Page 186 of Scattered Glitter

The night air is warm, and there’s a wild energy buzzing between the three of us as we stroll down the empty street. The stars hang above us, dots of silver sprinkled across the velvet sky, and I feel as if I could conquer the whole damn world with Ace by my side and Rosalee trailing behind, muttering under her breath.

“Will your sister ever stop hating me?” Ace asks, glancing back at her with a smirk.

Ace’s arm is draped over my shoulder, his thumb tracing light circles against my skin. His eyes are alight with that spark—the one that says trouble is always just around the corner.

Rosalee huffs, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I don’t hate you, Ace,” she retorts, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I think you’re an insufferable idiot.”

“Ouch.” Ace grins as he looks at me. “You hear that? I’m an idiot.”

“Well, she’s not wrong.” I laugh, nudging him. “Youarekind of an idiot.”

Ace gasps dramatically, clutching his chest like I’ve wounded him. “Betrayed by my own girl! You’re breaking my heart, Trouble.”

I glance back, and Rosalee rolls her eyes, but there’s also a tiny smile tugging at her lips.

We’re about to pass a gas station when Ace suddenlystops, his eyes zeroing in on something ahead. I follow his gaze and spot it immediately—a black Mustang parked off to the side, its paint glistening under the station lights.

“Well, isn’t that your dream car,” Ace whispers, almost reverently. He turns to me, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “What do you think, Trouble? Feel like having a little fun?”

“What kind of fun?” I ask, even though I already know what he’s going to say.

Ace grins, his teeth flashing in the dim light. “I dare you to break in and steal it.”

“Are you serious?” Rosalee snaps, sharp with disbelief. “Nova, don’t even think about it. That is insane!”

Ace ignores her, his gaze locked on me. “C’mon, Trouble, what’s the point of living if you’re not gonna have some fun?”

A thrillraces through me, and I grin, my heart already pounding with fear and excitement. “Let’s do it.” Without a backward glance, I pull away from him and head toward the Mustang.

Rosalee groans behind me, but she doesn’t protest further. When I reach the car, I quickly glance around to make sure no one is watching as I pull out the little set of tools Ace gave me for my birthday. My hands move almost automatically, muscle memory taking over as I work to get the door open. Within moments, I hear the satisfying click, and the door swings open.

Ace whoops, rushing over to me. “That’s my girl!” He pulls me into a quick kiss. His lips are warm, and the rush of adrenaline makes everything feel sharper, more alive.

“Get in!” I laugh, pushing him toward the front of the car before sliding into the driver’s seat. Ace rounds the car and opens the passenger door, then pulls the seat forward. Rosalee reluctantly climbs into the back, mutteringsomething about how this is the worst idea we’ve had yet, while Ace pushes the seat back and slides in.

“You know I don’t have a license, right?” I muse as I start the car, the engine roaring to life beneath me.

Ace grins, his eyes glinting with excitement. “We’re stealing a car, and you’re worried about having no license?”

I shrug. “Fair.” Then I hit the gas, the Mustang lurching forward as we speed out of the gas station. The car moves like a dream, the engine purring beneath me, and it feels as if we’re flying, free and unstoppable.

“Faster, Trouble!”

“I’m trying!” I shout back. The truth is, I’m not great at this. I’ve driven a few times, sure, but never anything compared to this. My hands grip the wheel tightly, my heart pounding hard as the car jerks violently when I struggle to change gears. Ace reaches over, his hand covering mine on the stick. “All right, all right,” he says through a laugh. “Pull over. I’ll drive before you fuck up the clutch.”

I do as he says, and we switch seats, Ace sliding into the driver’s side. He gives me a wink, then hits the gas, the Mustang roaring to life as we take off down the empty road, the back end fishtailing from the abrupt speed.

“You two are going to get us killed,” Rosalee hisses from the back seat, her hands gripping the headrest in front of her.

“Relax, Glitter,” Ace calls back, his eyes focused on the road. “We’re just having some fun.”

The world outside blurs as Ace goes faster, racing through the streets. I’m laughing, the wind whipping through the open windows, the high of it all making my heart soar. Unable to help myself, I lean over and smack a kiss on his cheek.

“You’re crazy,” I yell over the wind and engine.

“Only for you, Trouble,” he yells back.

The sound of sirens cuts through the night. My laughterdies in my throat as I turn in my seat and see the flashing red and blue lights in the distance.

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