Zacky ~ I Don't Believe In Fairytales ~ Vengeance {Book 5}

Zacky 4

I froze hearing Steph laugh loudly. Zacky was rolling a small green ball across the yard to her. He smiled up at me then realizing it was me he froze as his smile faded.

I rolled my eyes and walked to the pool sitting on the edge with my feet hanging into the cold water. It was early in the morning so the sun hadn't had time to warm it.

I don't usually resort to eye rolling but honestly he's been an ass since they got back and I didn't even do anything. I crossed my arms as I stared into the light blue water. Maybe I should just take Steph home and then I won't have to worry about Zacky.

I felt a hand on my back and smiled at Steph as she grinned at me. "Hey baby, are you having funny with Zacky?" I asked as she leaned into me.

I hugged her as she giggled softly. She made a sound from the back of her throat "Eee." nodding against me.

"That's nice. Are you finished playing?" she leaned back shaking her head before she ran back over to him. His eyes locked with mine.. But I didn't understand the look in them.. It was almost a look of.. regret..

I frowned as he began laughing with her. He was just too complicated. Jimmy jumped in the pool next to me and came up screaming as the water froze him. "F- it the water is so f-ing cold!"

I grinned at him and he splashed me making me shiver. The guys had taken great care not to curse around the girls and it still made me smile. They were just to sweet.

The rest were still sleeping somewhere in the house so it was just the four of us. "Get in." Jimmy said swimming to the edge next to me.

"I'm not dressed for that." I said laughing as he wiped his eyes.

"Fine I'll swim all alone but when the sharks come and bite your toes off don't look at me." he pouted swimming away.

I grinned as he laughed. "Mama?" Steph called from her perch on Zacky's shoulders.

I stood up quickly so I could make eye contact with her. The books say eye contact let's your baby know you hear and understand them, encouraging them to speak more. "Yes Steph?"

"Rings?" she was holding Zacky by his hair, her fingers tugging like a death grip, but he didn't even blink.

"Were all out. Do you want to goto the store and get more?" I asked and she nodded frantically her quick jerking motions tearing into Zacky's hair. I almost felt bad..

"Yes." she mumbled excitedly as Zacky looked curiously at me.

"Here I'll take her. I need to go get her some funyuns and it looks like she's going to make you bald." I said reaching for her.

"I'll go with you.. I need to buy a.. Few things." he said not able to meet my eyes.

"okay.." I said lamely as he lead me to my car holding Steph as he carried her on his shoulders.

_______

Ali's POV

Johnny was acting suspicious as he mixed a batch of pancakes. I watched as he used a mixer to make the batter smooth wondering what he was up to.

"Johnny are you dumping me?" I asked as he poured some In to the warm pan.

He turned quickly almost dumping the bowl as he looked at me incredulously. "No! I just.. I love you, can't a man make a decent meal for the girl he loves?"

"I suppose.. but you've been acting weird this morning." I said as he turned to flip them. He moved in front of the pan blocking my view as he dropped more batter on the pan after removing the first ones.

"I'm just glad we are finally home." he said turning to me again. He smiled like he knew something I didn't.

Knowing him, he was probably thinking about last night.. I couldn't stop the heat from running through my face. "Johnny.."

I bit my lip as he laughed softly placing a plate in front of me and one for him in the car next to me. "Just a sec." he ran to the cabinet and grabbed two wine glasses and a bottle of wine before sitting back down.

"Isn't it early for that honey?" I asked as he uncorked it pouring us each a glass.

"No." a smile curved his lip as I accepted my glass sipping it slowly to savor the sweet taste.

"Thank you Johnny." I said cutting down my stack of pancakes after dowsing them with a little syrup.

"You are very very Very welcome." he said watching me chew. I frowned wondering if he might still think I would kill him like the girl from that bloody movie last night.. She had quite a temper for someone so tiny..

I shivered remembering the way she butchered the.. Eww. I blinked several times to forget before cutting into more pancakes. As my fork dug in something fell from them clattering against the plate. I froze seeing a diamond ring covered in syrup. He must have wedged it between the pancakes.

I felt tears fill my eyes as I looked up finding his eyes watching me with hope. "Ali, will you marry me? I love you so much it hurts and I promise to love you forever." his words made my heart race as I picked up the ring and slid it on my finger.

"Yes I'll marry you. I love you too. Forever." I said as he stood up quickly and lifted me from my seat. Our lips met as he hugged me against him. Now to celebrate..

_____

After we finished our shopping I loaded Steph as Zacky put our stuff in the back seat opposite of her car seat.

Steph was napping in her seat as I drove. "I'm sorry." Zacky said as I drove back to Matt's house. I glanced over quickly then put my eyes back on the road.

"It's fine." I said feeling the hurt as my eyes watered.

"No, it's not. I wanted something and couldn't have it, and I acted like a spoiled brat. I shouldn't have treated you like that. You have never done anything to deserve it. I'm sorry. Can we restart and be friends?"

"Sure. Friends is way better than enemies." I said laughing softly. We made it to Matt's and Zacky took in all of the stuff as I woke Steph.

He was smiling as he let me in the door. Finally I felt happy. "I'm going to take Steph swimming with Jimmy." he said as she tugged his hand.

"Sure. I'll be out in a minute." he nodded as Steph giggled and they were off.

I grabbed my cellphone off the couch. I must have forgotten it. One new message. I answered it wondering who would be calling until the computer voice said Scott's number.. What could he have wanted?

"Stacy. It's me I want to see you. How are you? Is Steph doing alright? I miss you both, call me." I hung the phone up wondering why he sounded so upset feeling my heart twist. Deep down I still had feelings for him.

I frowned tossing the phone on the table.. Maybe I should call him later. I made my way to the pool where Zacky was pulling Steph around in her floaty. Slipping out of my shirt and Jeans I jumped in. "Hey!" I glanced at Jimmy as he swam at me.

"What?" I asked then remembering earlier. I grinned as he put a hand on his hip and pointed a finger at me.

"You lied!" we both laughed before he splashed water at me. After a quick splash fight Fallyn and Britt got in the pool with us. With the three of us splashing Jimmy we were winning until Fallyn switched sides and we had to surrender.