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Chapter Twelve
Marisol
Jace saves my weekend.
As soon as I return home from school, my Papi argues with me about going down to University alone. He assumed Alex was coming with me, and when I correct him, informing him that Alex is hanging out with Carlos this weekend, and I’d be flying solo, he flips his lid. I mean, I’m older than my brother, but they want him to tag along to ruin my fun.
When I finally get a word in and tell him that Jace is going with me, nobody thinks twice about it. To them, nothing has changed. We’re all still buddy-buddy best friends. Unbeknownst to them, butterflies swarm my stomach. I’m nervous every time he’s near, like riding a rollercoaster for the first time. If they knew that, they’d probably think twice about sending me off for a weekend to a hotel with him.
When his deep seductive voice asked to come with me, I couldn’t be sure if his entire reason for going was truthful, or if he wanted to figure out what this storm of emotions inside of us is all about. If I’m being honest with myself, I want him more than anything.
I shake thoughts of us away and focus on packing my bag. Jace is off-limits. Risking all of our relationships is not something I’ll knowingly do. Closing my eyes, I sigh. Entertaining these thoughts holds no meaning since I’m determined not to act on them.
An hour later, I have everything ready. The doorbell sounds, and I know Jace is on the other side. Before I can make it to the door, though, my Papi answers it, welcoming and thanking Jace for accompanying me this weekend.
I drag my stuff down the stairs, gaining their attention.
“Jeez, Mare. Did you bring everything you own?” Jace asks sarcastically.
“I didn’t bring everything,” I growl. “You never know what kind of outfit you’ll need, so I brought an assortment. And yes, help me pack them out to my car.” I smile sweetly until he takes the bag.
My Papi smiles and pats Jace on the back. “Good luck with that, son,” he chuckles while coming over and kissing my head. “Be good,” he scolds before heading back to his lounger.
“Thanks, Papi,” I yell after him. I turn back to Jace, who’s now sporting a shit-eating grin. “What?”
“Nothing.” He hoists his bag onto his shoulder with mine. “Let’s get going.”
“Wait!” I say, a little too loudly. “You don’t have to carry both our bags, Jace.” I try to take mine from him.
“I’ve got it. Don’t worry.” He winks.
Instead of arguing, I race ahead to open the trunk of my car. Jace tosses in all our bags and arranges them to fit side by side. I close the trunk and do a little jig before walking to the driver’s seat.
“What was that about?” Jace asks once we’re seated inside.
My laugh is too high pitched when I answer. “I’m excited.”
I’m excited to tour my top choice of colleges. Excited about spending the weekend with the guy I’m secretly falling in love with. Excited that I get a weekend away from all the pressure of being perfect. Excited about just being… me.
“You all right?” He’s watching me curiously as he reaches over and touches the back of my hand.
I pull away, knowing we’ve set our boundaries and nothing can happen this weekend, even if I desperately want it to. “Yeah.” I smile, but it’s completely fake.
An awkward silence fills the car for most of the ride, both of us glancing at one another periodically, until Jace reaches over and snaps the music off.
“That’s it! I can’t handle this silent shit. Look at me,” he demands.
“Jace, I’m driving. That’s kind of hard to do right now.”
“Then pull over. We’re going to hash this shit out right now.” I glance in his direction. His face is stern, so I do as he says.
We’re only about a mile away from the hotel when I pull the car over to the side of the road. I don’t know why this can’t wait a few more minutes, but he’s pretty adamant that we talk now.
Putting the car into park, I turn in my seat to face him. Looking straight into those baby blues has been my undoing for the last few weeks. “What is it? What do we need to hash out?” I throw his words back at him, frustration heavy in sarcasm, leading the charge and protecting my fragile heart.
He moves too quick, smashing his lips to mine, silencing any thoughts. He has me pushed up against the driver’s side window. I attempt to resist, pushing against his solid chest as if I stand a chance at moving him away. But before long, those same hands pushing him away pull him closer, deepening the kiss. He groans into my mouth, letting his tongue have free rein, as a tranquil sensation courses throughout my body.
Our kissing slows until he hesitantly pulls away. His breathing coming in pants against my lips as he searches my eyes. When he speaks, his voice is gruff with desire. “I want you, Marisol. In every way that I can have you, and then some.” To cut him off, I open my mouth, but he silences me. “I’m not finished. I know the reasons you don’t think this could work, and I want to be angry with you for them, but I can’t. I would be lying if I said the same worries don’t plague me. I don’t want to lose Alex’s friendship if this doesn’t work. I don’t want this to come between you and my sister either, but most of all, I couldn’t fathom this coming between our friendship. But I also think we’re not giving everyone enough credit, including ourselves. I want us to be happy, and the only way I can do that is if we see where this thing between us is going.” Tears are threatening to overflow. “Don’t cry,” he whispers and kisses the tears away from my eyes. “And don’t answer now. Just think about it. I’m not going anywhere. Not today, tomorrow, or a year from now. You are who I want.” He puts his forehead against mine and kisses the tip of my nose. “Just think about it, that’s all I ask.”
