by A. Jade
Tears blur my vision and my lungs seize. Every word he says cracks me wide open. “Jace—”
His teeth graze the shell of my ear. “Go ahead, try to run from me again, baby. I fucking dare you.”
I have no desire to anymore. Not after he just laid his heart out for me like that.
Emotion clogs my throat. “I can’t. I love you too much.”
“Good.” In one fell swoop, he hauls me into his arms. “Because no way in hell was I leaving without you.”
I lock my legs around his waist and he pulls me into a kiss so sizzling I forget how to breathe.
Tingles dance up and down my spine as I fall deeper into his abyss, needing more, more, mo…
“Move your vehicle or I’m calling the cops,” the driver barks while honking his horn. “You’re causing a traffic jam.”
Oh, shit. When I tilt my head, I see the string of bumper to bumper cars.
Jace flips him the middle finger. “Fuck off, old man.”
“God, you’re such an asshole,” I mutter as he walks us toward his car.
His lips curve into a cocky smirk. “Yeah, but I’m your asshole.”
Yes, he is.
Chapter 48
DYLAN
Six months later….
A jolt of excitement flows through me as I stare at the cap and gown hanging on my closet door.
In just two more hours, I’ll officially be a high school graduate.
My heart sinks. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Oakley.
Two days ago the school informed him he was ineligible to graduate and would have to repeat his senior year.
To say my uncle is pissed would be putting it mildly.
However, as bad as I feel for him…I can’t say I’m surprised.
Oakley’s been on a downward spiral the last few months…one that resulted in him skipping more classes than he attended.
I wanted to confront my aunt for screwing with his head and fucking up his life, but Oakley begged me not to and swore it was over between them for good.
Given my aunt announced she was three months pregnant during my celebratory graduation dinner last night …I hope for his sake he was telling the truth.
My chest feels heavy as I walk out of my room and knock on his door.
He doesn’t answer, but I can hear him moving around in there.
“It’s me. Can we talk for a few?”
“Yeah. Come in.”
He’s tossing some clothes into a duffle bag when I open the door.
“Planning on going somewhere?” I try to keep my voice light, but I fail miserably.
“Cole asked his dad if I could stay in their guesthouse for the summer and he agreed.”
Oh. That’s news to me. “You’re leaving?”
He smirks. “Don’t act like you won’t still see me every day while visiting your boyfriend.”
He makes a valid point.
Jace and I are pretty much attached at the hip these days. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t loving every minute of it.
Especially all those minutes he spends with his head between my…
Dammit. Focus, Dylan.
“I know…but it’s gonna suck living here without you.”
Especially with my aunt being knocked up.
I want to be happy for her, however I’m still finding it hard to separate the amazing aunt I love from the two-timing, cheating whore I despise.
It’s a juggling act most days.
But at least she’s attending my graduation…which is more than I can say for my father who was released from jail a week ago and has yet to make any contact.
I’m starting to realize that family isn’t always blood…it’s the people who are there for you when no one else is.
And for me, those people are Jace, Sawyer, and Oakley.
He opens the suitcase on his bed and starts filling it with more clothes. “I can’t stay here, Dylan.”
I can’t say I don’t understand. My uncle can be…difficult sometimes.
In his mind, he’s right about everything, and everyone who disagrees with him or thinks a different way is dead wrong.
You can’t even have a conversation with the man for more than five minutes without your blood pressure rising.
It’s why I opted to dorm at Duke’s Heart University in the fall—which is only a fifteen-minute drive away—rather than stay here.
I fidget with my fingers, trying to figure out how to ask the question that’s been burning on my tongue since last night.
I decide to just come out with it. “Is there a chance the baby is yours?”
Please say no.
He blows out a breath. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. The last time we screwed was the night you found out.” There’s no mistaking the pain in his eyes. “She doesn’t love me…she loves him.”
“I’m sorry.”
He snorts. “No, you’re not.”
He’s right, I’m not. My aunt had no business fooling around with her stepson.
That said, I am sorry he’s hurting. “You’re better off without her.”
He rubs his chest. “Doesn’t feel like it.” He pulls a joint out from behind his ear and lights it. “I’ve been hoping she’d come to her senses and choose me over him, but it’s safe to say that’s never gonna happen now.”
I’ve always sucked at this sort of thing, but I tell him what I know to be true.
“There’s someone out there for you, Oak. And when you find her, I can guarantee you won’t be her second choice. You’ll be her first and only choice.”
“Nah. Fuck that. I got burned once and it was enough for me to learn my lesson.” He blows out a puff of smoke. “But enough about my shit, this is your big day.”
I wince. I don’t know how I’m supposed to be happy about graduating when he isn’t. “Sawyer told me to tell you she’d tutor you this year.”
He gives me a curt nod. “I should probably take her up on that.”
