Zoe's POV
The night air hit me like a wave — cool and damp. My feet moved too fast, my heartbeat drumming against my ears.
By the time I reached the pool, I slowed down. My chest was tight.
Brandon didn't even look up when he saw me. Or maybe he did — but only for a second. Then he turned away, taking another drag from his cigarette, his face blank.
That stung.
But I knew this game. I'd seen him do it before — when he was hurt, when he didn't want anyone to see what was really going on. He'd build a wall, act cold, make you think you were the problem.
Not this time.
I walked over and sat beside him, close enough to feel the faint heat from his arm. The silence between us buzzed, the only available sound was the soft ripple of the pool water.
I slipped off my slippers and dipped my feet into the water. It was cold, biting against my skin.
"So you're just gonna pretend you didn't see me?" I said softly, trying to break the silence.
