Chapter 65 Ch. 38.2
The words were at the tip of her tongue, but it felt too bold to say.
"Drinking my blood," she improvised. "I know you're addicted. I taste amazing."
He chuckled lightly. "Well, that's not a lie."
"Why did you starve yourself of human blood previously though?"
"I wasn't starving myself," he grinned nervously, not sure how to explain that there was usually a surplus of blood at home for him to drink. He definitely could big explain that his father, a mob boss, had a knack for kidnapping humans and making them blood donors amongst other things.
"You were... Quite starved yesterday."
"Uh, well..." He said swallowing hard. "Blood is scarce," he lied. "Donor blood. You know most people can't donate more than a pint of blood at a time. Or they could... I don't know. Have a heart attack?"
She nodded, and looked like she was processing the information.
"So you get from hospitals? Pay them?"
"It's more of an exchange," he said. "Some humans know we exist. They ask for favours, we give them, we get blood in return."
"And you're not scared they'll expose you?"
"They're under compulsion. They can't."
"Hm. What you tried doing the other day to me?" She asked.
Ethan nodded. "I'll be honest, I don't think you're human."
"Because I couldn't be compelled?" Zara questioned, lifting her brows.
"I guess," Ethan shrugged again. There were several other reasons, but they would have to stay in his head for now. "But hey... Maybe you're one of the rare ones eh? But my best bet is you aren't.”
"Maybe," she laughed. “So, you’re saying you don’t think I’m human.”
Ethan smirked, tilting his head. “I’m saying there’s something about you that doesn’t add up. That’s all.”
“And what if I told you I was just plain old human?” she challenged. "I mean, what are the odds.”
“I’d call bullshit.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re insufferable.”
“Not true. I’m very sufferable.” He grinned, leaning closer. “I mean, you’ve been sitting here with me instead of bolting for the hills.”
“I could leave right now,” she countered.
“You won’t.”
Her lips twitched, almost betraying her. “And what makes you so sure?”
“Because…” his eyes softened for a second, the teasing fading just enough to make her heartbeat quicken. “You like being here.”
Zara rolled her eyes, though the heat creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. “You’re delusional.”
“And you’re blushing.”
She turned her face away. “It’s the sun.”
“There is no sun, it’s cloudy,” he said flatly, making her swat his arm again.
“Ugh, you’re annoying.”
“You love it.”
She wanted to argue, but she found herself smiling instead, biting her lip to keep from laughing. The silence that followed was strangely comfortable, though every second of it made her more aware of how close he was sitting.
Finally, Ethan cleared his throat and stood. “We really should go before Coach Santiago hunts me down and your coach does the same to you.”
“You’re just scared of him.”
“I’m not scared,” he said quickly, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I just… respect the man’s ability to murder me with a whistle.”
Zara snorted. “Wow, so brave.”
Ethan rolled his eyes but gestured to his bike. “Come on. Let’s go before you make me regret not leaving you behind.”
She smirked and followed him, climbing onto the bike. Her arms wrapped around his waist automatically, and even though she told herself it was just for balance, she knew better. He didn’t comment on it, but she could feel the slight stiffening of his posture before he relaxed again.
The ride back was quiet, the wind whipping at her hair, the roar of the bike filling the silence between them. Zara couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. Something about riding behind him made her feel oddly free, like they were in their own little bubble.
By the time they reached the school, the sun was already dipping low, the campus buzzing with students spilling out of the building. Ethan parked near the gate, and Zara slid off the bike reluctantly.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said, brushing her hair from her face.
He gave her a small smile. “Anytime.”
She lifted her hand in a small wave, and he returned it before revving the engine to park in a more convenient spot.
Zara turned, only to freeze when she spotted Noah across the courtyard, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. His gaze was fixed on her, and even from a distance she could see the mischievous glint in his eyes.
Oh, great.
She walked toward him, trying to act casual, but his smirk grew wider the closer she got.
“Well, well,” Noah drawled when she was within earshot. “If it isn’t Miss Skips-School-Twice-in-a-Row.”
Zara sighed. “Hello to you too.”
“Don’t ‘hello’ me,” he said, pushing off the tree. “You’re still going to tell me nothing’s going on with you and Ethan?”
Her cheeks warmed instantly, and she hated that he noticed. “Because nothing is going on,” she insisted.
“Mmhm. Sure.” He narrowed his eyes dramatically, tilting his head. “You two just conveniently vanished together two days in a row. No big deal.”
She looked away, trying to keep her face neutral, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her with a small twitch.
“Oh my God, you’re blushing,” Noah said, his grin widening.
“I am not.”
“You totally are.”
Zara groaned. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re lying to my face,” he shot back wit a grin.
She sighed, deciding a distraction was her best weapon. “Anyways, I actually have good news.”
“Oh?” His eyebrows shot up. “You finally left the singles community?”
Her jaw dropped. “No!”
“Aw, come on,” he teased. “That would’ve been great news.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe. But admit it, that would’ve been my best guess.”
“Wrong,” Zara said, pulling out her phone. She opened the email from the NCAA then handed it to him. “This is my good news.”