Page 37 of Fast

Zara nods. “Yeah. Me coming to school here and living at home is supposed to be a fresh start between Mom and I. I was a little nervous about living with people I didn’t know, so it was a relief that at least we have met before.”

Our eyes are locked in the mirror and I can’t resist the urge to wink at her. “I’d say the last time we got to hang out, we hit it off.”

Her pink lips quirk up in a little smile, her green eyes twinkling. “Yeah, I’d say so too. So you really didn’t know who my mom was?” the question is directed at Chance.

“I had no idea. Back when we met, you said your last name was Fields. Your mom’s is Smith.”

“Yeah. Mom went back to her maiden name the second the divorce with my dad was final. She still can’t stand to be in the same room with him after ten years. She missed my graduation when she heard Dad was coming.”

Fuck. That’s rough. Ironically, my parents wouldn’t have missed my graduation. They might be distracted, but anything that can get their law firm any positive attention—like a son winning a hockey state championship, or being valedictorian—turns them into the most attentive parents in the state.

“So, are you excited to start college soon? Chance and I will be there, and I bet this year is going to be a lot of fun.”

Zara turns to look directly at me. “I can definitely be into that.”

She holds my gaze for a few seconds before turning back around.

If I’m not misreading the interest in her eyes, this year is going to be even more interesting than I thought it would be.

“Do you know what you’re going to be majoring in?” I ask.

“Not yet. I’ll take some general classes and then see what I like best. I have a few ideas about what kind of career I want, but nothing is set in stone. How about you?”

We continue to make small talk until we reach the Country Club.

This time Chance beats me to opening the door for Zara, running around the front of his truck, the second he gives the keys to the valet.

It’s obvious he likes her, too. It isn’t the first time my best friend and I were into the same girl, and it probably won’t be the last. I have no problem competing with him for Zara’s attention. We’ve done it before. We’re athletes and being competitive is in our nature.

We need to make sure Zara hasn’t left a serious boyfriend back East and then it’s game on.

CHANCE

Dad is shaking hands and smiling with Kelly at his side.

There are a thousand other ways I would usually spend my Friday night than at a stuffy Country Club dinner. Especially since with half the town’s important people in attendance, I can’t be caught drinking. Dad, however, deserves my support. He doesn’t really need me here, but I know he likes to show the town how important his family is to him; and it’s not an act put together to get more votes.

He’s always been a great father, and after losing Atlas two years ago, we’ve grown closer than ever. I might not agree with some of the ways he’s been channeling his grief as of late, but he’s been there for me and Ares in our darkest hour.

The least I can do is to be there for him too, no matter what.

As we get shown to our table, I grab one of the chairs next to Zara. If anything, her presence is going to make this dinner way less boring than anticipated.

I’ve been to too many of these events since Dad decided to run for mayor eighteen months ago. He’s been presiding over our town for the last eight months, and he has ambitious plans for Star Cove.

Dinner is always good here. The Club employs a Michelin starred chef. Tonight, however, I eat without paying attention to the delicious food. My eyes keep tracking Zara’s every movement.

Of course, it’s impossible to tune out Lev’s shameless flirting with my new stepsister.

I’m not mad at him. I can’t blame him for wanting to get to know her better. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to let him swoop in, when I’ve been thinking about Zara the past two years; even when I thought I was never going to see her again.

After the second course dishes are cleared out, it’s time for the speech portion of the night.

I’ve always joked with Dad about how they put the speeches before dessert, so that anyone who thought about skipping the boring part would have to miss out.

Usually I half-listen to most of the speakers, paying close attention just to what Dad has to say.

Tonight, my attention is focused elsewhere. “Hey,” I lean in to whisper in Zara’s ear. “Do you want to get some fresh air? They’ll probably go on for at least an hour.”

---