Page 23 of Busted String

Jace sighed, wiping his eyes. “What if I mess up? What if I can’t handle it?”

Nico smiled, a reassuring warmth in his eyes. “Then we’ll handle it together. No matter what happens, we’ll face it as a band. And I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

There was a long silence as Jace absorbed Nico’s words. Finally, he nodded, a small spark of determination returning to his eyes. “Okay. I’ll do it. For the band. For you.”

Nico pulled him into a hug, relief washing over him. “Thank you, Jace. We’re going to get through this. Together.”

As they sat there, holding onto each other, Nico felt a renewed sense of hope. They had faced challenges before, and they would face many more. But as long as they had each other, they could overcome anything.

“Nico, there’s something I want to say, but I want you to listen until I’m done. Can you do that for me?” Jace wiped his tears with the back of his hands.

“I’m listening.”

“You took me all wrong at the café. What I wanted to say was I wanted you from the day you helped me in the streets. My love for you never died out. But you asked me to change for you. I know you think I don’t value you, value us, enough to change. I do. I really do. I said I can’t change because I’m afraid of failing you, the band, and myself.”

“Do you want a relationship with me?”

“Yes, but not with your conditions.”

“Get your clothes off and we’ll talk in bed. You’re tired and I’m wiped out.”

“Are you tabling our conversation?”

“No, Jace. I just need to lie down with you in my arms.”

Jace removed his clothes, then slipped into bed.

“Move over. I need to be the closest to the door.”

“Are you going to be my bodyguard?”

“I’d like to be more than your bodyguard.” Nico silently slipped into bed beside him, feeling the warmth of Jace’s body.

“I feel nice and safe in your arms,” Jace said.

“I just want to love you and help you heal. You’ve been hurt deeply today and I’m furious with your father and those people throwing eggs at us.”

“They threw them at you guys because of me, and that makes me feel like shit.”

“Where’s your phone?” Nico asked.

“Next to me charging.”

“Give it to me.”

Jace twisted, reached for his phone on the bedside table, and held it. “Why do you want my phone?”

“I want to delete your asshole father’s number. You are to have no contact with him for your emotional health.”

Jace handed the phone to Nico. “It’s under Abraham Adams.”

“I know that.” Nico blocked the contact, then deleted it. “Do you promise never to call him?”

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen. I’ve learned my lesson.” Jace’s voice broke, and he covered his face.

“Jace, you don’t have to hide from me. If you want your father gone permanently, just say the word.”

Jace removed his hands from his face, wiped his tears, and faced Nico. “And what does that mean?”

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