Breath Of The Heart (7 page)

"And why don't you like her?"

He chuckled. "She's a vulture. She picks away at your dead flesh and when there's nothing more, she moves on." Zach paused. "Look, Jake is crazy about her, and when she dumps him, and she will, he's going to come slinking back to you, but not for the reasons you want."

I rolled coffee around in my mug. I'd never once told him how I felt about Jake . . . I'd never told anyone so was it that obvious? "I'm not sure what you mean."

"I think you're a funny, smart and gorgeous girl who can get any guy she wants, but you don't put yourself out there. The problem is that the one guy you do want doesn't want you back. You've got to stop pining for him. Truth be told, he's a loser."

My back went up. "He's not a loser."

"He totally is and he'd be lucky to have a girl like you."

"Are you BSing me to make me feel better?"

"I've dated a lot of Biancas. I really need to be dating more Emmas."

"I think us Emmas would prefer you date only one of us at a time."

Zach rose and grabbed both our plates. "See what I mean? You have a sense of humor. Jake likes drama and high maintenance. I also think he likes a trophy, hence him being a loser."

"He's not a loser," I mumbled.

"Yes, he is," Zach called from the kitchen.

"You should put that super human hearing of yours to better use."

Zach ignored me and grabbed his phone from the coffee table. It buzzed for a second as he fired it back on. He scrolled through his messages and rolled his eyes a few times. "I guess I'm going to be monkey in the middle for awhile. Jake wants to know when you're picking up the rest of your stuff. What should I tell the asswipe?"

My heart deflated. Jake was taking this seriously. Not once had he made an attempt to contact me. I'd only checked my phone a million times. "I could go over there later if you don't mind helping me."

He expertly tapped on his phone and sent a text within seconds.

"I'm going to hit the gym and we can go after that. I'm sure he'll make himself scarce."

"I don't think he wants to see me anytime soon."

"I'll check if there's room in storage if you need a place to put your things."

"Honestly, I don't have much other than some appliances. I figure we can use them here."

His phone buzzed and he scanned the text. "He says if we tell him a time, we can go get what's left."

"You pick the time. It's not like I have anywhere to be."

Zach furiously tapped again then tossed his phone back where he found it. "When I get back we'll go. Remember, I want you to make yourself at home." His gaze was intense and I knew he meant it. Right now Zach Walker was my only friend in the world.  
 

Chapter Twelve

Emma

I sent Jake a few texts that went unanswered. I envied the control Bianca had on him. Actually, I envied Bianca because Jake loved her so much. I would have killed for him to look at me the way he looked at her. I would have given a limb for him to be with me, hold me, kiss me and love me.

Those thoughts rambled through my head as I unpacked the odd thing. I was actually hoping that in the next few hours Jake would calm down and call, telling me what a horrible misunderstanding it had all been, but the only peep my phone made was a text from Dad. I texted him back not wanting to call him yet. There was still a chance Jake would see the proverbial light.

Zach returned from his workout and shed his jacket. He hung it in the closet and I noticed again what a clean apartment he kept. Everything was neatly arranged and organized. The furniture was dusted and the hardwood floors polished. He was a rich kid and if I knew anything about kids of privilege, they didn't clean.

"I'm going to grab a quick protein shake and we can head out," he said.

"Sure, no problem. When does the cleaning lady come?" I asked.

"Every other Wednesday morning," he called back.

I smiled. Mystery solved. I followed him into the kitchen. Despite a cleaning lady, he was still neat and tidy. He'd done all the dishes, if you count loading them haphazardly into a dishwasher.

"It shouldn't take me long. I didn't leave much behind."

"It's not like I have anything better planned."

On the short drive reality slowly sunk in. Jake wasn't changing his mind. Once again the apartment was empty, but this time, as an added insult, Jake had left some of my items next to the door, including some books I'd loaned him and a personalized pocket knife I'd gotten him for his birthday. I stared at the items, my heart crushing. For Jake to have done this, he was serious. And in the split second it took to get sad, a switch went off making me angry. After all the insults Bianca had hurled my way, and despite his complacency in it all, he still had the nerve to punish me. My cheeks burned and the adrenaline flowed. I wanted out of the there as soon as possible.

I grabbed Zach's arm and led him to my bedroom.

"Hey, I'm usually game, but now isn't a good time," he joked.

I wasn't interested in humor. "I want us to be out of here within an hour. Start putting everything in garbage bags. I'm going to pack up my appliances." And that would include the coffeemaker I paid for and the grinder too. Four trips later we had his truck packed up.

