“Can’t today. I have a shift at the auto shop.”
“What about Friday night? We could hit a movie after.”
Zack turned away, frowning. “Well, I got to thinking. We should stick to working on it here after school. Except for our mandatory school project, I don’t want to associate with someone who betrayed her best friend by sleeping with her boyfriend.”
Gina’s mouth dropped open and her face turned bright red.
Zack took a bite of his burger and ignored her.
Ouch.
Through my guilt, I couldn’t help gloating. But damn him. Now he was even more appealing than before — if that was even possible. I’d never get over him.
Ever.
† † †
Later that afternoon, I zipped upstairs to my room to change into some ratty, old sweats and a faded T-shirt from eighth grade. To take my mind off Zack, I buried my brain in homework. But I finished too quickly and was alone again with my thoughts.
The dead silence made me miss my parents horribly. I’d emailed them on Saturday and needed to send another one soon. But I didn’t feel like it. The depression hung over me like a heavy mist, strangling me.
Why didn’t Zack like me enough to run away with? Or at least be with me for what little time we had. What was wrong with me? Fighting for my life with Daniel was almost easier, because at least then, I stood a chance. A tangible evil could be fought. How someone feels about you couldn’t be changed.
But his feelings didn’t fit with his actions. He’d gone above and beyond, even told Daniel he’d have to kill him to get to me.
Minutes passed as I stared at the television I hadn’t yet turned on.
Why would Zack do so much for me if he didn’t feel anymore for me than he did for Maya or Ashley? How was it possible?
Wait.
Air whooshed out of my chest as the clouds in my mind parted and the sun shone.
Why hadn’t I seen it before?
I snatched my keys from the dining room table, left the house and locked the door behind me. I sprinted down the block and knocked on Zack’s door.
Trevor answered, looking surprised to see me. “Oh. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been around almost every day for the last week and you act like it’s strange for me to be here?” I raised my brows.
Trevor blinked. “He’s been so crabby, I thought you two broke up.”
That was impossible since we were never together in the first place. But Trevor didn’t know that. “We wouldn’t be the first couple in history to have a disagreement. But I have some ideas how to fix it.”
Trevor grinned. “Good. He’s more fun when you guys are getting along.”
“Is he here?” I peeked past Trevor’s shoulder.
“Yeah. He’s in his room.” Trevor swung the door open for me.
I headed to Zack’s room, but he met me in the hallway.
“Autumn, what are you doing here?” He spotted Trevor and waved him away.
“I need to discuss something with you. Alone.”
“What? Why?” He leaned against a wall, fidgeting.
“I want to talk to you about us,” I whispered.
He inhaled deeply. “I don’t want to go through it again.”
I blinked. “You mean you won’t even give me five minutes? Really?”
He shook his head, avoiding my gaze. Crap. What would I do now?
“Zack,” his mother wheezed from the doorway of her room. Apparently, we’d been too quiet for Trevor to hear from the living room, but Favianne was just off the hallway where we were standing. “What’s going on?” she asked.
Maybe her overhearing us wasn’t so bad. Zack’s mom liked me and wanted me with him. She’d help me if I played my cards right. “Zack’s trying to dump me. I’m trying to work things out with him, but he won’t even talk to me.”
Stop this, Autumn. Let it go, he screamed into my head.
What are you going to do if I don’t? Dump me?
He glared, resembling an overheated steam engine.
“Is that true, Zack? Autumn wants to work things out and you’re refusing to talk?” Favianne closed her eyes and leaned against the doorway.
I became aware of her heart thudding, her lungs crackling. It must’ve been difficult getting out of bed, which made me feel guilty for making a scene.
“What did she do that was so bad you can’t give her a few minutes?”
“Yeah, Zack. What did I do that was so bad?”
Zack clenched his fists. “Mom, you should be in bed. Let me help.” He reached for her.
She swatted his hands away and breathed in again. “Zack, I raised you better than this. I can’t tell you who to date. But I am asking that you go someplace where you can talk privately and give her fifteen minutes. And both of you,” she glanced from him to me, “need to explain yourselves better. Be patient and respectful. Promise me you’ll give her a chance, Zack.”