I woke to Jace kissing my neck around five in the morning. At that point we both woke up and decided a shower would be good. So we snuck into the bathroom locked the door and finished what we'd started last night. Thankfully Nicole and Henry were in her room sleeping. After the shower I still felt tired so I went back to sleep. Jace stayed for a bit, and I guess he left sometime after I fell asleep.

I can't believe last night played out like it did, I was trying so hard to keep him at a distance. I hope now that I got some fun out of the way I can start to hold back. I think I needed last night, it's been a bit of a rough go since Jace has been gone and it made me feel good. I've been sitting here for about fifteen minutes and I don't want to move. I have work today, but I'm still so tired. I kick my leg and a white piece of paper bounces on the comforter. I pick up the note and unfold it.

Sorry I had to run meeting @ Galaxy today. Hoping to get everything worked out for Henry, and hopefully you. Don't flake on me. Oh and I called Henry out this morning, I saw him as I was leaving. SYKE! it's going to be so awkward to see him today. I'm at the club all day today and tomorrow. We should have another non-date soon.

Jace

Oh my god I literally almost want to go down to the club to strangle him. I'd be so embarrassed if he confronted Henry. What do I even say to Nicole? Do I tell her? She might think it's funny. Oh god. I grab my phone to text him.

Me: OMG if you tell Henry I'll beat you!

Jace: Don't tease me!

Me: I hate you

Jace: Hate you too!

My phone rings and I crawl over to my desk to grab it. It's Aunt Marjorie.

"Hi, I'm not late am I?" I ask.

"No sweetie," she says, her voice is panicked.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

"Have you seen Charlene?" she asks.

"No, why?" I ask.

"She never came home last night, and we can't get in touch with her," she says.

"Shit, I'll try to call her, and I'll head right down to the store to help out," I tell her.

"Thanks. You don't think she's with that Jace kid do you?" she asks.

Her mentioning that makes my stomach hurt. She definitely wasn't with him last night, but there's a slight chance she could be with him now. I still feel like there's something going on there, I feel it deep down and sigh.

"I don't know, I could um... find out," I say.

"You know where he is?" she asks.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I hate lying to her, she's always been there for me. My hands feel shaky and a knot forms in my throat.

"I ..." I start. "He uh... he works at the Galaxy, I'll call Henry," I lie my voice catching at the end.

"Oh. Okay yeah, Uncle James is about to have a stroke over here," she says.

"I'll do my best, and will be in soon," I tell her.

"Thanks love," she says and hangs up.

I run a hand through my damn hair and sigh. Where are you Charlene? I guess I should call Jace and see if he's seen her, or if he knows where she is. It takes me a few minutes to gather the courage. I take several deep breaths before pulling up Jace's name in my contacts. I've never actually called him on the phone, I don't want him to think I'm being one of those girls who accuse him of things. Actually, why do I care? This is casual fun love. Okay just hit the button Faith. Hit the button. My finger lingers over and I lightly tap it. When the call screen comes up on my phone I cringe. I put the phone on my bed, tap the speaker button, and grab my pillow hugging it tight to my chest.

"Hey, everything okay?" he asks. He sounds like he's out of breath.

"Yes... no," I say.

"Figured something was up, you've never called me before," he says.

"Don't take this the wrong way... but um... have you seen my cousin? Or maybe know where she is? My aunt is flipping out she didn't come home..." I feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack. I really hope she's okay and that she's not lying dead in an alley, oh god Faith stop.

"It's fine, um... let me ask Robert..."

"They've been hanging out?" I ask.

"Yeah, I um... let me call him and I'll call you?" he questions.

"Yeah. I'm going to head to the music store, I know that things could get out of hand but if you do see her can you get her back there please," I say.

He's quiet for a few minutes like he's contemplating something. There is something going on that he's not telling me about. I wait for a response.

"Jace, are you sure you haven't seen her?" I ask.

"I'll meet you at the store," he sighs.

I don't get a chance to get a word in because he hangs up before I can. I start to wonder if yesterday was just I don't know... fake? Jace has been known to trick girls into relationships with him for the sex. That's what Charlene had said when she first came home. He was with three girls while with her. I begin to wonder if he'd done the same type of game he played with me yesterday. Doing something cheesy romantic just to get a girl to sleep with him.

I have to just put it aside and concentrate on Charlene. If something happened to her I'll beat him down myself, my Uncle won't even have to. I've taken self-defense classes I know how to fight and I won't hesitate.

