“Then off to bed with you.”
“Good plan.” I lean forward to kiss her, then Dad, and get out of the car.
I’m just about to go to the dorm when I realize there’s still a light on in the practice studio. Upstairs, in the little studio where Jase and I usually meet for our extra practice. My heart leaps. I can’t see him in the window from down here, but I’m pretty sure that he’s up there. It must be him.
I start moving without thinking about whether or not he’ll actually want to see me. I just want to find out if he’s okay. Aside from me, there’s no one out right now, and I’ve never been in the practice building so late. On the first day, we all got a chip card so we could practice any time of the day or night, but this is the first time I’m using it.
The building is dark, and something in me resists switching on the lights. Instead, I take my phone out of my pocket and turn on the flashlight. I hurry upstairs. It’s a bit creepy to be here so late, especially alone. But I’m not really alone. Jase is up there. Or if he’s not... well, who knows?
The steps to the little studio creak under my feet as I climb up. I can hear the music echoing through the room. It’s angry, with a pulsing bass. I hesitate at the door. My pulse has already adjusted to the music, and my palms are sweating. I carefully open the door and peer in, and there he is.
He’s dancing. And I can’t help watching him. He’s not wearinga T-shirt, just leggings. Sweat is shimmering on his skin; his hair is hanging damply on his forehead. There’s an expression of unbridled rage on his face. And boundless pain. His movements reflect his feelings, powerful and strong. He is so damn beautiful. And so, so angry.
I should leave. I should leave him alone, but I can’t take my eyes off him. I’m completely frozen. And then he notices me. His gaze meets mine in the mirror, and he pauses, breathing heavily. His eyes widen.
“Pixie.” His voice is hard and just as angry as his gaze.
“Jase.” I take a step forward into the room. The door slams shut behind me.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you. I was worried about you.”
“Why?” His tone is dismissive, and everything inside me tenses. He’s hurt, and I know it’s not because of me, but I still can’t help the fact that it stings.
“You know why. You didn’t answer any of my calls or messages.”
He runs a hand through his hair and swears softly. “I... I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I take a step toward him, hold out my hand, and lower it again. I want to ask him if he’s all right, but that feels unnecessary when he’s obviously not. “Do you want to talk about it? What’s going on?” I ask gently. But Jase shakes his head.
“No, I... Oh, fuck!” He whirls around, and his fist hits the wall between the round windows so hard that he must be bleeding. I’m shocked for a split second, but then I’m next to him, holding his face between my hands and making him look at me so he’ll talk. He does.
“Dad wants me to come to Mom’s stupid party,” he says through clenched teeth, “and they didn’t even invite me properly. I’m just supposed to show up and pretend that everything’s okay.”
“You don’t have to go.”
He exhales loudly. “I know. But I do. I have to.” I want to ask why, but something in his eyes stops me.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I say instead.
He shakes his head, laughing humorlessly. “You really don’t have to put up with that shit.”
“But do youwantme to come with you?” I stroke his cheeks, and my thumb comes to rest on his lips.
He whirls us around until my back is against the wall behind me and props his hands next to my head. His gaze is dark and still angry, but it’s now also full of desire. My heart skips a beat, heat shooting through my body as he stares at my mouth. A voice reminds me that I should be afraid because I don’t have control right now. But still, I feel safe.
All I want is for him to answer me. My skin tingles, and my whole body throbs. For a second, all I can think about is how badly I want to explore every inch of his body with my mouth right now.
“Jase, do you want me to go with you?” I ask, a little hoarse and out of breath.
He leans his forehead against mine, and my hands slide automatically over his shoulders and down to his chest, pausing over his heart. It’s racing.
“Yes,” he whispers.
“Okay, then I will.”
Instead of answering, he kisses me. Hungrily. Wildly. Desperately. I return his kiss without hesitation, even though I have athousand questions. Even though I know so much about Jase, even though he’s told me so many secrets, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to his anger than just this party. I pause.
