Chapter 13

The truth.

What in God's name did my father when he said that he needed to tell me the truth?

My heart was beating erratically as I clutched onto my cell phone tighter than I was previously. Thoughts were running across my mind as to why my father had been lying this entire time about leaving home to stay at Uncle Rodney's. If he had planned to move to a big city this entire time, why hadn't he told me from the second he stepped out of our house? My father was never one to lie.

"D-Dad," I stammered, "you're scaring me. Why aren't you in Nebraska?"

"Honey, I think I should start off by telling you that I'm in Los Angeles. Before I found your mother in a compromising position with George Collins, I was offered a job by my company. The pay was too high to refuse but at the same time, I thought about you and your mother. I thought about all of the memories we've created at our home and how you've practically grown up there. I didn't want to take your childhood away from you, Everly." Dad paused, taking in a deep breath. I felt liquid on my cheeks and that was when I first noticed that I'd been crying this entire time. I wiped away the tears with the sleeve of my sweater, waiting for my dad to continue his explanation. "I was going to refuse the job offer, but I walked in on your mother beforehand. I was angry- angry that she'd thrown away our entire twenty years of marriage to sleep with her boss. I needed to get away from her- from that house. I needed to get away from everything that reminded me of your mother. The job coincidentally was located across the country, so I took the offer while I still could. I escaped."

My lips were trembling and my shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. I understood my father's position, but at the same time, I felt abandoned by him.

"Why didn't you take me with you?" I asked finally, after what seemed like hours of silence between us.

I heard my father laughing weakly on the other end. I could almost picture him laughing- the corners of his eyes creasing just slightly like they always did. "You're graduating this year, Everly. Trust me, I wanted to take with me to Los Angeles my most prized possession but that would've been selfish of me."

My father always knew of how soothe me. With his gentle words, he could make me feel better, like nothing was wrong from the beginning. "Dad, I miss you." I finally calmed down, tears no longer streaming down my face. "Please visit soon."

"Trust me when I say I wish I could." My dad said. "Spring break is coming up, isn't it? Why don't I fly you out here so I could show you Los Angeles myself?"

For the first time since my dad left, a smile, a real smile, etched its way onto my face. "Dad, I'd love that."

*

"You're awfully happy today for someone who is spending her Saturday afternoon in the waiting room of a therapy office." Reina commented as she flipped through the pages of an outdated fashion magazine. She smacked her bubble gum as she gave me a wicked smile. "Did you and Jace finally make up?"

My eyes widened as my head snapped towards her direction. Reina released a fit of laughter as she closed her magazine, tossing it back onto the coffee table of the waiting room. Once I relaxed, I slouched back in my seat, glancing over at the clock. The time read 1:30, which meant there was another fifteen minutes until Reina was done with her meeting. "God, how does everyone know about that?" I muttered under my breath.

Reina shrugged. "Well, I didn't hear it from Jace directly but it's quite obvious judging by his behavior lately."

I frowned, suddenly feeling worry overcome me. "What do you mean?" I asked, unintentionally sounding too interested. "Is he okay?"

Reina chuckled, waving her hand. "He's fine, it's just obvious that something's wrong." She paused. "And, he's been coming home a lot earlier than usual. Have you stopped tutoring him?"

I bit my lip, adverting my gaze towards the speckled blue and grey carpeting of the waiting room. "I haven't for the past week." I admitted honestly.

Reina gave me a sad smile as she smacked her glossed lips. "So, I'm assuming that the two of you haven't come to terms yet?"

I shook my head as the door suddenly opened, revealing Jace himself by the entrance. "Reina, I just got a refill for your prescription from-." Jace immediately paused once he lifted his head, his eyes directly looking into mine. His gaze held such emptiness that I was provoked to look away immediately, feeling my cheeks go warm as I did so.

I watched as Reina glanced down at her watch, suddenly standing up. "There's five minutes before my session starts." Reina announced, throwing Jace and I a smirk. "I think I'm going to use the bathroom before I get called in."

I gawked as Reina disappeared through the doors, brushing past her brother. Jace and I stared between each other, noticing that we were left alone as I took in a sharp breath of air. The tension between us was beyond thick and we were dead quiet. None of us dared to speak- hell, I was even afraid to breathe at the moment.

I wondered if I was supposed to be the one to speak first. Not only was I embarrassed that he didn't kiss me like I had anticipated, but I always also ashamed from our last altercation in the library. I told him he meant nothing to me- I blew things out of proportion but I couldn't control my emotions at the time. I felt like a hopeless and rejected puppy that was ran over.

"Listen Everly-." Jace began, making my heart leap.

Jace was soon cut off for the second time today when Julianne came out of Dr. Roberts' office. Julianne stared between Jace and I with surprise as a confused smile etched across her face. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt?" she asked sheepishly.

Jace sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "No, it's fine."

I didn't know why I suddenly felt disappointed at Jace's lack of response. I got up from my seat, following Julianne on her way out. However, before I left completely, I glanced over my shoulder to take one last look at Jace. His eyes were directly in mine as I pursed my lips and left.

