Page 79 of Tainted Romance

“You’re mental, you know that?”

“And you wanted to be on a breakfast date with me,” I snickered back at him.

My phone once again buzzed in my pocket, and now that I had memorized Jace’s number, I blocked the call immediately.

“You got a stalker?” Zane, of course, hadn’t missed the interchange.

“Yes, I do.” I placed the phone beside me. “I’m looking at him right now.”

His expression dried. “Real mature, Allie.”

“I thought so.” I gave him a wide smile.

I hated to admit it, but I knew Ihad to see Jace, but I wasn’t meeting him with Zane as my shadow which meant only one thing, I had to lose Zane.

Seeing as he was physically fitter than me, I knew out-running him wasn’t going to happen which only meant one thing; I was going to have to annoy him to the break of insanity or trick him.

I thought I might as well start with breaking his sanity, as, after all, that would be more amusing.

Chapter Thirty-three

“I hate school.” I looked at the high school building with dread. “A whole day stuck here with a bunch of losers.”

“You hate everything.” Zane locked the car and walked beside me. “And you’re the only loser in this place.”

I gave him a dry expression, since when did he get a sense of humor. “Great come back.”

“I thought so.”

I sighed and adjusted the bag on my shoulder. At the very least I knew I wouldn’t be here all day. I was planning on ditching third and fourth period to go meet Jace.

The whole thought of meeting him twisted me up inside.

“I’ll meet you in English,” Zane said before taking off in another direction. For a moment I thought he was joking, and when he didn’t turn back around, I honestly thought my luck couldn’t be this good.

Maybe I didn’t even have to do the first two periods.

I quickened my pace up and headed towards the office, and when I knew I was definitely out of Zane’s sight, I broke into a run across the yard. I had money in my wallet, and the bus stop was only up the road.

All I needed to do was let Jace know the change of time.

I slowed my pace down to a nice walk and pulled out my phone. Dialing his number, I hoped he hadn’t had morning plans.

***

“I don’t believe you.” I crossed my arms, not buying a word he said. “Jace, you can’t expect me to just believe what you are saying, as you have no proof and I’m pretty sure mom would have mentioned I had a brother.”

“Did mom ever tell you dad was still alive?” Jace shot back at me, “Come on, Allie, it makes sense, and if you don’t see it, then you are in denial.”

Denial.

Maybe.

But coming to terms with your dad being still alive, and you have a brother that you knew nothing about is a lot to take in. Plus, it means my mother has been lying to me this whole time.

“Why did dad leave?” I stared down at my untouched coffee cup. “You said he is still close, but why? Why stay if he wanted to leave so badly?”

“Mom wanted the safety of a pack. Dad is against what a pack stands for.” A grim smile crossed Jace’s face. “He got me, and mom got you.”

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