CHAPTER 53

ZAYN CARTER

Ari felt too light in my arms as I carried her out of the auditorium, her arms still loosely draped around my shoulders. I barely felt her weight, like she could slip right through my fingers if I wasn't holding her tight enough.

Her face was near my neck, her breath warm against my skin. She wasn't saying anything—wasn't complaining. Nothing.

That wasn't like her.

And that made my grip on her tighten.

Her ankle was probably killing her. That fall wasn't small, and the way she winced earlier told me it was bad. She wasn't making a big deal out of it, but that didn't mean she wasn't hurting.

I exhaled sharply, adjusting her in my arms as we neared the exit doors. Jenni had already gone ahead, saying she'd get the car.

I pushed the door open—

And fucking hell.

The rain was worse than I thought.

Not just a drizzle. Not just a light shower.

It was pouring.

I felt Ari's body tense instantly.

She didn't say anything, but her fingers twitched against my hoodie, gripping the fabric just a little tighter.

Michelle's voice echoed in my head.

"Ari isn't fond of heavy rain."

I glanced down at her, catching the way she pressed her lips together, like she was trying not to react.

But she didn't fool me.

She was hating this.

And I didn't like that.

Not one fucking bit.

"Hold on," I muttered, shifting my grip before stepping out into the rain.

The downpour hit me instantly. Cold, relentless. Within seconds, my clothes were drenched, the fabric sticking uncomfortably to my skin.

Ari wasn't spared.

The second the rain touched her, she flinched.

I moved faster, my only focus getting her to the car. But even in those few seconds, her clothes were already soaked.

The white shirt she wore? Now almost see-through.

I swallowed hard, forcing my eyes anywhere else.

Not at the way the fabric clung to her body.

Not at the way her wet hair draped over her shoulders.

Not at the way her bare legs felt against my arm.

Fucking hell

I spotted Jenni waiting in the car, her face visible through the windshield. She was already reaching over to unlock the doors when she saw us.

I yanked the back door open and tried to set Ari down on the seat—

Only for her to wince.

A small, barely audible sound. But I caught it.

I paused.

Tried again, this time slower—

Same reaction.

Her fingers clutched at my hoodie, gripping it tightly, like she was trying to stop herself from making a sound.

Fuck.

Jenni turned in the driver's seat, frowning. "What's wrong?"

I exhaled sharply, jaw clenching. "She's not comfortable."

Ari didn't say anything.

Didn't even look up.

She was exhausted. In pain. Probably freezing.

I wasn't going to make her sit through this if she wasn't comfortable.

So, without a second thought, I stepped into the car with her still in my arms and sat down, keeping her in my lap.

Ari didn't argue.

Didn't complain.

She just stayed there.

Her face rested lightly against my chest, her damp hair pressing against my hoodie. Her arms were still loosely wrapped around my shoulders, her body relaxing slightly as she gave in to exhaustion.

Jenni glanced back through the rearview mirror, raising a brow. "So... this is happening."

I shot her a glare.

She snorted and started the car. "I'm just saying."

I ignored her, my focus back on Ari.

She wasn't shaking, but she wasn't moving much either. Her breathing had slowed, like she was too tired to deal with anything anymore.

I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair.

This was not how I expected today to go.

But now?

With Ari in my arms, so drained that she didn't even try to fight me?

Yeah.

There was no fucking way I was letting go.