"Let me buy dinner," I said. "You pick the place."

"I'm fine with burgers. Let's go to Ben's."

"Ben's Burger Barn? Really? I owe you more than that."

"I'm craving burgers."

I smiled. Zach had that affect on me. I felt completely at ease with him even more so than I did with Jake. Maybe because I wasn't in a constant state of worrying how he saw me. I didn't need to impress Zach.

Ben's Burgers was quiet for a Sunday evening. We took a booth and I perused the menu. I was starving, having not had a good meal in almost twenty-four hours. I decided to go full force with a cheeseburger and fries, including the gravy. I set down my menu and stole a glance at Zach. He was a bit of an enigma. Why was he so nice to someone like me? Sure, he'd been friendly from the moment I met him, but based on Becca, I knew the kind of girls he liked and they weren't anything like me. They were knockout beauty queens, not girls who barely wore makeup, didn't fuss over clothes and actually ate food.

And Zach? He had the dark and mysterious thing going. I could see why girls fawned over him. He had it all which could be seducing if you fell for that kind of thing.

The server came around and took our orders. Zach settled into his seat and fixed his gaze on me. Was this the look he used on all the girls? If so, I could see how it worked. He had me thinking I was the centre of his world and it was flattering. My skin tingled a little and although I wanted to look away, I kept my eyes on his. The difference, though, was that I was immune to his charms.

"So," he said.

"So," I replied.

"I realized today that I don't know a whole lot about you. If I'm going to live with you, I should have more details."

"Like what?"

"You never talk to your mom."

I groaned. "Not her again. You're so obsessed with her."

"I'm trying to wrap my head around this. She never calls?"

"You know how often Halley's Comet comes around? That's how often I hear from Meredith. When I was twelve she got married and me and Dad were invited. She asked Dad not to tell guests who I was so they made up a lie that I was her cousin. I felt like she didn't want me around, which was probably true. Her husband knows about me but I don't think anyone else does."

"What about your other grandparents?"

"The last time I saw them was that day. I don't remember them saying hello. Pretty much all I remember is sitting near the back of the church with Dad and wondering why I wasn't part of the wedding. After that I wrote her off. She sends birthday and Christmas presents, but I don't care. You know, she didn't come to a single of my tennis tournaments. She was too busy with her new family. I have two little brothers I've never met."

Zach leaned over the table, engrossed in my not-so-entertaining story. "I still can't believe she walked out."

"She was fifteen when she had me. She didn't want to be tied down. To be honest, neither did my dad. He didn't always get the parent thing because he was so young himself. My first day of kindergarten he had to tell my teacher more than once that he was actually my dad and not my older brother. He'd barely turned twenty and he had a five-year-old. Think of yourself right now. Can you imagine towing around a five-year-old?"

"Sometimes I can barely take care of myself. So what was it like not having a mom around?"

"My grandma was a pretty good substitute. She died two and a half years ago."

"Sorry to hear that."

"She wasn't sick for long, or at least she didn't let on. I miss her a lot."

"And your dad. Did he have a tough time?"

"I don't know. He finished high school, but didn't go to university. I think he may regret that, but he never lets on. He and my grandpa have an antique shop. My dad does a lot of buying and selling online too. He's been successful."

"So if Jake's brother and your dad are best friends, now what happens?"

"I'm not sure. I'm going to call my dad later. I'll have to tell him something."

A thoughtful expression spread across Zach's face. "I said it before and I'll say it again: I think you should tell the truth."

The truth was that I had a history of telling the truth and it getting me into trouble. When I was eleven I made a good friend. Her name was Leslie and we hung out 24/7. She was the first true friend I'd had besides Jake. Then one day we were sharing a candy bar on one of the schoolyard benches and she told me a secret. She made me vow to keep it to myself, but I couldn't. It was too horrible. I told Dad and a day later I lost a friend, my only true friend other than Jake. Leslie was pulled from school for awhile and when she returned she never spoke to me again. At the end of sixth grade her mother divorced Leslie's stepdad, moved her and her two little sisters away and I never heard from them again. While Dad maintained that I'd done the right thing, and today I know what I did was right, I lost Leslie.

"I don't want to tell him what I did. It's not like he'll hear about it. I don't want him to know what Jake did either. It's too humiliating and not only that, he'd get so angry and I don't want him to take it out on anyone."

