“And Sebastian was okay with that?”
“Not really,” Layla explains with a furrow between her brows. “But Bastian tries to keep chill. Verity has some self-esteem issues. The little performance helped her feel better in her own skin.”
"Now," Zoey changes the subject, "I’ve heard his side story. Now I want yours.”
I swallow hard because I don’t know what to say. I can’t tell her the truth any more than I can Zane. “What did Zane tell you?” I deflect her question with another.
“Uh-uh. I asked you first.”
My eyes drop to my wine glass as the burn of tears threaten. I hate that I have been reduced to tears by a guy. I haven’t cried since the day my mom left when I was seven. I know that sounds impossible given teen age hormones and what have you, but it’s the truth. Until Zane fucking Valen. The worst part is that it isn’t even his fault.
“I think it’s best if we just leave it alone,” I tell her softly.
“I would do that except my brother spends most of his days drowning in a bottle of whatever he can get his hands on. Zane likes to drink but this is beyond excessive for him. And I know it’s because he misses you.”
I toss back the rest of the wine. I know avoiding isn’t going to help anything, but I can’t tell her the truth. I stand and make my way to the dance floor taking two steps at a time.
I lose myself in the crowd moving to the sound of the music. Except I’m not lost at all. My mind is completely focused on Zane. Then my eyes are completely focused on him across the floor standing there with another guy staring holes into me.
It’s in that moment, I realize how stupid it was to come here. Not just to the club, but to this fucking city. I have developed a great friendship with Zoey. Jax too. But being here? Where Zane is? It’s fucking torture.
I move quickly back to the lower area towards our seats. I grab my purse and excuse myself. “Tori, don’t go,” Zoey says quickly.
I can’t do anything but shake my head.
I run to the elevator pushing the button over and over as I wait for it to reach the rooftop of the skyscraper. I see Zane coming when the doors close.
I lean against the wall and let the tears fall for the ride down. An uber is already waiting for me when I walk out the door.
Fifteen minutes later, I am walking down the hallway to my hotel room only to stop short when I see that dark blond hair leaning against the wall next to the door of my room. My breathing stops as I try to figure out what to do now.
Knowing there is no other way out of this, I press forward. “What are you doing here, Zane? How did you get here so fast?”
He lifts his eyes from the floor to me with a smirk. “I know this city better than anybody. I miss you, Tori.”
I exhale and my shoulders slump. “I miss you too,” I tell him as more tears threaten to spill.
“Does that mean you’re ready to tell me the truth?”
I can’t even look him in the eye. Guilt is probably permeating the air around us. “I haven’t lied about anything,” I whisper.
“So, that wasn’t you in Chicago when you told me you had to work all weekend?”
“It wasn’t what it looked like.”
“You don’t think I know that? I know you, Tori. Iseeyou.”
I still keep my eyes anywhere but on his. I don’t think I can handle the look in those nearly black orbs. Pretty sure I will crumble and melt the minute I meet them. “I did have to work. Then I had to go to Cara.”
“You’re leaving out a lot, Tori. What were you doing at that party?”
“I was doing a favor for Cara,” I tell him because it’s as close to the truth as I can get. “Her boyfriend’s friend needed a date.”
I can feel in eyes penetrating right in my soul. I think about Bastian’s words, knowing they’re nothing if not accurate. Zane can read people. But he can more than read me. He sees me. He knows that there is so much more than what I’m saying.
“I don’t know why I even came here,” he hisses. “I knew before I did, you weren’t going to tell me anything. What I really want to know is why? Why the fuck don’t you trust me? Haven’t I proven that you can trust me?”
I feel a tear fall. I can’t speak. Can’t utter a word without breaking into sobs.
