Page 10 of The Heiress

I recoiled. “Ew. Gross. No!” I fake spit a few times. “Did you miss the part where we grew up together? He’s like my brother.”

Hazel shook her head at me. “I think there’s more to this story but I’ll let you keep your secrets for a little longer. Besides, maybe I’ll find more embarrassing pictures of you in pink and discover the truth for myself!”

She could search all she wanted. The last thing she’d ever find was evidence Jace and I were athing. I shuddered even thinking about it. “We need new music. The playlist must have ended. What are you in the mood for?”

“What about some angsty, funky 90s weird rock.”

Was that a thing? I was pretty sure that wasn’t an actual genre, but I scrolled through some 90s playlists and picked one with songs I recognized. We sang along a little drunkenly until the doorbell rang.

“It’s kind of late for visitors,” Hazel said as she glanced at her watch.

“Maybe we’re being too loud and it’s the police coming to yell at us.” I stared at the door half expecting Dad to round the corner like he usually did when someone came to the door at night.

Then I realized he would never do that again. It was my job now. So I hauled myself up, feeling sad again, and made my way through the maze of boxes. Mom was scared of peepholes, so we didn’t have one. Mom had a few quirks like that. She was also afraid of the garbage disposal—she might grind her fingers off one day—and the microwave. Actually, the more I thought about it, Mom probably could have used some therapy about a lot of things.

I couldn’t dwell on her odd quirks though because when I pulled the door open I was assaulted by the reality that I had somehow conjured up a Jack-in-the-Box with Jace inside.

“Hey Sam.”

I gulped as I looked Jace up and down. Grey t-shirt, worn jeans, boots. Motorcycle clothes. I glanced past him to the shiny black machine in my driveway and cringed a little. “Uh,” was the only word I managed to get out before I remembered Hazel was not too far away. “Let’s step outside.”

He frowned, confused.

To my horror, Hazel grabbed the door and pushed it fully open. “Who do we have here? I’m Hazel, Sam’s best friend and you are…?”

Jace shifted uncomfortably on his feet, then chuckled nervously. “Uh, Sam’s old best friend. Nice to meet you, I’m Jace.” He held out his hand.

Hazel shook it with a gleam in her eye. “Reeeeeeeallllly?” Then she bit her lip and I swear she essentially made clawing motions with her hands. “We were just talking about you.”

Jace’s eyes flew to mine and locked. “Oh?”

My shoulders lifted in a pathetic shrug. “Hazel found that picture of me in the bright pink dress and the really short bangs.”

“Ahhhh. The good old days.”

“The good old days,” I agreed.

“Well come on in. Don’t stand out in the dark. You’re letting the heat in.” Hazel waved him forward offering wine.

“Yeah. Sure. I’ll have a glass.”

I wanted to be petty and ask if outlaws even knew what wine was, but mostly I was just so uncomfortable I wasn’t sure what to do except act out. “What brought you here?” I asked instead.

He nodded toward the drive. “I saw your car. It’s the weekend. Put two and two together and thought you might be going through the house.” He waved to the sea of boxes in the living room.

“Yep,” Hazel talked right over us. “I came with her this weekend to help. You know, as herbest friendI felt it was important to be by her side at such a hard time. I’m having the photos and old videos digitized. I’m hoping we can get through the storage unit before we leave. Having everything here will make it easier to see what needs to be done.” She handed a glass to Jace. “What should we drink to? Oh, I know. To best friends, old and new.”

Jace clinked his glass against hers, then mine. Suddenly I was the outsider, looking in the window of my own house, watching Jace come back to color after years in black and white memories.

I had to admit he looked good. MC life might not be what I wanted for him, but he seemed healthy, maybe even happy. He’d grown into a tall, broad man who seemed so sure of himself. Even though I liked the nice clothes he wore last week, there was something about these more casual, worn-in items that suited him nicely. He had a bit of stubble on his chin, but not like he intentionally kept it that way. More like he forgot to shave this morning and now he had a substantial shadow to scratch at. I even noticed the fresh woodsy scent that drifted through the air, which was weird because I couldn’t recall having ever noticed how Jace smelled.

“So do you still live here, Jace?” Hazel asked.

“I do. My house is about a mile from here and my office is near the bridge.” He didn’t offer any other details like,I’m part of an outlaw MC, I break the law in my spare time,or,I ride a Harley.

“Is that why you two drifted apart? You stayed and she left?” Her eyes bounced between us.

“Yes,” I said at the same time Jace said, “No.”

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