Page 35 of Furious (The Six Six Six Rule #2)

Who Can You Trust?

ARES

I wake up early.

Soon it’s going to be time to take Zara to Lev’s house so he can take her home.

I hate this ruse, but I’m grateful for Lev’s help at the same time. I’m not afraid of my father’s disapproval, and I would fight him head on if Chance and Lev weren’t in the picture.

Things will be different if—when—Zara chooses me.

But I have to be realistic and prepare for the possibility that she might want to be with Lev or Chance.

Just the idea of losing her makes it hard to breathe, but in my heart of hearts, I know that I want Zara to be happy. If that isn’t going to be with me, I’ll have to accept her decision and support her anyway, no matter how hard it might be.

Truth be told, Lev would really be the easier choice. But if Zara wanted to be with Chance, I would back him up. I would help him talk to Dad and convince him to abandon his ridiculous expectations that we should treat Zara like a sister.

I’m not under the illusion that seeing Zara with my little brother—or with Lev—wouldn’t hurt. But this is what makes this entire situation so fucking confusing and heartbreaking.

I want Zara to myself, but at the same time, I would hate to see my brother and my best friend get hurt just as much as I don’t want to get hurt myself.

I don’t know if I can ever choose between you .

Zara’s earlier words echo in my head and for a second, I consider it. If Lev and Chance loved her as much as I do, would it be so bad to leave things the way they are?

I look at my stepsister, peacefully asleep by my side. She’s so fucking beautiful with her dark hair fanned out on the pillow and her pink lips slightly parted.

Could I really share her with my brother and my best friend? Possessiveness surges through me.

No. One thing is working with them to protect her from a lowlife like Calvin Fox; watching her kissing one of them, imagining her in their beds, naked… that’s a totally different story. I’m so fucking jealous that I’m gonna have to fight the urge not to punch Lev in the face when I see him later.

Besides, Dad already has a huge problem with the idea of seeing me or Chance dating Zara. I don’t even want to imagine how he would react if he knew the truth.

“Ares?” Zara mumbles, without even opening her eyes. “Are you watching me sleep again?”

“Maybe.” I chuckle.

She grabs my arm, pulling me closer. “Weirdo.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it. If you saw how hot you look, all peaceful and cozy, you’d understand.”

“Whatever.” She pulls me even closer, but stops just shy of kissing me. “Wait, what time is it?”

I look at the digital clock on my nightstand. “Almost eight.”

“Aww,” she complains. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? We’ll have to go to Lev’s very soon, before we risk bumping into too many people we know on the way home.”

“I know. But you looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you until I really had to.”

That explanation does nothing to appease her.

“Yeah, but I had plans.” Her hand leaves my arm, traveling down my chest.

“What kind of plans?” I ask when her hand keeps sliding down to my stomach.

Zara nips at my bottom lip. “I don’t know when we’re going to be able to do this again, so I wanted to make love to you one more time this morning.”

I really like how she says “make love” rather than fucking or something like that.

“I’m sorry. All we really have time for is a quickie.”

She perks up, wrapping her fingers around the base of my half mast dick. “I can be quick. Especially if you do that grinding thing with your hips.”

I arch one eyebrow, fighting to keep my tone serious. “Really? You want to have a quickie?”

She tugs her fist up and down my shaft, and I’m fully hard in no time at all. “Please, Ares? I need one for the road.”

I swear this woman is going to be the death of me. But there’s no way I would ever pass up the opportunity to show Zara how much I care.

We drive to Lev’s house in silence.

The vibe in the car isn’t tense, but it isn’t happy either. Zara is looking out of the window, her expression serious and withdrawn.

“Princess, what’s up?” I ask as I pull into Lev’s driveway. “Did I say or do anything wrong?”

She shakes her head, taking my hand and lacing her fingers through mine.

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just hitting me hard that you’re always working and I have all my classes and God knows when we’re going to be able to spend another night together.

I’m still in your car and I already miss you. ”

I shouldn’t like that she’s sad, and I don’t. But it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way.

“Look, I took the whole week off. I have a few things I need to do, but we can find some time. Maybe not a whole night, but we can find somewhere to spend one-on-one time when you don’t have class.

I can ask Lev if he can help us again. And if I have to, I’ll invite myself to dinner at home.

