Part Three - Part Two

Scott | Zayn

The bold will be Scott's text and the italic will be Zayn's text.

•••

I hate it when my family do this—making decisions without me, expecting me to just go along like a lost puppy.

Today, they've booked us a hotel room because it's almost my mother's wedding day, and Meredith wants everything perfect. But I'm in a heated argument with her because my best friend couldn't come, yet Jessica's boyfriend is invited without question.

The unfairness in all of this is evident.

It angers me, but they never really consider my feelings. Scott leans against the door, completely nonchalant, flashing that annoying grin every time I voice my complaints.

"Mom, listen," I whine, rolling my eyes as I lean between the seats. "Jessica can take the bed, and Scott can sleep on the couch. I think it's a brilliant compromise."

Meredith sighs, her elbow on the window sill, hand propping up her cheek. "Zayn, you know the rules. I don't want them alone. Spend some time with Scott—get to know him."

"Now there's a brilliant idea," Scott chimes in.

I shoot him a deadpan look before turning back to my mother. "I really don't want to. This goes against everything I want. Besides, I'm sure they've already... you know."

Jessica spins around in her seat. "Hey! Don't drag my private life into your drama," she scolds, her dark eyes shooting daggers at me.

Meredith nods in agreement. "I'd prefer not to hear about that."

My mother and Jessica continue their conversation, leaving me to slump back in my seat with a sigh. Despite my disdain for her, Jessica looks stunning with just a touch of makeup highlighting her beautiful brown eyes. I'd call her a catch, but I despise her enough to want her to jump off a bridge.

"Are we meeting Greg at the hotel, or are you two going to see him?" Jessica asks, steering the conversation back to her wedding plans.

Every time Jessica brings up the wedding, Meredith beams with excitement. "No, absolutely not. We're keeping it traditional. Zayn, you'll go with her to meet Jackie and pick up my dress from the store."

Jessica nods agreeably. "Sounds like a plan. But I still don't get why you're having the wedding in the middle of nowhere."

My mother turns to Jessica, a hint of disbelief in her expression. She's right—Jessica is a bit insane, and I'm relieved my mother is finally seeing it. "It's not in the middle of nowhere. It's on the beach, where the sun sets, painting the sky with breathtaking colors..."

"Hey," Scott whispers, grabbing my attention immediately. I force myself to look at him, those piercing brown eyes locking onto mine. "Wanna talk about guy stuff? I'm not into Tinkerbell and flowers, not my type of shit."

"No," I reply instantly, staring out the window as the scenery rolls by. "I'm not interested in talking to you."

We both know that's a lie.

"Come on," he chuckles, reaching over to place his hand on my thigh, the touch undeniably warm. "You know you want to talk to me. I'm good company, and we both know how irresistible I truly am."

My gaze drops to where his hand rests on my thigh before I shove it away. "Not everyone wants to talk to you. You're not that special."

What a jerk! He's egotistical, and infuriatingly attractive, I have to admit.

Scott thinks everyone likes him. Okay, maybe I like him a little, but he's my sister's boyfriend, and things couldn't get worse than they already are.

To say I'm in denial would be an understatement.

I have to keep my sister in mind; I don't want to hurt her.

He scoffs and smiles, dimple digging into his cheek in a way that makes me want to wipe it out with a knife. "That only happens in movies, though I feel like you can't get rid of me that easily. Besides, you'd miss me too much."

I roll my eyes but find it hard to look away from him, especially from those annoyingly pink lips. I want to jump out of the car and put an end to this misery.

The kiss we shared is secretly eating me alive from the inside out. But secrets keep us close, right? At least that's what I've heard.

"Well then, I'll throw you out of the car. Now shut up," I threaten, but a smile creeps onto my lips despite myself.

"Look at you being feisty, papi," he comments softly, winking at me, and I find myself covering my face with my hands.

Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks. "Can you not—"

"—you look absolutely beautiful today."

I try not to smile as I remove my hands from my face to look at him. "Complimenting me isn't going to get you anywhere. It's only making things worse."

That makes him grin, revealing a row of straight teeth. "We had a moment, didn't we?"

Rolling my eyes, I say, "that was so last year."

We sit in silence for a while, and I think peace has finally come, but he just has to say something. It's like he can't shut up.

