Guilty

Juliette

I open my eyes slowly and immediately feel my brain being hounded with all of the memories of the night before. I groan softly, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to dull the throbbing.

I suddenly become hyper-aware of a hand draped over my waist and resting on my thigh. My skin heats under his touch. Slowly, I sit up and climb out the bed. Tucking my hair behind my ears as I stare at Zane.

He groans softly, opening his eyes. I pull open the blinds and let sunlight light up the room. Zane blinks again and I give him the once over. His bruises have calmed down and the rest of his injuries don't look as intense anymore.

Time will only tell if Zane has severe brain damage but in my opinion, he's fine.

"What's the verdict nurse?" He asks lazily.

"You should be fine, but I'm going to take your temperature just in case," I tell him, pulling the thermometer from my desk drawers. "Put this in your mouth," I instruct.

"That's normally my line," He grumbles and I bite my lip. Hoping my cheeks don't flush.

Once the thermometer shows his temperature is normal I sigh and help him up. Zane leaves my room without even saying thank you. I shake my head and put away everything I used to help fix him up. My supply was running low.

I should get to class and go to my psych lectures but my brain won't stop thinking about everything Zane told me. He told me the boxing ring operated outside of a club.

He promised it was legal but...how the hell could something like this be legal? I still couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being dishonest with me. 

I sat on my bed staring up at the ceiling. I should probably just leave well enough alone but...I couldn't let this go. I just needed to double-check for sure and then I could try and forget about all of this.

Well, until he came knocking at my door again asking me to heal his injuries.

I pull out my phone and search for bars somewhat near us, most of them don't fit the vibe I'm looking for.

My thumb hovers over the bar called Chloe's. I could have sworn I'd seen Zane post a selfie outside of here a couple of months back.

I grab my car keys and make the twenty-minute drive over there. When I park and climb out I see it immediately. It looks like every other bar I've been to with the name Chloe's all light up in red neon letters.

I push open the doors and walk inside. No one's in here except for me and the woman working at the bar. She's cleaning shot glasses while staring at the TV in the corner.

The bar looks clean and mini light fixtures are hanging from the ceiling. They cast shadows over the little red booths. It's a good atmosphere.

I walk up over to the bar and the blonde woman cleaning turns over to glance me over, "Little early to be drinking early isn't it?" She asks. Her accent is southern. She sounds sweet.

"I don't want to drink anything, I just wanted to ask if you knew a Zane Ivory?" I say, with a small smile.

She sighs, "Yes I know a Zane, what's the issue, honey? Is he not calling you back or returning your texts?" 

I blink at her, "Do many girls come here asking about him?"

"It's a posse at this point and I'm getting sick of breaking girl's hearts. Look Zane Ivory is very nice to look at and I'm sure he was very kind to you, but I promise that was a one-night deal for him."