14. Jace
JACE
“That’s way too tight. You seriously don’t have anything bigger?” my dad asks, obviously trying to cover up some of his annoyance in front of Liv.
She came over for breakfast, and now I’m trying on the only suit I own in the kitchen for everyone to critique. I rented the one for prom, and admittedly, it did fit way better than this one, but I’ve grown so much since I needed it two years ago for my cousin’s wedding.
“We can go to the mall and pick up something else,” Liv suggests. “You were so smart to suggest he try it on now,” she adds to my dad. Fucking kiss ass.
I wish just one person in this town would realize what a dick my father is.
With how much I complain to Liv about him, and the fact that she’s my girlfriend, I would have thought she’d be on my side, but apparently even that’s too much to hope for.
She’s always trying to get me to see things from his perspective, pointing out that he just wants what’s best for me and that his controlling nature is because he cares.
She’s caught under his spell just like the rest of the world seems to be. His fake charm and charisma, on top of another winning season, have even earned him a stupid “New Jersey Public Teacher of the Year” award. The ceremony is tonight, and he insisted I try on my suit to make sure it still fits.
Of course, Liv wasn’t here for his comments about “how fat my ass has gotten,” though.
“What would he do without you?” my dad asks, smiling at Liv, and she lights up at his praise.
“Make sure you don’t clash with what your father is wearing,” my mother adds. “Olivia, I’ll text you a photo of what the rest of us will be in so that you can find him something that matches.”
“Isn’t my dress pretty?” Molly asks, jumping up to point it out in the photo my mom just sent her.
They’re talking about me like I’m not right here. I’m sure I’d be perfectly capable of getting my own clothes, thank you very much. But I’ll take any excuse to spend the day with my girlfriend away from my parents.
“It’s so pretty,” she coos, and Molly lights up.
“Ready?” I prompt her so we can get out of here.
“Yeah. See you all tonight.” Liv beams as we walk outside toward her car.
“I wish I had my own car,” I complain for the millionth time as I get into Liv’s.
“I don’t mind driving,” she insists with a laugh.
“Thanks, babe. I just wish you didn’t have to drive every time. I swear I’m, like, the only one in our year who still doesn’t have a car.”
“Most people’s dads don’t work at the same school they go to or have the same sports schedule,” she teases as she adjusts the radio.
If only I was so lucky.
“Did you see Kieran’s new car?” I ask. “It’s brand new too, not even used. Why does he need one, anyway? Where’s he going?” I wonder aloud.
“I think he’s working at the mall now actually,” she mumbles, her mood shifting at his mention. “Saw it on Facebook.”
“Really? What store? We should check if he’s there,” I suggest, perking up at the idea.
“I doubt he wants to see either of us,” she points out sadly. “You know how much I’ve tried with him.”
“Do you still want to be his friend?” I ask, trying a different route to talk about him.
After the first month or so, she stopped seeming so bummed when we’d talk about him and more annoyed. Mostly at me and how much I apparently talk about him. I’ve tried to be better, but it’s like word vomit where he’s concerned. Maybe if I ask her about missing him, she’ll change her tone.
“You know I do, Jace.” She sighs, and I give her a small smile. “I wish there was a way for you two to stop hating each other, so him and I could become friends again.”
Yeah right.
“Well, maybe he’s missing you too. He’s just stubborn.
Never listened to me, either. It’s weird he’d throw away all the years of your friendship so easily.
Maybe you should try talking to him? He might’ve cooled off now that it’s been longer?
” I suggest even though I doubt he has. No amount of my relentless persuasion has made any difference.
“You think so?” she asks, sounding so hopeful that it makes me feel even guiltier. But I try to shake off the twisting sensation in my gut, reminding myself that he’s the one who chose to stop talking to her. And that maybe he really does miss her too.
“If he cares about you, he should want you to be happy,” I remind her. “Where’s he working anyway?”
“Promise you won’t be mean?” she asks hesitantly.
