Page 51 (1/2)

We stay at the gyer joint for lunch Jace tells us about his o and support our friend, and, of course, drag the girls along My chest swells with happiness, because by then Thea and I should be out in the open, and I’ll be able to touch and kiss her without worrying about Cade or anyone else

I take a swig of my beer while Jace and Cade talk Eventually, their conversation fades and Cade turns to me

“What’s up with you? You’re too quiet”

I shrug “Tired” It’s not really a lie Practice is kicking my ass

He narrows his eyes “You’ve been acting so fucking weird lately—leaving the house way early …” He pauses “Are you dating someone?”

I choke onanyone”

You know, since technically being

“Then what are you doing?”

“Just going to the gyet there early enough there’s no one around It’s nice”

He grunts “You need to wakewas the first time I’ve been all week”

“Mh

“What’s up with you?” I ask Jace—hoping to turn the conversation away from myself

He leans back in his chair and crosses his hands behind his head “Just working at the bar, sah What a waste of fucking ti of his beer and slas another one over and Jace gives her an appreciative once over “Hey,” he says, giving her a brooding look that I’m sure is meant to be sexy but it looks like he’s constipated to h, because she s places with Jace usually results in hi home with at least three new phone numbers

The waitress gets called over to another table and the eye-fucking stops “Have you and Nova been hanging out?” I ask hi out a lot, or at least they did before graduation, but who kno

Jace nods and reaches into his pocket for his pack of cigarettes, tapping one out “Yeah, she’s a cool chick”