Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 172

Don't Want to Be Alone

I'm chewing on my bottom lip as I watch the lights and street signs pass overhead.

The ride is quiet, so quiet that I can hear my own breathing,

Every tick of the turn signal, every shuffle of clothing grates against my ears like it's too loud. Zaid's hands have a tight hold on the wheel. I watch at his knuckles turn white, watch the way his jaw flexes every time we hit a red light.

The tension increases with every second, and he clears his throat before he finally speaks.

"Jace finally has a girlfriend," he says out of nowhere. His voice scratchy, rough like he hasn't used it in days.

I blink, startled, and turn to look at him.

Jace?

We've never talked about Jace. I mean, I know who he is. I've met him and talke to him before. But why is he bringing him up now?

I have to hold in my laugh, stop myself from asking him why we're talking about Jace. I give him something because I can tell he's grasping for normal. For small talk that doesn't exist right now.

"Oh, yeah? That's good for him, I guess."

Zaid nods, once and sharp. His leg bounces a little, the only sign of his fraying patience, his nerves. "Yeah."

It's all he says. I don't think he knows what he's saying at this point.

I almost laugh. Almost.

The comment is so far out of left field, I can't believe he's trying this hard to just talk to

1. me.

We fall quiet again; it makes me press my hand to my stomach, even though I already feel sick enough. I focus on breathing. Zaid keeps driving, but the closer we get, the more rigid

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Don't Want to Be Alone

pull into

it fear? Anger? Anxiety?

shoves it into park harder than he needs

reach out without thinking, placing my hand on his thigh.

there, trying

waiting in the lobby for me?"

might help him a

feel better knowing you're

stricken in his eyes. Something hollow and

I can do that,"

I feel him behind me, breathing heavy. In and out. His hand finds mine as we walk toward the building, his fingers sliding between mine without asking. His grip is warm and strong, and I don't pull

filling out the forms with shaking hands. Zaid hovers just a few feet away. His eyes stay on me, even when I

glance at him one last time, but he stays seated, his elbows

rocks back and forth.

The exam room is cold, but the OBGYN is nice enough. I get checked out. They ask me questions. Take samples. And then they tell

Not pregnant.

words are a

tell me

2/4

Want to

those words are a

but everything is starting to blur, my heartbeat

the edges. I take two steps before my knees buckle. Zaid is there in an instant,

cuts through the noise in my head, but

only shake my

tight around my waist, and he's the only

me upright.

quiet swallows us, I close my eyes and breathe. I focus

I tell him, my

his hand finding the back of my neck as he

of my head.

that for a

No words.

Just breathing.