Page 67 of Tainted Romance

What were the chances? I hadn’t seen him all week, and now, while I was waiting out front for Chase, he showed his face?

“Hi.” Zane’s eyes ran up and down me. “Heading out?”

I snapped my head back and looked away from him. No way in hell was I giving him an answer.

“So, not speaking to me?”

Against my choice, I looked back at him. “Surprised you’re speaking to me.” I crossed my arms. “Am I no longer invisible?”

There wasn’t one trace of warmth or kindness in his eyes. “Been busy.”

“Right.” If he wanted to be cold, I could be colder.

Just in time, Chase’s headlights headed towards us. Looks like I was saved by Chase. I owed him one.

“You going on a date?”

I paused on the steps. “Is that really any of your business?” I turned to look back at him. “Really, Zane? You freeze me out of your life, and think you can ask questions now?”

He had his chance and he blew it. Fuck, he exploded it into pieces.

I swear I saw regret in his eyes for a moment before it disappeared. “Like I said. I’ve been busy.”

Chase’s horn blew.

“You know what, Zane?” Anger filled my voice. “So have I.” It was a lie, but in some ways not.

Zane freezing me out made me realize how sheltered I was. It was time for me to spread my wings, I guess, and meet new people.

“Have a good night, Zane,” I muttered, heading to Chase’s car.

I didn’t know what had made Zane block me out of his life. I also didn’t know if I ever wanted to know.

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chase shot me a sideways glance. "So, are you going to explain that or not?" His eyebrows slowly arched with interest. "Never seen Harris be protective before."

Well, Zane certainly knew when to pick a bad time to show his face.

"It was nothing."

Why was it since I met Zane I seemed to be lying more?

"Why am I thinking you and Zane are the reason Blake is avoiding your calls?"

"Avoiding them?" My head snappedin his direction."I thought he was just busy."

Chase bit back a smile. "Seriously? You thought he was busy every time you called."

"Yes."

I suppose I really needed to stop thinking the best of people. Finding out that your best friend was blocking your calls hurt.

"He said something about you choosing the wrong side," Chase continued to press me for answers. "Did you and him, well, break up or what?"

"We weren't dating." Why did everyone jump to that conclusion? "We were friends and, yeah, sometimes we might have had sex, but it wasn't like anexclusive thing you know?"

"Did Blake know that it wasn't an exclusive thing?" Chase gave me a mocking expression. "Or did you just assume he knew?"

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