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“I want to pretend like this…” He gestured between us. “Just didn’t happen.”

Just didn’t happen. I swallowed the acid that was building in my throat. “Fine.” I nodded my head to the door and crossed my arms. “You should leave, and for the record, I’ll end Taylor and me when I’m ready.”

“Make it soon, will you?” he snapped before walking out the door. It wasn’t until the door was shut that I let my tough exterior fall.

Chapter Fifteen

I never wanted this. From the start I had been determined to not let myself miss him, to want him, to let this connection between us grow. I had to grow up. I had to let him go. I had to finally stop myself from making this grave of our so-called love any deeper.

I would not let myself miss him. I would not let myself love him, or pine for him any longer. It would only lead me to deeper levels of pain and heartache.

There was a knock on the door, and Taylor popped his head in. “You ready to go? Or…” he stepped into the room. “What are you doing?”

He eyed the open suitcase as I quickly moved around the room, grabbing everything I could and stuffing it in.

“Allie, what is going on? Are you leaving?”

I slammed the suitcase lid down. “Blake is coming to get me.”

“What? Why?” He stopped me from picking my case up, with one firm hand.

“Because this…” I ran my hands through my hair. “This.” I gestured between us. “Isn’t working for me anymore.”

“So, you’re pulling out of the deal?”

“Yeah, sure. Call it what you want,” I snapped and took the opportunity to pick my case up.

“Allie, stop.” He rushed across the room, blocking the exit. “Fine, we’ll stop, but that doesn’t mean you have to go.” That charming smirk of his sparkled at me. “We’re still friends.”

Friends didn’t kiss each other like that in the spa. I knew that. He knew that. Anyway, it wasn’t even between him and me, it was between Zane and I. “Thanks Taylor, but if it is all the same, I just want to go home, to my real friends.”

He dropped his arm, letting me pass. I knew Blake would be heading this way as quick as possible and, sure, I might have to walk a bit to meet him, but anything was better than staying here.

“At least wait until he turns up,” Taylor said to my back as we entered the living room.

Zane and Ebony were curled up on the couch together watching TV. They seemed really ready to go for that run.

“He is here.” I turned sharply. I wasn’t lying either as I could hear the roar of Blake’s engine coming up the driveway. I gave Taylor a fake smile. “I’ll see you back at school.”

“Are you leaving?” Ebony looked our way. “Didn’t take as long to get rid of you as I thought it would.”

“Well, congratulations then.” I twisted the doorknob and didn’t even look in Zane’s direction. He didn’t deserve my acknowledgment.

‘Running never solved anything.’His words drifted into my mind causing me to cringe.

‘I’m done with us,’I forced my words back into his mind.‘This was never going to work.’

‘I told you that before.’

‘Then let’s make it official.’I was on the porch steps now, and I looked back through the window to meet his eyes.‘I release you, Zane Harris.’

I even gave him a bitter smile to go with it before turning my back and walking the remaining steps into Blake’s arms.

“God, woman, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Ringing like that.” Blake hugged me back.

“Just take me home.” I let go of him, and he took the suitcase off me.

“So, is the science experiment over with then?” Blake smirked at me while walking around the car.