See Me

32

Lie.

Truth.

Lie.

The words bounced around in my head, and my eyes drifted from side to side, as if I was following them.

Truth.

Lie.

Lie.

Lie.

"Nothing." Lie. I refocused on Zane's eyes. This wasn't just Catch Seren in a lie, Zane. This was Get Seren to tell the truth, Zane.

"You can tell me." Zane said gently. The way he was looking at me made me want to.

Could I?

Truth.

Lie.

"There's nothing to tell." Lie.

Zane nodded his head, not like he was agreeing with me. Like he was acknowledging that he knew I would say that.

"I heard your conversation last night." Zane started, his eyes searching every inch of my face. "When he asked to drive you home. He asked if you could talk about everything."

I nodded, unsure what to say. There wasn't any use denying what Zane had witnessed.

"Last night," Zane continued when I didn't answer. "I was about to leave your house. I didn't know if you would be okay with me staying. I was about to open the door when I saw Jax's car in your driveway."

Zane studied my face for any change, and I thanked every god I knew of that I was numbingly high. I thanked them because I was sure I would have given my fear away otherwise. I could feel it, moving through my skin like uncontrolled electricity.

"He seemed to see my car and leave. I didn't want to leave you after that." Zane said, and he reached out and grabbed my hand. "Look, Seren. I know he likes you. Did you guys have a fight about something?"

"No." Lie.

"If he's taking things too far..." Zane started. "If he's making you feel uncomfortable. If he's not taking no for an answer..."

It's almost like the truth was on the tip of my tongue. He didn't take no for an answer. It was there. It was teasing me. It wanted to come out.

But that's the problem. Once it was out, it was out. There was no putting it back. Once it was free, it was gone. And it would be my word against Jax's. Who would believe me?

My phone rang, both startling me and saving me from making the decision. Zane glanced down at the ringing phone, the look in his eyes was like he begging me not to answer it.

"Austin." I said simply, shrugging.

"Yeah, he called you about five times last night while you were asleep." Zane muttered, knowing the conversation was over. For now.

"Austin?" I answered the call. "Yeah. I know. I left with Zane. Okay. Sorry. See you later."

"Later?" Zane raised his eyebrows at me.

"Later. At some point." I said, shrugging again.

"Everything okay?" Zane asked. I blinked at him in response. Nothing was okay, but I didn't know what he was referring to. "With Austin." He clarified.

"Oh. Yeah. He just wanted to know I was okay. Couldn't find me after we left last night." I explained, looking at my hands.

"Seren." Zane said.

"Yeah?" I didn't look up from my hands, which were fidgeting with the duvet on the bed. Zane placed both of his hands over my own, halting the movements.