Chapter 22

I fell asleep curled up in Zai's lap—I had no choice; he wouldn't let me go. He hadn't said a word since yesterday, and now it was time for me to go to practice. Was he going to join me, even though I implied I didn't want him there? Pride was stopping me from clearing up the misunderstanding. I wish I had just a little less of it.

"We'll probably finish around eight today—same as yesterday," I explained as Zai drove. One hand was on the steering wheel, the other resting on the edge of the open window. We weren't holding hands today. That was a bad sign. And he still hadn't responded to me. That was worse.

When we arrived at the studio, thankfully, he followed me inside. He sat in a chair in the corner and scrolled on his phone. They had two new songs for me to hear, and I also needed to record the one from yesterday. Even while singing, my eyes kept drifting toward Zai, but he never looked back.

After I stepped out of the recording booth, Richard approached me and said,"Wow, that was even better than the first time I heard your voice. Your range is incredible."He grabbed a notepad and started writing something down rapidly. "I underestimated you—I need to change some things... Let's meet again first thing tomorrow."

I could tell he was excited.

"I don't think I can make it tomorrow—I strained my voice," I lied. "I should rest. But email me the song files, and I'll listen to them at home, I promise! Can we meet the day after instead?"

Richard agreed, and we finished earlier than yesterday. Zai still hadn't said anything—not even as we got in the car. But five minutes into the drive, he finally broke the silence.

"Do you want to learn how to drive?" he asked.

For some reason, that question scared me.

"Actually... I could show you how to reach the studio instantly, so you won't need—"

"I don't want to!" I shouted.The car went silent again.

I couldn't believe I cut him off like that. Usually, I'd apologize right away—but the tension was too thick. When we got home, I opened the car door first, but Zai stopped me.

"Wait..." he said.

I released the handle and sat back in my seat.

"I'm sorry, Snowe."

Has Zai ever sincerely apologized before? I think the only time he said sorry was jokingly, because he hadn't done anything wrong. Even now, I couldn't think of a reason.

"You haven't done anything wrong," I replied, closing the door again.

"You're wrong… I let my guard down. I gave you my power but never taught you how to use it because... I liked you depending on me. If I had made only one of those mistakes, what happened yesterday wouldn't have happened."

I'd been so focused on my own feelings, wondering why he wasn't speaking to me, I didn't even consider that he might be upset—with himself.

"I'm really sorry, Snowe."

I thought he was mad about Cera getting kicked out—and blaming me for not calling him right away.

"...I forgive you. Not that I was ever mad at you," I said.

Zai smiled, and I suddenly had a thought.

"Wait! I don't forgive you yet. I have conditions."

His smile faded, and he laid his cheek on the steering wheel, looking at me cautiously.

"What are your conditions?"

"First… you start training me. Second, you're never allowed to go a full day without kissing me at least once!"

Zai smirked. "Fine. Is that all?"

I blushed and looked down."Can you... tell me you love me out loud? Th-then I'll be completely over it!"

He leaned over and kissed me mid-sentence."I love you," he cooed softly.

At that point, I had to leave the car. It was getting too hot in there. Zai followed me to the back door, then hugged me from behind as soon as we were inside.

"Ready for your first lesson?" he whispered against my ear.

I felt him pressed against me and squirmed."I feel like I've had this lesson before!" I shouted.

Zai chuckled."The best method to learning is repetition."

My heart pounded, then I noticed Valin and RJ sitting in the living room, pretending not to notice us. Their acting was terrible.

"Hey!" Valin yelled, turning to glare at us."Don't you have any consideration?! Over here being all lovey-dovey when I can't even get a girlfriend?! The hell?! Why doesn't anyone want me?! I'm so lonely!!"

He threw his face into the couch pillows and wailed loudly.

"There, there," RJ said while patting his shoulder—like he was touching something disgusting.

"It's clearly because," Zai started, releasing me and taking a seat between them, "we're your brothers."He began jabbing Valin's forehead."Every girl you bring around immediately comes on to one of us."

"It's because all your relationships are superficial," RJ reasoned.

Valin cried louder."Of course they are! All I have is money! What else could anyone possibly want with me?!"

My heart ached a little for him. But then Zai joined in, apathetically patting Valin's head.

"Yeah, I can't think of any reasons," he said.

"You are very boring," RJ chimed in.

Wait… is Valin really the one who gave up the ability to feel empathy?

Valin snickered at that but quickly resumed acting pitiful.

"I saw him doing a crossword puzzle this morning... in a book," Zai muttered.

"What the hell is wrong with crossword puzzles?!" Valin snapped, sitting up and wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

"Oh… nothing," RJ replied sarcastically.

"Maybe we could go out for food. Would that cheer you up?" Zai offered.

I took that as my cue to leave and started heading toward the stairs.

"Hey, Snowe, where are you going?" Zai called.

I paused."I was just going to let you talk."

"Why?" he asked, sharp and curt.

"It's just… the conversation doesn't have much to do with me—"

"Stay," he commanded.

My instinct was to say Yes, sir, but I held that in. I came back downstairs and sat in the living room armchair.

"Maybe I could buy some drinks, and we just hang out at home," RJ suggested.

Valin pouted and muttered,"I hate alcohol."

"Perhaps we should do sudoku together instead," Zai offered cheerily.

Valin perked up. "Really?"

Zai's smile dropped. "No. You go crazy whenever sudoku is involved."

Valin pouted again.

"Snowe… why are you so far away?" Zai asked, turning toward me.

"There's no room on the couch," I argued.

Zai leaned back and patted the spot between his legs."There's room."

Timidly, I moved over to my newly assigned seat, where Zai hugged me close. This was so awkward! My hormones were going crazy, and I didn't want to feel like this with an audience.

"This is really both of your fault!" Valin shouted, pointing at Zai and RJ. "You're both so damn hot!"

Zai stared blankly. It was RJ who spoke.

"Thanks?"

"He has a point. Remember that girl Rose he introduced you to?" Zai said, laying his head on mine.

"She started flirting with you the second he left the room."

I looked at RJ. That... wasn't too surprising.

"Not my fault," RJ said, waving it off.

"It is your fault. You ****ed her."

RJ's eyes widened, and he gestured frantically at me. I guess he didn't want me hearing this. Too late.

Zai kept going."And right on the couch too—in plain view. You could've at least gone to a bedroom."

"That was a long time ago!" RJ shouted, flushed bright red.

"Is three years a long time to you?" Zai asked dryly. RJ buried his face in his hands.

Wait—I thought Zai is supposed to be the deviant one in this group!

"Because of that, girls aren't allowed in our house anymore. But I would never do that to my brother. Shame on you."

Zai cuddled me and sneakily kissed the back of my neck. I stiffened up and squeezed my eyes shut.

"He's right, Jey! You're a horrible brother! You could've just turned her down!" Valin yelled. His face was a mess of snot and tears.

"I was bored, and… it's the past, so get over it," RJ said while giving Valin more half-hearted comfort pats. "Oh—how about we play that shooter game you like? We can do duos." He suggested.

That worked. Valin cheered up instantly. I guess it really wasn't that serious.

Cera wasn't mentioned at all, and the issue seemed completely dropped. Was everything really okay?

"Oh, wait… I'm a girl, and you let me stay here," I pointed out.

"We made an exception for you," Zai said sweetly.

"Aww, that's swe—"

"—because you're a homeless bum," Valin added for clarity.

...That didn't sound sweet at all.

Zai flicked his forehead in punishment.