All or Nothing–1
I wake up alone.
I blink at the sunlight filtering in through my window and I’m surprised that I fell asleep. When I shift, I feel how sore I am. Not in a bad way. Jake helped me fall asleep last night, and that was what I needed.
The silence settles over me. Though my heart doesn’t feel as frantic as last night, my mind is still a whirlwind. Fuck, I don’t want to think.
I roll out of bed, pulling on an oversized shirt that was lying on my chair and heading downstairs. The faint sound of whispering reaches me before I hit the bottom step.
I frown and slow down, my bare feet making almost no sound against the wood. When I
peek around the corner, I see Jake, Aiden, and Zaid huddled around the kitchen island like
they’re plotting something.
They go silent the second they see me.
Zaid has his arms crossed on his chest, far from Jake. I can feel the tension between them, but I refuse to acknowledge the reason behind that.
The air tightens, and I feel it settle in my chest like a stone.
“What’s going on?” I ask slowly, my gaze moving between the three of them. I know that look, the guilt and tension all tangled together.
Jake motions toward the living room. “Let’s sit down for a second.”
Now I’m really nervous. A rock settles in my chest as I follow Jake. I sit down on the couch, hugging my knees. Jake and Aiden sit in front of me while Zaid takes the seat on
the other side of the couch.
Jake clears his throat. “Zaid told us what happened last night.”
I freeze. The words make me feel cold. I wrap my arms tighter around myself. The last thing I want is a reminder.
“He did?” I shift.
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Aiden stands, sitting beside me. His hand brushes my arm gently, thumb stroking my skin like he’s not sure if I want him to touch me.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, even though I’m not. He keeps his hand on me and I lean into it.
Jake looks at me, serious. “We should think about maybe moving you out of here.”
My heart skips. “What? What do you mean?”
Jake’s voice is calm, but heavy. “To another city. Another state if you want. Somewhere far away.”
My vision blurs. “I don’t want to move.”
He frowns at that and Aiden sighs. “Why not? Things will only get worse if you stay here. The media aren’t letting this go.”
Jake nods, agreeing. “The board is also going after Everything’s all over the place.”
me,
demanding my retirement.
I turn to Zaid, who is watching me, saying nothing. “You agree with this?”
He gives a stiff nod. “Things like last night can happen again.”
I shake my head, panic curling in my chest. “I don’t want to leave any of you.”
Jake frowns, thrown back as if he’s confused. “We would leave with you, baby. I would have to stay here until things are settled with your mother. And the board.”
Aiden sighs. “And I have to finish school.”
Jake’s gaze shifts to Zaid. “So you and Zaid can go first. Find a house. We’ll join you when
we can.”
I look at Zaid sharply. My voice shakes as I turn my eyes back to Jake and Aiden. “Did he tell you he broke up with me?”
Their heads snap toward Zaid. Jake narrows his eyes. “Wait what?”
“You didn’t tell me that,” Aiden says, looking shocked.
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All or Nothing–1
Zaid doesn’t flinch. He just rubs a hand down his face and exhales. “Because it doesn’t change anything. I’ll still go with her.”
Aiden scoffs and shakes his head. “This doesn’t make any sense. I thought you two-”
“Yeah,” I cut in, my voice sharp. “Me too.”
I don’t give them a chance to say more. I get up and walk out the back door, needing air, needing space, needing something that doesn’t feel like it’s slipping through my fingers.
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