“Uh, Jace, what game are we playing now…tag?” A hint of amusement wandered about her face, the sparkle in her eyes giving her away. “Don’t you think we’re too old for that?” I snorted, swallowed, and then coughed, choking back laughter. I could tell she was enjoying my little game. “What’s so funny, Jace?” I shook my head.
She exhaled and charged. Her body crashed into mine, and we both collapsed onto the mat. She put her hand to my mouth, finishing the game. I looked up at her and smiled. We both burst into uncontrollable laughter. I let out a sigh and propped my elbows on the mat so I could see her better.
“Good job, Fox. You won. I’m very pleased with my student.”
“Get a grip, Jace. I’m not your student.”
It finally registered in my mind and other parts of my body that she was straddling my waist.
“You could be if you wanted, and in so many ways,” I tease, hoping that my "manhood", as my aunt Vonnie would say, stayed down like a proper appendage. But looking up at her and feeling her legs pressing against my body wasn’t helping. I just needed to keep my mind away from everything I wanted to do to her, and that was going to be a challenge.
“Jace, are you going to share your secret with me?”
I grinned, sitting up entirely. "What secret?"
She shook her head. “The secret on how you make me feel this way.”
I quirked an eyebrow and asked, “What way would that be?”
“Come on, Jace, really? You know.”
“Well…I, for one, have always thought it was my dashing good looks and charming personality.”
“Jace…”
“Okay look, Charlie. We have a connection."
She rolled her eyes, finally noticing that she was still on top of me. Blushing, she hurriedly hopped off. I felt the loss immediately, but I was also relieved. Trying to think of things nonsexual with her atop me was hard.
I held up my hands. “You feel it. I know you know it’s there. I’m not blind. I see how you look at me. Besides, when I talk to other girls like I do you, they don’t look at me the way you do. Yeah, they like it…” I smiled, immediately stopping myself, as I was sure, I was digging my own grave with the expression on her face. "Still, it's different with you, and that's all I can say. Did that help answer your question?”
“No. It seems like you completely evaded my question, but that’s fine. Okay, answer this one. It’s going to sound strange, but just hear me out.”
I picked up a water bottle and took a big swig.
“Can you read minds?” she asked.
I turned my head and spat the rest of the water out, shocked that she would even be wondering that.
“What? Read minds? Um, Charlie, are you okay? Come on…mindreading?” I felt a little ill. Fuck. What was she thinking?
“Well, how else do you explain it, Jace? It seems like you know what I’m thinking.”
“Sorry, babe, but I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
I poured my magic into her mind.
Charlie: You’re a big fat liar. I’m so done with this.
I stiffened and pulled out of her mind.
“Wow, that’s a lot to take in, Jace…a lot of bullshit.”
I opened my mouth, but she wasn't having any of it. She held up one hand, stopping me from saying anything.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I want to go home. Would you take me, please?”
Feeling defeated, I rubbed my eyes and shrugged. “Let me tell my mom where we are going, and I need to get something else on, okay?”
“Fine.”
Chapter Six
Jace
I threw on some clothes and told my family where I was going before heading outside. Charlie was standing in front of the fountain, admiring the intricate water feature. Everyone loved our fountain, and it wasn’t uncommon to see guests standing alongside it, but I didn’t think I had ever seen anything more beautiful than her underneath the moonlight. She was breathtaking. I clenched my keys in my hand, feeling as if my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I quickly hopped into my car and pulled up beside her.
I was ready to get her home. I didn't want to look at someone I could never have. For the first time in my life, I felt lost. I had always believed we would be together, but now, I didn't know. The blow of losing her again swept over me. Love wasn't easy, but then again, nothing worth fighting for was.
She got into the car, and the silence was laden with a sense of awkwardness. I was trying not to think about what I had with her before—what I thought we would have now— and comparing it to my reality.
“Jace, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to take you up on that offer.”
Feeling bemused by her comment. “Huh?” I raised my eyebrows.
“You know, you said you would teach me some moves.”
I smirked and gave her a little shrug.
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“I’m sorry, but you lost me. I have no clue what you're talking about. Please enlighten me."
She batted her eyelashes, looking sweet and innocent as she muttered, “Well, you said that you could teach me how to protect myself if I was ever attacked.”
“Oh…I see. So now you want me to show you my moves?” I joked, wiggling my eyebrows and swaying my hips. “Bow chika wow-wow,” I added in for good measure. “You know,” I said, licking my lips and grinning, “…there are a lot of moves I'd be happy to show you.”
She pushed me. “Stop playing. You know what I meant.”
I gave her a solemn look as we pulled into her driveway. I placed one hand on her cheek and brushed hair out of her eyes with the other. “Charlie, let’s get serious for once.” She brought her gaze to meet mine, and I nearly came undone. “Please stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
I groaned, “Like you want to rip my clothes off and have your way with me. If you keep it up, I might die from the heat in your eyes. So, snap out of it, Charlie.”
“Sorry, Jace, um… what were you saying?”
“I said we need to get serious, but I’m starting to think if I show you how to defend yourself, it might not work.” I grimaced.
