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“You know, I can bring a guest with me. Jasmine mentioned staying with your grandmother this weekend, so she can’t go. You want to come?” What are you doing? I scream internally, while smiling like a crazy person, eyes larger than saucers.
Jace’s eyes widen before a cocky smile quirks the side of his lush pink lips. “I’d love to, but I don’t think I can. I’m not sure if I should be away for an entire weekend.” He doesn’t elaborate, but I have a feeling it’s because of Margret.
“That’s fine. It was just a thought.” Even though he isn’t rejecting me, it stings all the same. “I got to get to practice. So, I’ll talk to you later?” I’m walking backwards before I finish the sentence.
I think I hear him say ‘Of course,’ but I’m already too far away to make out the words.
Once the doors bang shut behind me, some of the pressure on my chest releases, allowing air back into my lungs. A loud sigh gushes, echoing around the gym. What the hell was I thinking, inviting him away for the weekend? The no hurt, unintentionally. But the excitement comes from that fact that he could say yes.
~~~~~
The rest of the week drags. A large part of it is spent trying to avoid thinking about what Jace is doing or who he’s doing it with. During fourth period on Friday, I plop down in my seat next to Jasmine—the only class we share—and let out a long sigh. Arts is the only class that mixes grades, and since I’m a year older than my brother and the twins, it’s the only class we have together.
“That good of a day?” she asks sarcastically.
“The best,” I respond just as enthusiastically.
I overheard a few girls gossiping about Alex, and what a splendid night they had together. I don’t give a flying fuck about what Alex does, but I definitely don’t want to hear about their hands all over Jace. The thought spikes not only anger but jealousy. “So, any more thoughts about who you want to add to our list of potential dates to the dance?”
“No, no new candidates. Why don’t I just leave it up to you? I’ll go with whoever you narrow it down to. Would that make you happy?”
“Uh, yeah, hello! Do you know who you’re talking to?” I laugh, glancing toward the door.
Jace will strut into class seconds before the bell rings, usually surrounded by girls swooning all over him. He normally eats up the attention. However, when he walks into class today, the completely annoyed expression on his face says he’s doing anything but enjoying himself.
The laugh that bubbles out does so without permission, drawing his interest immediately, twinkling with amusement in his eyes. His face softens while he closes the distance to his seat, his eyes caressing like a lover. We’re going to have to confront this, whatever this is that courses through me every time I think of him, see him. Our friendship has taken a turn, and I’m not sure whether it’s for better or worse.
Fingers slide through my hair, tugging slightly.
Just days ago, the guy behind me was who I was flirting with, and contemplating an invite to the dance. Now, thinking about his fingers slipping through my hair makes me cringe, especially knowing Jace is sitting right next to him, watching the entire exchange.
“Hey, Marisol.” Shane’s voice slithers along my spine.
“Hi, Shane.” I reciprocate the greeting, but when I peek at Jace his jaw’s working.
“You want to get together later?” he asks.
“Um…” I glance at Jace again. What am I expecting him to do, save me? I can’t just brush him off. I am the one who’d originally offered. “Sure. What’d you have in mind?” Shane isn’t a bad guy. If I only offered friendship, he’d accept it. However, I’m pretty sure he’s interested in more than just my friendship by the way he’s studying me.
“We could grab a bite after school?” Damn! He knows I don’t have volleyball practice today.
“Sure,” I agree, hesitantly.
“Marisol.” Jace’s hard voice snaps my head toward him. “Are you making plans over top of mine?” He gives me a cocky smile. His hair flops down on his forehead, the ebon color highlighting the azure of his eyes, making me want to brush it away with my fingers.
Confused, I ask, “Plans?”
“Yeah, the plans you have with me after school.” The possessive growl in his voice elicits shivers.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Sorry. I forgot I have plans with Jace today.” The lie rolls off my tongue with ease.
Jasmine looks at me funny, knowing full well I have no such plans. I give her a look that says to keep quiet, which she thankfully does.
Halfway through class, Jasmine excuses herself to the restroom. Shane takes that moment to lean forward, tilting his entire seat towards me to whisper in my ear. “You wanna hang out later tonight?” His breath is warm and damp against my skin.
I swallow, knowing I need to stop whatever this is before it starts, but before I can speak, Jace leans closer to Shane and says loud enough for us both to hear. “Marisol will be busy before school, after school, and all evening?every evening?with me. Get my drift?” He cocks his head and raises his eyebrow, waiting for Shane to concede his understanding.
His possessive claim shocks a gasp loose, turning every inch of my body to mush, and snapping his hungry blue to my caramel browns. The declaration sets the pace of our newfound attraction and it’s speeding out of control.
