I scoffed at the message, rolling my eyes and shaking my head. I hadn't asked him to pay for my meal at the diner. He’d insisted.
Freya: It's not like that. If you want me to send over some money, I will.
Zach: Don't bother, Freya.
“I can't find any company named Namalix based in America,” Kaleb muttered, turning his phone around to show me the results, the spreadsheet on it confusing me.
I scanned the page. “What is that?”
“It's a public site that shows all registered companies within the country. There isn't a Namalix on here, Freya.” He passed his phone to me, causing me to gulp.
My throat felt tight, and I began to sweat, my heart slamming against my ribs harshly.
The company my father claimed to work for didn't exist.
Eleven: Freya
“I'm not ready yet," Kaleb mumbled into his phone in a frustrated tone. “Just come in for five minutes.” He flung the front door open, revealing a chuckling Brent who watched his friend with amusement as he disappeared upstairs to get dressed in his shooting attire—a tight black long-sleeved top and cargo pants. It was my favourite outfit of his.
“Hey, Freya,” Brent greeted me, his smile reaching his ears.
“Hey. Both heading out?” I locked my phone, my eyes feeling square after staring at it aimlessly for what felt like hours. I’d been scouring the internet for more information on my dad's company but had come up empty-handed.
Brent moved over to the couch, settling down next to me. “Yeah. You're not at college today?”
“Class was cancelled.”
“So, what have you been doing all day? You look tired.”
“You are charming, Brent. Thank you.” I shook my head and laughed. “I've just been doing college work, but I haven't been able to concentrate. My mind isn't with it.”
“Well, you know what the best thing to do is when you feel like your mind isn't doing what you want it to?” He paused for dramatic effect. “Shoot.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Oh, come on,” he encouraged, shrugging. “For your first time shooting, you actually weren't half-bad, and it's always nice to have some company that isn't a grouchy Kaleb. He cramps my style.”
“Thank you for the invite, but I definitely don’t fit in there. I stuck out like a sore thumb.”
“Maybe next time, then,” Brent said with a tilt of the head, both of us gazing up as Kaleb made his way down the steps.
Why did he have to have the face of an angel? It made it so much harder to dislike him.
“Brent, stop flirting. Let's go.” He pulled his keys from his pocket.
“I was just asking Freya if she wanted to join.”
Kaleb's jaw tensed, and he narrowed his eyes at his friend. “No. Freya isn't coming. Don't be an idiot. You were already stupid enough to invite her once.”
“Relax, man. It was just a simple question. I wasn't pushing or anything.”
Kaleb took a step closer to Brent, lowering his voice. “If you're not going to take this seriously, then—“
Brent's eyes widened, his worrisome gaze flickering to me for a split second. ”I am. Let's just go, alright?”
Kaleb nodded, glancing at me briefly before they both ducked out the door.
What was that about?