Page 9 of Muse (Fighting Fate)

Walking back into the kitchen, I found Jess pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Oh my god. Yes, please.”

She smiled up at me and grabbed another cup from the cupboard. I watched her pour it and add the milk and sugar before passing it on to me.

We both sank down at the small dining table off to the side and sipped. I studied her tired face intently. “So was it total crap?” I asked with sympathy.

Her eyes widened. “No. Not at all. It was actually a lot of fun. It was only when we were all ready for bed that it started to suck.”

I hummed my agreement. I was a cranky assed bitch if I didn’t get a comfy bed.

“Where did you sleep?”

She sighed and her shoulders slumped a little more. “In one of the arm chairs in the foyer.”

“Yuk.”

“Tell me about it…”

We both looked up when the door to the lounge swung open and Jace walked in. He stopped when he saw us sitting at the table. His gaze lingered on me for a while before he strode to the sink and rinsed his cup. When he was done, he turned and leaned against the bench, crossing his arms over his chest. My heart instantly started overreacting. Shit. What was he going to do? Please don’t say anything, I begged with my eyes.

I knew he must’ve been confused about my behavior. I wanted to tell him it was all good – not to stress, but how did I do that with eleven other people constantly around us?

“Did you have a good time last night, Jess?” he asked.

She smiled and nodded. “It was different, but yeah, it was fun. I can’t see myself turning into a party animal though. The whole lack of sleep thing is killing me.”

Jace chuckled softly. “Yeah, it takes some getting used to.” His gaze flickered up to meet mine and I held it carefully, trying to convey to him that we were all good.

The door flung open and Kacey sashayed her way into the room. Her eyes flashed when she saw me and Jess. God, she was such a cow.

“There you are. I was wondering what was taking you so long.” Jace just looked at her without saying a word, but that didn’t deter her. “I was just going to lie down. Why don’t you come with me?” She rubbed her hand up his arm suggestively as she spoke. Oh wow. She was actually making me nauseas.

Jace’s jaw tightened. “Nah, I’m good. I had a fantastic sleep last night.”

I had to control myself not to let the smirk that was trying to break free come out. I could see he was really trying to keep her at a distance for my sake. Unfortunately for me, that only made me like him more.

Kacey’s mouth cocked up on one side as she smirked. “Who said I was talking about sleep…”

Okay, and here comes the puke.

He pushed away from the bench, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his keys. “The guys want me to go get some supplies.” He looked over at me, worry in his eyes. “You girls need anything?”

I held his gaze and spoke softly. “No, I don’t need anything.”

Jace’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the double meaning in my words then he nodded and walked out the back door.

Jess pushed her chair back and took both our cups to the sink, walking around Kacey who was still staring after Jace. “Now I’ve stupidly had coffee, I’m going to go lie down,” she said with a slight shake of her head.

I laughed lightly and nodded, my mind still on Jace. “Good luck.”

Knowing I full well didn’t want to hang around in the kitchen with Kacey, I followed Jess towards the bedrooms, slipping into mine and closing the door behind me.

Without another thought, I picked up my phone and dialed the only person who would be able to help me make any sense of this. My best friend, Kaeli.

Kaeli and I met in sixth grade. We were both quiet and withdrawn and morbidly drawn together by the fact that we both had dads that were in Heaven. Yes, I had my issues and my self-applied shyness, but there was always something a little sad about Kaeli’s demeanor. Something more than the weight of a father’s death. She’s always tried to hide it, but I knew it was there. Always lurking under the surface.

She picked up on the second ring. “I told you I didn’t want to hear anything about anybody having fun,” she said bluntly.

I laughed. “What if I have news?” I asked hesitantly.

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