Chapter 21

I rolled over as I felt something moist touch my cheek. I had slept so well in my new apartment that I had almost forgotten about having Lucky.

I ran my arm over my face and yawned as Lucky pawed me in the face and whined. "I'm awake." I laughed.

Lucky jumped up on my chest, knocking me back into the mattress, as I attempted to sit up and stretch. The cute little cuddle bug had spent most of the night curled up on my feet, even though I had tried numerous times to get him to settle down in his new bed. I had to admit, I really liked having him around. It made me feel warm and… cozy inside.

I froze and took a deep breath.

A smile slowly crept to my lips as Jace leaned against the door shirtless, arms resting at his sides, as he smiled at me. He looked so beautiful. He always did. "Good morning." He grinned.

I softly bit my bottom lip and ran a hand through Lucky's soft fur. "Good morning, Jace," I whispered.

I patted Lucky's back and watched him as he jumped off the bed and ran through the hall. I looked up at Jace and shook my head. "What was that all about?"

Jace pushed away from the door, smiled, and stepped out of his snug boxer briefs. My eyes hungrily scanned his naked body as he stepped up next to the bed and grabbed me by my sides. "I knew he had to be just as hungry as I am," he breathed. "He'll be occupied for a while.

I let out a soft moan as Jace's hands tightened around my body, pulling me close to his warm chest. I gently placed my right hand over his heaving chest and smiled. "If you're hungry, then maybe you should cook us some breakfast." I laughed.

Jace's eyes wandered down to my legs as he chewed on his lip ring. "Nothing can satisfy my hunger, quite like the taste of you." He ran his hand down the front of my camisole, before yanking on my hips, pulling me back down to the bed. "I'm not letting you leave."

I threw my head back and giggled as Jace pressed his soft lips to my neck. It tickled, but at the same time, felt so damn good. "Never?" I questioned.

Jace pressed harder into my neck while gripping onto my right thigh. "Never." He paused to look at me. "Okay, well maybe not never. That could be a little creepy." He laughed and then pressed his mouth against mine.

My fingers lightly tangled through Jace's messy hair as he hovered his body above mine, barely brushing mine, and gripped the back of my neck. His touch was so caring, yet strong at the same time. He made my whole body want to melt into his and get lost.

"Jace," I whispered. "I meant what I said."

Jace's body stiffened as he pushed me down into the soft pillow. His beautiful eyes studied mine, before he pressed his body into mine and cupped my face. "I know." He smiled, his finger grazing over my lip, as he squeezed my hip with his free hand. "I believed you the first time."

I playfully pounded my fist into his chest as he grinned at me. "You jerk," I shouted. "You were messing with me?"

Jace's hand gripped my flying fist as he pulled it around his shoulder and kissed my arm. He ran a finger down my belly and then yanked my top off. He stared down at my bare body and then into my eyes. "I felt that it was real, but I was too afraid that I was wrong. I didn't want to get my hopes up and then lose you." He bent down, pressing his lips to mine. "I wanted to wait until you said it again. I wanted to hear it, when it came from here." He pointed at my heart. "That was when I was sure that the first time was real."

A tear rolled down my cheek at the thought of that night. I was so afraid that I had lost Jace, that he was probably right. I would have said anything at that point. Not to mention that the medicine didn't help me think more clearly either.

"I was so scared." I looked up, but set my gaze on his lips. "The thought of never seeing you again made me... it made me…" I got the courage and looked him in the eyes. "It made me feel as if I was dying. I suddenly couldn't picture a life without you in it and I wanted to die with you. You were the only thing that was keeping me breathing. I had nothing before I found you. I was nothing-"

"Don't say that, Avery," he cut in, his voice soft. "You were always something special. You were just too blind to see it. You were brought up to believe that you were nothing. Like no one could ever care for you." He grabbed my hand and kissed it. "That was all wrong. Do you hear me? You are… everything to me."

My heart fell to my feet. I shifted on the bed and looked down at the floor. "Jace-"

"No, Avery," he blurted out.