Zach shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Why are you still protecting Jake?"

My cheeks flushed. "I'm not, but I don't want to upset my dad."

"I think your dad deserves to know what kind of person Jake is."

"I'll tell him, but not today." Or tomorrow. I wanted to put if off forever.

The server came around and slapped down our platters. Maggie, the name on her nametag, wasn't friendly, but I understood why. Ben's was a college hangout and students weren't exactly the best tippers.

I attacked my burger like I hadn't seen food in weeks. For a few minutes we ate in silence. People milled in and Zach gave them a wave. He knew half the school, but I guess a senator's son was on everyone's radar.

"So about Monday," Zach said, "I wanted to give you some advice."

I put down my nearly finished burger. "Why?"

"Bianca knows a lot of people so I'd keep a low profile."

Concern masked his face and nerves bubbled up in my full stomach. "What's going on? What have you heard?"

"Let's just say that she's connected. I've put out there that she better not seek any retribution. I'd like to think I have more reach and pull than she does, but watch your back. Don't put yourself in a vulnerable position."

I pushed away my plate and wanted to throw up. "Is she coming after me?"

"No, no," he said, his voice light but unconvincing.

"I'm worried. She has tons of friends. Some of them are nasty bitches."

"Don't be worried. I talked to Jake and the deal was that everyone stays away from each other. Bianca agreed, but I'm not sure I trust her. So the first few weeks we should go to and from school together. If we can't go together, we'll figure something else until I can be sure this has blown over."

My skin prickled. "I'm freaking out." My voice may have sounded calm and collected, but any second I thought I'd pass out.

"I don't want you to think they're going to do anything crazy, but I don't want them to harass you either. If they see you with me they will back off. So starting Monday, we go to and from school together."

"My own personal bodyguard," I said, trying to sound upbeat.

"And if they bother you, I want to hear about it."

"How long do you think I have to live this way?"

"Not long. Something else will happen and you'll be a memory."

I groaned. "I hate this."

"Next time keep your fists to yourself."

Chapter Thirteen

Emma

My last day of freedom before school started. I decided to stay in bed awhile before heading to the tennis club to meet Helen. I still hadn't told Dad anything. We spoke after Ben's Burger Barn and I pretended that the world was wonderful and everyone was happy. Today I would try and call Jake and if he didn't answer, I'd leave a message that I had to tell Dad something. If he ignored me, I'd come up with some kind of story.

I heard Zach get up. I could have dragged myself out of bed and offered to make breakfast, but I preferred feeling sorry for myself. I heard him on the phone before heading back to his room to take a shower. I read for a bit before pulling myself out of bed and just as I was about to leave my room, there was a knock on the front door. I retreated. Whoever it was, I didn't want to see them.

"You're late," Zach said.

The door was ajar and I could hear the conversation perfectly.

"Slept in. Is she here?" The voice was male and it dropped to nearly a whisper when I came up in conversation.

"She's sleeping."

"Man, you're crazy. Why are you getting mixed up in all this?"

"Because she's a nice girl and didn't deserve what happened to her."

His friend snorted. "Sure. There's only one reason you'd help her. So have you been in her pants yet?"

"Cut it out."

"Of all the chicks to get a hard-on for, you pick her? Every girl at Western will kneel at your dick, and you find a nutter."

"Stop being an ass. Let's go."

