Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(5)

"Angus. Language." Liesl lightly slapped his chest then adjusted her necklace. She was fidgety and unsure where to look.

A second later Elliot stepped in behind Zach and before he could even get a greeting in, he spotted me. His pale brown eyes rounded then he turned to Zach and muttered, "Holy shit."

Liesl let out a disgusted sigh. "Seriously, you guys! Language!"

I couldn't help a giggle. Man, I'd missed Zach's friends. Liesl was so sweet and funny. She was the mother of the group. What teenager ever corrected their friends on language? She was born in the wrong era and we all seemed to love her for it. She was too sweet to ever get angry with. Her kind soul and delicate manner just made her plain adorable.

My laughter did nothing to break the awkward silence. Tipping on to the edge of my feet, I pulled Zach's Nike shirt down, trying to look more in control, but I was a shaking mess. They were all staring at me, expecting something. Zach was ready to step in and rescue me, which only made me love him more, but I'd already caused enough problems between him and his friends. I needed to make things right.

"Hi guys." I raised my hand in a clumsy wave.

Elliot was the first to break, his usually hard expression softened with a grin. "Hey, Dani. Nice to see you back."

Jaeda let out a gasp and turned to look at him, while I gaped at his friendly greeting. Of everyone in this room, I thought Elliot would hate me the most. He'd always sent repellant vibes my way. He'd never wanted Zach to get together with me and when we finally had, he'd thrown a hissy fit.

The sudden change in him threw me and I didn't know how to respond.

Zach looked more than relieved as his friend slapped him on the back and shouldered his way past the surprised girls. He walked around me, gently nudging my back with his elbow as he stepped up to the counter.

"So, what are you attempting to poison this girl with?" He looked into the bowl of eggs and milk, his nose wrinkly. "Dude, how much salt did you use?"

AJ's eye bulged. "Zach, seriously, you're screwing up scrambled eggs?" Barging passed the girls, the chef extraordinaire approached the counter and rolled his eyes. "Zachary, really? Have I taught you nothing?"

Grabbing the bowl, he placed it in the sink and reached for a new one.

"Of course you've taught him nothing, babe. You never let anyone cook in your kitchen."

"I let people help," he mumbled.

Liesl laughed and winked at him as she stepped into the room.

AJ's blush was mild when he turned to me. "Now, my skinny little dear, what can I get you?"

I shrugged. "Whatever. Anything freshly cooked would be great." I swallowed hoping my eager honesty wasn't too obvious. Shooting Zach a nervous glance, I scratched the side of my neck and tried to pull up my Dani persona. It was actually pretty much who I already was, so it wasn't a hard one to play. I just needed to remember not to slip up with any facts these guys didn't know. I quickly recalled my fictitious family history in case it was raised and then imagined some good excuses for bailing without a word.

Jaeda slipped onto the stool beside me, her strong gaze forcing me to sit down. Her bright, red hair was tied back in a messy knot, long curls breaking free. The blonde highlights in her bangs looked stunning, she must have just had them done. I glanced at her purple lip gloss. It matched the dark purple shadow on her eyes and the mauve and black striped polish on her nails. I couldn't even imagine having the time or inclination to do something like that, but her nails looked pretty cool. They tapped against the counter as she studied me.

"So what are you doing back? Daddy decide to move again?" Jaeda's icy tone created a lump in my throat that made it hard to speak. Zach gave her a sharp glare as he stepped up beside me, running his hand down my back.

"I just came back to make things right. My Dad knows I'm here. He couldn't take any vacation this year, so I'm flying solo."

"From where?"

"San Diego." I cleared my throat.

She seemed to buy the lie easily enough. I had made my imaginary father out to be a workaholic that shifted me from one town to the next, so it was plausible that he would have whisked me south on short notice.

"So what, you're just moving in with Zach for a few days? Did you know his parents are in Europe?"

That's right. Memories of them discussing plans while Zach and I studied came back to me. I hadn't known when they were leaving and was relieved to hear they already had. I liked Zach parents, but I didn't want to have to explain myself to them. I glanced at Zach and he gave me one of those winks that made my insides sizzle.

"Yeah, she is." Zach kept his eyes on me as he said it. I didn't miss Jaeda's pointed look. Her right eyebrow arched high as her eyes travelled over my attire, making me feel like a slut. She thought we'd spent the morning doing it in Zach's room. I could tell.

I wanted to justify and explain, but I couldn't blow my cover, so instead I pressed my lips together and looked to the ground.

"So, where'd you end up graduating?" A diplomatic Liesl shot Jaeda a warning look. She closed the refrigerator, popping a grape into her mouth as she passed AJ the carton of milk.

"I finished everything online. Dad was going to try and send me to a new school to finish off, but it wasn't worth it." I was grateful the lies came so easily. I'd spent the last five years of my life perfecting the skill.