I quickly get dressed and head out to the store. Either they are still sleeping or they've already left for work. I don't bother grabbing food I head right to the store. I get there quicker than I've ever gotten there before. Of course now I'm a sweaty mess because temperatures are supposed to reach seventy today, and I can already feel it.

The store should be open, but it's not. I bang on the door and then notice the sign that says, We apologize for the inconvenience but we will be closed for a family emergency today. We hope to see you back tomorrow. Aunt Marjorie peaks her head out and unlocks the door. I step inside, her eyes are red she's been crying. I don't get why she'd do this to them. She's got the best parents in the world, they'd do anything for her and she's off doing drugs and getting into trouble.

"I uh... called around might have a lead. They said they'd let me know," I say.

"Oh great thank you. Her phone keeps going to voicemail," she says.

"I tried on my way over same for me," I tell her.

"Is that her?" I hear my Uncle say. "Because boy do I have some..." he steps out of the backroom. He also looks torn up, his eyes are red and he's got circles under them like he hasn't slept.

"It's just me Uncle James I might have a lead, they said they'd get in touch," I tell him.

"Is it that boy? Because if he hurt her in anyway I won't hesitate to fuck him..."

"James," aunt Marjorie says placing a hand on his shoulder.

I sigh and look out the store window. Someone pulls out of the empty spot and it's a van I recognize very well. I sigh. Distance Faith. I wait for a minute to make sure and when I see Jace hop out and walk around to the passenger side I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Uncle James," I say turning to him. "I need you to keep an open mind right now, okay?" I say turning to the window to see how much time I have. He catches a glimpse of what's happening outside and his face reddens, shit.

"Let me go out there and..."

"Why is he carrying her, that little bastard," he says through clenched teeth.

I try to make it to the door first, but he's fast. He unlocks the door almost breaking the lock out of anger. The door swings open and Jace is right there. He doesn't look scared or worried. He's not afraid of my uncle, I would totally be if I were him.

"What did you do you bastard?" he says.

I step forward and only then do I get a good look at Jace. He's got a cut on his lip, blood dripping from a cut on his cheek, and his knuckles are bloody. I look at him not wanting to draw attention that I actually know him, but aunt Marjorie turns to me for a quick second before racing for her daughter.

"Sir, I didn't do anything. She was with a guy I know..."

"And you just happen to ...."

"Um... no sir Faith called, she knows me because my stepfather owns the club she dances at," he says.

Uncle James turns to me, he's not happy. I fear he might lash out at me too, but he turns his attention back to Jace.

"Is she okay?" he asks as he lets Jace in.

Jace won't meet my eye, his attention is on my uncle. I stare him down waiting for an explanation.

"She's okay, she was conscious when I picked her up. I think she's just exhausted," he says.

"What was she on?" he asks his tone flat.

"She was smoking a joint when I got there," he says.

"How did you know she'd be there?" he questions.

"I uh..."

"Are you her supplier?" he questions.

"She hangs around with a few people I know. I saw her this morning at their apartment," he confesses still not looking at me. His eyes are focused on my uncle.

"Next time you call my niece right away do you hear me?" he questions.

Jace nods. Uncle James takes Charlene in his arms and carries her to the back room without another word. My aunt looks between the two of us and then back at Jace.

"Jace, thank you for finding her," she says.

"Not a problem Mrs. Montgomery," he says.

She looks at me again and then Jace, she knows there's something going on. I bite my lip hard.

"You can go home Faith, we won't be opening today. Thank you for helping," she says.

I nod my head and watch her walk to the backroom without another word. I don't want to turn around because if I do I might say things I'll regret later. I can feel him watching me waiting. He steps forward, but I don't turn around.

"You should go clean yourself up," I tell him.

"Faith I..."

"Don't worry about it, thank you for bringing her back," I say staring at the wall.

"Faith," he's right behind me now, but not touching me. I can feel his hand waiting and I shake my head.

"Not here Jace," I whisper.

"Later then?" he asks.

I shrug. A few seconds pass before I hear his footsteps walking towards the door. He stops for a second and I sense him turning to me, but then the door jingles and he's gone. I breathe a sigh of relief and finally turn. Tears spring to my eyes and I wipe them away. They vanish as fast as they come. My aunt comes out of the room and her eyes find mine. I try to wipe away another tear, but they fall again. I've messed up so bad with them.

"I'm uh... leaving now.." I say.

"Faith..." she starts to say.

"I'm fine. I'll see you for my shift tomorrow," I squeak.

I run out of the store before she can say another word. The van is gone and I breathe a sigh of relief. I wasn't in the mood to talk to him anyway.

