in the photo. And I am. I have the same look on my face that I imagine I do whenever he looks at me and the world tends to fade into the background.
Beside the photos, and my already shot nerves, is a caption: Rachel and Zack’s off and on again romance is clearly off again as Zack spends the evening in Boston wrapped up in an unknown fan. Sources say they met backstage, but clearly sparks are flying on Zack’s third, and best tour yet.
Well, at least it’s Zack’s best tour.
I can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’ve been photographed and wasn’t even smart enough before agreeing to do this tour that I didn’t stop to think what could possibly happen. How did I not think about this? Of course there was a risk I’d be photographed if I was ever out in public. I collapse my head into the palm of my hands. I can’t believe I let this happen.
And who the hell is Rachel?
“Who’s Rachel?”
First, Mia gives me a look like I’m stupid. “She’s a singer. A popstar – she just released her first record a year ago. She and Zack have had a…relationship….for the last year. I don’t think he’s seen her since the tour started though, and it was never anything serious from what I’ve read.”
I flinch at the way she says relationship. They hooked up for sex, she just doesn’t want to be the one to tell me. I don’t even want to think about why I’m seething in jealousy at the mention of Zack sleeping with another woman right now.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this. One person, Mia. One person is all it’s going to take and everything is going to happen all over again.”
Why did I ever think this was going to work? Zack and I are too completely different and there’s no way that I can be a part of his life. Not when I’m worried about my family being used as the poster example of the results of texting and driving. Not when the driver of the other car comes from such a prominent family. I knew going on this tour was going to be a disaster, I just never thought it would be about this.
The door opens and Zack’s face instantly falls when he sees me. He looks like the complete rock star he is dressed in his black military boots, dark washed jeans with a chain draped across his belt and a grey t-shirt that fits his body, so completely perfectly. I move my eyes from his body. A stronger person may fake they’re okay and not let him see something is wrong, especially since he has to be on stage soon. I don’t know what time it is, but I know Mia was going to get here about an hour before the concert started, so it has to be close to time for the opening act to take the stage.
“Are you okay?” Zack rushes over to me and I shake my head. I can’t speak because I have no idea what to say. Do I tell him? Do I leave now? Does it even matter, since I leave in ten days? “Tell me what’s going on, Nic.” He turns my chair so I’m facing him and squats down in between my knees so he’s at eye level with me.
I vaguely hear Mia’s voice. Zack moves a hand from mine to the table but I stare down at my feet, not able to look at him.
“She means nothing to me.”
“It’s not that.” I choke out the words, barely audible. My throat feels completely raw. My eyes fill with tears immediately when I look at him.
“Then tell me. Tell me what it is that has you so upset right now.”
“It has to do with the accident.” I raise my eyes to his as tears start falling and take a deep breath. “The driver of the car that hit Mark and Andrew was the Governor of Minnesota’s daughter. She had just turned sixteen, and her mom wanted to spare her daughter any punishment so she lied and said she was driving the car instead.”
I stop for a minute and close my eyes.
“Once the local press found out she lied, the story went national for months.”
I watch Zack shake his head. “I don’t understand what this has to do about the pictures; about us.” Us. I exhale at the thought. It’s the first time either of us has used that