Page 24 of Tainted Romance

“Come on, we’re friends.”

I couldn’t believe he had just said that. “Friends? Really.” I honestly couldn’t believe he had actually uttered those words to me.

“Allie, please, I really need this.”

Taylor was begging, literally begging me for help. I can’t believe I was even thinking about it. The only reason I was even giving it thought was because of Zane. I knew it was a low move, but it wouldn’t really kill him to be jealous - perhaps he would re-think this crazy idea of his.

I chewed my bottom lip, and apparently, that was all Taylor needed to see.

“You’re thinking about it.” He grinned. “Come on, Allie, I’ll owe you one.”

Seeing Zane jealous was all I needed. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

I heard a pen snap from Zane’s direction. Like I had expected he was listening. “So, um, how are we going to pull this off?” I asked Taylor. Truly it was going to be hard to be around him, without wanting to kill him or choke the life out of him.

“Well, tonight we will break the news, you know, act all nervous about telling them.” He seemed to have given this some thought. “Then when I have the keys in my hand, and all is settled, we can rip the rug from under them and slap the truth in their face.”

Mom and Dianne deserved this when you really think about it, as they had been asking for it the way they have been acting and gossiping like school children.

“So, we’re meant to be having tea before the pack meeting?” I frowned. There was no way mom and Dianne wouldn’t blow that news all over the pack meeting. “You know they will tell everyone?”

“So.” He shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing. “I don’t care what people will think, and, well, you clearly don’t care what people think.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I gave him a warning look.

“It’s a good thing.” He patted my leg, causing me to punch his arm.

“Don’t touch me.”

“That rule will have to go out the window if this is going to work. Mates are all over each other like a rash.”

“We will definitely be toning that down then.” Sure, my main reason was to make Zane jealous, but that didn’t mean I was willing to catch a disease.

“Fine, I’ll ease it back, but only if you put some effort into yourself.” He glanced me up and down. “Come on, Allie, you’re with me now. You can’t wear that around as you will murder my reputation.”

“What is wrong with a hoodie and jeans?”

“They don’t show skin or curves and that is what is wrong.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes at him.

“So tonight, when you come over I expect hotness.” He got up, shooting me a wink.

“You better start moving, Taylor, before I re-think this idea,” I warned him, as he retreated to his seat.

I had just made a deal with the devil. I was more than sure I would regret it.

Chapter Nine

If high pitch screaming could burst an eardrum, then I was sure both mine and Taylor’s had been. Our mothers squealed so high that I was sure I would never hear anything the same. Taylor, being the dick he is, had prepared for the event and had already inserted earplugs. I was more annoyed at him because he had thought of it.

I had taken his advice and actually put effort into myself; which meant I was wearing something that wasn’t randomly chosen off my bedroom floor. Taylor must have approved because he was making one remark after another about my butt - that was until I punched him in the guts. He had got the hint after that.

After a very long and painful dinner, we then got the pleasure of driving to Zane’s house for the pack meeting. Mom and Dianne were so buzzed to tell everyone that they had literally jumped out of the car. This pretty much leads us to this moment in time. Taylor and I were standing in the foyer, waiting for the crowd in the hall to sit down before we entered.

What all these people had to talk about I didn’t know, but I just wished they would take their seats already.

“People are going to notice,” Taylor whispered harshly in my ear, while his eyes scanned the foyer.

---