Page 38 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
Zack’s different around them. He’s still sarcastic, but he’s more guarded. I don’t even know how to explain it, but I can see the difference. He’s not as relaxed and there’s something strained about his voice.
He’s also on his best behavior as he laughs at his cousin’s jokes and rough houses with the kids.
This is definitely a side of him I’ve never seen before. I wonder if Rina ever saw him like this.
And just like that, I’m freakin’blindedby rage. It comes over me so fast, I’m shaking.
This time it’s not on my behalf—at least, not entirely. I’m pissed for Zack too. He might not have been planning to marry the girl, but he’d liked Rina. And she’d hurt him.
I wasn’t in love with her.
I can still hear Zack’s voice as he’d admitted that. Like that made it okay?
Rina might not have broken his heart like Grayson had mine, but I know enough about Zack’s past and his family to know that he doesn’t trust easily. He doesn’t let many people in. So for his best friend and his girlfriend to betray him like that...?
The thought has me making excuses and walking away from the cute little kid who’d been talking my ear off about her crush.
Zack has a smile frozen on his face. It’s a polite smile, but it’s clear that he’s bored out of his mind.
“Can I steal him away for a minute?” I ask the cousin who’s been giving Zack a play-by-play of his new diet to help him build muscle.
“Thanks for the save.” Zack lets out a long exhale as we walk away from the cousins and toward the lake. “I thought that was never going to end.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’d say another twenty minutes or so and we can make our exit.” He gives me a crooked grin that reminds me of my old friend. “Another fun-filled family get together in the books, and a full year before I have to relive the misery.”
I laugh. “They’re not that bad.”
“They’re not your family.”
I shrug. “Fair enough.” I know better than to tread near this topic again. Zack is snarky at the best of times, but when the topic of his dad comes up he can be downright mean.
As if by some unspoken agreement, we head toward the dock.
“So, did you drag me away because my cousin’s kid was driving you insane or...” He turns to look at me with a flirty smile. “Did you just want some alone time?”
“Neither,” I say. “It’s time we figure out our game plan. We need to focus.”
“I love it when you talk sexy, Smurfette.”
“Shut up.”
“Seriously. Nothing turns me on more than that businesslike tone of yours.” He makes his voice all breathless like he’s doing a bad Marilyn Monroe impersonation. “Focus,” he says. “Game plan.”
I will not laugh. “Are you through?”
He half turns so he’s facing me and walking backwards as we head out onto the dock. He points a finger in my face. “See? There it is. My sexy librarian.”
“You are such an idiot.” I swat his arm and he turns back with a laugh. “And I’m serious?—”
“Oh, I know you’re serious. You’re always serious.”
“I need to know what I’m supposed to say to Grayson.” As if I summoned it, my phone chirps. Another text. I’ve been ignoring Grayson for the last two hours and I can’t ignore them much longer.
“You want to know the game plan?” Zack snatches the phone out of my hand. “First step, you don’t respond to this.” He tosses my phone back toward the grassy area next to the dock.
“Hey!”