Once Julianne and I were in the parking lot, she began to question me. "What was that about?" she asked.

I shook my head, getting into Julianne's parent's car as I adjusted the mirror. Although I did have my license, I could only drive when I borrowed someone's car because I didn't have my own. Whenever Julianne borrowed her parent's car, she always made sure to allow me time to drive, as well. "Nothing." I lied, curiosity eating me alive as I wondered what Jace had to tell me.

"Okay..." Julianne said, her expression letting me know what she didn't believe me for the slightest bit. "Do you want to drop by Patisserie Cafe?"

"Sure." I frowned. "Why though? Don't you hate coffee?"

Julianne blushed, staring down at her fingers as I made a turn to the right to head towards the direction of the café. "Ryan's family owns the place." She muttered shyly. "He told me he works on weekends and to come by if I was ever free."

I smirk suddenly came upon my face. It took everything in me to not tease Julianne and Ryan about their innocent little romance. "That's cute." I commented slyly. "Does he know that you're coming?"

Julianne shook her head, tucking a blonde curl behind her ear. "Not necessarily."

I couldn't contain myself now. "Jules!" I gushed. "You're going to surprise him? That's so cute!"

Julianne turned crimson read as she turned her head to the window, shaking her head. "No, no!" she tried to defend herself, her voice turning high pitched in the process. "It's not like that. There's nothing going on between Ryan and I."

I chuckled with disbelief, parking the car as we stumbled outside. I stared up at the sign of the café that read in fine script, 'Patisserie Café'. Julianne entered first as she pushed the glass doors open, an aroma of coffee and tea immediately filling our noses

The interior itself was beautiful- there was something about this café that made you feel at home when you stepped inside. The walls were painted a faded turquoise color and the seats were aligned around the café with egg white cushioning to bring light in the café. The front counter was where everyone ordered what they wanted, the through a transparent glass was displayed all of the cute pastries. Above the cash register, written neatly on a chalkboard were all of the items on the menu.

My eyes scanned the café, noticing that there was a fair amount of service today, considering the fact that almost all of the seats were occupied with customers.

"Everly? Julianne?" a voice called from behind the counter, capturing our attentions.

Ryan leaned across the counter with a grin across his lips. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Julianne took me here with her." I explained as Julianne blushed. "She said your family owns this place. It's pretty cool."

Ryan scratched the back of his neck, shrugging. "It's no biggie, but thanks." He paused. "Do you guys want something to drink? It's on the house!"

Julianne shook her head shyly. "No thanks, I'm not a big fan of coffee."

"That's not a problem!" Ryan exclaimed. "I'll make you a hot chocolate, absolutely coffee free."

Julianne's eyes glistened as she nodded eagerly. "That sounds good."

"What about you, Everly?" Ryan asked.

"I'll have the same thing, I guess." I smiled thankfully.

"Great!" Ryan grinned. "Just find yourselves some seats and I'll be there in a few minutes."

Julianne and I nodded as we stepped away from the counter to find an empty booth near the corner of the café. There were candles off the side of the able and decorative salmon pink pillows contrasting the white seats. Whoever designed this café took a lot of thought into it because it was amazing.

"This place is so nice." Julianne gushed. "I can't believe I've never been here before."

"It is." I looked around the café, spotting a restroom near us. "I'm just going to use the bathroom real quick."

Julianne nodded as I slid out of the booth, making my way into the women's bathroom. I quickly did my business before washing my hands and drying them off. Just as I was about to head out of the bathroom, my phone buzzed the back pocket of my jeans. Reaching it out, my eyes scanned over the text message that I'd received from Jace. "Can we talk?" It read.

The feeling that I got was completely foreign. I hated how Jace still had the ability to make my heart jump even though he was the one who practically rejected me. With shaky fingers, I released a deep breath of air as I texted back a quick and brief, "Sure."

I exited the bathroom as I made my way back to the booth, where Julianne and Ryan were sitting across from one another. Julianne's cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone just by looking at Ryan. She was laughing at something Ryan had said, her hands wrapped around her hot chocolate cup.

I groaned to myself, realizing that I was going to be third wheel.

My phone buzzed once again in my pocket as I took it out, reading the reply that Jace had sent back. "If you aren't busy, can you come by my house now?"

I let out a staggered breath as I shoved my phone back in my pocket, not bothering to reply. I gulped as I approached Julianne and Ryan. The both of them looked up and smiled once they saw me. "Hey, something came up." I told the two. "Maybe I could stick around another time?"

"Sure, come back whenever you want." Ryan said honestly, handing me to hot chocolate to-go. "Where are you going? Do you want me to give you a ride?"

I shook my head, noticing that Ryan's family café was within a walking distance from Jace's house. "It's fine, but thank you." I paused. "But, do you mind getting me another hot chocolate? I'm meeting with someone with right now."

Not the most exciting chapter, but I promise, the next two chapters are filled with Everly and Jace moments! Thanks for bearing with me, guys! I've been super busy this school year, but I'm trying to write as much as I can during my free time. Thanks for the patience! Love you guys.