,” he murmurs.
And it’s official.I’m the worst girlfriend in the world.
“But enough about me, tell me about your night,” I deflect. “I want to hear all about it.”
Thankfully, Noah perks up at that and he tells me about a gaming tournament that he and his friends went to in a neighboring town. Drowning in guilt, I egg him on, encouraging him to talk. After a while, I look back toward the living room, wondering if the others think I’m being rude.
“Hey babe,” I interrupt gently. “I don’t mean to cut you off, because I want to hear all about it, but I really should be getting back to my friends. They’re waiting on me.”
Noah coughs. “Yeah. Of course. Call me later?”
“Sure.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
My heart aches as I end the call. More than anything, I wish I could feel comfortable being completely honest with him, but with this—this ugly truth, that ultimately won’t change anything—I just can’t.
Do I really love him then? If I can lie to him like this?
I groan my frustration as I turn back toward the living room. Zayne’s leaning against the doorway, eyeing me with a dark, contemplative gaze. His arms are crossed over his chest.
“You didn’t tell him?” he asks quietly, studying my face.
I shake my head in confirmation, avoiding his gaze. I don’t want to admit it out loud.
“I get it,” he says.
My eyes snap to his. “You do?”
“He’s not like us, right? He’s not an artist?” I nod. “Then he’d just try to convince you to leave. For your own good, sure, but also because it gives him the perfect opportunity to be selfish, an opportunity he’d be stupid not to jump on. And right now, you’re the one being selfish. You aren’t ready to give that up yet, despite what Remi’s done to try and break you. Are you?”
My mouth opens as I process his words. They’re all true. “No.”
“You’re not a bad person for that decision, Maeve. You deserve to live the life you want to live, just like Nathan does, and if your chosen paths end up meshing well together, then great. But if not, don’t feel bad for refusing to compromise, for choosing yourself.” He pauses. “I can tell that’s not an inclination that comes easily to you.”
“His name is Noah,” I say as hot tears I didn’t feel arise begin to fall.
“Yeah, whatever,” Zayne mutters as he closes the distance between us and wraps me in his arms.
“Thanks,” I whisper into the cotton of his shirt.
“I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry about it,” he continues. “With talent like yours, I know the reason you’re choosing to stay here, enduring this, is a damn good one, even if you’re still trying to figure it out yourself.”
Emmy calls from the living room, “Are you guys making out in there or what?”
“Shut your mouth,” Zayne yells over his shoulder before he asks me, “You good?”
I wipe my face with the back of my hand and nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”
