Page 11 of Jace

“It’s more because Zac is hanging with you and Jace didn’t know how close the two of you had gotten.” She adds.

“It sorta blindsided him,” Luna says in explanation. I know they are both trying to make light of the situation, but all I keep picturing is Jace and Zac, two of the closest guys I’ve ever met, fighting.

“So the guy can’t man up and admit he cares about her so in turn she’s not allowed to talk to any other guy?” Presley scoffs, because if one thing is true, my cousin can never keep her thoughts quiet.

“It’s the other guy part,” Luna interrupts. “It could have been anybody, but it was his best friend.”

My heart is racing, my chest growing tight. I stand, feeling like I’m slowly crumbling away from the inside out. Turning around I start toward the stairs and before I know it, I’m walking out Bree’s front door.

“Aurora,” Bree hollers after me but I don’t stop. Pulling on the front door of the shop, I’m surprised it comes open. I took a chance not really knowing who I hoped to find as I stepped inside.

The shop is quiet but from the conversations earlier in the night I knew that Jace had a late appointment.

The light to his room is the only one still on. Nervous energy courses through me. Walking down the hallway I pause outside Jace’s door. The moment he comes into view my entire body hums with a mixture of love and hate. With his back to me, he is hunched over, cleaning his instruments.

Unshed tears pool in my eyes and it pisses me off that already I’m an emotional mess. But being a person that cries when they are angry and overwhelmed is a curse I have no control over.

“We need to talk.”

He doesn’t respond, doesn’t even turn around to look at me. “Hitting your best friend seems a little over the top don’t you think?” I add getting right to the point.

Again, I am met with silence.

“Ignoring me seems real mature.” So this is the game we are playing?

“You said you didn’t want anything; you are the one that said what Dax and Bree have isn’t where you see your life going. You, Jace, not me.” Anger takes over my emotions. How can he just stand there and ignore me? “So what am I supposed to do, wait around hoping and wishing you’ll change your mind? Is Zac not allowed to talk to me because you say so?”

Still nothing and I find myself wondering what in the hell I ever saw in him.

“I want something more, something you refuse to give me. Zac has been a friend, and whether you care or not, I’ve needed a friend. You haven’t even cared enough to ask if I’m okay. Because I’m not Jace, I am so far from okay.”

My chest aches. The muscles in his shoulders and back flex with each movement he makes, yet he says nothing. He doesn’t even flinch at my words.

The first tear escapes and rolls along my cheek and I angrily wipe it away.

“Wow,” I scoff, “you really are an asshole.”

He lays his gun down and I think he’s about to face me only he picks up something else and sprays solution in it. With each passing second, my anger and frustration only grows. Stepping further into the room I pick up a small bottle of ink off a tray and whip it at him, hitting the back of his head.

Quickly he spins around. “What the fuck?”

His eyes grow wide when they land on mine.

“You’re a prick. I don’t know why I’m surprised you don’t give a fuck!” I scream the words as they echo over the quiet shop. A bit dramatic maybe, but my patience has snapped.

With that I turn around and storm out of the shop, refusing to look back.

Chapter Nine

Jace

“What the fuck was that all about?” I ask, rubbing the spot on the back of my head as I look down at the floor where the small container of ink now lies.

I take a step forward and pause when Luna fills the doorway.

“You really are an idiot.” She shakes her head in disappointment, though I’m not sure what in the hell I did to trigger that reaction.

“I was standing here, minding my own business, cleaning my shit and the next thing I know something's bouncing off the back of my head.” It’s what I’ve done lately, zoned out and tried to block all the shit I’ve fucked up and still keep fucking up. It’s easier that way, for me anyway.

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