“I can tutor you too, you know. Just say the word.”
Another curt nod. “Yup.”
I can feel the band around him start to snap.
“Oakley?”
“Yeah?”
I walk over and throw my arms around him. “It’s gonna be okay.”
His breathing goes staticky and he buries his face in my neck. “I fucked up, Dylan.”
“But you can fix it.”
“I’m not sure about that,” he chokes out. “I did it to get back at him and now…everything’s so screwed up.”
Oh. He’s referring to that fuck up.
“It takes two to tango, remember?” I frame his face with my hands. “She was the adult. Therefore, she was in the wrong.”
“Trust me, I’m a grown man. I can be very convincing when I want to be.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “I don’t know…I just need to get away from him…from her…from everything.”
I poke him in the ribs. “Well, you can’t get away from me. I’ll be stopping by the guesthouse every day this summer to bug you.”
He laughs. “Is that a promise or a threat?”
Rising on my tiptoes, I kiss his cheek. “A promise.”
He looks me up and down. “You should probably get ready.”
Crap, he’s right. I’m still in my pajamas. “Text me later?”
“Sure, but I’ll see you at the ceremony.”
I blink. “You’re going?”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Last I checked you and Jace were still graduating. So fuck yeah, I’m going.”
I wrap my arms around him for the second time. “You’re the best cousin in the world, you know that?”
He snorts. “At least I’m good at something.”
“You’re good at a lot of things, Oak. Have some faith in yourself.”
Jace: Have I told you how sexy you look in that cap and gown?
I can’t see him since he’s sitting a bazillion rows
up from me and has already gotten his diploma, but I shake my head and laugh.
Dylan: You know you’re wearing one too, right?
Jace: Looks better on you.
A second text immediately follows that one.
Jace: Bet it looks even better off. ;)
Dylan: Perv.
Jace: You love it.
I do. I really, really do.
Dylan: So…how does it feel to be a high school graduate?
Jace: You tell me. They’re calling your name, baby.
Panic shoots up my spine when I realize my row went up, and I never went with them. Crap.
That’s what I get for making out with Jace during graduation rehearsal instead of paying attention.
The announcer clears her throat and scans the audience. “Dylan Taylor.”
“I’m here!”
Laughter breaks out as I run up to the podium as fast as my legs can carry me.
“Whoop. Whoop. Yo, that’s my cousin!” I hear Oakley yell as I accept my diploma.
But over all the clapping—and Oakley’s shouting—there’s still one person I can hear cheering the loudest for me.
Jace.
He’s standing on his chair, clapping and shouting my name so loud he probably won’t have a voice when he’s done.
There’s nothing but pure pride in his eyes when our gazes clash and he mouths, ‘I love you.’
My throat locks up. I never knew I could feel so happy…so complete.
But that’s what falling in love with your best friend does.
It makes everything so much better.
The world could end right now, and I know I’d be fine…as long as Jace was standing next to me when it happened.
I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. “I love you.”
Breaking all the rules, I run off the stage and kiss him.
Because he’s mine and I’m his.
And I want to spend the rest of my life making unforgettable memories with him.
Epilogue
Two months later…
I pick up my phone and call Sawyer. If anyone can talk me off the ledge when Jace isn’t around, it’s her.
“Something’s wrong,” I blurt out the moment she picks up.
“What’s going on?”
I stretch a strip of duct tape across the box in front of me. “Jace has been acting weird for the past two days.”
“Weird how? Sick weird or moody weird.”
“I don’t know…weird weird.” I place a stack of folded clothes in a different box. “I think he’s freaking out about me going to Duke’s Heart.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not. Because I’m dorming there. I don’t know. Something just feels off.”
“Well, did you try asking him what’s wrong?”
“I don’t have to,” I mutter. “This morning he texted me.”
“And?”
I swallow hard. “He said we needed to talk.”
“Oh.” She goes silent for a few seconds before she squeaks out, “Hey, that’s not always a bad thing. Communication is important in a relationship.”
“Sawyer, how many couples are still together at the end of a conversation that begins with the words ‘we need to talk?’”
She sucks in a sharp breath. “Okay, I see your point. But it doesn’t matter. You and Jace are soulmates.”
We are…which is why I don’t understand any of this.
Two days ago, everything was perfect.
Then I mentioned I was going to be busy because I needed to start packing for school…and suddenly we need to have a talk.
Grumbling, I stand up. “I’m supposed to meet him in fifteen minutes.”
“Your place or his?”
“Neither.” Trekking to the mirror, I do a quick once-over. “He wants to meet at our old elementary school.”
“Really? Why?”
“I don’t know. The only thing I can think of is that he wants to end things the same place it began.”
There’s a sharp intake of breath. “Whoa. Do you really think Jace would be so cruel? Actually…don’t answer that. Think happy thoughts,” she says before hanging up.