He stood up from the bed and walked over to the window. "You have been everything to me since our first kiss. I felt something that I had never felt with anyone else. Suddenly, the only thing that mattered to me was your happiness. I wanted you to be happy and I wanted to be a part of that happiness." He turned away from the window and brought his eyes up to meet the ceiling. "You're all that I think about. When you left... you..." He bit his lip in frustration. "You broke my fucking heart. I looked everywhere for you. Everyone told me that it was fine. That you would return when you were ready. What nobody knew... was that I was afraid that you would never be ready. It scared the shit out of me."

His words broke my heart. The pain in his voice was almost enough to bring me to my knees it hurt like nothing else before.

I scrambled from the bed and jumped to my feet. I needed to show him how much I loved him. I threw my arms around him and roughly pulled him to the bed. I stared him in the eye while pushing him onto the soft mattress. "I love you. I fucking love you so much that it hurts." I placed my finger to his mouth and leaned down so that my face was inches from his, his heavy breathing tickling my lips. "I want you more than anything else in life and I will do anything to prove that to you. Please don't ever give up on me. Please," I pleaded, looking in his eyes.

Jace grabbed my head, closing the distance between us, as we made love. What I just experienced with Jace was love. True, undeniably, passionate love.

~•~

An hour later, I found myself standing outside of Jan’s Place. Jace had dropped me off and offered to come inside with me, but I felt as if it was something that I had to do alone. Knowing that I was about to start a new job, made me so nervous that I didn't know whether to laugh or run away.

I took a long, deep breath and reached for the handle.

I stepped inside to a quiet, dark restaurant. At first I thought that maybe I had arrived early, but after checking the clock, I saw, that I was only ten minutes early. I took a few steps inside and looked around. I didn't see Jan anywhere in sight. "Hello," I called out. "Is anyone here?"

It was silent for a few moments until finally I heard tiny footsteps behind me. I turned around to see Jan standing there with a frown on her face. She reached out and placed her hand on my arm. "Come on, girl. Let’s get started.”    

I smiled and nodded my head as Jan explained everything that I needed to know to get started.

I was surprised to find out that she had practically spent over twenty years running the Pizza restaurant by herself, after her husband Frank had passed away and her only child had took off and left her all alone. I could tell that she was lonely and really needed the company. I almost felt sad for her.

A few hours into my first shift, I was already getting anxious to get off and see Jace. I kept my cell in my pocket, occasionally texting both Jace and Stacy, wondering how things were going at the diner. I was very happy and grateful for Jan giving me a job, but I couldn't help but to feel an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Every time that my phone vibrated in my pocket, I couldn't help but to think of how I could have been there with them.

"Hey, girl."

I dropped the towel onto the empty table and peered over my shoulder to see Jan standing behind me. "Is everything okay?" Her forehead wrinkled in concern as she waited for my response. "There is a handsome young man here to see you. Maybe that might cheer you up," she groaned.

A smile crossed my face as I studied the look on Jan’s face. Jace hadn’t even mentioned that he was coming to see me.

"That's got to be-"

"Hi, Avery." The voice sent chills up my spine.

"Caleb." I froze unsure of what to say next.

Jan looked back and forth between Caleb and me before disappearing into the kitchen, leaving the two of us alone.

Panic set in causing my head to spin. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs until he left. I took a few calming breaths and continued to clean off the table. "What are you doing here?" I questioned.

Caleb took a step forward, but then stopped before he got too close. He looked nervous.

The smell of his Joop cologne filled the air as he threw his hands up in defeat and grunted. "Avery, look. I know that I messed up. I messed up big time and I'm sorry." He paused and reached for my shoulder, but I shook it off. "I didn't know that Henry was a piece of shit. Pam started coming to me months ago. She was a good client... so when she mentioned that she was your aunt and that your father had been searching for you, I thought that I was doing you a favor."

I threw the towel back down on the table, pressing my hands to my forehead. I was beyond frustrated and I just wanted to move on with my life and leave the past behind me.

"Caleb, I understand that you didn't know what you were doing. I guess that I can't really blame you for bringing my father back into my life." I glanced up at Caleb and then threw myself into an empty chair. "I really can't."

