Page 15 of Stick With Me
“Why haven’tyou been responding to my texts or answering my calls?” Jace corners me in the hall. I should have known when he waved during the event that he’d try something. It’s only been a little over a week since the day that blew up my life, but seeing him now is still too soon.
“Well, usually when people ignore you, it’s because they don’t want to talk to you. I know, a crazy concept.”
“Don’t be that way, Hannah.” He raises his hand to touch my face, which I dodge.
“What do you want, Jace?”
“Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”
For a brief moment, my heart twists as I look into his aquamarine eyes, softer than I remember. How many times have our eyes met over the years—my green to his blue? I thought we’d have a lifetime of those connections, but now, there’s no future, nothing left. Just the weight of everything we lost.I guess my two-point-five-day grief timeline was faulty.
My vision blurs momentarily, and when it clears, I’m staring directly at his neck. There’s a mark there, unmistakably left by a woman’s lips. The sight churns my stomach, conjuring images I’d rather not think about. Jace telling me he wanted to be with other women hurt, but seeing the evidence with my own eyes makes me feel sick.
I’ve accepted that we’re over, and I have no interest in giving him another chance. However, I’d be lying if I claimed complete immunity. Seeing him move on so quickly is a blow to my already fragile ego, but perhaps the reminder of his true character is exactly what I need.
“Looks like you’re enjoying yourself.” I arch my brow and tap on my neck, where the mark on his is. “No, I don’t want to have dinner. Can you move out of my way now?”
His eyes widen, and he brings his hand up to cover the evidence.Too late, buddy.“Oh, that was meaningless. Not like us. You know I still love you, don’t you? Please, let’s talk about this over dinner.”
I feel my eyes roll as I huff out a breath. “No. You’re unbelievable.”
“Are you here with Logan?” He somehow takes up more of my personal space.
“With Ryan? Yes.”
“Are youwithhim? Were you with him when we were together? I always thought there was something between you two.”
Nope. I was faithful to you, dumbass.Instead, I say, “Get out of my way, Jace.”
He huffs out a breath as he tilts his head up. When he looks back down at me, his expression transforms into one of annoyance. “Do you have the ring for me?”
“I—” Why are the words so hard to get out? Of course, I expected this after he demanded the ring back, but the reality hits harder than I imagined. It’s not like he’s short on money. Why is getting it back so important to him? Why is giving it back so monumental to me?
I dig into my backpack, my fingers searching until they find the velvety square of the ring box. Gripping it tightly, I pull it out. It feels like I’m handing over more than just a stone and some metal, the weight heavier than a three-carat ring should hold.
This moment makes things far more final than any of the words that brought us here. It’s the last piece of my old life, and once I hand it over, I know there’s no getting it back—not the ring, not him, not the life I thought we’d have.
“Here.” Before I can second-guess it, I place it in his open palm, where he quickly slips it into his pocket.
“Thank you,” he says, sounding more resigned than grateful.
My back presses firmly against the wall as he leans in closer. His face inches toward mine and panic flashes through me. Is he about to kiss me? The thought alone makes me cringe. One moment, he’s tilting his head toward me, and the next, he’s wrenched away, stumbling to keep his footing.
Ryan stands in front of me, blocking my view of Jace. “I think she’s done talking, Knolls,” he says over his shoulder, his voice so gravelly it sounds like a growl.
When he turns back toward me, his expression transforms from rage to soft concern. “Are you okay?”
I nod, unable to find the words to express how I feel, my heart pounding like a drumbeat. Ryan surrounds me, but unlike with Jace, who made me feel boxed in and trapped, Ryan makes me feel protected and secure. Ignoring the fact that Jace is still in the hall with us, I cup Ryan’s jaw and brush my thumb across his scruff. “I’m okay. Can we go?”
“Yeah, let’s go, Sunshine.” Taking my hand, he leads us toward the locker room.
Footsteps sound on the carpet behind us, and Ryan throws a steadying arm over my shoulders, holding me close. I bury my head against his chest and mutter, “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. You looked uncomfortable; that’s the only reason I interrupted. I wasn’t sure if?—”
“No, I’m glad you did.”
“Hey, Logan!” Jace’s footsteps get closer, echoing through the mostly empty hall.
