Chapter 12 Jace
JACE
I watch them leave, Axel’s hand casually brushing against Emily’s back as they head upstairs, and something twists in my gut.
At first, I try to brush it off—maybe it’s nothing.
Maybe they’re just walking together. But that little knot of jealousy coils tighter, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s up.
Emily went out with Tanner earlier. She’s definitely not interested in Axel...or is she?
I shake my head. That’s not the Emily I know. But what do I know of her anyway? I haven’t been in touch with her for almost a decade. She’s practically a ghost of my past. But the feelings I’ve had for her haven’t gone away; in fact, they’re stronger than ever. That I know.
I clench my jaw, watching the way Axel leans a little closer to her as they reach the staircase. Their body language feels different, more intimate than it should be. I try to convince myself I’m imagining it, but the gnawing feeling won’t go away.
My mind flashes back to prom night—the way Emily looked at me when I left with Chloe.
I didn’t mean to hurt her. Chloe had injured her foot, and I had to rush her to the ER, but Emily never knew that.
She never asked, and I never told her. All she saw was me walking out with someone else.
Her face when she saw us—it still haunts me sometimes.
Did she feel like I’d chosen Chloe over her?
I shake my head, trying to clear it. I should focus on Emily, not the past. I was a jackass, and that was why I lost her. I can’t afford to do that again.
She didn’t look too well earlier, a little pale, maybe even dizzy. But instead of asking if she was okay, I was too caught up trying to figure out what was happening between her and Axel. Damn it. I should’ve been more concerned about her, not my jealousy.
That knot tightens even more. I can’t sit here doing nothing. Emily’s room isn’t far. I get up, my feet moving before my brain can catch up, and decide to head upstairs. If nothing else, I need to check on her—make sure she’s alright.
I try to keep my steps steady, telling myself I’m just going to check on her.
Nothing more. I won’t overstep. I won’t let the protectiveness show—she already gave me an earful about that last night.
We nearly had a full-blown argument because of it.
Emily doesn’t need me hovering over her like some kind of watchdog.
But damn, it’s hard not to feel protective. Especially after seeing her leave with Axel. I push the thought away, forcing myself to focus. I’m not here to stir up trouble. Just...checking in. That’s all.
As I approach her door, I take a breath, running through what I should say. Something casual, something that won’t make her feel like I’m smothering her.
Maybe we can go over the wedding plans we were discussing downstairs. She would like that. Emily likes to pay attention to details. She’s a perfectionist.
I don’t want her to think I’m here because of Axel, even though that’s half the reason I came up.
I knock lightly, waiting for a response. My hand hovers near the door, and my heart rate picks up.
After what feels like an eternity, the door creaks open, and my heart drops. It’s not Emily standing there.
It’s Axel.
He’s looking disheveled, his shirt rumpled, hair slightly tousled like he’s been...busy. My stomach churns. I can feel the anger bubbling up but keep my expression blank.
I don’t trust myself to speak right away, but my voice is tight when I do.
“What are you doing here?”
Axel leans casually against the doorframe, like he’s not bothered by my question. “I came to drop her off. You know that.”
I clench my jaw. “That all?”
His eyes flicker, and I can tell he’s debating how much to say. The tension between us thickens. It’s obvious something else happened. I’m not an idiot. But I bite my tongue. Now’s not the time for this.
Axel just shrugs, giving me that infuriatingly calm look. “Yeah. She needed help getting to her room.”
I want to punch him. My fists tighten at my sides, and it takes everything in me not to lose it right there. He knows exactly what he’s doing—pushing my buttons. And it’s working.
“So, she’s okay?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation focused. Trying not to make this a thing about us when it should be about her.
Axel nods, his eyes holding mine for a beat too long before he says, “She’s fine. Sleeping now. You can check in later if you’re worried.”
The way he says it sets me off. I take a breath, trying to reel it in. “Thanks for...taking care of her.”
The words feel like poison on my tongue, but I say them anyway.
Axel gives me a nod, pushing off the doorframe. “No problem.”
“Actually,” I say, not able to hold back anymore. “There is a problem.”
Axel stops in his tracks, slowly turning to face me, his expression hardening. “What?” he says, voice low and dangerous.
I can’t hold back anymore, the anger bubbling up too fast for me to control. “There is a problem,” I snap, my voice sharp. “Because you obviously took advantage of her.”
Axel’s eyes narrow, his posture stiffening. “Do you hear yourself?”
“You said it yourself—she was tipsy,” I shoot back, my fists clenching at my sides.
“And?” Axel’s voice is testy now, his jaw tight.
“Don’t make me say it,” I growl, my mind racing. “I know what you were up to.”
“What were we up to, Jace?” Axel challenges, his tone cold. His eyes lock on mine, daring me to say it.
My heart is pounding, and I want to punch him, to knock that smug, calm look off his face. But I don’t. I won’t.
“You know exactly what,” I bite out, my voice trembling with barely controlled fury.
Axel steps closer, his frame imposing, but I don’t back down. “We didn’t do anything she didn’t want. And I didn’t take advantage of anyone. You think so little of her? Or is this about me?”
My fists clench tighter, nails digging into my palms. “This isn’t about you,” I say, though my voice sounds less convincing than I want it to. “This is about Emily.”
“Is it?” Axel steps even closer,
“Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re the one making this personal.”
“You took her upstairs. She was drunk. What the hell was I supposed to think?” My voice is rising now, and I can feel my pulse hammering in my ears.
