CHAPTER 18
888 Words
MABEL’S POV
My heart pounded so loudly in my ears I could barely hear the music anymore. I forced myself to walk toward Zach with steady steps, fully aware that Nike was still watching me from across the room. I refused to let him think I was weak or that seeing Zach with another woman had rattled me even if it had.
As I got closer, I realized the woman was completely intoxicated. She was clinging to Zach like her life depended on it, her body slumped heavily against his side. I plastered a sweet smile on my face, slipped my arm through his, and leaned into him possessively.
“Babe,” I said brightly, “you said you would be waiting for me.”
Zach looked momentarily taken aback, his brows furrowing. The drunk woman lifted her drowsy eyes to me, blinking slowly.
“Who is she?” she slurred.
“I’m his girlfriend,” I answered, keeping my voice light and confident.
The girl pouted dramatically. “So you’re my new replacement? But Zachy’s mine tonight…”
Zach stiffened slightly but his voice remained calm and gentle as he replied, “She’s not a replacement, Anita.” He turned to me, his expression apologetic but unreadable. “I’m sorry things turned out like this, but I need to take her home. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her.”
I caught sight of Nike still watching us from a distance. I swallowed hard and forced another sweet smile. “I’m tired. Why don’t I come with you?”
Zach studied me for a second, then nodded. “Okay.”
He lifted Anita effortlessly into his arms, carrying her with surprising gentleness toward the car. More gentle than he had ever been with me. A sharp sting of jealousy twisted in my chest, but I refused to let it show. I followed quietly, keeping my chin up.
Who is she to him and why does she get that side of him?
He settled her carefully in the backseat and fastened her seatbelt with steady hands. When he turned to me, his voice was softer than usual. “Are you alright?”
I nodded tightly. “Yes.”
“You’re awfully quiet,” he noted, still frustratingly calm.
I didn’t say a word. I wasn’t about to admit how much this mysterious drunk woman in the back seat was affecting me. Instead, I climbed into the passenger seat and fastened my own seatbelt, staring straight ahead as Zach started the engine.
The car had only been moving for a few minutes when Anita’s sleepy voice drifted from behind us.
“The air is very chilly… can you turn on the heater, baby?” She let out a soft, drunken giggle.
My jaw clenched. I bit the inside of my cheek hard, fighting the ugly wave of jealousy crashing over me.
Zach glanced at the rearview mirror. “Anita, is your brother home?”
She mumbled something, her voice thick with sleep. “No… no one’s home.”
Zach’s brows furrowed. “Who’s going to take care of you then?”
“Come stay with me tonight, hmm?” Anita let out a soft, drunken giggle and reached forward, her fingers brushing his shoulder. “You always take such good care of me, Zachy… my strong, handsome savior. Don’t leave me all alone.”
He muttered a low curse, his tattooed arm flexing as his hand tightened on the steering wheel. Even now, his face gave nothing away.
I couldn’t hold back my curiosity any longer. “What are you going to do with her?”
Silence stretched between us. I almost thought he wouldn’t answer until his fingers tapped once against the wheel. “I’ll have to take her home. I can’t leave her there with no one watching over her.”
My chest tightened painfully. I turned my face toward the window, blinking back the sting in my eyes. That’s when I noticed the route we were taking. My stomach dropped.
“You’re dropping me off first?” I asked, eyes wide.
Zach raised an eyebrow. “You said you were tired. It’s only right I drop you first.”
I scrunched my nose but didn’t argue. When the car finally stopped in front of my building, I forced out a polite, “Thank you,” and quickly unbuckled my seatbelt.
I could feel his eyes on me as I walked to the door. Only when I was safely inside did he drive off.
The second the door closed, I collapsed onto my bed, kicking my legs furiously in the air and screaming into my pillow.
This was fake. I knew it was fake. But how dare he bring her to the party? How dare she call him “Zachy” and “baby” while clinging to him like a lost puppy. Meanwhile, I was left wondering if he even saw me as more than a convenient prop.
I rolled over, grabbing my phone with shaking hands. I knew I shouldn’t. I knew it would make me look weak, desperate, pathetic in his eyes. But the jealousy was eating me alive.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I typed the most ridiculous lie I could think of.
Mabel: Someone broke into my apartment.
- Writer
