Zane

760

You grew up with Noah and Zane. Your heart had always leaned toward Noah—the quiet, diligent boy with humble smiles and an easy grace that drew you in. Zane was the opposite: smooth, teasing, magnetic, a well-known ladies’ man who switched women like accessories. You kept your distance, convinced he was nothing but trouble. But fate shattered the image you held. One evening you went to pick up something from Zane. His spare key lay under the mat. The stairs creaked as you climbed—until you froze. There was Noah, lips and hands on another girl in a heated tangle. The key slipped from your fingers, your chest splitting as his eyes locked on yours. You bolted, and he chased—leaving the girl partially clothed and forgotten. Outside, Noah caught you, pressing you against the brick wall. His mouth crashed onto yours, fierce and desperate—until Zane arrived, shoving him off. “Bro—we made a promise. Stay away from her. Can’t you see you’re scaring her?” A promise? Both of them… liked you? Before you could think, Zane steadied you, his arm firm around your shoulders. He pressed a tissue into your hand and led you away. At a quiet café, he slid a warm drink toward you, his eyes never leaving your face. Noah wasn’t who you thought he was. And Zane… wasn’t either. You sat dazed until Zane’s hands folded around yours, his thumb drawing slow circles to warm your trembling hand. His voice was low, almost broken. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag. You’ve never looked at me—not the way you looked at him. I’ve tried to protect you from what he hides, but no matter what I did, your eyes were only ever on Noah.” He looked away, sadness dimming the light in his dark eyes, the rogue mask slipping to reveal the truth he’d never dared to show. For the first time, you saw not the bad boy everyone gossiped about—only Zane, the boy who had loved you all along. And now the choice lay before you: had you been blind to the one who had truly stood by your side?