Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(38)

"I'm just saying if you use too much, it could kill him."

Zach nodded, standing from the couch and hitching up his jeans. The paleness of his cheeks highlighted his freckles and his nerves. I was worried he couldn't swing tonight. How could I go in there confidently if I was worried my wingman might fall apart? He held it together at the cafe today, but this party was a whole different ball game. He'd have to socialize, sell the lie as if it were 100% truth.

"You guys, are we sure we should be—"

The doorbell cut me off. Elliot looked up from his screen, a frown denting his forehead. Zach shrugged and headed down the stairs. My nails drummed on the linoleum counter top as I strained to hear voices.

"How'd you know we were here?"

"Elliot replied to my text, unlike other people around here." AJ loomed into the room, his presence feeling big and ominous. His amiable face was devoid of a smile, his narrow eyes finding me across the room and hitting me with a dark look that told me I was no longer in the friend zone. He was even wearing black-rimmed glasses today, a very sombre substitute for his orange pair.

Zach threw Elliot an eye dagger behind AJ's back. Elliot tried to look innocent as he leaned back in his chair and scratched the edge of his lip.

"I thought we were meeting up later. I didn't expect you to drive to Frisco."

"Yeah well I didn't expect you guys to be so mean to Jaeda last night so I guess we're all full of surprises."

"It wasn't like that, man." Zach tried to slap him on the shoulder, but AJ moved out of range, spinning around and towering over Zach.

"Really? So she didn't wake Liesl up in tears at like one o'clock in the morning, wondering why her family was being ripped apart?"

Another accusing look was fired in my direction. I wanted to sink to the floor and hide behind the cupboards.

"So, I'm here to try and figure what the hell is going on." His eyebrows rose, crinkling his forehead. We all stayed quiet. He looked at each of us, studying our blank expressions with growing frustration. "So, that's it? You're stone walling me? You shut out Jaeda, and now it's my turn?"

"AJ, it's complicated, man." Zach scratched the back of his head.

"Well, lucky for you I'm not stupid. I think I can keep up, you know?"

"We—" Zach looked to me, his eyes begging for permission, but my lips pinched into a tight line.

No. I shook my head.

He let out a sigh, his lips pursing to the side as he looked at the floor. "It's private," he mumbled.

"We've never kept secrets from each other. That's not how we work. How are we supposed to help you if you won't let us in?"

"It's not my decision." Zach's face scrunched as soon as the words came out. I understood his regret, because AJ swung to face me with a fierce glare. "You have no right to come here and do this to us...to him." AJ pointed at Zach. "He’s a good guy who'll do anything for anyone. I refuse to let you mess with him."

His long finger swung back to me. It was like a sword ready to pierce my center.

"Lay off, man." Zach tried to pull AJ's arm down, but the big guy flicked him off easily.

"What are you getting my friends into, huh? What's your story? Why all the secrecy?"

I lowered my gaze, hating the expression on his face. AJ had always been so kind to me. I loved his flourish and flair. He was like a walking opera, the way he moved and danced through life. I'd never seen his angry side. I didn't like it. And more than that, I didn't like that I was bringing it out in him.

"I'm sorry, AJ. Please try to understand that this is for your own good," I said quietly.

"Don't patronize me! I'm a big boy...always have been. I can take care of myself."

"You need to think about Liesl and taking care of her too."

His eyes flashed venom. I looked up just in time to see it and wished I hadn't.

"If she gets hurt because of you..."

"She won't, as long as you stay out of this."

"These guys are my brothers."

"I'm sorry." I swallowed forcing strength into my voice. "I wish I could explain, but I seriously think it's best if you just leave." I cringed. "Just go, AJ. Please."

He turned back to Zach, then threw a look at Elliot. He was waiting for their support. I couldn't believe they stayed silent. Elliot couldn't even look at AJ. His eyes were locked on his computer screen, wide and unseeing. Zach just looked to the floor and shook his head.

"Unbelievable. You're putting her before all of us?" AJ shook his head, looking a little heartbroken. My throat clogged as I tried to swallow down my guilt.

"You know, Zach, when she breaks your heart again, you will have earned it, you stupid ass. And Elliot I don't know what the f*ck your problem is, but don't expect one of your pathetic, mumbled apologies to fix it this time. You've gone way past that now."

He threw me one more dark look before shoving his way past Zach and thumping down the stairs.

I closed my eyes, my legs quivering so intensely I had to lean against the counter for support. I wanted Zach to come around the counter and hold me, remind me that everything would be okay, but he didn't move. He just stood there staring at the carpet like it held all the answers in the world.