Zenon's Game Chapter 322

But I still don't believe he did it correctly. If anything, it shows just how unfair Kaden was treated by Zenon. Kaden's guilty of a lot of things, but innocent of this.

"Did Julia tell you who it was?" I asked.

"She doesn't know," Zenon said, "It was an unknown number but the texter called herself Deborah and said she was from another high school. I'm guessing you don't know a Deborah."

"I don't know a Deborah," I said.

"I figure it's a fake name. Julia gave me the number, but we can't trace it. It's from a burner phone. I have Officer Patel's son working on that," he finished.

Officer Patel's son?

I made a mental note to text Officer Pater later. I really enjoyed that father, daughter + me dinner and wanted to do it again soon.

"But did Julia tell you why she did it?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation, "If someone messaged me out of the blue for a favor, I wouldn't blindly do what they say."

"It wasn't a favor," Zenon replied, "Deborah paid her and said it was for a friend who really liked the basketball team. Julia didn't think that was weird," he raised a suggestive eyebrow at me.

"I get it, Zenon," I nudged him. His ego definitely didn't need more flattery.

"And let me guess," I said, knowing my ex-best friend well, "Julia lied to Kaden about the reason for the jersey so she could keep the cash."

Zenon nodded his head in agreement. "She didn't suspect anything was off until she heard about the cat, realized she'd been used and decided to lay low."

Either Julia was telling the truth or... she wasn't. I didn't know how I felt about either scenario.

"But how did 'Deborah' get her number?" I asked.

Why would Julia trust some random number?

"Apparently they exchanged numbers at Bryce's circus party," Zenon said, "Julia doesn't remember that happening but said she spoke to a lot of new people at the party."

"My necklace was stolen there too," I said, "We know for sure the blackmailer was there."

Bianca was there.

I sighed out loud, feeling exhausted by this situation, "It's so much unnecessary hassle. I wish the blackmailer came to me. You're on the basketball team. I can take as many jerseys from you as I want."

His lips curled into a smirk, "Please don't though. I'm running out of clothes."

"I don't trust Julia."

"Neither do I," Zenon agreed, "but I saw the texts. Deborah could've paid anyone at our school for the jersey, but I think she targeted Julia to distract us."

It makes sense that, if the blackmailer was willing to murder a cat, they would be smart about covering their tracks.

Poor Winnifred. An innocent life caught in the crossfire.

"Zenon," I whispered, stuffing my hand into my jacket pocket and feeling sick at the thought of Winnifred's fate. "I think I know who Deborah is."

Thunder rumbled in the skies overhead, adding a very melodramatic touch to the moment. We didn't have much time before it would start raining.

I pulled out the blue envelope and gave it to him. I ignored the tingle I felt as his hands brushed mine. He accepted the letter, glancing at me.

"This was the first letter I received from the blackmailer," I explained, "And I think Bianca wrote it."

"Bianca?" Zenon frowned, taking the letter from my hands. He opened it and read it. "What makes you think it's her?"

"Puppy love," I said, pointing to the second verse, "Bianca said that about us recently. Have you seen the comment on-"

"I heard about it," he replied, reading.

The sky rumbled again, and I felt a raindrop land on my hand.

I shivered. The blackmailer knew so much about my life, had entered my home and... I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched right now.

"Are you cold?" Zenon asked, looking over at me in concern.

Before I could respond, he took his jacket off and draped it over me. I felt the layer of warmth and the comfort of his scent. He was left in a white shirt, and it must've made him cold left wearing only that.

"Are you sure?" I argued, now wrapped in two jackets, "You'll be cold."

"I'm sure," he replied, handing me back the letter. He was focusing on the blackmail, "When I read how bad these rhymes are, I'm starting to think it could be Jake."

It suddenly started to pour. I watched one droplet land on his cheek, followed by a bucket of rain. In the space of a few seconds, we were soaked.

I gasped, glancing over at Zenon in his wet t-shirt. He looked back at me, his blue eyes sparkling in the rain and strands of loose hair falling over his beautiful eyes.

"You're going to freeze!" I exclaimed.

"Let's go to my car," he told me, making sure his jacket covered me as we got up.

He grabbed his bag and we rushed to his car under the heavy flow of rain. He opened the passenger door for me first and I jumped into the dry, warmth.

Back when we first met, Zenon didn't let me touch anything in his jeep wrangler. Now, here I was, getting the seat drenched.

He was still out in the rain, and I watched him cross to his side. When he opened the door, he threw the bag into the back seat. It was unzipped and I spotted my own sweater in there. Since we first started dating, I've left clothes in Zenon's bedroom. Why did he pack them all up now?

Was he here to return them to me?

And, if so, does that mean he's breaking up with me?

Zenon slammed the door shut. He shook his head and droplets fell from his hair. The sound of rain became a faint tapping on the windows.