Page 27 (2/2)

“Shh, don’t cry Shit, don’t cry, Aubrey”

“He said the s-word,” I hear Tile

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 ”

Zane holds my hand, and we silently make our way out to his car I swipe at the tears on et 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 hearto do with me”

I frown and then bark out a laugh “I’m not that dra 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 ht not have been truthful over the past feeeks 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 es”

“Rina and I were talking about you About how great you are She really likes you And I was telling her about soination started to run away froe 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 IAnyway, I asked her out and started dating her Slept with her one time She called the media and told the 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 dee “Who is this bitch? I’ll kick her ass Why do people suck? Why do people pull this kind of shit?”

“That was all s “She seemed pretty nored I have a tea will co run But I don’t have the cleanest reputation thanks to ht 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’ I’m just out of LA while it’s handled”