Page 9 of Jace

He wore the same lost expression through the dinner a few nights ago and every other time we’ve hung out over the last several days.

I’ve wanted to ask so many times about the faint bruise on his jaw, but there is something about the sadness in his eyes that makes my heart ache.

I sit by his side wondering if I should ask what’s on his mind. But instead I give him the time to ponder over his thoughts.

Zac is generally so free with his feelings. Or maybe he’s not and he’s only fooled me into believing he is the most uncomplicated one in the bunch. Maybe I don’t know him the way I think I know him.

Chapter Seven

Jace

Music blares through the house, as I continue to pound away on the bag. Generally I’d grab Zac and we’d hit the gym for a few hours before going out to create some kind of trouble. Innocent trouble of course, but it’s who we are, or were, whatever. Everything feels different now, like there is a mile between me and the guy I never thought I’d be at odds with.

My thoughts are my own worst enemy right now. Constantly visions of Aurora and Zac are racing through my mind. Them laughing together, touching one another or worse, my head is a fucking mess.

I’d never felt more alone than I do now, and the worst part is it’s all my fault. But pride can be a bitch and mine makes me a stubborn motherfucker.

Lifting my water bottle I down half of it and wipe the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. Taking a moment to calm myself I make my way across the basement and turn the volume down on the radio. Grabbing my phone I start to scroll through the notifications and instantly my stomach drops.

Luna: You’re late! I can only stall Vic for so long. Olly is getting pissed because the asshole keeps checking out my tits.

“Fuck,” I mumble noticing the message came through less than five minutes ago. It’s unlike me to be late for any appointment. Quickly I type out a message letting her know I’m on the way and then jog up the stairs in search of a clean shirt and my keys.

I’d forgotten all about my appointment with Vic. We had some touchups to do on his completed sleeve. It was something I’d set up weeks ago when I ran into him at a bar and never put it in the books. To be honest I’m surprised he remembered, because the guy was pretty lit.

Rushing out my door, I lock it behind me and jog toward my bike. It’s a little chilly but I know it will get me there faster. Pulling my hoodie over my head I slip on my helmet and climb on. Kicking up the stand I give the key a turn and it roars to life.

Ten minutes later I’m pulling into the alley behind Deranged and pulling off my helmet as I hurry through the back door.

Before I make it to the front, Olly comes rushing back to me placing his palm against my chest to halt me.

“Get your fucking shit together man.” He glares at me. “I was five seconds away from putting Vic’s head through the wall. His roaming eyes almost got his fucking head ripped off.” His chest heaves, he lowers his hand and links his fingers through Luna’s who is waiting just behind him. “I’m taking my girl to grab a bite before her girls’ night. You can lock up.”

And with that he tugs her along and together they walk out with Luna glancing back over her shoulder at me with a shrug and a smile. She loves Oliver going all caveman over her. Between him and Dax and the way they are with their girls, they can get a little crazy.

“Sorry Vic,” I holler out as I emerge from the hall to find him sitting in the waiting area with his feet kicked up on the table in front of the ouch. Thank God Dax isn’t here, he’d chew his ass without a second thought. Vic is without a doubt a little raw, the guy has no manners, but he tips well and a job is a fucking job.

“I’d be pissed if I didn’t have the pretty lady to look at while I was waiting. Damn Luna gets hotter every time I see her,” he lets out a whistle and I’m thankful Oliver s gone. The guy doesn’t need another run in with the law. He already was too damn close to spending some type in jail after he beat the hell out of the loser that was stalking Luna.

“You do know Oliver and Luna are together, right?”

“Those two,” his brows wrinkle while he points toward the back door. “Damn no wonder the guy looked like he wanted to pluck out my eye balls with a wooden spoon.” He chuckles and stands from the couch.

I choose to let the conversation die, Luna may not be my girl, but she’s like my sister and the last thing I want is for him to say something out of line about her. My mood has been shit and I’d hate to take everything out on Vic.

“Okay, let’s get to work,” I gather my shit, while letting him ramble on about some woman he met a few nights ago. Something about the parking lot then again in the car, to be honest I just kept nodding like I was listening.

Once the sound of buzzing filled the room I got lost in my work and tuned him out completely.

All the lights are off in the shop, but those to my room. I know I should lock up, but now that Dalton’s crazy as fuck ex is long gone and Luna’s creepy stalker is behind bars, there’s little to worry about.

I like these kinds of nights, when it’s only me. I pop in my ear buds, sketch some designs for my upcoming appointments.

Flipping the page in my sketch book, I pause on a piece I’d been working on and with the chaos of the last couple weeks I’d forgotten all about it until now. A silhouette image of the mountains with a few trees, and across the sky behind them an array of color announcing the arrival of Dawn.

I smile, as I pick up my pen and start shading.

In Roman mythology, Aurora means the goddess of dawn, announcing the arrival of the sun each morning.

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