He was pissed, like he was ready to rip me apart, but I wasn’t about to back down. I had a few


    things to say too. I let go of Hayden’s hand, but before I could take a step, Hayden squeezed it


    tighter.


    I looked at him, and he stared right back, his eyes holding that same look he had back in Chiverton


    when Molly tried to make me fall. It was the look of someone who wasn’t gonna let anything happen


    to me.


    But I didn’t need saving. Not right now. I gently pulled my hand free and said. “Jace isn’t gonna do


    anything to me.”


    Hayden didn’t stop me this time. I followed Jace as he stomped off, practically shaking with anger.


    Gavin tried to follow, but Jace threw a re over his shoulder. “This isn’t your business.”


    Gavin froze, shooting me a worried look.


    Jace kept walking, not even bothering to see if I was behind him. I had no clue where he was taking


    me, so I called out, “Whatever you’ve got to say, just say it here.”


    He didn’t stop, but I did. “Let’s talk here. I’ve got stuff to do, and you’re already wasting my time.”


    Finally, he turned around, his eyes ice cold.


    I started to walk toward him, but before I could get close, he grabbed my arm and yanked me,


    mming me into the nearest wall, Everything spun, and suddenly, his face–the one I used to be so


    crazy about- was inches from mine, his breath icy against my skin.


    “You’ve got some nerve,” he sneered, his nose almost touching mine. “Trying to use yourself to


    threaten me?”


    My back ached from the impact, but I didn’t flinch.


    Jace had always been quick to blow up, and for years, I’d tiptoed around him, scared of setting him


    off But now, all I felt was disgust.


    I stared right back at him, not even a little scared. “I’m just trying to stop you from screwing up this


    project with your tantrum.”


    Jace didn’t say anything right away. He just stared at me, like he was trying to figure out if I was for


    real. So, you’re really with that lighting guy?”


    “No,” I answered honestly


    He let out a bitterugh. “You’ve been defending him, holding his hand, and you think I’m gonna buy


    that there’s nothing going on? Do I look stupid?”


    I almostughed at how ridiculous he sounded. “If holding hands means we’re involved, what would


    you call kissing?”


    Jace’s eyes widened in chock, nearly bulging out of his head. “You kissed him? Did you…?” He


    didn’t finish, but I knew exactly what he was implying–if I’d slept with Hayden.


    He didn’t finish the sentence, but I knew what he was implying–whether I’d slept with Hayden


    “Jace, I was talking about you and Tanya,” I shot back, loying it all out there.


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    His grip on my arm faltered. “Wh–What are you talking about?”


    “Yesterday, at the restaurant. I heard you. Am I making that up?” I kept my voice steady. “I never


    thought you could be such a jerk–hooking up with your friend’s wife while he was still alive.”


    “I’d never go after my friend’s girl,” Steve had said once, I’d thought he was just parroting Jace at


    the time, but now it seemed like he was trying to warn me.


    “It’s not what you think,” Jace stammered, his anger melting into panic.


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    I didn’t say anything. The fact that they’d kissed was all needed to know. What else mattered?


    “I–I was drunk… I–I…” His words tangled up, like he couldn’t figure out how to talk his way out of


    this one.