Page 16 of Jace

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“For what, Jace?” I try not to allow my anger to take over this conversation. “You had already taken off with some blond, and I’m not saying that’s what triggered this reaction from her, but it didn’t help either. She acts all tough but I’m telling you the woman is hanging on by a thread. She’s scared all the time; she sleeps with every fucking light on in her place. She even had me rearrange her bedroom so that when she is lying in bed, she has a clear view of her front door. She won’t talk about it; she gets pissed when I try.”

He takes a deep breath.

“So instead, we hang out, watch movies. We go to dinner and shopping, all the fucking things I hate, because she needs it.”

“I don’t understand why you didn’t just tell me all this?”

“Why? Because when it comes to Aurora you listen so clearly?” he challenges me with a smirk and I know it’s pointless to attempt to argue. She is the one and only person I have ever met that makes me act insane and not think twice about it. On most occasions I can’t control it. “The two of you are complete idiots when it comes to each other. You both walk around like you aren’t affected by the other, but you are. She’s stubborn and she’s insecure, two that contradict each other but she won’t give. I’ve been there for her because I saw her in her moment of weakness and she refuses to allow anyone else to see her in that state.”

Part of me is jealous he’s the one she’s turned to. But then again if it had to be anyone, I’m glad it was Zac.

“And I hit you for it.” I shake my head feeling like an even bigger dick than I already had.

“And you hit me for it,” he agrees triggering me to lock my eyes on his. “But I didn’t make it easy on you either. I did offer one too many digs in your direction when I didn’t have to.”

He did, yes but still not a good enough reason for me to react as I did. I’ve never had anyone more loyal in my life than Zac. He’s loyal to us all.

“I took it too far,” I admit. “And I’m sorry for that, I was wrong.”

“Wow.” He chuckles. “The great Jace is admitting wrongs, I never thought I’d ever see the day.”

I smile for the first time since I paused outside Luna’s door. “Are we good?”

“We’re good.” Though I should feel relieved, I don’t because I’ve missed everything, I’ve been too blind to see it all and now it is laid out before me. The idea that she’s been suffering silently while I’ve carried around all this irritation for a man that was there for a girl I care deeply for still hangs over my head.

I have a choice to make. A choice I should have made months ago but was too much of a coward to do so.

This is the moment to let go or grab on tight and no matter how hard she bucks, never let go. It’s up to me.

Chapter Twelve

Jace

I enter the club, scanning over the area for familiar faces. An hour ago I got a random text from Zac telling me he’d been drug along with Aurora and Presley. Both of them insisted they needed a night out to drink and dance like no one was watching. Whatever the fuck the meant, it was the words they used.

I was in my car and on the way in less than thirty minutes.

The music filters throughout the large warehouse styled building. Lights flashing to the beat of the music, its darkened, besides the neon colors running all around the room. The bar highlighted by neon blue and pink, overhead lights casting a glow over the bartenders only.

Stepping up closer into an empty space, I ignore the three younger girls that turn in my direction. Each one of them commenting on my appearance, my tattoos’ covering both arms, my piercings in my ears and my eyebrow. I’ve caught their attention and I prefer they’d look the other way.

“What’ll it be friend?” the guy behind the bar asks as he leans forward to hear my response.

“Heineken.”

He nods and moves around, gathering mine and several other people’s drinks.

Continuing to ignore the ladies, I offer him a five and turn to leave when a cool hand touches my forearm.

“Hey.” I pause, glancing to the girls, finding them all smiling sweetly. “You wouldn’t be looking for some company, would you?” The shorter of the three, the one with her hand currently still placed on my arm bites her lip, batting her eyelashes as she watches me.

The familiar pull in my gut, the excitement that races through me whenever a situation like my current one is nowhere to be found. I don’t get that rush, the need to see where this will all lead if I allow it. There is no pull, now strive for more, nothing. Besides the need to gain some distance.

“I came here tonight for one woman, darlin’, and I’m on my way to find her.” I step away, ignoring her pout and walk into the crowd.

Spotting Zac, he stands with his arms crossed as he watches the two women before him. Aurora and her cousin Presley grinding on each other, each getting lost like they are both in their own little worlds.

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