"You see uhm..."
Before Zev could mutter another word, Kai quickly zipped him onto the far corner of the room. Jake's curious eyes had accosted him to do so. Since Zev's talk was a matter that bothered on how Jake had gotten badly injured, Kai settled it would be best if Zev relayed the confession to him at a distance outside his reach.
"What's the matter with you man?" Zev grumbled the moment he pushed him unto the wall, while he backed Jake himself.
"Nothing's the matter with me, 'k. I just feel he's not supposed to know that."
"What?"
"Yet." Was all Kai replied to him.
"You know for one thing, your arms wrapped about me just now felt sticky and wet. What're you nervous about?" Zev asked him.
"What? No. I'm not nervous. Not nervous at all."
"Really? Then what were you about to do with him when I caught you leaning over to his face a short while ago?"
Zev crossed his arms by now. He was itching to hear Kai's explanation or how he was gonna excuse himself from this because what if he'd been bumped into by another fucking body!??
Kai faked a light laugh and said. "What. Why'd you even ask me that?" He took a stop and sprained his neck about to observe Jake in the distance. Just like he expected, Jake was straining his neck and ears to learn more about him and Zev's private chit-chat about him.
Kai grinned at him assuringly before turning back to face his interrogator.
"There's no such thing, okay. At least not like you're thinking. He's just a friend."
"You know you can always lie to yourself, Kaiden Chase but I've known you way up from Kindergarten."
"Highschool, moron. When did you know me from back as a kid?" Kai called bluff at his talk but Zev was onto something more important. His gaze tore into Kai's soul, pricking him of some secret wrong he may have committed.
Bothered by his prying stares, Kai decided to change the talk.
"So tell me. Who did it to him?"
"Vaughn did."
"What! That goofball's a goner for sure."
"Hey, easy man."
"Easy?"
"Poor Jake was knocked out for so many hours."
"And he's up now. Ain't he?"
"Yeah well, whatever. But he has to pay."
Jake's voice filtered from his bed stand now.
"Hey, guys! Is everything going alright over there?"
"Yeah."
"Sure."
Zev and Kai chorused their words at a go.
"Alright then."
Kai gave him a smile before looking back at Zev.
"Now what're you giving that dirty look for?" Kai snapped at him.
"Why?" Zev asked. "Are you feeling guilty?"
" 'Bout what?"
"Dunno. You tell me."
"Hey, no riddles okay. You know how much I hate those."
"Okay, fine. I think you're acting pretty strangely right now. Your emotions are all over the place."
"And what's that supposed to mean, huh!"
"Now I remember. Thought you said you didn't know this guy? Remember? You told me so before the game started."
"Well I sometimes say a lot of things. Some of which I don't mean."
"And does that explain why you're so much into him? I mean you quit your favourite sport just to hang around him."
"Quit overthinking. Nothing wrong in showing a little compassion, alright? He was badly wounded."
"Compassionate, huh?"
"Look... " Kai placed his hand on his shoulder.
Something about that pose prompted Jake to arch his brow in the distance. He got displeased by it. Somewhat jealous?
"You shouldn't have to overthink anything alright. I'm just being me, Kaiden. I know I might be a jerk most times but I still have a heart."
'For him I suppose.' Zev internalised his thoughts.
"So tell me," He dropped his hand from Zev's shoulder. "Did Vaughn come with y'all?"
"No, he didn't. He's now on suspension from the team for a couple of weeks. Guess he didn't take the coach's verdict too well."
"Pause. Connor did that?"
"Yeah, he did. Pretty much. I'm still shocked that baldy can be a bit feeling at all."
"Great then." Kai stopped and began to chew the insides of his mouth. "It's a good thing Vaughn's left."
"What do you mean by that?"
"What I mean is: That pig should better have himself running. As far away from me as possible. He should never for a measly second dare to get in my path. Otherwise—"