Page 80 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Jace laughs. “I swear that’s why I was put on this planet. Haven’t I done that before?”

His comment brings a small smile to my lips. “Many times. But this one has nothing to do with needing a fake emergency call.”

Having a friend who’s a doctor, or at least studying to be a doctor, comes in handy when you need someone to use technical jargon to get you out of a bad date. I’ve used Jace as my emergency call one too many times.

“What happened then? Please tell me you weren’t about to take the douchebag back.”

I exaggeratedly groan. “No, Jace. This time I mean it. And you sound like Luke.”

“Speaking of Luke… Are you going to tell him you broke up?”

“Nope. He doesn’t need to know everything as soon as it happens.”

“And…” he hedges, knowing I’m also being petty.

“And I like pissing him off.”

“So that’s why you won’t tell him where you work?”

“Exactly that. See, yougetme.” Jace laughs again, but this time it’s forced and I know why. “Okay. I’ll tell him. But it’s so much fun to get a rise out of him.”

“I know. But as a guy on the receiving end of the same bullshit from my sister, I can tell you, he’s just looking out for you.”

“Ugh. Don’t make me feel bad.”

“I’m not.” He chuckles. “I’m telling you like it is. But back to this saving business…” he trails off and I bite the bullet.

“I saw Thomas,” I say, giving him no further explanation. Not that he needs it. He knows everything.

Jace goes quiet for a second before he speaks. “Did you watch the game?” he asks, but doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Wait. He was there, wasn’t he? He was in San Francisco.”

“He was.”

“Jesus,” he huffs out almost under his breath. “How did that come about?”

“He messaged me and I agreed to meet him.” Plain and simple.Twice.

Jace clears his throat, and I know what’s coming. He’s not quite sure where he sits when it comes to Thomas. It’s going to take time for him to completely trust him. “I hope you made him grovel. I still want to kick his ass after his behavior last time.”

I laugh as I picture Jace’s serious expression, but then I laugh harder imagining Thomas towering over him. Since I tell Jacealmosteverything, he was the first person I called when Thomas kissed me after smashing his truck. Of course, Jace wasn’t impressed that he walked away without talking about itandwas even less impressed that he was drunk at the time.

“You know I always appreciate your concern, but he doesn’t have to grovel. I told you he’d been through a lot and—”

“It’s no excuse.”

“Actually it is,” I defend him. “If you knew what he’d been through, you’d be on his side.”

“Wrong.”

“Wrong?”

“I will always be onyourside.”

My chest warms, but there’s a sadness to it. Jace has been there for me through everything, and it’s hard now that we don’t get to see each other anymore.

“You know I love you, but he’s a good guy, Jace. And I promise to look after myself.” I made that promise to Thomas too.

Jace sighs, but I can tell it’s out of love over frustration. “Okay, Lainey. I trust you. But please protect your heart. God knows it’s been through enough already.”

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