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Chapter Eight
Marisol
When I turn around in the kitchen and Jace is right behind me, my breathing stutters to a stop, and my pulse skyrockets like a firework in the night. The way his callused thumb caresses my skin, weakening my knees, and sliding a piece of me I didn’t know was missing into place, sparks a realization. I’m going to pursue him. Even knowing there’s a possibility Jaz will get pissed and never forgive me doesn’t stop the excitement from coursing through my veins.
Jace’s offer with the dishes was sweet, until my darling brother ruined the moment, offering instead to take him to another girl’s house for a play date. What the fuck! The only choice I have is to turn my back, hiding the fact that I’m green with jealousy.
The whispered words of Jace’s raincheck brush warmly against my neck, erupting in a wave of goosebumps, and another faltered breath.
“Qué pasa, sis?” Alex asks, a looming presence at my back.
“Nada.” I’m nervous, and don’t want to tell Alex I’m crushing on his best friend. He’d laugh, bitch at me, then Jace, and them tell Jaz. All of which I don’t want to accept or face right now. Ignorance is bliss.
“You sure?” He steps closer, more intimidating than I remember, as a flush warms my cheeks.
He gives me a funny look, as if he sees right through me, before shrugging and catching up with Jace. Shortly after they yell bye, Jasmine comes into the kitchen.
“Need some help?”
“Please.”
We make quiet work of rinsing, washing, and drying. Something about doing the dishes is so calming, giving me time to think about everything, recognizing that entertaining the idea of us as a couple is living a fantasy. Nothing good can come of it. What would happen if we didn’t work out? Where would that leave Jasmine and me, or Jace and Alex? The risk is too high.
Instead, I refocus on finding a date for Jasmine to the upcoming dance. I’ll create a list of eligible candidates, go through them one by one, and choose who I think is good enough for her.
“What are you planning?” Jasmine’s suspicious voice cuts through our silence.
“Who, little ole me?” I blink innocently.
“Yes, you.”
“Oh, nothing. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Holy freaking monkey babies! You’re thinking about the dance again, aren’t you?” She groans, already knowing the answer.
“Ah, you know me too well, grasshopper. You’ll be fine. We’ll find someone perfect.”
“Mare, I don’t like any of the douches that go to our school,” she whines.
“You just haven’t found the right one yet. You know, you could always go with Alex.” I tease, secretly wanting them to get together. Then I’d have an excuse to go with Jace.”
“Ew, as if! I wouldn’t touch your brother with fifteen pairs of gloves on. Not only is he the male equivalent of a whore, but he’s practically family. That would be like going with my brother. No, thank you.” She dries her hands, putting the smack down on my idea.
“Fine. Just thought I’d throw it out there.” We finish putting the dishes away before I ask the next question. “You want to stay the night, or at least stay until Jace comes home?”
Several emotions shadow her face. “Nah. I’m going to head home and take a shower,” she says, pushing her shoulders back as she collects her things.
“Okay. If you need to come back over for anything, you know you can, Jaz.”
She pauses her escape to hug me but doesn’t linger, dashing out the door to evade the potential of an uncomfortable conversation.
I’m entirely too nervous about Jasmine going home alone. After discovering the type of mom Margret is, the idea of letting her face that solo is eating at my conscience. Their dad works the same hours as ours—over seventy a week—so it’s unlikely he’ll be home. Even with the work overload, he sets time aside to pick the twins up from practice, so he’ll care, and want to hear what’s going on with his kids.
The nagging that’s tugging at my gut pulls me into action. Betraying the twins by telling their dad is not in the cards. And if I go over there now, Jaz will know what I’m doing, and embarrassing her further is the last thing I want to do. Instead, I play it safe and text Jace. If my intuition is right, there’s more going on behind closed doors than our besties are letting on.
~~~~~
Monday morning arrives all too quickly. Even though school comes easily, I normally dread going. Morning person, I am not. But today, I can’t deny the butterflies giddily fluttering around in my stomach over seeing a particular person.