"Weren't you the one who moaned—"

"Okay, I get it," I snap rather rudely. "Can you stop bringing it up now? There are people around us, and I don't want them to find out."

Scott rests his head against the headrest, but I can sense his eyes on me. It gives me a strange sense of pride that I can affect him like that—something I can use to my advantage.

He looks ahead and then back at me. "They're not listening. Besides, they wouldn't understand what we're talking about. And if they do ask, we're talking about football."

I roll my eyes and scoff. "I don't even like football."

"Well, now you do," he says smugly. "I like it, so now you like it."

"You can't make me like something I don't," I reply in an obvious tone.

He swipes his tongue over his lips, and my eyes involuntarily follow.

Scott smiles to himself. "You used to hate me," he says, "and now look at you—can't get enough of me."

I chuckle, but it's not a humorous sound. "You must really live under a rock. Also, I still hate you, so don't get it twisted."

"Like the knife you're twisting in my heart?" he asks, his face suddenly serious.

Fiddling with the end of my shirt, I eventually reply, "you don't have a heart, so I'm not quite sure."

"Last time I checked, it was beating for you."

Silence fills the car. I don't know what to say. He's flirting today—well, like every other day—but he needs to know when to stop.

My sister is mere inches away from us; she could easily overhear our conversation. I sigh and run my hands through my hair. Of course, I had to be in this situation.

Yes, I have feelings for him. But I'm not going to destroy my family over a stupid crush. Jessica would never speak to me again, and my mother would probably disown me.

And then I'd be left with the greatest weapon of all—a broken heart.

"Okay, we need to set some boundaries," I finally say after some thought. "This can't go on like this. You need to get your—"

A vibration in my front pocket pulls my attention away, and I retrieve my phone. The screen lights up, expecting a reply from Jason, but it's a text from Scott—saved under "Daily Annoyance," earning an eye-roll from me.

Don't look so sad it reads, accompanied by a sad emoji.  We have a lot to do tonight, so I hope you're prepared 'cause it's going to be wild.

Are you always this annoying? I fire back.  And why are you texting me anyway?

He chuckles, still engrossed in his phone. It's ridiculous; we're sitting next to each other, yet here we are, texting.

Unfortunately, you can't get enough of this he replies.  The car is quiet. Do you want them to hear about our sexual conversation?

Wow. Who knew he had some common sense? I almost smile at the discovery, roll my eyes, and leave him on read.

My phone vibrates again.

You wanna play a game?

No.

Come on, don't be so stuck up. It'll be fun. Trust me.

Don't call me stuck up. You're the one who's stuck up!

I'm not the one pouting.

I glance at him, seeing his grin and his curly brown hair. He looks attractive, but I'd never admit it—his ego is big enough.

I purse my lips and bare my teeth at him, then turn my attention back outside. Men. Honestly.

My phone vibrates on my lap once more.

Is bunny mad at me? Don't be mad. You're making me sad.

Okay, seriously. What's your problem? What do you want from me, money? Is that it? Or a house with kids in it?

I want your attention, that's what I want. And possibly... you

Unfortunately for me, I have to deal with a person like you. You can't have me because I'm not on the market.

He chortles.  Funny. But you love me though. That's something you can't deny.

I laugh and roll my eyes, typing on my phone,  Ha, I think you should audition for a comedian. You're not that funny.

I don't need to be. My girlfriend thinks I'm funny.

That's what your girlfriend thinks. Not me. Don't get your hopes up.

What do you think then? Besides me being hot and sexy.

Did you bump your head or something?

I could bump something else from behind.

I choke on my own spit reading the text. "Are you alright, honey?" my mother asks.

"I'm fine."

Wow, you suck.

Do you wanna suck?

Oh my God! What the hell? Just... don't text me anymore.

Scott laughs, and I'm pretty sure my face is red from embarrassment. What did my sister see in him anyway?

Just admit it. You like me.

He's getting way ahead of himself.

Do I?  I type back with sass, feeling pleased with myself.

You tell me. I love secrets.

Nope. Don't like you. Not my type.

I bet you will.

When hell freezes over. And I get a bucket of ice cream.

I'm sleeping naked tonight.

•••

A/N:

And I ooop...