The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club (27 page)

I lifted his hand, studying the strong fingers that pitched baseballs with a kind of fury and speed that amazed me, kissing his palm. “You’d be right here with me. I’d make sure of that.”

Chapter 28

The rest of the week went by in a blur. I spent some time with Emma, happy with our new friendship, talked to Stella on Skype. Lana and I still hadn’t talked. Zack had pretty much moved into the room with me, even going so far as to put up a few trophies and posters of his favorite bands. We slept together every night, and there was no pressure for sex. I knew the day would come when kissing and touching wouldn’t be enough anymore, and I was excited. I wanted it to be special with Zack, not just a quickie in the dorm room.

I spent some time with my mom Friday night after Zack and I drove home. We surfed the web for baby stuff, cribs, cute outfits, and names. So far she liked Jackson if it was a boy, and Piper, if it was a girl.

I secretly wondered if she wanted twins…

Anyway, Zack and I were officially together. We belonged together. He was my match, and I couldn’t imagine us ever going back to the way things were before.

Uh, I’m in love!

I wanted to shout it as I took Kirk for a walk, sing it in the shower while I got ready for the party. At dinner we played it cool, pretending we were ignoring each other. But when I went upstairs to get my purse, Zack ambushed me in the hallway. We barely made it into his room. And we almost forgot about the party, until Kyle texted, threatening to quit the team if Zack didn’t show up. In the back of my mind though, was the contract Zack was readying to sign with the Rays. I was so proud of him. He deserved it. I also hoped that he didn’t forget me when he made it to the big leagues.

We got to the party ten minutes later than planned, since Zack had to kiss off all my vanilla lip-gloss. He said I tasted too good. The party it was typical for Kyle. Parents out of town, keg in the living room, band in the dining room. His house was pretty big though, so it didn’t matter. It was on a back road away from other houses. The cops would never find out unless someone tipped them off. Not that I wanted stay that long. Zack said we’d sneak out before it got crazy.

Zack and I shared a coke. Neither of us drank, which was something I admired about him. We both knew the party would be a lot more fun sober. I left him with Kyle to use the bathroom. When I was on my way downstairs, I passed by an open doorway. Lana was inside, changing her dress.

“Hey, what happened?” I asked, shutting the door behind me. We might be having problems, but I wasn’t going to let her strip for half the people here to see.

She pointed to a white strapless mini on the bed, it was covered in covered red goop. “Someone wasn’t watching where they were walking. It’s salsa.”

I helped her pick out a black skirt and a silver top. She had a bag of clothes with her, which meant she was with Kyle while his parents were out of town. I guess he decided to stay with her after all.

I sat her on the bed and went downstairs to get a sprite, thinking it might help settle her stomach. I managed to grab one without being held up by Marcy, who was just as drunk, maybe more, and ran back up.

“This is sick, Chloe.” He stepped aside, revealing Lana’s laptop, open to a webpage with pink lettering that said: The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Flub.

I dropped the sprite, soaking the carpet. “No.”

He nailed me with a cold stare, eyes like ice. “I really thought you were special. But you’re just like all the other girls, maybe worse.”

“I did not do that.”

“I thought I could trust you, Chloe. You don’t want me for the money I have the potential to make, or the fame that comes along with being in the major leagues…right? Or am I wrong? Are you like every other Regina or Lana out there, who sees me as a means to an end?”

He clicked on the info button and in bright red letters it listed me, Chloe Baker, as the founder, the brains behind everything.

Suddenly every fear, every nagging worry I had clouded my mind. I knew this would happen, deep down, but I wasn’t prepared to fight for him, to fight for us. In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d be Zack Warren’s girlfriend. Sure, I hoped that when he found out he didn’t hate me, but now I was devastated because I’d hurt someone I loved.

“It was a game I started in the elementary school. Lana kept it going. She made the buttons and the website, everything! I’ve tried to stop it, please listen.” My eyes filled with tears, spilling over. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

He backed away, tense and cautious like I’d never seen him before. “Can I believe you?”

“Yes!”

“See, I’m not sure. Because you’re telling me one thing, and here this website says you’re the creator, the founder. Lana told me the same thing right before you came in.”

The blood drained from my face. “Lana told you?”

“Yeah, she’s so shitfaced. I bet she doesn’t even realize it was me. She said this is all you’re idea. You deserve the credit. Alcohol is the best truth serum I know of.”