The ominous feeling in my gut gets worse with every step I take toward the giant sequoia tree.
He looks up when I approach. “Hey.”
No kiss. No hug. Just hey.
“Hey.”
The look in his eyes right now is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
He motions to the spot on the ground next to him. “Sit.”
Begrudgingly, I do.
The smile he gives me is uneasy…like he doesn’t want to have this conversation any more than I do.
“How are you?”
How am I? If he’d bothered to speak to me for more than two seconds over the last forty-eight hours, he would know I’m freaking the fuck out.
“Fine.”
His dark eyes roam over my face, studying me.
I grind my molars. It should be a crime to look so hot when you’re about to break someone’s heart.
He reaches for my hand. “You know I love you, right?”
My heart seizes. Oh my God. This is it.
“Yup,” I croak.
He makes a face. “Are you okay?”
“Just peachy,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
“Really? Because you don’t—”
“Good God, man. Just get on with it.”
Break up with me so I can break your jaw and knock some sense back into you.
“Didn’t realize you were in a rush.” I feel his gaze bore into me. “You were wearing a blue dress with white stripes. Your hair was up, and you had a pair of red earbuds in your ears.” He traces the length of my forearm with his finger. “Your eyes were closed, and you were singing your favorite song.” Laughing, he gives his head a shake. “You sounded terrible…but you looked so happy in your own little world. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “When?”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “The first time I saw you.”
Really? He’s going to say something like that before he smashes my heart to smithereens, and he can’t even bother to get it right.
“The day we met I was wearing overalls, not a blue dress. My hair was down…and I had headphones on. The babysitter’s cat destroyed those red earbuds the week before.”
He smirks. “I said it was the first time I saw you…not the first time we spoke.”
Oh. I always thought I was the one who noticed him first.
That uneasy look in his eyes is back. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”
I brace myself for impact. “About?”
“Us.” He runs his thumb over my knuckle. “The future.”
“Okay.”
“Do you remember when we used to exchange notes with dares on them?”
Of course I do.
“Yeah, they’d have to be completed by the end of the upcoming week or you lost.” I give him a smug smile. “I never lost, by the way.”
“I know.” He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to me. “I’m hoping you continue your winning streak.”
Confused, I unfold the paper.
My heart constricts when I see what’s written on it.
I dare you to move in with me.
“Are you serious? Like into your house?”
He grins. “No. Into an apartment…our apartment. I found three I think you’d like that are less than five minutes from Duke’s. I talked to the land—”
“Wait, what? You went apartment hunting?”
He nods. “That’s what I’ve been doing the last two days.” He blows out a heavy breath. “I know you were planning on dorming and I didn’t want to take that experience away from you, but I’m a selfish prick.” He crosses his arms. “I want to be the first one to see you when you wake up. Not some stupid roommate—whoa, what’s happening? Why are you crying?”
“I t
hought you were breaking up with me,” I choke out, wiping my tears with my sleeve.
He makes a face. “Breaking up with you? What the hell? Baby, why would I ever break up with you?”
“I don’t know, asshole. You said we needed to talk and then you pretty much ghosted me for two days.”
“I did not ghost you. You said you were busy.”
“I’m never too busy for you.” I twine a blade of grass around my finger. “I just had to get ready for my first semester of college. It’s a big deal, you know?”
“Yeah, I do.” He pulls out another piece of paper. “I’ll be seeing you around on campus.”
My mouth drops open. “I thought you said you didn’t want to go to college?”
He shrugs. “I didn’t, but then I figured getting a BA in computer science might not be a bad idea. It’s only part-time, so I’ll still have plenty of time to work on video games.” He tips my chin. “And for you.”
That happy, fuzzy feeling is back in my chest again. “I love you.”
Dipping his head, he kisses the hollow of my throat. “Is that a yes?”
“Are you kidding? That’s a hell yes. Of course, I’ll move in with you.”
The relief on his face is apparent. “Good. Because I set up meetings with the landlords this afternoon.”
My stomach sinks like quicksand. “I can’t move in with you.”
He blanches. “The fuck you can’t. Why?”
It’s almost laughable that I forgot how broke I am. “I don’t have any money. I only got a partial scholarship to Duke’s. The rest is all loans—”
“You don’t have to pay for anything.” He kisses me slow and sweet and my heart swoops down to my toes. “I’ve got you. Always.”
“But I’m not a mooch.”
“No, you’re not. You’re mine.” His thumb strokes the edge of my jaw. “And I take care of what’s mine—what the hell?”
My eyes widen in shock as a blue butterfly lands on Jace’s nose.
Jace, however, doesn’t seem to share my sentiments. I stop him when he tries to swat it away.
“Dylan, there’s a butterfly…on my fucking face.”
My throat prickles as I recall what Sawyer told me that day in the graveyard.