A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Thirteen:

“Oh my God, I’m so tired.” I complained as I pulled myself out of my car. Jace laughed.

“You could have slept in the car. I told you I’d be fine. You’re the one who insisted on staying up with me.” Jace pointed out. He got out his keys and unlocked my house door and let himself in. I gave him a key maybe a year ago. I thought it might be a good idea if someone could get in, in case anything went south.

“I know, but you couldn’t sleep and drive, so I just wanted to keep things fair. Since when is that a crime?” I asked him. He rolled his eyes.

“Let’s get you to bed, Sleeping Beauty.” He led me to my bedroom. I plopped down on my bed and got comfortable. “That’s what you’re sleeping in?” He asked. I shrugged.

“I guess not.” I toed off my shoes and got up. I pulled off my jeans and shrugged off my blazer. I grabbed some pajama shorts out of my dresser and slipped them on. “Are you staying?” I asked him. He shrugged.

“I really don’t see the point in driving home when I can just crash here. I’ve got clothes in your closet.” He reminded me. I shrugged.

“You know that I never mind when you sleep over.” I told him. I didn’t mention that I’m elated. I hate being here alone, unless the alternative is Eric. Then I’d pick being alone, any day. I turned away from him and changed my shirt. I took off my bra and pulled it out of my shirt. I laid down and got comfortable again. I watched Jace while he changed. I pulled off his shirt. He doesn’t really look like someone who is so anal about his body, but when you see him shirtless, you know he is. He has muscles out the ass – he just doesn’t always show it.

We’re so different in so many ways. Sometimes, I wonder how we got to be such good friends. I mean, in high school, sometimes finding an actual friend is a feat in itself. Both of us were tired of the bullshit that everyone else seemed to be caught up in. Whenever we were paired together for a school project, I think that’s what started it all. His dad had left him and his mom. I could relate to that. I was tired of hearing about everyone else’s so-called ‘problems’.

Truth be told, I didn’t care who was crushing on whom, or who was spreading rumors. That made me an outcast. I took my mom’s death hard and I never recovered from it, not completely. Eric started being himself pretty much right after that. I was just trying to go to school, get my work done, and survive. Somewhere along the way, Jace reminded me that I needed to do better than that – I needed to live. I’ll never be able to repay him for that. He reminded me what it was like to be loved. For that, I owe him everything.

“Like what you see?” Jace asked. His pajama pants are hanging low on his hips. He kept his shirt off. He walked over to me, smirking.

“Duh, I always like what I see.” I told him, sporting a smile of my own. He shook his head.

“You’re something else, Gel.”

“Something good, I hope.” I told him. He turned off my lamp and laid down next to me.

“Always something good,” he whispered. He kissed my temple and pulled me to him. “Are you okay?” He asked.

“I’m great.” I told him. “I didn’t expect that reaction out of Jared. It was a pleasant surprise.” I told him. “I’m just nervous about meeting Matt’s mom tomorrow. I think it’ll help that it won’t just be us, but, I dunno. It’s stupid. I have a feeling that things are going to get really bad, really quickly.”

“You can’t control what anyone else does. Just try to enjoy your time when your world isn’t crashing down.”

“You always know what to say, Jay.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift. I’m awesome.” He shrugged. I laughed.

“Good night.” I whispered.

“Night.”

-.-

“I like big butts and I cannot lie.
You other brothers can’t deny –
That when a girl walks in with an itty, bitty waist
And a round thing in your face,
You get sprung!”

I jolted awake and fell off the bed. I fumbled around for my alarm, cursing the noise.

“Fucking Jace! You changed my alarm?! You ass.” I blinked, trying to get used to the light. Jace chuckled as he sat up, rubbing his face. I socked him in the shoulder.

“I’ma get you back.” I warned him. He shook with mock fear. “You joke now, but you’re gonna regret it later.”

“What could you do to me that I wouldn’t enjoy?” He asked, smirking. I lunged at him and we rolled around on the bed.

“You’re so cocky.” I complained. He just laughed. I started tickling his sides. He thrashed around. I rolled off the bed and ran into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and jumped in.

“So it’s like that, now?” He asked.

“Bitches shower last!” I told him.

“Alright, fine. But you’re buying breakfast, then.” He decided.

He got out his clothes and put them in the bathroom. I didn’t spend too much time in the shower. I washed my hair and body and did a quick shave. I grabbed my towel and got out of the shower. I walked right into Jace. He reached out his hands to steady me. He took a step back and I followed suit. My foot got caught under the bathroom rug and I fell on him. We both went down.

I took me a minute to process what just happened. I can feel my face radiating heat. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I cursed mentally. I’m wet and naked on top of him. How is that going to help anything? I’m never going to hear the end of this. My eyes never left his face. I’m afraid to move. He didn’t say anything. I moved my hand to my chest and felt for my towel. I feel nothing but skin. I squeezed my eyes closed. Fuck.

