Weight of The Untold

Chapter 17

Jerry dropped me off just past noon after picking me up from Megan's. I thanked him, stepped out, and was halfway to the door when my phone vibrated.

Deveon Moore:Hey, I'm sorry I didn't text yesterday. Dinner's still on - 7 p.m.

I read it, exhaled, and slid the phone back into my bag. I'd reply later. Right now, all I wanted was water and quiet.

Inside, the house felt too still.

"Rose?" I called, already heading for the kitchen. No answer.

"She went home. You allowed her to."

I didn't need to look to know who it was. I did anyway.

"I forgot," I said, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.

"Can we talk?"

'You actually need to.' Em said.
'No we don't'

"I think we shouldn't, Zach," I said evenly. "Let's just pretend it didn't happen."

He laughed once - sharp, humorless - and stepped closer.

"I can't do that, Kyla. You avoiding me every chance you get is driving me insane."

"What do you expect?" I snapped. "I kissed my brother's best friend. Do you have any idea what that means?"

He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair, pacing once before stopping.

"I can't forget it," he said quietly. "I can't get you out of my head. I don't know what's happening to me, but-"

"Zach." I cut him off. "It was a mistake. You know it. I know it. It was wrong."

He stared at me like I'd slapped him.

"Wrong?" His voice dropped. "How is it wrong for me to kiss you?"

The kitchen door opened.

"Oh-sorry," a woman said, surprised. She carried a tray of dirty dishes. "I just came to put these back."

My stomach sank.

"Oh, it's fine, Brie," Zach said casually. "Go ahead."

She nodded and disappeared down the hallway after she was done.

Brie?

Zach turned back to me. "Can we talk in my room?"

I didn't respond. He took my hand anyway and tugged me along before I could protest.

The guest room - apparently his now - felt unfamiliar. He closed the door behind us.

"Who is she?" I demanded.

He blinked. "Who?"

"The girl. In the kitchen."

"Oh. The new maid Caleb hired."

"Caleb hired a new maid?"

"I thought you knew," he added.

I shook my head. "Rose mentioned it, but I thought he was bluffing."

He nodded. Then smirked.

"So... I hear that was your first kiss."

My eyes widened. "Caleb."

Zach laughed. "Relax."

"You're insufferable," I muttered, sitting on the bed.

"Okay, okay. Sorry," he said, sitting beside me. "But for a first timer? You did well."

I looked at him despite myself. "Really?"

"Yeah." His gaze lingered. "You've got soft, sweet lips. Makes sense kissing you would be-"