The front door opened and shut. Silence. I sat on my bed and tried to absorb what I'd heard. He didn't confirm or deny it. Could someone like Zach really like me? I shook my head. No, not possible. His stupid friend was right, he could have his pick of any litter, so why would he choose me? The simple answer? He wouldn't.

~~~~~~~

I called Helen and apologized for standing her up for our tennis match. More lies spewed from me about a friend being rushed to hospital. She bought the story and we settled for a rematch Sunday afternoon. It gave me the opportunity to blow off some steam and forget about Zach's conversation with his friend and my first day back at school after the Bianca affair.

"I was thinking," Helen said, huffing and puffing after an hour of intense rallying. I felt bad making her run all over the court. "The club is holding a tournament in the New Year. I'm looking for a partner for the ladies division. How about you?"

"Me?" I asked. I pulled my duffel bag from my locker and fished for a change of clothes.

"Yes, you. We could practice a few times this week and I'll do all the paperwork. I'll even pay the entry fee."

I sat on the bench and slid off my sneakers. She was going to a lot of trouble to get me to agree and the thought of playing in a tournament again did sound appealing. "Am I eligible?"

"Of course you are," she said, scoffing at the idea. "I already asked the tournament organizers. The prize money for the winners is a thousand dollars. If we win, I'll give it all to you."

Something wasn't adding up including her complete inability to stand still. She was like a firecracker about to go off. "I'm guessing there's more to this than entering a tournament."

She sat next to me, scooting in close. "I have to beat Sally Carruthers. Every year she kicks my butt. She finds these amazing partners and wins. No one else has won in years. With you on my team, we can beat that bitch!"

I'd never seen her so animated before, in fact, I'd never heard her curse. "How do you know we'll win?"

"Because there is no one better than you. Together we can wipe the court with her."

The money was attractive, although I would insist on splitting it with Helen. The problem I had was that I wasn't as convinced as she was that we'd win. Helen's tennis game was good, but she was far from great. Her serve had no power or speed, her backhand needed hours of work and at five foot nothing, her forehand wouldn't give a woman my height and strength any trouble at all.

"Prepare yourself for the possibility that we'll lose," I said diplomatically.

"Oh, we will win. You'll make up for my lack of talent."

"It does sound fun. It's a weekend?"

"And some qualifiers."

"I'll do it only if we split the money."

"I don't care about the money. I want the trophy."

"Sign me up then."

"You made my day," she said, shaking with giddiness. She hugged me and skipped to the showers.

Helen was added to the friend column.

~~~~~~~

I made one last call to Jake. He didn't answer. I left my final message telling him that I would be calling my dad that night and I had to tell him something. Within an hour Jake called me back. Hearing his voice for the first time made my heart blip a few beats, but his tone was flat and unforgiving.

"Hello, Emma."

"Hi, Jake. How are you?"

"Good."

"And Bianca?" My voice went into a phoney high pitch. Did he pick up on it?

"She's fine."

"Tell her I'm sorry."

"I will."

I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. I was alone in my new bedroom and glad that Zach wasn't nearby. He'd see how school girly nervous I was and he'd hate it. "I haven't told my dad anything. I assume you haven't told Ron either."

"No."

"Zach thinks I should tell Dad the truth."

"I'm sure Zach thinks a lot of things," Jake said bitterly.

"I can't keep lying to him."

Jake let out a deep sarcastic sigh. "I don't want you to tell him the truth."

"I don't want to either, but I can't keep doing this."

"It's not like your dad will figure out we aren't living together anymore. It's not like he visits."

"He hasn't, but he might."

A long silence followed. It gave me time to think about what he said. Why didn't he want me to tell Dad the truth? Was it because he may come off as a jerk? That Dad would be so disappointed and disgusted with him? That Ron might get mad?

"I think you should tell Paul that you have a boyfriend and decided to move in with him."

My jaw dropped and I was at a loss for words. I hated how easily that plan would work, but Dad, and more importantly Grandpa, wouldn't be impressed. And this way Jake would have no blood on his hands.

"Okay." I can't believe how quickly I agreed to it. "I won't tell him right away because he won't believe it."

"Fine, do whatever you want."

"Jake, I am so sorry the way things happened. I hope that we can work it out."

"Emma, I have to go."

With that he hung up. I stared at my phone for awhile and wanted to cry. Jake severed ties with me and didn't care one bit.

I sat for a few minutes before putting down my phone and finding Zach in the living room watching hockey. I plopped down next to him.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"Jake talked to me all of three seconds. He doesn't want me to tell Dad the truth. He wants me to tell him that I met a guy and moved in with him. Presumably you. Not sure my dad will fall for that one."

Zach tore his eyes off the game and scowled at me. "You do realize what he's doing, right? This way he comes off like an angel. I've told you before, tell your dad everything."

"He'll be gutted."

"I think he'll be outraged and proud of the fact you stood up for yourself." He shifted his body to face me. "You want to know what I think the real reason is? If you tell your dad, it officially ends whatever it is you think you have with Jake. That's why you're worried. If Jake is half the guy you think he is, if you tell the truth he'll come around and you'll be friends again."

I hated that Zach was right, but telling Dad now would serve no purpose other than starting trouble. "I know you aren't going to believe me, but I want to tell Dad in person. The last thing I need or want is for him to flip out on Ron. They've been friends their entire lives and I think if I tell Dad face to face, I can keep him calm. I'll go down in a few weeks and tell him."

"And until then?"

"I'm going to pretend that everything here is going along smoothly."