Page 33 of Imogen

“Um, I did. The night you got shit-faced after the break up. Remember, you were sick for two days.”

I think back to that night and barely recall anything. But then I remember her handing me a shot, saying… “You said something about Jay not doing that, but it’s a blur.”

She rolls her eyes. “I didn’t want to give Zach any more ammunition. I knew he wouldn’t be able to take you away from us, but I’ve seen it happen many times. Men like control, and I didn’t want to risk him using it as a way for you to see us differently.”

“That would never happen,” I argue.

“I know! But I didn’t want to put you in the middle. I knew eventually he would show his true colours and he did.”

I place my hands over my flaming cheeks. “We need to find out if it was him. If this gets into the wrong hands, they could file police charges against me.”

“Then let’s go. Do you have your car? Clay dropped me off.”

“Yeah, come on.”

*** *** ***

We turn up to the house Zach’s parent’s bought him. The lights are on, and there are a few cars on his drive.

I gulp. “Shit, he has guests.”

“Then let’s get this done,” Hayden orders as I pull in behind a red Fiesta.

I unclip my belt, turning to her. “How do you want to do this?”

“Ask him outright. If he’s lying, I’ll know right away. I bet he’s even expecting you. It’s probably why he took it.”

I push open my door, Hayden following suit. I don’t bother locking it since I don’t plan to be here long.

There’s some light chatter inside. From the sound of it, there are four other people inside. I only recognise one: his best friend—Ash. The guy wants to be Prime Minister someday, but I don’t think he has the balls to do it. He struggles to make a point with Zach, and more often than not, he will do what Zach wants to do because he can’t stand his ground.

I lightly knock on the door, which causes Hayden to snort. She reaches over, banging the side of her fist against the door.

Moments later, Zach pulls open the door, his eyebrows hunched down and a snarl on his lips.

When he notices me, his eyebrows rise and a smugness reaches his lips that seals my fears. He did it. Already, without asking, I know he did. He’s been waiting for me to come here.

“I have nothing to say to you,” he greets.

“Funny, because I have a lot to say. A disc went missing from my desk and I want to know if you know anything about it.”

“Not a clue.”

I turn to Hayden, who is glaring at Zach. “Hayden.”

“He’s lying.”

Meeting Zach’s gaze, whilst my heart aches at his betrayal, I level my voice. “I want it back.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he lies.

“Yes, you do. You have it. What I want to know is, why would you do that to me? I never wanted to hurt you, Zach, but you’ve intentionally done this to hurt me. They could file charges.”

“That sounds like ayouproblem,” he tells me. “We aren’t a couple anymore. You made that abundantly clear. So I don’t feel inclined to help you anymore.”

I ball my hands up into fists. “I need it back, Zach. I came here hoping it wasn’t you, because I thought I knew you. But I don’t know you at all.”

“Like I said, I can’t help you.”

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