16
Grace
The band was great. It was a garage band with a female lead. Her voice was deep and smooth and she had power. I could see her being a blues singer too, she has that type of voice.
Keir has been so sweet all evening. It's been hard to keep my hormones in check. It's been a lot of fun even when some drunk jackass tried to convince Kennedy she's not actually gay. Yeah, I almost lost my cool there. Luckily, his buddy took him home before I could get to him.
We make our way out to Keir's hummer laughing and joking. God damn, I wish I wasn't Ace. Keir is a big sweetheart. We even danced tonight. It felt so good being in his strong arms and he was such a gentleman. It's a big fucking problem.
He drops Kennedy and Alek off first and then takes me home. We sit in the car for a bit longer outside the front of the house.
"Thank you for coming tonight." He smiles.
"I had fun. Thank you for inviting me." I admit.
"I know I said I would be okay as friends and I am. But... could I kiss you?" He asks sounding all sweet and vulnerable. Ugh!
"I... I don't think that's a good idea, Keir." I manage. He nods but looks so sad. "Thank you again," I say and get out of the car. Fuck, I am the worst.
I make my way up to my room in the silence of the house. I don't find sleep easily even though I am exhausted. My knives are my only comfort tonight. Unfortunately, weapons can't protect me from my memories and nightmares.
I wake up feeling like I haven't slept at all. I must look like it because Ruby and Andras are giving me worried looks over the breakfast table.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Ruby asks.
"I'll be fine. Just didn't sleep well." I shrug biting into a piece of toast.
"Well, have a rest after school before your fight," Andras suggests. I nod and eat before heading out the door to my bike.
Kennedy is very excited today and, God bless her, it's contagious.
Liam
I watch Grace get off her bike with Kennedy. God, she's beautiful, but she looks tired today. Beautiful but tired. I desperately want to get her on my bike. To have her hold onto me. This is torture.
I see Kier watching her from an archway like a lion watches a gazelle. All hunger as he walks up to her. He's so big next to her small frame. I feel a sick feeling start in my stomach. Are they together? Is that why she keeps denying me? God, I hope not.
"Whatchya staring at?" A voice says from very close behind me. I whip around to see a grinning Kennedy.
"Uh... I uh...." I stammer.
"Don't worry. She likes you. She's just stubborn." She assures me turning her gaze to a retreating Grace.
"You mean they're not..."
"No, she turns him down too." She sighs. "She destroys all my ships. She's lucky she's my best friend."
"Why?" I ask .
"She's been through some serious shit. I don't know all of it and I wouldn't tell you if I did. Just be patient with her." She assures me.
I've seen her scars but I've never asked. She can tell me when she's ready. Lord knows I have a few of my own from before I lived with my dad.
"You should come downtown to Rudy's tonight. Spend some time with her." Kennedy suggests.
"What time?"
"We're leaving at seven."
***
We're playing basketball today in gym class, and she's terrible.
I'm on Grace's team, but we've all decided to just not pass her the ball.
I know she knows by the smirk on her face every time I catch the ball beside her and I feel terrible about it but it's nice that she doesn't take herself too seriously.
Not everyone would be so gracious about it.
Besides, it's nice to be this close to her. She smells like caramel apples and my arms are itching to hold her.
"You know, you're lucky I'm not actively sabotaging the team. I can do that." She chuckles as I go to shoot a basket and miss because I laughed. "Oh no. You missed. Try harder next time." She smiles not so innocently.
"You're evil." I laugh.
"I know." She shrugs with that sexy smirk. She is the best kind of evil. Mine. She just doesn't know it yet.
"What's happening at Rudy's?" I ask.
"She figured it out, huh?" She laughs. "It's fight night."
"You're fighting?" I ask intrigued.
"Yep." She smiles as I catch the ball and aim for another basket. " Getting some girl-on-girl action." She whispers causing me to choke and miss my shot again.
"Huh. Maybe they shouldn't pass you the ball either." She grins batting her eyelashes. I can't help it. I laugh. Loudly. She's perfect.
Christian
I watch Grace get home and stumble up to her room with a wave and a grumble to us in Andras' office.
"Is she okay?" I ask.
"She said she didn't sleep well last night. But I don't know... something is bothering her. I just don't know what." He confesses. I don't like that. "Are you going to her fight?"
"I was thinking about it," I say carefully.
"Good. She could use all the support she can get. As far as I can tell it's just been her and that Ray guy for quite a while."
"Yeah, Kennedy was saying they are really close." I nod.
"Yeah, I want to meet him too," Andras smirks. "You're free for the night. Have fun." I swear this man sees everything.
"Thank you, sir." I nod before leaving. I feign nonchalance as I pass Grace's room and see her cuddled up on the floor.
She's so beautiful. She's curled up into a little ball and her face is relaxed and softened with sleep.
I just want to hold her. I have to force myself to keep walking, leaving a bit of myself behind sleeping as I head home to get ready for her fight.
I find my father in his office with one of his runners. A tall, fit man about my age with darker skin and buzzed black hair. He looks familiar, but I can't place him. I see the star tattoo on his throat and file that away for later. Something about him just rubs me the wrong way.
"Christian! Come in here!" Dad booms before turning to the runner. "You can leave, Oliver."
Oliver bows and walks away. I make sure the door is closed before we speak.
"What are you doing home so early?" Dad asks.
"I'm heading downtown to see Grace," I say with a small smile. Dad's going to make a big deal about this, I can feel it.
"You got her, huh?" He asks quietly, but I can feel his excitement buzzing in the air.
"Not yet. But she invited me." I admit scratching the back of my neck.
"She makes you work for her. Good. Your mother made me work for her, too. She kicked my ass when we first met. Did I ever tell you that?" He chuckles. Colour me intrigued.
"No." I chuckle.
"It's true. She was... so beautiful. I walked right up to her with all the confidence in the world and I said -"
"Hey babe, wanna ditch these losers and come back to my place?" Mom says from the door with an amused grin. "Your uncles were not happy."
"I'll admit it. My brain wasn't working at the time.
" He shrugs making me laugh. "She decked me before her brothers could and said 'if you can't speak to me properly, don't speak at all.
' I knew right then she was the one for me.
" I watch as mom makes her way over and kisses my dad on the cheek.
I've always wanted a relationship like theirs.
They're so in love. Not that it isn't gross to see your parents in compromising positions when you accidentally walk into the kitchen at the wrong time for a midnight snack.
Yeah, that has happened far too often. But I find myself oddly okay with scarring my own children if it's with Grace.
"Go, get your girl." Dad smiles at me before turning back to my mom with affection. Don't have to tell me twice.