"You're right. You can't." He agreed. "I didn't know anything about your past and that was because you refused to tell me. I wanted to know. Trust me. I did."

I shook my head, knowing that he was right. A lot of the pain that I had gone through was my own doing. I could had let him in from the beginning and told him everything. I didn't. I kept it from him. Then I hated Caleb for even trying. I was horrible to him. "I wasn't ready. It hurt way too much," I whispered.

Caleb crouched down, placing his right hand on the ground, and his left one on the side of the chair. Suddenly, I didn't feel as much hate as I did in the past.    

"You didn't have to go through it alone. Yes, I had feelings for you, but I would have settled for an actual friendship. I wasn't just in it for the sex. I still saw the good in you, Avery."

I turned my head away as a tear rolled down my cheek. I felt a huge sense of relief and I was actually kind of glad that Caleb had come to see me. Maybe making things better with Caleb was a part of my healing process. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, but there was still one thing bothering me. "Why didn't you tell the cops about Jace? You had a chance to get him arrested, but you didn't. Why?"

A small smile crept to Caleb's lips as he stood back up and fixed his wild hair. "Henry deserved what he got." He paused to look down at the floor. "That ass was right."

I looked up at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Caleb brought his eyes back up to meet mine. "Jace. He was right. I was too chicken shit to fight back." He laughed. "I'm a drug dealer, Avery. I couldn't afford to get busted. That made me realize that I wasn't the right one for you. If I cared as much as I thought I did, well... then I would have done what Jace did. I didn't, so I did the next best thing."

I allowed myself to smile as I pushed my way out of the chair and grabbed Caleb's arm. "Thank you. You did the right thing."

Caleb glanced down at his arm and smiled. "So... your mother?" he questioned.

My heart ached at just the thought of her. As much as I wanted to make her understand, I knew that it would take time. Just like it took me time to figure things out. Her day too would come. "She's alive," I huffed. "She hates me, but she'll live."

Caleb nodded his head, looking relieved before turning on his heel. "Take care, Avery." He flashed me his dimpled smile and then headed for the door.

"You too," I said softly, still a little overwhelmed by the whole situation.

I waited until Caleb was completely gone before I went back to cleaning the tables. My heart still raced in my chest at the thought of Caleb showing up. I had expected the worst, but ended up getting the best. It was shocking. I guess that good things really could happen if you just allowed them to.

"Who was that young man?"

I looked up to see Jan enter the dining room. She blankly stared at me while waiting for an answer. It was hard to tell whether she was upset with me for already getting a visitor. The last thing that I wanted to do was get Jan upset and stress her out on my first day. "I'm sorry-"

"For what?" she cut in. "You're allowed to have friends come in. I'm not some grumpy old bat." She grinned. "Do I look like a grumpy old bat?"

I smiled back while shaking my head. "No. Not at all," I lied.

"Good. Now get back to work," she said.

I laughed to myself and then prepared to take care of a group of smiling customers as they filed in and took a seat at one of the back tables.

~•~

When I arrived back at the apartment, Jackie was lounging on the couch. She looked up from her bowl of popcorn and smiled. "How was your first day?"

I looked over at Jace and he just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. She loves it here," he whispered. Then he pressed his lips to my neck and laughed. "So… how was your first day?"

I plopped down next to Jackie on the couch and reached inside the bowl of popcorn. "It was fine. Jan had her moments. It will take some time getting used to, but I will manage."

Jace smiled and then jumped on top of Jackie’s lap reaching his hand into the bowl of popcorn. "Don't you have places to be, or jobs to apply to?" He teased.

Jackie pushed Jace out of her lap and playfully slapped his arm. "Nope! I can sit here all day. I haven't had any call backs yet."

I sat back and watched as Jace and Jackie teased each other. I couldn't help but to laugh when Jackie slapped him in the back of the head. The look on Jace's face was priceless.

"Ouch. Is that how you treat your little brother?" He jumped to his feet and rubbed the back of his head. "Did-"

"I have something to tell you," I cut in.

The room grew silent.

"Should I sit down for this?" Jace teased.

