Back when I was still with Jace, I’d always tell him to stop being so closed off, to try and be more


    chill so people wouldn’t think he was some kind of untouchable


    He used to listen, kind of. But now? He was standing there, totally cut off from everyone.


    “Ever since you guys broke up, Jace has been like this, Steve grumbled, shaking his head. “Dude


    walks around like the world owes him something.”


    I gave him a small smile, dodging thement. “Steve, I need a favor.”


    I knew he was swamped withpetitions and all, but this wasn’t something I could ask anyone


    else. Steve raised a brow, immediately suspicious. “Let’s hear it.”


    1 bit my lip. “I need help figuring out what really happened with my parents‘ car ident.”


    His face immediately darkened as I handed over the ident report, along with my theory. “You’re


    the only one I trust to do this.”


    “Rea, what’s the point?” Steve asked.


    I looked down at the floor. “I know it won’t bring them back, but I need to know. I need some


    closure.”


    There was a long pause. Finally, he asked, “Are you sure? No matter what you might find?”


    “Yeah,” I said, my voice firm. “I have to know.”


    “Alright,” Steve finally agreed.


    I exhaled quietly, relief flooding through me. “I’ll cover the cost, whatever it is.”


    I knew he’d have to hire someone, and nothing came free these days.


    “Don’t worry about that now,” he said. “We’ll deal with itter.”


    When Steve and I walked back to the main room, the party was in full swing. “Steve! Get over here,


    man! You’re the star of the night. And Rea, seriously, you’re always with Steve–ying favorites


    much?”


    “Hey, Steve’s good to me,” I joked, but I wasn’t totally kidding.


    “Ooooh!” the crowd erupted, full of yful whistles and nudges.


    Steve pointed at them like he was scolding a bunch of toddlers. “You guys better treat her right.


    She’s our girl,”


    Someone piped up, “Rea, you should totally join our gang! Just say the word and it’s official.”


    Iughed, shaking my head. Like, seriously? Go from Jace’s girlfriend to “one of the gang“? Not


    happening. But before I could say anything, a phone started ringing


    Everyone turned to Jace. He stared at his phone, but didn’t pick up. The whole room went weirdly


    quiet, and even the guy who had joked about me joining their group muttered awkwardly, “Rea, just


    kidding. No pressure.”


    Jace finally hung up, only for the phone to start ringing again. This time, he shut it down without a


    nce.


    I had a good guess who was blowing up his phone.


    Jace’s face tightened. I couldn’t tell if it was because I was here, or if it was something else entirely.


    Either way, I had onlye to talk to Steve, and now that we had, it was time for me to head out.


    Just as I was about to say goodbye, my phone started ringing.


    I nced at the screen, frowning. Then I looked over at Jace. He was already watching me.


    To be fair, his eyes had been on me all night. Especially when I said Steve was good to me–he


    clenched his fist right then. So that was what had been bugging him.


    Tanya’s name shed on my screen. She’d been trying to call Jace, but when he didn’t pick up, she


    called me instead. Real subtle.


    I nced around at the others, still chatting away, and raised my voice. “Hey, can I get some quiet


    for a sec? I need to take this.”


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Everyone went silent as I put the call on speaker and ced my phone on the table in front of me.