Chapter 101

A Secret

My heart hammers in my chest as I hear the click of the doorknob. It only takes a second before Zaid's door swings open.

I can feel my breath hitch in my throat and he just stands there, staring at me like

I'm at ghost. His dark eyes flick over me, from my face to my toes.

It's slow, deliberate, hot. His jaw tightens, and I lick my lips as it draws my attention.

"Can I..." I hesitate, my voice quieter than I intended. "Can I spend the night with you?"

He doesn't answer immediately, and I press my lips together, wrapping my arms around myself, suddenly unsure. Should I just walk away?

His frown is slight, but it's there, barely noticeable if I weren't so attuned to him. He watches me for a long second, those dark eyes melting my insides. Then he exhales through his nose and steps aside, pushing the door open wider.

I walk in, feeling the heat of his presence behind me as the door clicks shut. The silence

settles around us is almost too much to bear. He walks around me, toward his bed, where he begins to pick up the books he has scattered across it.

I take in his appearance. His damp hair, the way his grey sweatpants sit low on his hips, the faint sheen of water still clinging to his skin. My gaze drifts lower, tracing the jagged

scars that stretch from his abdomen to his back and over his shoulder blades.

I swallow hard and finally break the silence. "You're upset."

Zaid shrugs, shaking his head.

"You are."

"Why would I be upset?" His voice is flat, carefully neutral.

I hesitate before whispering, "I'm sorry I pulled away from you."

He stiffens, keeping his gaze locked onto the floor.

My fingers tighten around the fabric of my shirt. "I just... I'm not sure I want your father

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A Secret

to know."

in his eyes. He huffs out

I don't want Jake to know

you?" His jaw tightens as he watches

at

you afraid of tarnishing your reputation by being with

sharply. "No, Zaid. That's

is it?" His voice is quiet, but

uncertainty and insecurity in his eyes and my

it away;

reassure him that I don't feel like that at all. The pain in his eyes steals

it feels like you're willing to

have Aiden

feeling my chest tighten. "No, Zaid. No. It's just that -I don't

his nostrils

relationship like this before, with two people. And I

eyes darken. "And what? You think keeping me a secret

frowns. "I can understand you needing time to be with the both of us out in

complicated than

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spill everything.

before looking at me again. "You think my father has a say in who I'm with? In who you or Aiden are

4 shake my head.

is quieter now, but no less intense. "One day,

Tell everyone."

and Zaid will have to know eventually, too. This is all going to blow up in

Zaid can see the fear in my eyes because he flinches. "Do you

in secret while you walk around

deep because I don't

I want Aiden.

I want Jake.

all too

my eyes, and that has him

rubbing his

tremble. "I don't- I don't

clenches, eyes scanning my

out of me and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from adding the fact that Jake would be

brushing mine. "We can't stop them, my love. We can only choose what we do. Either you

judgement of being with both of

the chance to tell him that

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