Page 10 of Jace

To most, a tattoo of this nature would look like the sun rising over the mountains, highlighting the trees, exposing their shadows. But to me it’s so much more. A new day, with a fresh start. The chance to let go of all the wrongs from the previous day and do it better this time around. My problem is I tend to repeat old happenings and fuck up all over again.

The vision was something that came to me shortly after I met Aurora.

I had every intention of asking Zac to place this very sketch right over my heart. Lifting my hand I rub over the very space feeling it ache for more reasons than one.

Closing the sketch pad, I shove it into my drawer and slam it shut a little too hard.

Standing I grab my tools from session with Vic and start cleaning my room. Sterilizing my area, I take my time and welcome the silence. Not trying to drown out the ugly thoughts in my head but instead allow them to haunt me.

Turning up the volume, I find my favorite play list and hit play. Turning up the volume, for the first time all day I feel a calm wash over me.

There has always been something about oldies, it gets me every time. Puts me in a completely different headspace, one where I somehow find the smallest fraction of peace, and for a short time, I can let go of all the shit. The crazy mess that’s always running around madly in my head.

Humming along to the beat of the song, I work on getting all my things put back in their rightful places.

Chapter Eight

Aurora

I lay the last of the crackers on the tray and move over to the sink to brush the crumbs off my hands. Listening to the laughter and chatter filtering through the open space that my best friend shares with her little family.

Spinning around, picking up the charcuterie board, I carry it over to the coffee table before joining everyone else on the couches. Curling up on one end I tuck my feet beneath me and get comfortable.

A loud squeal echoes over the living room, and I glance to where Presley sits on the floor, entertaining both Piper and her three and a-half-year-old son, Kayson.

Piper’s feet are kicking through the air wildly and Kayson makes weird faces at her to keep her giggling.

He is definitely like his mommy, silly and always trying to bring joy to everyone around him. Presley my cousin, who has been more like a sister to me, hasn’t had the easiest last several years. Her child’s father has put her through hell, forcing her to test her limits on more than one occasion. He’s played some ugly games over the years, but she came out the opposite end still smiling.

Tonight isn’t a wild and crazy girls’ night out, instead its actually perfect. I needed a distraction and being surrounded by friends, and the two cutest little people I know is the best kind. Before I met Bree and her parents, I was alone. Presley and her family lived too far to visit as often as I’d like. I had parents, but they were far from affectionate and caring. They never offered support, in fact if I had any kind of problems, they couldn’t be bothered with offering any sound advice. I was a distraction, there wasn’t time for my interruptions.

It took me awhile to get used to how hands-on Bree’s parents were. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how involved Craig Dawson is with not only his daughter’s life, but mine as well. It’s almost like he adopted me; the man is one of the greatest men I know.

“So how are things at the shop?” Bree asks Luna, gaining my full attention, as she leans forward and grabs a cracker. She loads it with cheese, tossing it into her mouth. Glancing over I notice the quick look Luna flashes me, like she’s afraid to respond.

My stomach instantly feels tight, knowing more than likely whatever she has to say isn’t going to sit well.

“Dax, hasn’t been happy lately with the dynamics.” Bree adds, and the Margarita I’d been drinking suddenly sours in my stomach.

"It’s like walking on glass, every day, all day.” Luna finally responds and I can sense the sad tone in her voice. “The silence is deafening.” I lift my gaze again to Luna, confused by her explanation.

She doesn’t look back at me but instead stares at the floor where the kids are still laughing and playing amid the adult conversation taking place around them. I envy them, so happy, the world has yet to touch them.

“I’m used to the two clowns going at each other, constant chaos and laughter. I don’t think I’ve heard either of them laugh in weeks. Ever since Jace threw that punch it’s been uncomfortable.”

“Wait, what?” I quickly slide forward placing my feet on the floor.

They both turn and look at me like until that moment they’d forgotten I was even there.

“What punch?” I ask.

When neither of them answers, but instead share and uncomfortable stare, I sit up a little taller. “What punch?” I asked again this time a little more aggressively, but my emotions are screaming at me making it hard to stay calm.

I remember seeing a faint bruise on Zac’s jaw but I think somehow, I knew better than to ask. Maybe I already knew the answer to the question and was too afraid to have it confirmed.

“Did he hit Zac?” I feel sick to my stomach and it only worsens when Luna nods her head. “Because of me?” My voice comes out in nothing more than a hoarse whisper as my emotions start to take over.

“Not because of you,” Bree is the first to attempt to clear things up, though I’m not convinced.

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