Page 27 of When You Had Me Adapting

JACE - 9 YEARS AGO

“Y’all could have gone to the party,” I say.

“We did. We just didn’t stay,” my dad corrects me over a bite of pasta. “You’re finally home and we wanted to spend time with you.” He offers me a smile.

“Are you feeling okay, sweetheart?” my mom asks, eyeing my plate. “You’ve barely touched your dinner.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” I lie, moving the spaghetti around. The truth is I’m nervous. I dropped the gift and card off at Lacey’s house this morning and I’ve been worried all day Colt wouldn’t give it to her. I also know if tonight doesn’t go my way, I’ll be leaving.

My parents’ eyes find each other from across the table and they share a knowing look. I need to get out of here quickly. If they start asking me questions, then I might second guess all of it and I need to see this through. I pop up from the table abruptly.

“Dinner was delicious,” I say, walking my plate over to the trash and swiping its contents into the bin.

“You sure you’re okay, kid?” my dad asks.

“Yep, I gotta run out, but I’ll be back.” I move through the house hoping they don’t press me with follow-up questions. Iquickly change and brush my teeth. Standing in front of the mirror, I try to fix my hair. Nervousness pulses through my body and my gut tightens at the thought that she might not show. For all I know she’s moved on, but I have to try. I have to ask her why she ended things. I have to tell her how I feel.

I make my way back downstairs. Hearing music coming from the kitchen, I pause. My parents are wrapped up in each other’s arms swaying to some George Strait song. Dishes are still spread across the counter, long forgotten. Even after twenty-three years of marriage they both look at each other with so much love. If there are soulmates, there is no doubt they are each others.

Lacey flashes in my mind followed by the pain associated with the last eight months that won’t go away. My nerves return in full force. I’m not sure what I’m doing, given that she cut me out of her life completely, but I need to know why she wants nothing to do with me. I have to at least try to talk to her.

Was it something I did? Or did her mom finally get in her head? I know I made mistakes, but the program took up more of my time than I thought it would. I got so hyperfocused on what I was doing in D.C. that calls and FaceTimes were missed. I should’ve kept my word and I didn’t.

“I’ll be back later,” I say as my dad spins my mom around the kitchen. She gives me a little wave and I head out of the door. The street is lined with cars and the party next door is in full swing. The sound of music and voices drifts off the front porch.

I make my way down the narrow path separating our houses. Checking my watch, I realize I’m a little early, but there’s no going back now. I pop the latch on the fence and move into her backyard. If she accepted my offer, then she should appear on the roof in about ten minutes and I’ll climb up to join her.

I stay hidden, near the gate, hoping no one sees me. I don’t want to cause a scene; I just want to talk to her and see what happened. See if she’d consider giving me another chance. Awarm yellow glow comes from inside the house and through the windows I can see people celebrating the girls’ graduation.

I hear the door swing open. The sound of party conversations and music getting louder and then instantly muffled as the door slams shut. I consider leaving, but then I hear her laugh.

She’s here. She came.

“If you would give me a chance…” A male voice I can’t quite place stops me from moving into view.

She laughs again and so does he.

I move my position slightly to get a better vantage point. Lacey and Alex, Beau’s best friend, are hand in hand. My head begins to spin at the realization she didn’t come outside to see me.Of all the people in the world. Why is she with him?A photo she posted after we broke up pops into my head.Fuck.Is he the reason everything went to shit?

A smile takes up her whole face. He spins her around, saying something I can’t quite make out from where I’m at and then he pulls her in for a kiss.

The minute her lips meet his, I stumble backward. The sound of my blood rushing through my veins fills my ears. My heart pounds against my ribcage, thumping loudly.I need to get out of here.This was a bad idea.

I flip the latch and disappear beyond the gate. I move quickly not wanting her, or anyone else for that matter, to see me and I don’t stop until I’m back in my bedroom.

I slam the door shut behind me. Falling onto my bed, I’m overcome with heartbreak. Tears begin to fall down my face.

It’s really over. She’s moved on with Alex.

CHAPTER 13: MY CRUNCHWRAP SUPREME CAN WAIT

JACE - PRESENT

We are officially on day three of the silent treatment. Logan won’t answer any of my texts or calls. Our apartment isn’t very big, but Tanner has somehow figured out a way to avoid me at every turn. Thanks to Lacey’s revelation the other night I’m starting to doubt if applying for the job in Atlanta is the right call. I didn’t cheat on her, but it seems as though everyone believed her over me. It’s left me questioning if it’s worth sticking around.

I’m on my way to meet Enzo for a run. While I’m thankful he’s not icing me out like everyone else, I’m not sure what to expect from him. If I’m honest, I considered canceling, but he seems to be the only person willing to talk to me and I’d love to know what everyone is thinking.

I pull into the gravel lot and spot Enzo leaned up against his car near the top of the trail. Parking next to him, I grab my phone and earbuds and jump down from my Jeep.

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