Page 63 of Wanna Bet?

His apartment looked like a disaster zone. Laundry covered the bedroom floor. Empty takeout containers crowded every available surface. The record player he'd normally have running from morning until night sat untouched in the corner. Even work had become something he simply endured. Customers spoke, Jace answered, and hours passed. Then he came home and did it all over again.

A week ago, he'd spent almost every free moment thinking about Myah. Now he spent every free moment trying not to. Neither strategy was working.

His phone buzzed against the counter but he didn't need to look. There was only one person still texting him. The screen lit up.

From Myah:

Please just tell me you're okay.

His chest tightened as the message sat there, waiting. Begging for acknowledgement. Jace stared at it for several long seconds before flipping the phone face down.

He couldn't do this. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

A knock sounded at his apartment door and he ignored it, hoping they would go away. The knock came again, louder this time, then Ellis's voice carried through the wood.

"Open up, loser."

Jace closed his eyes. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"We brought food." A pause. Then Issaky added, "And coffee."

Jace sighed. Damn them.

Twenty minutes later he found himself sitting in the backseat of Ellis's car with a breakfast burrito in one hand and absolutely no memory of agreeing to leave his apartment.

Ellis glanced over. "You look terrible."

"Thanks."

"You haven't shaved."

"Okay." Jace cocked a brow and took a big bite of his burrito. He had to admit, the protein and veggies were a welcome change to the usual junk food dinners he’d been consuming.

Issaky twisted around from the passenger seat. His expression was gentler than Ellis's. More concerned, which Jace hated.

"Have you slept?"

"A little."

"That's not a real answer." Issaky frowned.

"It's the only answer I've got." Jace shrugged, crumpling up the burrito wrapper.

Neither of them pushed which somehow made Jace feel worse. Because it meant they were worried.

“How about you come stay with us for a day or two?” Ellis asked, locking eyes with Jace in the review mirror.

“What? Why? I don't need a babysitter, El.” Jace was defensive for some odd reason, but his chest filled with warmth at the idea of not being alone anymore.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Issaky smiled at Ellis, placing a large hand on the man's thigh. “We can finally beat those levels in Warcraft Revenge.” Issaky smirked.

Jace had been trying to help Issaky beat the video game for over a year. He was beginning to think it was impossible.

“Fine. Two days.” Jace agreed, buckling his seatbelt and looking out the window.