“Why?” she squeaked.
“Because, Charlie, all I want to do when I touch you is just that…touch you. I know you don’t feel the same, which sucks.”
“I would like you to teach me, please. We can do it without messing up our friendship, or at least we need to try. I want to learn.”
I wanted to be more than friends. I knew this was going to be a waiting game, but I just hoped I'd win. “Fine, Charlie, we’ll try. Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She sighed, “Jace?”
“Huh?”
“Umm, you can call me Fox.” She hopped out of the car and quickly added, “I like it. Bye.”
I smiled as I pulled away. I had a chance.
***
It’s been a few days since Charlie and I spoke. I was starting to feel irritated over it and needed to blow off some steam. Charlie, it seemed, had been all Team Tru, and our self-defense sessions were muddled with unmet expectations, confusion, and lack of clarity, none of which sat well with me.
“It’s pissing me the fuck off," I muttered, heading out to my gym.
Opening the door, immediately, my eyes went to the huddled mass on the floor — Charlie. Sobs echoed around the room. I ran to her, kneeling and wrapping my arms around her, doing the only thing I could do—provide comfort. I started asking a million questions, bombarding her with my concern. She remained silent between sobs. Following her lead, I stopped talking and just held her.
I was going to let her get over whatever it was. I could have used my magic to invade her privacy, but in that moment, I didn’t want to be that kind of person. Charlie lifted her head and looked up at me. I gave her a shy smile.
“You ok?” I asked, brushing her hair from h
er face.
“Sorry,” she said, sniffling.
"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong, and it'll be okay. I’ll make sure of it,” I said in a whisper.
“Can you take me home?”
“Sure. If you promise me you’re ok.” I didn't want her to leave, but she looked so tired. I knew she probably needed to go home.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
I smiled, offering my hand as I stood up. Charlie took my hand, and I tugged perhaps a little too hard. Her body crashed into mine, and we hit the floor with a thud.
"Shit," I muttered as Charlie slammed into me.
“Hey, did you do that on purpose.” She grinned.
“Who? Me?” I asked innocently. “Why would I do that, Fox? You know I like to be on top,” I teased and seized my opportunity. I pulled, flipping her over and rolled on top.
“Jace, you’ve had your fun…but now get off me.”
“What’s the matter, Fox?” I crooned. “Now that I’m on top, it’s not fun for you?”
“Ha. Ha. Funny, but no, it’s not. I’ve been on the ground too much today, so get off,” she demanded with a smile.
I leaned down, inches from her face. “Why?” I challenged.
She stammered, “I-I—”
I touched her lips, silencing her. “You feel the pull between us, don’t you?”
“Yes, I—I feel it, but we can’t…” Charlie said, breathlessly.
“Why? We’re not doing anything wrong.” I studied her for a moment then frowned. “Oh, but I see. It’s Tru, isn’t it? So, Charlie, have you told him about me? Have you told him how you feel when I touch you?” To prove my point, I wrapped my hands around her wrists, pulling her arms above her head. She didn’t resist. I continued, seeing just how far she would let me take this. I took one finger and traced it down the side of her body and around her ribcage. I knew from the look in her she was enjoying it. “Or, how you felt when I kissed you,” I leaned in and whispered, brushing my breath over her lips. “Comforting you? Where was Tru, Charlie, when you were crying?”
"That's not fair, and you know it. Tru has no idea I was crying. Yes, for your information, I told him I like someone else, but that’s not why we can’t.”
I grunted, getting off her. “Okay, then why? Because you came running here when you were upset. I still don’t know what you were crying about, but you came here.”
To hell with giving her privacy, I thought, forcing my way into her mind. This time, instead of reading her thoughts, I wanted to see her memories.
“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?”
“Sit down, Kiddo,” Sam told her.
“Charlie, how do we put this?” Janet spoke sweetly, twisting her hands together in a nervous gesture.
“How do you put what?” Charlie searched their faces. “What is it? Mom? Dad?” She waited. “Okay, will someone please tell me?”
“You’re not allowed to see Tru anymore.” Sam ordered.
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me?” She laughed. “Mom, would you please tell Dad that there is nothing wrong with Tru.” Janet didn’t speak. “Mom, please tell Dad what happened this morning.”
“Oh, Charlie, Sweetie, I think your father’s right. You don’t need to see Tru anymore.” Janet said with a hint of regret in her voice.
“No, I’m not going to stop hanging out with Tru, unless you give me one good reason why I should?”
Charlie crossed her arms.
Sam said, “Because I told you to.”
“Because you told me to?” Charlie threw quotations in the air. “What the hell, Dad?”
“Charlie, watch your mouth.” Sam narrowed his eyes.
“No. And that’s not a good enough reason. I’m not going to listen to you.” Charlie pointed at Sam.
Oddly, her hands started to smoke.
“Charlie! You need to calm down,” Sam told her, while gaping at her hands.
“No!” She shouted.
Chapter Seven
Jace
I felt sick as I pulled out of her memories.
