"She's a fiery personality." Elliot clipped.
"I've never seen her that mad before."
"You know..." Elliot pursed his lips. "That anger would evaporate in a second if you just told her the truth." Although his words were spoken softly there was a blaring undercurrent that could probably be heard on the east coast.
"I don't want her to get involved, it's already dangerous enough. I'll tell her everything once this is over."
"You better, because she's been hurt, you know. Her Dad just up and left when she was like eleven and her older sister, who she adored, chose to go with him. They walked out of her life. Zach and the rest of us, we're her family and we're more precious to her than anyone. No-one hurts our Jaeda."
"Then why aren't you the one chasing her down right now?"
Elliot shifted with a grunt. "Zach has a softer touch; he's always been able to talk her 'round better then I ever could."
I squashed my grin, knowing just how awesome Zach was at getting to people. He didn't deserved to be lumped with my crap, none of these amazing people did!
"I'm sorry, Elliot. I really am. Maybe I should just walk aw—"
"Don't even!" He raised his finger at me. "I'm not putting up with all this shit so you can just quit. I've only got so many of these don't give up speeches in me, so just shut the hell up and focus so we can nail this prick to the frickin' wall. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir." My body pinged straight. "I mean..." I closed my eyes and cleared my throat. "Yes, we're clear." I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded submissively, fighting a sudden urge to laugh. It didn't help that Alex was snickering in the corner, his shaking shoulders totally giving away the fact he was internally laughing up a storm.
With a final snort, he shook his head and smiled. Pulling off the top of his marker, he turned to Elliot. "Okay, let's finish this."
Chapter 16
ZACH
"Jaeda, wait up!" Zach chased her down the street, finally pulling her to a stop before she crossed the road.
"What? What!" She wriggled free of him again, debilitating him with a strong glare.
"I—I just wanted to check that you were okay."
"Of course I'm not okay! My best friends are lying to me. How do you think that makes me feel?"
"I know you hate it, Jae. I'm sorry. I want to tell you everything, but I can't right now."
"And how the hell did you get Elliot involved? He's the most level headed of us all! You told him something. Something you're not willing to tell me." Her expression buckled, nibbling at Zach's resolve.
He clenched his jaw and looked down.
"Please, Zach. Don't shut me out."
Guilt ripped through him. He swallowed and kicked the pavement with his toe, anything to avoid having to look at Jaeda. That cute little face of hers would break him. He had to stay strong.
"Why are you doing this for her? She's been in your life for less than five months." Stepping forward, Jaeda grabbed Zach's shoulders, forcing him to look at her. "I've been there for years. How can you write me off so easily?"
Her eyes were starting to glisten, stripping Zach's willpower down to a piddly thread. He was going to break soon, spill the beans and then have Lucy hate him.
He ground his teeth together and stepped out of Jaeda's grasp.
She tutted, her long curls dropping over her shoulder as she looked down at her bright pink toenails. She was wearing her flower toe ring, the one with the purple gems. Zach had bought it for her for Christmas the year before. "I'm so over this." She crossed her arms. "First she breaks your heart and now she's back and you're willing to just do anything for her. What's she hiding, Zach? I know it's dangerous. I can feel it."
Zach finally sighed, licking his lips. His mouth felt arid as he tried to speak. "For your own safety, you need to stay out of this, Jae." It sounded so poxy. He knew she would hate it and he was right.
"Ugh." She made a face. "You're so full of shit, Zach. I love you guys and if you're in trouble I want to help. Let me in."
"I'm sorry. I can't." The words only just made it through his locked teeth.
"You want to. I can see it." She shook her head, a pitying scorn marring her features. "Once again Zach Schultz gets duped by a girl. I thought you were stronger than this, but I guess I was wrong." Her lips bunched together as she shook her head. "Don't expect us to save your ass this time." She turned away then spun back with a last flair of anger. "And if Elliot gets hurt in any way because of you, we're finished, you understand me?"
Her vehemence left Zach speechless. All he could do was nod.
Once more she tortured him with a look of hurt so strong he nearly buckled on the spot. It she hadn't stormed across the street, he probably would have. He watched her red curls fly as she ran down the road before reluctantly turning back to the house.