Axel’s eyes flash, but his tone stays level, too calm for my liking. “She wasn’t drunk, Jace. Tipsy? Sure. But not out of it. She knew exactly what she was doing.”
“Yeah, right,” I scoff, but it sounds more like a growl. “And you just happened to be the guy she wanted? You’re seriously going to stand there and pretend you didn’t see an opportunity?”
“Opportunity?” Axel’s jaw tightens, and for a second, I think he’s going to throw a punch. “She’s not some prize to be won, man. She made a choice. You can’t handle that?”
“Don’t talk to me like you know anything about her,” I say in a low voice. “First Tanner, and now you.”
“You talk like you have some kind of a claim on her. She’s an adult woman who can make her own choices. She’s more than your sister’s best friend.”
“Yes,” I reply. “She’s so much more than that to me.”
This seems to catch Axel off-guard.
The commotion has drawn the attention of other guests. A few doors open cautiously, and curious faces peer out into the hallway.
I catch a glimpse of Chloe standing nearby, leaning against her doorframe with a smirk playing on her lips. The sight of her grates on my nerves even more. She’s clearly enjoying the drama, but right now, I’m too pissed off to care about her or her smug expression.
“You’re insane, man,” Axel says, shaking his head.
“You still haven’t answered. You knew what you were doing.”
“She did too. She kissed me,” Axel says.
He’s obviously lying.
“Seriously, Axel, you think this is okay?” I demand. “You just waltz in here, and now you’re making it seem like I’m the problem?”
Axel’s face remains impassive, though I can see a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “I’m not the one causing issues here, Jace. I was just trying to make sure Emily was okay. And if you have a problem with that, maybe you should look at yourself. Just because she won’t have you…” he trails off.
“You don’t know the half of it,” I growl.
“Then tell me,” Axel challenges.
Before I can retort, Tanner and Ben come rushing up the hallway, their faces set with concern. Tanner’s eyes dart between Axel and me, trying to gauge the situation. Ben looks a bit more composed, but there’s a noticeable tension in his posture.
“Whoa, whoa, guys. What’s going on here?” Tanner asks, stepping between us.
“Let’s all just take a step back,” Ben says, glancing around us. “We don’t need more drama than there already is.”
I hear a few doors slamming shut, but Chloe is still there. “You okay, Jace? What’s this about?”
I ignore her.
“She’s asking you something,” Axel says. “Maybe you should be paying attention to her.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I say. He’s obviously trying to rile me up.
I glance at Tanner, who’s giving me a look that’s almost pleading, and then at Ben, who’s giving Axel the same level-headed scrutiny.
“I don’t understand, what’s gotten your panties in a bunch?” Tanner says.
“This is none of your business,” Axel snaps
“Actually, it is our business,” Ben says, folding his arms over his chest. “We’re a team, and when things get this heated, it affects all of us.”
“He’s right. And if there’s an issue, we should talk about it like adults. Not out here in the hallway,” I respond.
I’m still seething, but the reality of the situation is hitting me. I look over at Axel, who seems to be cooling off slightly.
The door to Emily’s room opens and she steps out, her eyes widening when she sees us. Axel and I are practically in each other’s faces.
“Guys, what’s happening?” she asks in a meek voice as her confused gaze darts between us.
Axel, his face still flushed with anger, doesn’t reply and neither do I.
“Seriously, what’s going on?” Emily steps further into the hallway, her gaze moving between Axel and me. “Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Go inside Emily. This doesn’t concern you,” I say.
Axel laughs without mirth. “Yeah, right. Don’t want to be the bad guy in front of her?”
Ben and Tanner exchange worried looks. “Guys, please,” Ben says.
“I’m not the one who started this,” Axel says.
Emily walks up to Axel, tugging at his arm. “Can you tell me what this is about?”
This pisses me off more. Why is she more concerned about what Axel thinks?
“Guys, let’s go inside and talk about it.”
She tugs at his arm. “Axel, please.”
There it is again. She’s choosing him over me.
Her gaze finally, finally slides to me, and I feel like I could do anything for her.
I don’t want to cause more trouble, especially in front of her. Emily is looking around, and I see the gears in her mind turning. When she sees Chloe, she says, “This is none of your business. Please go inside.”
“I see you still have a penchant for drama after all these years,” Chloe says before slamming her door shut.
Emily’s face reddens. “Was this because of me?”
Axel and I glare at each other instead of answering.
“Axel? Jace?” she prompts.
“Let’s just...sort this out,” I finally say.
Axel crosses his arms, his gaze still intense but less confrontational. “Yeah, whatever. Just make sure you understand what you’re accusing me of.”
Tanner and Ben exchange a look, and Tanner clears his throat. “Okay, how about we all take a breather? We’ll figure this out, but not like this. Let’s go inside.”
“No thanks,” Axel says. “I’m not in the mood for discussion.”
“You and me then.” Ben takes Axel by his shoulder and starts to lead him away. He’s firmer than I expected him to be. “You’re coming with me.”
I glare at Axel.
“And you,” Tanner turns to me. “What the hell was this about?” His gaze momentarily shifts to Emily who is red-faced, her arms tucked to herself.
“Nothing,” I say. I turn on my heel and start walking away. She chose to walk up to Axel. She was more concerned about him, not me.
I give one last look at Emily before I turn the corner. This isn’t over, not by a long shot. And I’ll do anything I can to get her back.