Jackson stepped closer, but Tommy still stood between them.
“Calm down, man,” his friend told him.
Alex stared at Jackson. He wouldn’t back down. Not for the woman who he’d given his heart to. He didn’t want bad blood between him and Jackson, but they had to draw the line somewhere.
Jackson nodded at Tommy, but he focused back on Alex. “You’re going to stay away from her.”
“That’s her decision,” Alex said. “I’ll call Liam and see what I can do.”
“I don’t know,” Tommy said. “It’s spreading like wild fire.”
“I’ll fix it.” He would. No matter what.
Jackson didn’t say another word, but stalked to the car. Tommy nodded and followed his friend. Alex released a breath.
“What was that about?” Lisa asked.
Alex looked over to see his cousin in her pajamas. Lisa folded her arms over her chest.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he said.
“Well, when I heard noises it woke me up. I’m surprised you guys didn’t wake the neighborhood.”
“Its fine, Lisa. I have to be somewhere, anyway.” He had to talk to Zoe before she saw the picture.
Once Alex showered and changed, he dashed for his car and sped to her apartment. The engine hummed in the background, so he didn’t bother with the radio. His skin prickled on his scalp, but turning into her apartment complex, he rushed to park and sprinted inside the building to her door.
He knocked. If she didn’t see the photo, he didn’t want to freak her out. Alex paced in front of her door. Nothing. Alex knocked again and pulled his phone out of his pocket to call her. No answer. Zoe had to be home. He saw her car parked outside before he came in the building.
Alex knocked again, calling her once more.
“What?”
She knew. “Zoe, open the door so we can talk.”
“Why?”
“Look, there’s a photo going around on social media, but it was before us. I don’t want you worrying about—”
“Alex, I’ve read enough comments about us.”
His pulse raced. “What?” How did the media know about them?
Zoe continued. “This is a lot. I feel like one moment everything is fine with us, and then your past comes back to cause confusion.”
“Zoe?” He pressed his hand against her door. “Let me in, okay. I promise you, it was before us. Ever since we started talking, I’ve cut off everyone in my past.”
More silence. Alex’s lungs constricted. Not the silent treatment again. Was she done with him? Why did the thought make him feel broken on the inside? This was what he didn’t want. Pain.
He recognized it from his father the day his mother left. It returned when he fell in love as a teenager and it left him heartbroken. Never again. Alex sunk to the floor in front of her door. Then his phone beeped. The call dropped.
Chapter 18
Zoe’s wasn’t prepared for the notifications on her phone from her social media accounts. Ping. Ping. The comments came in by the minute.
Cheater. Liar. All men are dogs and Alex Miller is no different.
What made matters worse was the comments about her. A photo showed of her and Alex in the parking lot when they left for the tour. Though they weren’t kissing, his feelings showed in the way he looked at her. The comments flashed in her mind.