I take her hand and give it a quick kiss, very curious now. “I’ll be on my best behavior, promise,” I agree playfully, earning a smile from her.
“He works at the makeup store.” She sighs. “Do you still want to go?”
Of course he does.
I should have known, except I also didn’t think they let guys work there, so I probably wouldn’t have guessed. “Obviously,” I confirm. “You can even pick out something for me to get you as a thank you for always driving my ass around.”
“Shit, he’s here,” Liv whispers, stopping so quickly when she sees Kieran through the window of his store that I nearly fall over as she yanks me back with the hand she was holding.
“That’s good, right? I thought you wanted to see him so you could talk.”
She runs her hand through her hair. “Uh. I don’t know. I do miss him, but I don’t want to piss him off more…” She trails off, but the unspoken “by showing up with you” is obvious.
I get that he doesn’t like me because I call him out for wearing makeup, but I stand by the fact that I’m only giving him the attention he so clearly wants since he’s continued to wear it.
“What do you want me to get you? I can find it while you talk to him and give you guys some privacy,” I suggest.
She relaxes at my suggestion and texts me the name of some new eyeshadow palette she wants.
When we enter the store, she points me in the right direction and heads over to where Kieran is behind the register.
The store is empty so there’s no one else in the line, and they immediately start talking.
I’m too far away to hear anything, but I keep an eye on them the entire time I hunt down the correct colors.
Kieran looks pissed. Underneath all his usual makeup, he’s got on the same fake smile my dad always does when we’re in public, but the fury behind his eyes is unmistakable. He’s obviously trying to remain professional at work, but I don’t think the conversation is going well.
Before I can debate if I should step in, Liv throws her arms up in frustration and turns to storm out of the store.
Well, there’s my answer.
I have the eyeshadow in my hand already, and confronting Kieran myself is too damn tempting to pass up, so I might as well still buy it.
“Have you finally decided to try some makeup for yourself after harassing me for so long about it?” Kieran sarcastically asks when I get to his register.
“Fuck off, Sparkles,” I scoff. “You know it’s for Liv. I can’t believe this place lets guys work here. Or were they confused enough by your appearance during the interview that they assumed you were a girl?”
He rolls his eyes so dramatically that I think they might be stuck for a moment before he shakes his head like he’s trying to clear away how he’d like to respond.
“That will be forty-eight dollars.”
“For one fucking thing?” I gawk. But he just points to the sticker, confirming the price I must’ve missed while I was focused on him and Liv.
I swipe my card anyway, thankful my uncle still sends me money on holidays and birthdays even though he and my dad don’t talk to each other.
Fuck, I wish I could get a job and have real money too.
I return my attention to Kieran. “You’re telling me you’re so desperate for attention that you not only put all that shit on your face every day but that it costs hundreds of dollars to do it?
” Must be so nice to be able to throw away money like that.
I try to save every dollar I can, especially since my dad has no idea his brother even sends me any in the first place.
“I’m not desperate for—ugh.” He groans, cutting himself off. “Just leave, Jace.”
“What did you say to Liv?” I push, not quite ready for this interaction to be over. I know I shouldn't, but I love seeing how easily I can get him so worked up.
“Go ask her yourself.” He’s openly glaring at me now, arms crossed, not bothering to maintain the happy facade that he was earlier.
“Careful, Sparkles, I’m sure your boss would love to hear about how you’ve treated your customers today,” I taunt.
Even with all the makeup he’s wearing, it doesn’t hide how he blanches at the threat.
As much as I would love to stay and continue to make him squirm, I should probably go check on Liv.
Still, I can’t stop myself from adding “You should really get a different job” as I turn to leave. “No one will take this seriously,” I warn him.
He rolls his eyes again, the little shit. “Leave, Jace.”
I flip him off as I do, finding Liv on a bench outside the store. I hand her the bag with the eyeshadow in it and pull her in for a hug. “It’s his loss, babe.”