***

When I get home I decide it's time to bake some goodies. I pull out all ingredients to make oatmeal cookies on the counter. I don't know why, oatmeal just sounded good. I'm honestly surprised I didn't gain a million pounds this year I've made so many stress cookies and yummy treats. I turn on the oven and the front door opens. Nicole comes in and she looks tired.

"Heee," she starts to say. "What happened?" she asks immediately knowing something is up.

"It didn't go good yesterday? I thought I heard you and Jace talking when I got home..."

I don't look at her as I start pouring the ingredients into a bowl.

"Yesterday was great. Really great actually. Today, not so much. I don't even know why I decided it would be a good idea to go on his scavenger hunt," I tell her.

"So it wasn't romantic?" she asks.

"Oh it was, and I totally fell for it. I became the girl I said I would never become. I listened to every line he fed me. How he never felt like this about anyone before," I say. "And also how he loved me. Yes LOVE he said L O V E," I say spelling out each letter. "I admit I fell for him just like you two warned I would. It was so stupid, but now I'm officially breaking him down. Whatever it takes to break him I will. I'm not going to fall for his shit this time..."

Henry comes walking in next and he stops when he sees me baking. He curses under his breath. I continue to pour ingredients in the bowl.

"So Charlene went missing," I say mixing. "I called Jace because I had this odd feeling... and what do you know he brings her over to the store passed out cold. He knew where she was that she was with his friends. He even smelled like pot himself. He acted like he'd just walked in there to get her, that he'd seen her go in there earlier. What a lie," I say mixing hard. I mix so hard the bowl goes crashing to the floor. "I'm going to mess with him so bad," I say attempting to clean the mess.

"Faith," I hear Henry say, I think I hear the door open and close, but I'm busy trying to push the stuff back into the bowl. It's almost impossible because of the freaking lip on the bowl.

"This time I'm going to do it..."

"Faith!" he says again. "Don't try and talk me out of it. I'm so upset right now..."

"Faith!" another voice says, it's Jace. How long had he been standing there? Did he hear my rant? Is my whole charade over?

I look up and Jace stands there watching me. He's concerned, I laugh because I know it's not real. They all look at me like I've gone crazy and maybe I have, I think I need to be locked up because this whole thing is insane. I look back down at the bowl and continue to fuss with the ingredients on the floor. He kneels in front of me so that I can see him. He reeks of pot, but I keep my mouth shut. In fact he smelled that way yesterday too, but I ignored it because it's his life. His life that will no longer be my concern once this thing is over.

"Hey, let me help..."

"I don't need your help Jace," I tell him.

"Please baby let me..."

I shoot him a look that says if you call me baby again I'll ring your neck. He backs away slightly and then sits on the floor. I hear Nicole and Henry shut Nicole's door. Faintly I can hear them arguing with each other. I stand and place the bowl on the counter.

"Let's talk," he says. I laugh. "Let me explain please," he says.

"Explain why you smell like pot? Or how you knew where she was?" I question.

"I went in there to get her of course I'm going to smell like that," he says. "And so what if I took a hit," he says.

"Oh my god! I don't care," I tell him. "Just stop, okay? I don't want to talk about it. Whatever you did it's done. This is just supposed to be fun right?" I question.

"Yeah, but it can't be fun if you're pissed at me," he says.

"I have a right to be pissed, you've probably been lying to me about not seeing..."

"I wasn't hooking up with her if that's what your asking, but yes I've hung out with her a few times. She's friends with a few of the guys I know here, and Robert of course," he says.

I cross my arms at my chest. I'm not sure if I believe him, but I'm still thinking I need just a little more time to screw with him before I set him on fire. I sigh deeply.

"So does she know about us?" I ask.

"No, why would I tell her that?"

"Good don't," I say. "It's fine. Let's just forget about it okay? Charlene is safe and that's all that matters."

He waits for me to look at him and I nod. He steps forward and hugs me. I feel him kiss the top of my head. He reaches under my chin with his finger and pulls my face up to look at him.

"I mean it when I say I love you," he says. "I told you I'd fuck this up," he reminds me.

"I know, I'm just tired..."

"I can leave..."

"You don't have to," I sigh.

"Okay," he says.

"You aren't getting any, so if your staying here just for that you can leave," I say.

"Always so feisty," he tells me, and on that note I smirk.

As much as I wish the feelings I felt for him could turn into something, I know how this has to end. My feelings say that he's been doing more than hanging out with her behind my back. Commence break Jace's heart plan B.