Beneath His Mask

Chapter 12- Relief (Zach's POV)

Hopefully I will spam a bunch of chapters tonight because I have TONS of ideas.

So what did you guys think about Zach's POV last chapter? Leave me a comment and let me know. 

Thanks again for all your support with this book <3. Here are some shoutouts to those who have commented, voted, or added Beneath his Mask to their reading lists: 

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I'm SO sorry if I forgot anyone; my notifications always get messed up. Thanks to all you for making me want to write more and more <3. Also, I reached 250 views today which amazes me; I never thought that many people would view this!

ENJOY!!!!!! (P.S- I wrote this at like 2 am last night so excuse any errors because I am normally careful with that.)

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I can't keep up this act for much longer.

Reagan is smart. She has to know that a lot of points in my story do not match up. 

And as we sit here in close quarters, greeted by the light of her flashlight, I can hear the wind whipping and the rain hitting the house one drop at a time. Luke and I won't be able to leave anytime soon.

Deciding to turn this conversation into a playful one, I say something.

"So the other day you asked me about my story. I never got a chance to ask you about yours," I say, nudging her in the arm with my elbow. I scoot around to the wall opposite to her, staring her straight in the eyes. I should probably come off as less intense...

"There's not much to it."

"There's got to be something.  A girl like you has something to tell," I respond, not realizing that I'm hitting on her. Nice one, Zach. I'm so God damn impulsive sometimes.

Now looking down at my khaki shorts, I smooth them down and fiddle with the pockets.

There's a long pause before she answers.

"Dad left when I was little. Single mom, practically attached to me with an umbilical cord." Reagan says, twisting a piece of stray hair as she says so. I see a flash of emotion weave across her face before she continues on... so she has secrets too.

"I left for myself. For the experience and knowledge of what it's like to live carefree."

"I know what you mean," I whisper, remembering life before Kelsey died.

"But I also left for another reason." I hear the hesitation in her voice, laced with such deep emotion that I can't even fathom. 

"I was betrayed. By my friend and boyfriend."

Boyfriend?

I feel my face fall as I try to control myself. Boyfriend? 

What did he do to her? Why am I this upset over something so little? I can't get involved in a relationship with her. 

I must have said "boyfriend"  aloud without even realizing it, because Reagan answers my thoughts. 

"Ex-boyfriend," she corrects me, emphasizing the 'ex'. "He cheated on me. it just made me realize... I'll never fall for another cheater. Ever. You know what they say; once a cheater always a cheater." 

I strangle out an "agreed," realizing there is also some other things she doesn't know about me.

But she doesn't have to. 

"Play any sports?" I manage to ask, trying to steer away from the subject. It's better if we don't go there.

"Track," she responds, folding her legs up into a pretzel. I always noticed how toned she was, but I wouldn't have pegged her for a runner.

"What's your specialty?" 

"800 meter," she responds, eyeing me up and down. 

"I play Lacrosse," I explain.

"Interesting," she answers, her mind somewhere else.

Once again, a long comfortable silence fills the room. It's only the two of us listening to the storm... and I like it that way. I like her; she is a fascinating girl. She interests me... and I'd always thought I'd punish myself for what happened to my sister. Somehow, someway... the pain lifts off my shoulders for small moments when I'm with her. 

"I guess we better get back to them." Reagan says, pushing her hands off the floor to stand up. Moments later I follow her lead out of the laundry room, returning to the couch. 

Any more time alone in there with her and I may have gone crazy or done something stupid. 

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Returning to the living room, I find Jennette and Luke sitting there alone, both on their phones.

"Where's my aunt?" Reagan asks from behind me, plopping down on the nearest sofa.

"She went to go make sure all the furniture outside is secure," Luke answers half-ass, peering down at his phone. I'm sure whatever he's looking at is simply enticing, I say sarcastically in my head. 

I take a seat next to Reagan at a respectable distance away. 

Moments later, Reagan springs up from the couch and leaves the room for a few seconds. When she comes back, she holds a deck of cards and some plastic spoons.

She dances over to the glass coffee table and lights the candles, carefully waving each match after it is used. The room now glows against the dark of the night.

"Who wants to play spoons?" She asks, holding up the materials. 

Both Luke and Reagan say sure at the same time.

Then she looks at me.

"Ok," I say with a grin on my face. "But you'll have to teach me first."