Jace runs his hand over my hair. “I figured as much when I heard him yelling at you.”
I turn over onto my back and Jace lies down next to me, staring at the ceiling. He grabs my hand and holds it close to his chest. “You shouldn't do that,” I say under my breath.
“Why?” He turns his head on the pillow to look at me. I wish he wasn't so cute.
“Because you're leaving. Because holding my hand is a pointless comfort right now. It means nothing.”
“It doesn't mean nothing to me.” Jace's words are calm, secure. It frustrates me how he doesn't realize the seriousness of our situation.
I pull my hand away. “You can't hold my hand, Jace. You can't kiss me and you can't bring me flowers. Because pretty soon you're leaving forever and I'll never see you again and it'll be the most pointless summer of my life.”
He laughs. I punch him in the arm.
“Bayleigh, Bayleigh, Bayleigh,” he says, sitting up and pulling me into a sitting position with him. He cups my face in his hands. “I have something exciting to tell you.”
“Exciting for you, maybe.” I know I shouldn't be bitter towards him. His good news is probably something to with his motocross career and I should be happy for him. But I'm finding it hard to be anything but sad right now.
“Exciting for both of us,” he says, trailing his hands down my arms until he grabs my hands. Excitement dances across his face. “I just got back from Mixon Motocross Park.”
“Okay….” I say, still failing to see the exciting part of this.
“The owner offered me a job. My own motocross school—giving lessons and stuff at his track. It pays a lot of money and it's the perfect alternative since I can't race professionally anymore.”
I bite my lip. “Where did you say this track is located?”
He smiles. “About thirty minutes from your hometown.”
My heart flips in my chest. “What are you saying?” I ask.
He leans forward and kisses me on the forehead. “I'm staying in Texas. I'm going to move to Mixon and work there. I'm not going back to LA.”
“Are you sure?” I whisper, inhaling his scent as chills prickle my arms.
He nods. “I have nothing in LA worth going back for. Here, I have you.” Just when I think my grin can't possibly get any bigger, he says, “That is, of course, if you'll be my girlfriend.”
###
End of Summer Unplugged