“That’s not true.” I cried, scrunching my face and fisting my hands. “None of it!”

“I think the evidence speaks for itself. I’ll be going back to the dorms alone. Need some time to think, cool off. Find a ride, Baker.” He headed for the door. Leaving me.

I ran after him, sobbing. When I got out in the hall I didn’t see him. There were too many people. The music was pulsing, too loud to call out to him.

“Hey, Chloe, I was thinking you should spend the night. We can go to the mall or something tomorrow.” Lana’s voice floated out of the bathroom, raking down my spine like shards of broken glass. “I feel a lot better now that I’ve puked up all that beer.”

“You’re not my favorite person right now.” I crossed my arms, eyeing her over my shoulder. “I asked you to stop this club. And what do you do? You make a freaking fan page!”

“God, Chloe, way to overreact. I told you I was going to do it.”

“Oh, I’m not overreacting.” I shouted, feeling so helpless. My hands started to tremble, along with my bottom lip. “This is childish.”

“You’ve been trying to sabotage my club since the fifth grade!”

“Finally, you admit that this monster is your creation, not mine.” I gasped, stalking toward her. “Thank you. Now, answer me this: How would you feel if a group of girls made buttons and held meetings about Kyle? They want to know everything, from his preferences to boxers or briefs, what his favorite food is, and if he really keeps an air mattress in his truck.”

“That’s because you’re not paying attention and you’re drunk.” I ground out. “You don’t want a bunch of girls having a fan club for your boyfriend, and neither do I.”

Lana’s face went taught with shock. “Boyfriend?”

“Yes, boyfriend.” I wrapped my arms around my stomach. I felt ill. Like the world was disappearing from beneath my feet. “You were right about how I felt for him. I only hated him because I couldn’t love him. I thought he didn’t like me, that I annoyed him. But really, he liked me too. It’s a long story, not anyone else’s business, so that’s all I’m telling.” I felt a muscle jumping in my jaw. “And I’d appreciate it if you would inform the fan club that, I, as the founder, am unfounding, unmaking, and demanding they grow up!”

“Yes,” I admitted. My heart hurt I loved him so much. He wasn’t just some boy, not just a crush. “He probably hates me now. He thinks I spend my time following him around like some sick stalker. I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix this, ever. We became friends Lana, trusted each other. I fell so hard for him. You have no idea what it does to me, seeing him so betrayed and hurt.”

“I’m such a bitch. Chloe, let me talk to him.” She said. “I can tell him you stopped having anything to do with the fan club in the fifth grade. He’ll understand. He has to. This is all my fault.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I think he needs some time to chill.”

“I’ll keep saying it—I’m really sorry Chloe. I never thought Zack would find out. I was just having fun, you know? I liked being in control of my own group.”

I hugged her back, “Get rid of that website. Then we’ll talk.”

“Done.” She smiled. “Well, I guess it was fun while it lasted. I better go call an unofficial meeting and tell the girls what happened.”

I groaned, “Lana,”

“Don’t worry, I’m not gossiping. I’m stating the truth, that Zack Warren is off limits.” She hugged me again before leaving. “Call me when you want to be friends again.”

“Thanks.” I sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard, hugging a pillow to my chest. Lana went back to the party. I’m not sure how long I sat there. I just stared into space wishing Zack would appear in the room. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, that I would never betray him or do anything to hurt him.

I was getting my nerve up to go find him when a shadow filled the doorway.

Chapter 29

He walked to the foot of the bed and braced his hand on his hips, watching me from beneath his shaggy brown hair. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

“I really want to go back to school.” I whispered, knowing that as soon as I got there I’d crawl right into Zack’s bed. Wait for him all night if I had to. I’d explain myself again. I had to try. Quit wasn’t in my vocabulary.

He held out his hand, “I’ll take you, come on.”

“No, that’s alright.” I shrank back a little, feeling a prickle of worry. There was a reason Zack didn’t like him. I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. “I’ll call someone.”

“It’s not a problem.” He wiggled his fingers. “What could it hurt?”

I swallowed, maybe he was right. Zack’s over protectiveness had me worrying for nothing. Max had never done anything to hurt me. Even though I knew Zack would disapprove, I slipped my hand into Max’s. I wasn’t about to beg for a ride home. I’d figure out some way to show Zack I wasn’t what he thought, that the fan club was a mistake.