She blew the hair out of her eyes and stood up. “We can’t because it might hurt Tru. I never want to hurt him, Jace.”
I was shattering and I didn’t know if I could recover. The realization that she wanted him and not me I think was finally setting in. My heart was shriveling away to nothing, but I still couldn’t let it go.
“Why did you come here, Charlie—to punch a bag or the truth? You wanted to see me," I hissed. "If that's not the reason, then take my feelings into consideration next time because there may only be one heart you don't want to hurt, yet there is another one that can break just as easy."
I wanted to hit something. The more I looked at her, the more disappointed I felt. She didn’t want to hurt fucking Tru, but damn if she couldn’t care less about me and my feelings.
“You didn’t think your words and actions could ever hurt me?” I frowned, shaking my head. “I guess you didn’t think about me at all, did you?” My body started to tremble. “Just Tru…right? You thought only about hurting Tru. Poor Tru.”
“Oh God, Jace…I’m sorry,” she said, wrapping her arms around my body.
“Fuck this,” I said, pushing her away from me.
She scowled. “Oh how the tables have turned. Now when I touch you, you push me away? Look, I know what I said was cruel, and I am sorry.”
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her against my chest. Breathing hard, I said, “Damn it, Fox. I want you to touch me; however, you’re afraid, and I’m… I’m just hurt.” I rested my forehead against hers and closed my eyes in defeat. “Come on. I’ll take you home.” I turned away, but Charlie grabbed my shirt and pulled me back.
“Maybe I am afraid. Maybe I fear what is happening to me. Scared and afraid of what I am feeling and what it all means. Right now, Jace, it’s just too much. But I am truly sorry for what I said.”
She gave me a soft, quick kiss on the lips. My heart sputtered, and again I believed that I still had a chance.
“Now I’m ready to go home.”
The drive to her house was quiet, and before she got out, I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “See you tomorrow, Fox. Hey, try not to dream about me.”
She shook her head. “Well, I’ll try not to dream about you, Jace, but I think you should be warning yourself.”
She was right. I did dream about her, but it wasn’t the kind of dream I thought I’d have…
"Hey Jace, Eli said I wouldn’t get to come back until my sixteenth birthday." She looked down.
“Why? That’s like three years.” I felt like my world had exploded around me.
“Eli said it was for my safety.” She pushed her thick brown hair behind her ears, and her eyes shined with unshed tears.
I searched her face. “What does that mean for us? Will I still get to see you?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Jace, they will be taking away my memories. Eli said it’s for the best if I don’t remember anything.”
I grabbed the sides of my head and pulled my hair. I didn't know what to say to her. I didn't know what I could do that would make this go away. I was lost. I couldn't imagine not seeing her for three years. It seemed like only yesterday when I first met her, yet it feels like I have known her a lifetime.
She wrapped her arms around my waist and looked up at me. “Jace, I promise I’ll never forget about you.”
I placed my forehead to hers. “You swear?” My voice cracked.
“I swear,” she answered.
I wanted to kiss her, but I was afraid she wouldn’t let me. She always kept herself at a distance.
She smiled and kissed my cheek. "I have to go."
I nodded. "Yeah, I know." My heart was nothing more than fragments.
With every breath, every pounding in my chest, every step, she was further away. “Hey, don’t forget me. Don’t forget I love you.”
She looked over
her shoulder and smiled sadly. “Never. I could never forget you. Never forget what we have. I could never forget that I love you, Jace. Never.”
I opened my eyes remembering the moment that changed my life. I was eight, and she was seven. I was hot-headed. I didn't want to talk to a girl. She was a cool breeze, standing underneath a tree, watching dragons fly. She was beautiful. I fell in love that day.
I whispered brokenly, "What happened to never?"
Chapter Eight
Jace
I was in a bad mood. It didn’t help that Charlie was always with Tru.
I flopped down on my bed, wishing, for the first time, that she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t remember.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I looked at the screen and smiled.
It was funny, I thought, seeing just her name change my entire attitude.
“Hey, Fox. What’s up? Missing me?” I answer.
“You’re so full of yourself, Jace.”
“Aw, so you’re not missing me? Now that just hurts, Fox.” I teased.
“Oh, and you’re not funny either.”
“Ouch, you're killing me here. Come on, tell me what I can do to make you miss me… my sweet, sexy little Fox,” I said, turning up the charm.
She giggled. "Oh, you're good. Sorry, but I didn't call to flirt. I called to ask you something.”
“Okay…what’s going on?”
“Well, this might sound strange, but did you buy me a dress?” she asked.
I scratched my head. “A what?”
"A dress.”
“Sorry, but I didn’t. But if it’s nice and you like it… then, yes, I bought it,” I chuckled.
“Again, not funny,” she sighed. “If you didn’t buy it, who did?”
I closed my eyes.
"So, you got this dress you like, and you don’t know who bought it for you.” I sighed. “Did you ask Tru?”
“I asked him, and he didn't buy it either. He thought it was you.”
A Love of Magic: Jace's story: Chosen Saga Book 1.5 Page 3