Page 100 of Muse (Fighting Fate)

He laughed. “I’m just joking, Mia. I’ll wait until you’re back together, then I’ll beat him up.”

I sighed. “Leave him alone. I feel bad enough as is.”

He smirked at me a little, and I finally started to feel a little bit of normalcy returning to me. “I better go. I’m pretty sure Kaeli will be frothing at the mouth to get in here, and I need to get down to the studio to see how the guys went today.”

“Okay. Thanks for everything. I’m sorry I put you through so much stress.”

He gave me a kiss and disappeared out the door. Less than two minutes later, Kaeli barged through the door. The hesitancy morphed into a full blown smile when she saw me sitting up, watching her expectantly.

I knew if anyone knew the true story about what was going on between Jace and me – other than Jace of course, it would be Kaeli. I usually told her everything. What I wasn’t sure of, was if I was ready to hear it.

She beamed at me as she skipped over to the bed. “Yay! I’m so happy you’re awake!”

I let her squeeze me, giving her a generous squeeze back. When we pulled apart, her eyes were shining.

“You scared me so much,” she said emotionally.

“I’m sorry.” I seemed to be saying that a lot today.

She inhaled deeply as she studied me. “Your mom says you’ve got holes in your memory.”

It wasn’t a question, but she was looking for an answer. I nodded. “It’s kind of scary not being able to remember parts of your own life.”

She nodded her agreeance. “The doctor said it’ll come back to you though, right?”

“Yeah. Hopefully.” I gave her a pointed stare and took a deep breath for strength. “I need you to tell me how I could’ve possibly been with Jace.”

Kaeli’s shoulders dropped a little and she sighed. “It was so unexpected, so totally unconventional, but at the same time, so you. Honey, you’re crazy about him. So much so, you decided face your fears and start having lunch at the guys’ table.”

I gawked at her. I couldn’t believe it. Nothing could make me face that table. Nothing.

“No one knew you guys were seeing each other,” she said softly. “You made Jace keep it quiet because you said you couldn’t handle people looking at you. You should’ve seen Jace when you started dropping in to sit at his table. He was so excited.”

I shook my head with disbelief. “It j

ust sounds like you’re talking about a different person.”

“I know,” she said dramatically. “That’s because you were – are – a different person, and I say that in a positive way. You were becoming so much more comfortable being around people. You even went to see the guys play last Friday night.”

Holy shit. What? “Really?!”

“Yes! You looked hot by the way, and Jace couldn’t keep his hands off you. That was the first time most of the school saw you guys together.”

I just couldn’t fathom what she was saying. “Kaeli, Mom said we went to get contraception.”

Kaeli’s expression grew weary and she bit her lip. Cautiously, she nodded.

Shit. “Was I really thinking about sleeping with him?”

She bit her lip harder and nodded again.

I watched her guilty expression with confusion. Realization came to me slowly, but when it hit, I almost choked. “I’ve already slept with him?!”

The smile Kaeli gave me was piteous and sad. “You really like him, Mi.”

I was floored. It was like I didn’t know myself at all. How could I possibly be this person everyone was talking about? Then there was Jace. He didn’t date! Ever. In the four years I’d known him, he’d never had a girlfriend. Why would he suddenly decide I was worth changing for?

“Does he really like me?” I asked softly.

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