Page 72 of When You Had Me Adapting

The church iscold and quiet, other than the whimpers and sniffles that fill the space from Annie’s friends and family. I do a quick scan and don’t see Jace anywhere, but it doesn’t look like any immediate family has been seated. Poppy’s family is seated a couple rows behind the reserved pews with mine. I do another scan of the room, but he’s not here. Not yet.

I breathe deeply, feeling like a coward. I’ve played with the idea of trying to talk to him since I heard about his mom. Two nights ago, I almost worked up enough courage to walk across the street and knock on his door, but when I walked outside and saw his Jeep pulling away, I realized going over there was a terrible idea.

Poppy must see me scanning the crowd because she grabs my hand and whispers, “If we run into him, it’s going to be okay. We loved Annie too. She would have wanted us here.”

I nod because I know she’s right. I check the time on my phone. “Hey, I think I’m going to run to the bathroom.” Poppy nods and follows me.

We stay quiet until we’re inside. A brunette woman, around our age, is washing her hands at the sink. She’s wearing a tight, black mini dress that hits her mid thigh. Black pumps adorn both of her feet. She smiles in our direction and pulls out her phone. We move past her into separate stalls.

After I finish using the bathroom, I head towards the sink. The brunette is still there applying more mascara and red lipstick.

“Excuse me,” I say, reaching for a couple paper towels. She smiles again and makes her way to the door. “You ready, babe?” she asks, stepping out of the bathroom. The sound of her voicetrails down the hall followed by a very familiar male’s voice right before the door shuts.

It’s been five years, but I would recognize his voice anywhere. Poppy’s eyes find mine as she exits her stall and I feel frozen. I knew he would be here. It’s his mother’s funeral for fuck’s sake, but I didn’t prepare for hearing his voice or seeing him like I should have.

“Was that who I think it was?” she asks.

I nod.

“So that woman must have been?”

I nod again. Poppy twists her hair around her finger and she searches for the right words.

“Fuck, what are we doing here?” I ask. “I can’t go back out there. What if he sees me?” Panic bubbles up my throat.

“This isn’t about him, Lacey. This is about Annie.” Deep down I know she’s right, but I can’t face him. Not today. A familiar country song begins to play and it sounds like a song Annie would have picked. “Come on, let’s go. It sounds like it’s about to start,” she urges.

“I’m staying in here until it’s over,” I say panicked.

“Staying where? In the bathroom?”

“Stay with me please.”

Poppy shakes her head and wraps me in a hug. Tears stream down my face. She holds me for a few long minutes before stepping back and grabbing my hands.

“Okay, Lace. I’ll stay with you.”

CHAPTER 34: I WAS THERE

JACE - PRESENT

Imake it upstairs to the room I’m sharing with Tanner. I’m trying to slow my breathing, but all of the emotions of losing my mom are bubbling to the surface. Five years ago that song played as our friends and family gathered to honor the life of the greatest woman I’ve ever known.

“Jace, wait. Are you okay?” Lacey asks from the door.

I flip around to face her. My eyes are full of tears. “How did you know to tell him to turn it off?”

There’s a beat of silence.

“Can you please explain to me how you knew that song would upset me?” I sound breathless.

“Because I was there.”

I start to pace. “You were there?”

“Of course I was.” Her voice is low and tentative.

“No.” I shake my head. “No, I looked for you that day. Fuck, you were the only person I wanted to see and you didn’t come. I’m sure of it. You weren’t there.” I sit down on the edge of the bed. My head falls into my hands. She moves across the room to join me.

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