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And, I admit, I was with them on both fronts.
I had a meeting this afternoon, so I had a sub come in for just a couple of hours to keep an eye on things until I return. I’m glad the school day is almost over, but I’m not looking forward to going home. I know I have to talk to Zane, but I’m putting it off.
Maybe I can come up with a few errands to run this afternoon before I go home.
“You really are chickenshit,” I mutter to myself as I turn toward my classroom. I open the door, surprised that it’s dead quiet, and all of the students are sitting at their desks, in rows, waiting expectantly.
“This is like something out of a creepy movie,” I say and look toward Kelsey, my sub. “Everything okay?”
“Sure.” She nods to the back of the room, and I follow her gaze, then feel my heart stutter.
There, in the back, sitting at a tiny desk, is Zane. God, he looks gorgeous in his blue button-down. It makes his eyes look even bluer—if that’s possible.
I narrow my eyes, but before I can say anything, the children in the front row each hold up a white piece of poster board with black writing.
PLEASE JUST TALK TO ME.
I read the words and then look back at him, shaking my head as if to say, “Really?”
The second row picks up their signs.
HE’S REALLY SORRY, MISS S.
“That’s not fair, Zane,” I whisper. I have to swallow hard, so I don’t cry.
I prop my hands on my hips as the third row lifts their signs.
LIFE’S NOT FAIR SOMETIMES.
I feel my jaw drop. Kelsey gasps behind me.
“How did you know I’d say that?”
It’s the fourth row’s turn now.
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU.
More tears fill my eyes, and I shake my head slowly. Zane’s face registers panic, and then he races to my side and wraps his arms around me.
“Shh, don’t cry. Shit, don’t cry, Aubrey.”
“He said the s-word,” I hear Timmy say with a giggle.
I sniffle, and Kelsey steps over to us and says quietly, “I’ll stay through the last hour. You go, Aubrey.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” She winks and passes me my purse. “Have a good evening.”
Zane holds my hand, and we silently make our way out to his car. I swipe at the tears on my cheeks, relieved when I get in the vehicle so no one but he can see me cry.
The drive home is even quiet.
When we get up to the condo, Zane takes my hands and kisses them both.
“I’m so sorry,” he says at last. “Honest, I’m so very sorry. I know you’re mad and that what I said was shitty, but I need you to hear me out before you decide that you don’t want to have anything to do with me.”
I frown and then bark out a laugh. “I’m not that dramatic, Zane. I’m pissed at you, but I’m not kicking you to the curb. Yet.”
“Really? Oh.” His tired face relaxes just a bit. “I can say with certainty that before last night, it never even occurred to me to suggest that you might not have been truthful over the past few weeks. I never got that vibe from you at all.”
“Then why did you say it?” I demand and pull my hands away so I can pace. I always pace when I’m worked up. “You embarrassed me, Zane. More than you hurt my feelings.”
“Rina and I were talking about you. About how great you are. She really likes you. And I was telling her about some of the fun things we’ve done. And then my stupid imagination started to run away from me a bit. I might have some baggage in this department.” His shoulders slump. “Come on, let’s sit.”
“I do better on my feet.”
“And I want to sit with you. I gave you your way last night.” He catches my hand in his and pulls me to the couch. “You asked about why I’m here. I hadn’t dated in a while, and then I met a woman through work. Not an actress. She’s in costuming. Anyway, I asked her out and started dating her. Slept with her one time. She called the media and told them we were in a committed relationship. Which is annoying but wouldn’t be a big deal. I figured I’d release a statement and deny and then move on with my life.”
He takes a long, deep breath, pushes his hands through his hair, and then keeps going.
“But she threatened to accuse me of rape if I didn’t pay her.”
“What the hell?” I demand, immediately full of rage. “Who is this bitch? I’ll kick her ass. Why do people suck? Why do people pull this kind of shit?”
“That was all my first reaction, too.” He sighs and then shrugs. “She seemed pretty normal and down to earth when I met her. Turned out to be unhinged. I have a team of lawyers on it, and I know that nothing will come of it in the long run. But I don’t have the cleanest reputation thanks to my misspent youth, and Hugh thought it would be best if I just got away for a while until the whole thing blew over. I didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m not hiding. I’m just out of LA while it’s handled.”
