Zenon's Game Chapter 314

The room was crowded but the crowd was silent. The spotlight on Jake made him look vulnerable and empowered at the same time. He was handsome, and even though he and Zenon were so insanely different, I could see the family resemblance.

We listened to the song fade, and immediately after the music ended, I sat up on the bar stool and clapped loudly. There was an echo and a bit of a time lag before the wider applause joined in, but I went with it. Jake opened his brown eyes, almost like he was surprised people listened, and spoke into the microphone.

His voice sounded nervous, so different to the way he had just sung. "Uh, thank you."

The applause got louder, with some wolf whistles thrown in. Jake looked down at his guitar and the pick in his fingers. He clutched it tightly before exiting the stage.

I searched for Zenon's reaction. Jake had sung about me once before, and that didn't go down well with Zenon.

I couldn't be sure this song was about me, but some of his lyrics felt very close to our situation.

"Where's Zenon?" I asked, scanning the area where I saw him last.

Zenon stands out in a crowd; it usually takes me a couple seconds to spot him. Last I saw him, he was by the door with his sophomore friend. They had been talking before Jake started singing, but...

I couldn't see either of them now.

"Do you know where Zenon is?" I asked Axel, who'd been sitting next to me during the song.

Axel was asking the bartender for another round of water. On the rocks. The bartender playfully rolled her eyes but obliged, adding a cherry in there for visual effect. Axel cheekily grinned and raised his glass to her.

He then answered me, "Zenon's not here? He's probably crying outside over Jake's song."

"That's exactly the kind of thing Zenon would do," I replied sarcastically.

"Wasn't it just a few months ago that Jake sang about you?" Axel asked, trying to rack his memory for that last time, "We haven't come far since then. At least Jakey improved his songwriting."

My phone buzzed and I looked down, hoping it was Zenon. Unknown number.

It's Cynthia, don't reply to this number. I stole my dad's phone and I'll delete this message so he doesn't see. 007 vibes over here. I'm sorry for what I said to you. You know how passionate I get about things and my words can come across harsh. Best friends need to stay honest with each other, but what I said to you wasn't right. I've done some thinking here in groundland and I realize that my HARMLESS crush on Zenon has totally blinded me to any wrong he can do

Her paragraph spilled into another text.

You not idolizing him and not bowing down to his every action is what makes you a good girlfriend. I still think he is the hottest guy I've ever seen and I ship you both together. I'd probably go into mourning if your ship sinks, and sail off in a lifeboat, but I'm here for you no matter what. You're my friend and I should support that more. It's your call. And I won't judge it. I'll support it. Love you.

I re-read the message and felt a wave of emotion at the last words. Love you. Cynthia's friendship meant so much to me.

I really wanted to text back, to send her a big virtual hug, but she told me not to. It was her dad's number anyway, which would be weird. I looked up to see Axel flirting with the bartender. The bartender had offered him the entire jar of olives, which was the most direct way to Axel's heart.

I couldn't help but wonder about Austerra. Was there a chance?

Someone called out for a drink on the other end of the bar. The bartender apologized to Axel and went to the customer.

I glanced over at him a couple times. Maybe now's the time.

"Axel? Can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure."

"Are you dating anyone?"

"Candace, I'm flattered. But you're-"

"No, no, noohoo!" I exclaimed, almost falling off my chair, "I didn't mean it in that way. I was just asking because I'm curious. Maybe you're not interested in anyone or maybe you're seeing someone," I said, rambling now that I was nervous, "And maybe I am really regretting ever bringing this up. I'm sorry."

I can't believe I just asked Axel. I should take it back. Take it all back!

Axel watched me nearly hyperventilate and said, "Candace, you're dating my best friend. You can ask me anything."

"Ok."

He smiled and answered the question, "I'm not in the headspace for a committed relationship. I'm keeping everything casual."

Everything? As in, plural?

I tried to find hope for my Austerra ship. "Maybe if you find someone you really like?"

"Unlikely," he answered, rejecting that idea, "Now's not the time."

When is? I can set a reminder on my phone.

"I get it," I said, "You don't want to take on someone else's problems when you're still trying to go through your own."

Though I joke about it, I definitely understood what he meant. It was something Zenon and I were also facing. We both had our issues and trying to juggle them along with each other's... was extremely difficult.

Axel shook his head, "More like I don't want to give anyone else my problems. How can you help someone else when you can't even help yourself?"

Maybe I should ask myself that. Maybe that's what Zenon already has.

~Zenon's POV~

"Why can't you trace it?" I asked him.

Roneal had come here just to give me disappointing news. He looked around the bar, trying to soak in his surroundings while thinking about how to phrase this next part.

I don't have all day.

"It's a burner phone number," he admitted.