I don’t care if I have to pretend that I don’t want to kiss you breathless.

I’ll play the part our parents want me to play for the sake of seeing you. ”

She nods. “Ok. Even if we can’t be alone, I’d rather see you. And I hope Lev agrees to help us.”

As if summoned by our words, Lev leans into the passenger window. “What do you need my help with?”

I explain our predicament and Lev agrees easily.

“Sure. We’ll have to work around my classes and practice, but we can definitely organize something for one evening, or even two.

You guys can stay here if you want and I’ll go sleep at the Gamma house.

I finally got a room. The only night I can’t help you is Thursday night, because we have a home game against Bridgeport.

Other than that, let me text you my schedule and we can see what works best.”

Conflicting emotions war in my chest. I should be grateful for Lev’s help, and I am.

At the same time, though, I’m jealous as fuck that he doesn’t have to hide. He can see Zara whenever he wants. He can hold her hand, even kiss her in front of our parents.

“Ready, Zee?” Lev smiles, totally oblivious to what a piece of shit he has as a best friend.

“It’s Saturday and the town hall is closed, so Scott and Kelly will be home.

I just got a delivery from Tilly’s bakery,” he says, lifting a big brown bag.

“I got some croissants and pastries to bring to your house. They’re still warm.

Why don’t you come with us, Ares? You can follow us in your car, or you can ride with us.

We can say we came to pick you up, since Tilly’s is downtown and your place would be on our way back here.

Then we can drop you back off to get your car before Chance and I go to practice.

I don’t know for what crazy reason Coach Harrison doesn’t want us at the rink until ten thirty today, but I’ll take it. ”

Yeah, I’m definitely a piece of shit. Lev is being a real friend, despite the fact that we’re competing for Zara’s heart. I should be fucking grateful, but all I can do is envy him.

“You seriously don’t mind if I leave my car here?”

Lev opens the door to let Zara out of my Jeep. “You can even sit in the back with Zara and have a few more minutes before we get to your parents’ house and you turn into a pumpkin.”

Fuck off. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them back. Lev isn’t chiding me, he’s genuinely trying to help me.

“Thanks. I will.”

I take Zara’s hand and lead her to the back seat of Lev’s SUV. I don’t get it. Sure, we’re best friends. We’ve known each other since before we can even remember. I feel closer to Lev than to Chance, since my little brother was never interested in professional racing, but Lev joined Star Arrows.

But I have to wonder what his angle is . Why is he being so helpful when we both want to be the last man standing with Zara? Is he being so nice to get brownie points? Or does he think I’m not a real threat?

I pull Zara closer to me and hold her until Lev pulls into my dad’s house driveway.

I should act detached and keep my distance, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Not yet.

I walk closer to Zara than it would be appropriate. Our arms are brushing against each other and I have to fight the urge to wrap my arm around her waist.

Lev is on her other side and I’m counting the fucking seconds until I have to take a few steps away from her and keep my distance.

Zara lifts her face to look at me and I almost say fuck it and kiss her a few steps away from the front door.

“Princess.” I whisper, linking my pinky finger with hers for just one more second.

“Guys?” Lev clears his throat in warning and I follow his gaze to the front door of my dad’s house.

What the fuck is Heather doing here first thing in the morning?

And why is she looking at me as if she had seen a ghost?

“Ares.” Her eyes are full of tears and I don’t understand what the fuck she wants. “I was so worried about you. Where were you all day yesterday?”

Her voice goes up in pitch with every word. Tears start falling and her fists are clenched by her side.

I open my mouth to say something, but no sound comes out. I don’t understand why she’s here and why she’s so fucking upset.

“Ares, Lev, sweetheart.” Kelly appears by Heather’s side. “Why don’t you come in?” she sounds relieved to see us.

ZARA

Mom wraps her arm around Heather’s shoulder, leading us all into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” Ares is furious. I can hear it in his voice even though he’s trying to keep his temper in check. “What is this all about?”

Heather lowers herself into a chair at the kitchen table and keeps crying, her head resting on her arms.

“Heather came over yesterday,” Mom says, shedding some light on the situation.

“She was looking for you, Ares. Apparently she had tried to call you and you didn’t pick up and came to your apartment and saw your car parked in your spot.

She rang the doorbell, but you didn’t answer.

She got worried that you might have… hurt yourself. ”