Page 82 of Give Me Love

“What?”

“A black headed slut?” I quirk a brow.

“Well.” She shrugs.

I sigh and rub the sting in my chest as my eyes go to the floor.

“You guys are just friends,” Claire says.

I shake my head. “I never knew how much I cared until I saw his hand on her.” I rub my forehead. “I can’t believe this.”

“Believe what?”

I wave my hand in the air. “This.”

“Bythis, you mean that you’re in love with Bryce?”

I swallow, unable to admit that’s true. Is it true? How can I be in love with someone I hardly know?

“How do you do this?” I ask her. “You know Austin like the back of your hand. You’re together all the time. How do you pretend you don’t love him?”

She lifts her shoulder. “It’s not easy. Everything he does just about kills me. His eyes, his smile, his existence… the way he looks at me sometimes… I swear, he feels what I do, but that’s the thing with him and me. We have too much history, too much at risk if we decided to take things farther. You don’t. If you care about this guy, then fucking tell him. You have nothing to lose.”

“Then how come I feel like I do?”

She gives me a sympathetic look just as someone knocks on the door. “Let’s go. It’s your birthday. We’ll get drunk and you can make out with Shawn.”

I roll my eyes. “I definitely need to get drunk.”

She laughs. “I love you.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do without you,” I tell her. She unlocks the bathroom door, and I give the woman a small smile as we pass by her. I don’t look over at the bar as we pass by, so I have no idea if they’re still here, but when I hear “Harrison!” I start shaking with nerves.

“Just act cool,” Claire says lowly. We both turn and see a handsome Jace walking toward us. He left his date at the bar, and Bryce looks my way. Our eyes connect, and he lifts his brow in surprise before he downs his drink.

“Hey, Jace,” I say, giving him my best smile.

Wall is up, gate is closed and locked, toss the fucking key.

When he hugs me, he smells like smoke mixed with cinnamon. “Good to see you,” he says, pulling away. “Claire.” He nods toward my best friend, who smiles.

“You, too,” I reply. “You guys on a double date?” I look back at Bryce and the two girls.

Jace does, too. “Umm, something like that.” And I can see it in his expression he’s gauging my reaction to this.Yeah, Jace. It hurts, but none of you will know because I’m good at this.

“We are, too,” Claire says. “Well, Kat’s on a date. I’m here with Austin. It’s her birthday.”

My eyes dart to Bryce again, who finally slides off the stool he seemed to be cemented to. So that got his attention.

“Happy birthday,” Jace says. “Let me buy you a drink.” He goes to turn around, but I touch his arm to stop him.

“Another time. I have one at the table. Thank you, though.”

Cool and easy slides his hands into the pockets of his black jeans when he makes it beside his brother. I try not to look at the ink on his arms when his muscles flex from the action, but like always my eyes betray me. He’s mouthwatering, but I hate how he makes me feel.

“Who’s your date?” he asks.

Seriously? That’s what he says to me?

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