Zenon's Game Chapter 73

Why are people surprised I like rap?

While they bickered over my music taste, a realization formed in my head. Christopher Hayes is Zenon's competition. His rival. He hates Zenon... does he hate him enough to write me a threatening letter?

He was now a suspect in my investigation that started... now.

I wasn't going to involve Zenon. I knew he had my back, but I also take care of my own.

"Excuse me," I interrupted them politely, focusing on Christopher, "Do you mind if we have a private chat?"

"You and me?" Christopher stared at me like I was a nut job.

He wouldn't be wrong.

Zenon stared at me too, and repeated, "You and him?"

They both thought I had gotten mixed up. 

Christopher's friend shrugged, "She listens to DaBaby. I'd hear her out."

Christopher and I took a few steps away from his car and even further away from the banging music. I could see Zenon was on edge, casting worried glances my way every few seconds. 

Christopher towered over me. He's a basketball player, but I hadn't realized how tall they can be. I definitely hadn't thought through my strategy. 

So I got straight to the point. "Do you write aggressive letters in your spare time?"

Christopher's eyebrows furrowed and he cocked his head, "You want to ask me that question again?"

"Not really," I said uncomfortably, "And I'm not creating a dating profile for you, I promise. I received a pretty aggressive letter from someone who wants me to stay away from Zenon. Did you send it?"

"Are you high?"

"No," I stopped him from walking away, "I'm serious. I am being blackmailed and I'm just trying to figure out who would do such a thing."

"I have no problems insulting Zenon to his face," Christopher declared, "I don't need to go behind his back to his girlfriend-"

"We're not dating," I clarified again. Automatically now.

Christopher spent more time thinking about us dating than he did my letter situation, "You're probably right. He spends more time with you than he would a girlfriend."

Moving on....

"Well, I believe you about the blackmail thing," I said, "Could I just ask one more thing? Would you mind writing something down?"

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and pen. He stared at me suspiciously.

"To compare your handwriting with the note," I explained.

He sighed and took the pen, waiting for me to dictate. Axel and Bryce were walking out of the mall, looking for us. Axel was eating churros.

"If you could please write in capital letters..." I cleared my throat, "Stripper and hoes-"

"What the-"

"Sorry! That's what the letter said!"

"F*ck this sh*t." He chucked the paper back at me.

"Ironically, your reaction is probably proof that you didn't do it," I said.  He was so not about this note and I believed him.

"Hell no! Is this a joke? Yo Zenon, is this another one of your pranks?"

Zenon looked up and my heart melted to see his chiseled features concerned for me. Axel and Bryce joined him, standing on either side, almost anticipating a fight. Axel lowered his churros.

"Where are you two hanging out?" Christopher continued, asking Zenon directly, "She's talking about strippers-"

Axel's ears perked up. "Where?"

I tried to pull him back, "Christopher, please don't-"

"It's Layton. Only my mama calls me Christopher."

"OK," Zenon had enough of this, "we're leaving and you'll leave my girl alone."

My eyes opened wide. Layton turned his head to look at me and I looked at him looking at me. I think I almost doubled over.

Layton pointed at me, "Does she know that she's your girl? 'Cos I don't think she does."

"Yeah, well we haven't had that discussion yet."

Excuse me. 

I needed a moment to breathe. 

Is that what we were here to talk about?

OK. 

Here we go.

Zenon was ready to leave the parking lot.

He watched me have a private convo with his rival and saw Axel get powdered sugar over everyone... this was just not how Zenon liked to spend his time.

"Churro?" Axel offered.

"OK," Zenon had enough, "We're leaving, and you'll leave my girl alone."

My eyes opened wide. Christopher turned his head to look at me and I looked at him looking at me. I think I almost doubled over.

Layton pointed at me, "Does she know that she's your girl? 'Cos I don't think she does."

"Yeah, well we haven't had that discussion yet."

And we didn't.

With Axel and Bryce around, there couldn't be any deep discussions. With me still reeling from the last incident – Jake's kiss, Zenon's comments, the wasp – I was not in a good space to articulate rational thoughts.

The music in the car park was turned up.  The crew smoking weed got rowdier.

"Candace," Zenon said, facing me with an intensity that weakened my resolve, "We need to talk.  I need to know if... you know what, never mind.  The vibe's gone.  This isn't the time."

"What?" Axel asked, half a churro sticking out of his mouth, "Was it something we said?" 

Zenon shoved past him, muttering something about personal space. He was angry that we didn't finish our conversation and it was reflected in his behavior.

So we parted ways. I knew a conversation with Zenon was overdue, but I couldn't quite face it yet. It turns out, I wasn't ready to face much.

Even at school, I felt cowardly. The last time Jake and I talked... we hadn't done much talking.

His lips touched mine and I had bolted out of there faster than the Road Runner escapes Coyote.

These emotions have gotten complicated. I don't know what word in the English language to use. What is the word that describes my feeling now? Part fear, part anger, part lust, part sadness. And part excitement. Strangely, I was excited for what was to come.

Tomorrow will be better than today.

I took a deep breath and clutched my book against my chest.