Zenon's Game Chapter 58

Oh. My. God.  Did I just go there??  Did drunk me just go there?!?!

He looked down with a small smirk on his lips.  His hand reached out for mine and held onto it.  I stared at the curvature of his features, how they complemented each other to form the kind of face love songs talk about. 

His thumb stroked the back of my hand, in a soft and caring way. I used to think he was stone cold.  I mean, he looks like a statue of a Greek god, but stone cold in the personal way too.  He used to ignore me.  And now, I can't imagine a more loyal man.

"You're asking me if I'm going to date you," he whispered in a hot, deep voice.

My heart dove into even more somersaults than earlier.  I really don't need cardio with Zenon around.  

Let's be real, I don't do cardio either way.

"I just..." I stumbled over my own words. 

I was so nervous. I couldn't believe I was having this conversation with Zenon Albert.  Why he would even consider dating someone like me... 

"I don't play games and I'm feeling a bit confused right now," I confessed, "I'm probably out of my depth here and you're used girls with more experience than me but, like, was this a date?" 

Every second longer he took to respond, made me think of my grave... and how I was digging it.  Finally, Zenon responded.

"This wasn't a date," he said. "When I take you on a date, you'll know."

I didn't let drunk me say a single word.  Drunk me was already way out of control.

But I let his words echo in my delirious mind.  When I take you on a date.  He didn't say if.  He said when. 

~ POV Change~

Bianca went over to Oma's house after leaving Bryce's. The girls often did their homework together before going out. Oma's parents were more relaxed than Bianca's.

"Zenon didn't even notice my bikini," Bianca complained, unwilling to change the subject, "It's the same one I wore at his birthday party in Dubai last year. Do you remember that trip?"

Oma nodded, sitting at her dining room table. She was going through Chemistry club membership dues. "Yeah, that was incredible. Axel did a killer job organizing it."

"Zenon had just broken up with his girlfriend," Bianca sighed, "I really thought we were going to get together then. But this is my last chance. We're seniors now and I promised myself he and I were going to prom together. It's our senior year. What do you think of Candace?"

"The girl from today? She's quirky."

"Do you think she's into Zenon?" Bianca flicked her hair back and laughed, answering her own question, "Who am I kidding? Everyone's into Zenon. The real question is if Zenon's into her."

"Oh please," Oma sighed, "Let's not go into this."

"We are so going into this. She was giving me so much attitude today. Did you see what she said when I invited her into the pool?  Anyway, I told my girls to research her. They said they found someone who has the dirt."

"Who?"

"Wait and see. She's coming over now."

"To my house?" Oma asked, putting her pen down.

"Yes," Bianca smiled, "And she'll be here any minute now."

I update on Wednesdays and Fridays, but yesterday I was convinced not to wait that long.  You know who you are.  So here we go.  Chapter 42, up one day early. 

Also, if you ask me why there's a video of Pikachu dancing, I don't know.  It has nothing to do with the plot, but it's cute.

Chapter 42: Brothers

Zenon dropped me off at the front of my house before driving off to basketball practice. I was still a bit tipsy from Bryce's pool party.

I wandered up to my front door and started poking the garden gnomes. One of them had a creepy looking face so I turned him away to face the wall.

"Candace. You live here?"

I jumped up, picking up a garden gnome for self-defence. Who is sneaking up on me?

"Jake! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Jake chuckled and said, "I didn't realize we were neighbors. I just saw you now from my house."

I'd totally forgotten that Jake was a Albert... and therefore my neighbor. 

"You should come over some time," he offered, "Maybe for dinner. Are you free tonight?"

Tonight is...  soon.

I didn't want to say much. I was tipsy, and I didn't want to open my mouth and make a fool of myself. It didn't matter how I behaved around Zenon. He's seen my crazy. 

But Jake. Handsome, nice Jake. I wanted to be on my best behavior around him.

"Tonight?" I repeated.

"Yeah," he said, tilting his head as he picked up on my slurred words, "Maybe after you take a shower?"

"Yes, yes, a nap," I nodded, trying to maintain composure as I retreated to my front door. I was dreaming of a nap.

"And maybe without the garden gnome?"

"Oh right, yes, right," I nodded and put it down, almost tripping over another one in the process, "Stay there, gnomey."

Jake watched me with an amused expression on his face. He wasn't leaving, partly out of entertainment and partly out of concern. He. wanted to make sure I got in ok.

"And Candace?"

"Yes, Jake?"

"Was that my brother you were with?"

Oh. 

Yes.