I reached over and slapped him on the arm. "No." I laughed.

"Ouch. The abuse of you ladies." He chuckled, while grabbing both his arm and his head. "Maybe I will just sit down. Over here." He pointed to the end of the couch.

Jackie narrowed her eyes at Jace and then set the bowl of popcorn down. "What is it?" she questioned.

I wasn't really sure how Jackie and Jace would react to me seeing Caleb today and it made me really nervous. I ran my sweaty palms over the side of my favorite shirt and exhaled. "Caleb came to see me today."

Jace's body stiffened as he sat up and gave me his full attention. His jaw tightly clenched as he ran a hand through his hair and frowned. "What happened, Avery?" Jace jumped up from the couch and grabbed my arms. "Are you okay?"

I smiled as Jace gripped the back of my neck and looked me in the eye. He was always so quick to comfort me and it gave me a feeling of security. I loved him for it. "I'm fine."

Jace loosened his grip on me and let his breath out. "What did he want?" he questioned.

"He just came in to apologize. It was really weird," I breathed. "But things are good now. I guess in some way I kind of needed the closure. You know?"

Jace nodded his head, but didn't speak. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt a sense of relief as well. "Yeah. I know." He leaned in and softly kissed my nose. "I understand."

"I'll be right back guys."

Jace and I both looked over at Jackie as she jumped up from the couch and ran toward the door.

"Jackie. What's going on?" Jace yelled after her.

"Nothing! It's fine. I just have a call." Jackie's voice shook as she answered back. "I'll be right back."

I pushed my way out of Jace's arms and followed Jackie to the door. I knew what she was doing. "Jackie! Don't do this," I pleaded. "He is no good."

Jackie gave me a blank look and then stared down at her phone. "I dont know what you're talking about," she mumbled. "It's just a- it’s a friend."

I gripped Jackie's shoulder just as she reached for the door handle. I knew that she was lying and I wasn't about to let her go back to Joe and hurt Jace. "Jackie, I know how hard it is to leave your past behind. Trust me. I beat myself up every day for letting myself drown in my misery. You have to keep him out of your life. If anything... do it for Jace."

Jackie's whole body shook as she looked back down at her phone as it vibrated in her hand. "He won't stop! He won't ever stop," she cried.

I slowly reached down and grabbed the phone from out of Jackie's firm grip. "I'm here for you. You will be fine." I threw my arms around her as she rested her head against my shoulder. "I promise. Jace promises. You have us both now."

Jackie's grip tightened around me as her body began to shake. "I can't do this. I just can't do this," she whined. "It hurts so damn much."

"Yes you can." I shoved the phone in my pocket and looked her in the eye. "We both can do it. Together."

Her eyes wandered down to my pocket before looking up to land on Jace.

Jace stood there in the kitchen with his eyes glued on the both of us. Then he walked over and placed a hand on Jackie's shoulder. "I love you, Jackie. You know that. I always have and always will."

A smile crept over Jackie's face before she broke into a laughter that was soon followed by tears. She stared up at Jace before jumping up and throwing her arms around Jace, body shaking, as she fell into him. "I love you too... punk." She smiled weakly. "I love you so much. You're all that I have left."

Jace softly rubbed the back of her head and peered over Jackie's shoulder to look at me. He smiled and gave me a loving look. "We'll change that soon. I promise."

Jackie looked over at me and gave me a look of confidence. "I'm trusting you to take care of me." She grinned, hopeful. "Don't be surprised if you see me here every day." She stepped toward me and reached her hand out. "Let me see that phone."

I hesitated for a moment before reaching in my pocket and gripping the phone in my hand. "Jackie-"

"It's fine, Avery." She paused to look at Jace. "I'm fine."

Jace gave me a nod as I softly placed the phone inside of Jackie's open palm. "Let's go grab some dinner." He said calmly, trying to change the subject. "Jackie’s buying."

Jackie reached over, slapping Jace in the head, as Lucky jumped in the middle of them yelping.

I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes.      

Looking over at Jace, Jackie and Lucky, told me everything that I needed to know. Everything that I had been hoping for my entire life.

I am okay now.