You’re So Easy–2
But Zaid’s already moving.
He lets go of me, only to step forward, putting himself squarely between Sadie and me. “Come on Sadie, just walk away.”
Sadie’s lips twist. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Zaid tilts his head, and there’s something cold in his eyes that makes her step back without realizing it. “You think I care what you think?”
Her eyes dart to mine. “You took me to your father’s wedding rehearsal. Me. She’s with Aiden, isn’t she?”
The reminder of that has me struggling to breathe.
Zaid’s back notably tenses and I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking.
“You don’t get to talk about her. Not now, not ever,” he says. “You don’t get to look at her
like you’re better. You’re not.”
Sadie’s jaw drops. Her face is bright red now, and she’s shaking a little; whether it’s from anger or embarrassment, I don’t know.
“I thought you had better taste,” she snaps weakly.
Zaid nods. “I do. That’s why I’m with her.”
Pain crosses her eyes, but I don’t find it in me to feel bad. She turns on her heel and
walks away in a huff, her sneakers squeaking on the floor.
For a second, I can’t move. My stomach twists so hard I think I might be sick.
“Zaid,” I whisper, my pulse hammering. “What are we going to do?”
He lets out a slow breath, his thumb brushing my cheek before his hand falls back to my waist. “What do you mean?”
“She’s going to tell everyone,” I whisper.
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You’re So Laby
He frowns, “About us?”
I nod.
“And… that’s bad?”
I blink at him, my chest tight. “Yes! I… I mean, relationships like this aren’t normal. And
you’re a guy!”
He looks around like I’m insane.
“No one will say anything to you, but me? They’re call me exactly what Sadie did just
now.”
Zaid’s hand squeezes at my waist, steadying me. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll figure this
out.”
His eyes search mine, and I know he means it. I swallow hard and nod, even if my
stomach’s still a knot.
We head back toward the car. Zaid stays close, his fingers still laced through mine, like he’s daring the world to say something about it.
Jake’s the first to notice when we get close. He’s leaning against the passenger door, brows drawn together. Aiden’s in the front seat but turns around as soon as he sees us.
“What happened?” Jake asks, frowning as he scans my face.
Zaid glances at me like he’s giving me the choice. I take a breath.
“We ran into Sadie,” I say quietly.
Aiden’s jaw clenches. “What did she say?”
“Nothing worth repeating,” Zaid says, his tone sharp.
Jake looks between the two of us, his eyes softening as they land on me. “You okay?”
I hesitate, then nod. “Yeah. I will be.‘
We settle back in the car and I keep my mouth shut as I look out the window, gnawing on
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4:21 pm
121pm
You’re So Easy–2
my lip as I think about what tomorrow at school will bring.
“You should probably stay with her all day tomorrow,” Zaid says from the passenger seat, looking over at Aiden.
Aiden sighs, but I see him nod. “She’s going to start a bunch of shit.”
Zaid’s jaw clenches and I wonder if he’s thinking about the same thing I am. About how
he brought her to the wedding rehearsal as a punishment for me. I had almost forgotten. I never asked him about it, and we never talked about it again.
Jake’s hand suddenly reaches for mine, but I don’t have the energy to look at him and see the question in his eyes.
I just want to get home.
