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Chapter Four
Marisol
I toss my phone down on the comforter and get sucked into the movie. Ripley is one badass chick.
‘You should come over and watch it with me.’ Jace’s words warm me more than the blankets covering my body.
My eyes close, trying to reduce the buzz flowing through my veins as I let out a shuddering breath, remembering the sensation of Jace’s gaze trailing across my skin most of the night. His interest wreaked havoc on my nerves, so when he disappeared out back to meet up with Alex and Carlos, and Jaz suggested dancing, I agreed.
Lost to the music on the dance floor, I still sensed his presence when he returned a couple of hours later, his eyes already zeroed in on us. A pissed off expression contorts his face until he notices Jasmine and the fun she’s having. He halted in his steps so suddenly, Alex slammed into his back. They argued before Jace pulled him away, leaving us for the moment.
A while later, Jasmine tapped me and whispered, “Bodyguards,” into my ear.
Growing up with an overprotective younger brother is an eyeroll and a half, knowing he’s lurking in the shadows with Jace, always trying to shield us from having a good time. They’ve tried to reason with us, explaining that their friends and guys our age only wanted one thing. Well, guess what? Maybe we did too! Since then, they’ve disregarded our annoyed and outraged protests. I understood the warning immediately and couldn’t stop the giggle that slipped through. If their act followed the normal pattern, Jace and Alex would chase off our dance partners and warn them away. So when I opened my eyes, and they connected with Jace’s, the electricity that swarmed from the tips of my toes to the hairs on my head was unexpected.
Alex smoothly swoops Jasmine out from under Brett’s arm, surprising me with his gentleness and efficiency when taking her away. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say his protectiveness has jumped a couple of notches. A smile stretches, thinking about the two. Alex has always doted on Jasmine as long as I can remember. If she needed something, he’d volunteer to jump up and grab it. He’s worked right alongside of Jace fixing her skinned knees when we were younger. Jasmine gives him shit every chance she can. Her sarcastic nature is one of her top attributes. Even with all of this back and forth, neither of them notice the little things, the meaningful gestures. They’re both too headstrong to see what’s right in front of them. I’ll give them a year tops before they recognize their attraction to each other.
A piercing screech rips my eyes open and I blurringly refocus on the TV. Ripley’s running down the ship’s corridor, getting ready for the ultimate showdown and elimination of the aliens on board. This is one of Jace’s favorite movies, and if I wasn’t so tired, I’d take him up on the offer to finish it at his house.
My mind concocts different nonchalant ways to sneak touches, sliding closer together on the couch, rubbing arms and legs, and possibly kissing. Butterflies bombard my stomach as I imagine our lips softly grazing, our tongues as smooth as silk, rubbing together. Natural reactions have always come as second nature, but have now become second guesses. I’ve never had this overwhelming want, especially not with Jace. I’ve had crushes, but this is different. This feels like something more. Maybe it’s because I’ve known him for so long, or maybe it’s the fact that he’s the only person who makes me feel this way.
My body’s sinking into sleep slowly when my phone beeps, signaling an incoming text. Snaking my hand under the blanket, I click the screen. The light blinds me momentarily until my eyes adjust.
Night, Mare.
Smiling to myself, I pull my phone against my chest and drift off to sleep, letting the leftover alcohol pull me deeper.
The next morning, I’m surprisingly good. I finish my homework for the weekend and get a bit of cleaning done, giving Jasmine the adequate time to drag herself out of bed.
Around noon, I plop down on my couch and shoot her a text to see if she’s with the land of the living yet.
Hey, chica! You ready to go downtown?
We have a standing date every weekend. We try to change it up and this weekend is our ice cream trip.
Ya. I’m alive… barely.
Her response cracks a smile, knowing she’s probably lying in bed, covers pulled over her head, and texting under the covers.
Let’s get to it then! Meet you outside in thirty.
She replies with the middle finger and then a thumbs up.
Laughter bursts from my lips. Never fails. Every weekend, I’ve got to drag her ass out of the house. Normally, Jasmine can’t wait to leave every morning to get away from her mom, but on the weekends, Margret spends most of the time at the country club with her hoity-toity friends.
Thirty minutes later, I’m standing next to my car as Jasmine closes the front door, giant sunglasses adorning her face. Again, a giant smile stretches my lips.
“Seriously? That bad?” My hands tap out a rhythm on the hood of my car, waiting for her to shuffle over. “Come on already!”
“Oh, stop yapping. I’m almost there.” Jasmine yanks on the doorhandle and slumps down in her seat.
The trip to town is quiet, both of us stuck in our own thoughts. She’s probably unaware that mine are consumed with her twin.
“Did you have a good time last night?” I ask, trying to evict a dark haired, blue-eyed distraction from my mind.
Finally, a smile appears below her dark lenses. “Fuck, yes. Well… until the bodyguards arrived.”
Rolling my eyes, I agree. “Such downers. Next time we go out, we’re leaving them behind.”
