Page 108 of Muse (Fighting Fate)

Aiden shrugged. He knew I meant business. Mom on the other hand…she just looked uneasy. “I don’t know, Mia. I’m worried about you. I can’t just go out and leave you here like that…”

“Yes, you can. Text me if you feel the need, but I need you to do this.”

She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a moment or two. When she opened them again, she looked at me and bit her lip, still worrying. “Okay, but I will be texting, and if you don’t respond right away, I’m coming straight home.”

Internally, I exhaled with relief. “Good. Now both of you go get ready. I need some peace and quiet.”

I watched them both disappear to get ready before I slipped back into my room. I glanced at my phone sitting on my bedside table as I did every time I walked into my room. I still hadn’t touched it. The doctor had said I’d probably be right to resume the whole backlit thing by today – hence why Mom said she’d be texting me, but I was still a little scared to look at it.

It wasn’t the fear of what the lit screen could do to me, it was what I might find if I started looking through it. I knew I’d already decided what kind of relationship Jace and I had, but I think I still had hopes of Aiden and Kaeli being right. The thought of finding something on my phone that confirmed my suspicions scared me.

Picking it up, I crawled into the middle of my bed and sat, pulling my pillow to my chest and holding it there like a safety blanket.

It was still lying on the comforter in front of me when both Aiden and Mom stepped in to say goodbye half an hour later. When they were gone, I continued to stare at it, trying to gather the strength I needed to face my fears.

With shaking hands and racing heart, I did it. I picked it up and unlocked it. The first surprise that came was the fact that I now apparently had a pin. I’d never had a pin before. I’d never had the need. A slight panic hit me when I thought I’d have no way of knowing what it could be, but then I was typing in a number and the phone was unlocking.

I blinked. How had I done that?

Exhaling a shaky breath, I opened up my messages. Jace’s name was sitting right on top. I stared at it for a little while, my confidence quickly fading. Before it could disappear altogether, I opened up the conversation.

Forcing myself to not read anything, I scrolled up as far as the messages went. I wanted to read it from the very beginning. It was the only way I was going to be able to understand what we had.

When I reached the part that said there were no earlier messages, I took a deep breath and started to read…

Hey beautiful. Are you ok?

Yeah, I’m fine. Just had a moment. Aiden sucks with his stupid twintuition thing.

I frowned. This was confusing. I wondered why he was asking if I was okay. With a sigh, I kept reading.

So it’s true what they say about twins then?

It is with us. Our twintuition is scary.

Can I come see you later?

I think I need you to. I’ll leave the sliding door unlocked.

What? I needed to see him? What was that about? I groaned. This was not making anything clearer. If anything, it was only making me more confused. I wanted to know what happened.

Sighing, I read the next message from Jace.

Soooo wish I could see you tonight…

I’m heading out to meet Kaeli later. I could pop in to say hi if you want ;)

What the hell?! I gawked at the words I’d written with wide eyes. Holy shit. Was I suggesting a freaking booty call?!

Yes please! Ruby will be asleep by 8.

Are you serious?

More than you could know. It shouldn’t be possible after last night, but I think I’m already having withdrawals. I want you.

Okay

My mouth had fallen open in a silent O. Tears sprang to my eyes as I saw firsthand how much of a slut I’d been. How could this have happened?

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