Alec chuckles, mirth swimming in his eyes. "Yeah, it probably would be."
The door to the verandah opens and we both freeze.
"Angel? Alec?" Mase calls out.
We share looks before I yell out quickly, "We're out here!"
I give Alec the 'don't you dare say anything' look and he nods, understanding swimming in those electrifying hazel irises. Mason and Jace come over.
"What are you guys doing?" Jace sits beside me, kissing my temple.
"Reading," Alec and I say quickly at the same time.
"Okay." Mason chuckles. "We're gonna start dinner so we're taking votes. Steak or tacos?”
“Tacos," Alec says and I agree with him.
I stand up and Jace instantly tugs me into his side. I look at him quizzingly and he explains, "I haven't had my best friend for three years. I'm taking any chance I get."
There's an underlying fear and pain in his eyes. He's still blaming himself.
Fuck.
I was mad at first but I wasn't the only one who lost Dec that day. Jace and I both lost twice because we lost Dec but also each other.
I pull him aside, letting Alec and Mase past into the kitchen.
I stand up on my tippy toes and put my hands on his cheeks.
"J, I'm right here," I tell him.
He leans into my hands but doesn't say anything. His grey eyes storm with unresolved emotion. Pain, anger, guilt.
When did I stop being able to read him?
"I don't blame you, J. I didn't know why you left that day but I do now. We both lost Dec but we're here now." I drop my hands and hug him tightly. His arms instantly encircle me, dropping his head and taking a shuddering breath.
"I don't want you to blame yourself, J," I tell him. "We've come too far for that. Is that why you've been a little distant today? You think I'm mad at you?"
Jace eventually nods, continuing to hug me tight. I sigh and pull back, keeping my arms around him but making him meet my eyes.
"Jason Hamilton," I say sternly. "I am not okay with you doing this to yourself. I'm not mad at you. I was,” I admit, “before I got all the facts and for the last three years but I'm not now. I just want us to be happy," I murmur quietly when the others join Alec and Mase in the kitchen. They shoot us curious glances that I ignore.
"Okay, Ro," Jace finally says, tension relaxing in his body.
"Okay?" I confirm and he nods.
"Good." I grab his hand tightly and pull him towards the others. He chuckles behind me, his voice making my stomach flip flop.
An idea pops in my head.
"Everybody needs to have a shower," I say excitedly.
Mase leans into Maverick. "Do we really smell that bad?" He whispers loudly.
"No," I roll my eyes. "Jace's mum never let us help cook dinner until we were in our pyjamas. We're gonna have a pyjama cooking night," I tell them, bouncing on my toes and regretting the movement instantly.
Jace's arms curl around me to keep me from moving. “I think that was just a hoax to get us to shower, Angel,” J whispers, adopting Mase’s nickname for me.