He noticed. His eyes followed my movements. Great, now he’s seen me naked. I moved off of him and scrambled for my towel. He helped me up as I frantically tried to cover myself. Once I was decent, I looked anywhere but at him.

“Hey,” he tilted my chin up, so I had to look at him. “Are you okay?” He asked. I nodded, embarrassed.

“I can’t believe that just happened.” I whispered. He chuckled.

“I wasn’t complaining. Women just fall all over me. What can I say?” He teased. I rolled my eyes.

“No need to ever speak of this. Again. Like, ever.” I told him. He laughed and hugged me. I felt the bulge in his pants. I stiffened and pulled away. He seemed to comprehend why. I grabbed my robe and left so he could shower. I waited until he was in the shower before going back in. I put on lotion and undergarments with record speed. I put my robe back on and blow-dried my hair. I put leave-in conditioner in and took extra time on my appearance. I covered my bruises before looking for clothes.

If I’m meeting Matt’s mom, I want to look nice. It’s important that tonight goes okay. I decided on a dress. I don’t wear them, often. I picked a black number. I put on a tight-fitting, white slip, followed by the dress. I looked at my reflection. I look nice. The dress falls right at my knees, and the sleeves go to my elbows. White crossbones cover the dress. My slip looks like an undershirt at the front. It keeps my chest well-covered. I grabbed a burgundy belt with a handcuff buckle and put it on just below my chest.

I grabbed black, spinal cord-heeled, pumps and put them on. I went back into the bathroom and started on my makeup. Jace got out of the shower, towel in hand. I turned around at the wrong time. I saw everything. He smirked and covered up.

“Now, we’re even.” He told me. I rolled my eyes. “You look nice.”

“Hurry up, I’m almost ready.” I told him. He made a face.

“I want a divorce. It’s just nag, nag, nag, nag, nag.” He complained.

“We’re not married. You primp too much for me.” I told him.

“Is that what it is?” He asked, pulling on his clothes. “I thought you were a lesbian. Weird how that got lost in translation.” He grinned. I rolled my eyes.

“No, I’m just out of your league.” I told him.

“Ouch, kitty has claws.” He messed with his hair.

“You like it.” I told him.

-.-

“I need coffee.” I told him, as we got out of the car.

“Duly noted.” He promised. I stuck my tongue out at him. “That’s not very ladylike.”

“You’re not very ladylike.” I countered.

“I should hope not. Last time I checked, I had a penis.” He opened the café door for me.

“That can change.” I told him, smiling.

“Remind me not to piss you off in the morning.”

“You could always apologize.”

“Fine, I’m sorry. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“I guess.” I sat down and waited for coffee. We’re regulars here. We don’t have to order most of the time.

“Hey stranger,” Matt sat down next to me. “How was LA?” He asked, putting an arm around me. I leaned into him.

“It was good.” I told him. “Jared was really nice.” I looked at Matt. I didn’t think I was going to see him this morning, but I’m not complaining. Brian sat next to Jace.

“Hey,” he greeted, sipping his coffee.

“You look… Nice.” Matt whispered in my ear. Something about how he said it sent shivers down my spine. He smirked. I didn’t say anything. Our waitress came over to our table.

“Morning baby, you want your usual?” She asked me. I nodded.

“Can I get a side of apples with it, too? I’m starving.” I asked her.

“Sure thing, sweetie. How about you, honey?” She asked Jace.

“Can I get waffles?” He asked.

“You want bacon and hash browns, too?” She asked. That’s what he gets every day. He nodded.

“You know me so well. Gel needs coffee or she may die.” He told her. She chuckled.

“It’ll be right out, darlin’.” She told me. “Boys, do you want your food to come out with theirs?” She asked Matt and Brian. They nodded. “It’ll be out soon.” She told me.

“Thank you, Rosie.”

-.-

School took entirely too long. I spent the majority of it texting.

You’re still coming tonight, right?
-Angela

I asked Jace. His response was almost immediate.

Duh. I wouldn’t miss free food for the world. Just keep the PDA to a minimum. I don’t want to lose my appetite over watching you suck face all night.
-Jace

The nerve. My hands flew over my keyboard.

You’re really going to say that, Mr. I-have-a-compulsive-need-to-answer-every-phone-call-I-get-while-I’m-balls-deep-in-some-hoe?
-A

He’s such a turd. My phone buzzed.

My mom wants to know if 6 o’clock is too early for dinner.
-Matt

I smiled.

Yeah, of course. Does she still want everyone over?
-A

I asked him.

I don’t answer every call, just yours, FYI. And it’s not like they mean anything. You know that.
-J

I sighed. It’s that mentality that’s going to get him in trouble one of these days.

They have feelings, just like you do. Just because they let you use them, doesn’t mean that they don’t matter. You know that. It’s going to catch up with you, one day.
-A

I hope tonight goes well. I’m so nervous, it’s ridiculous.

Yes, she wants to meet you. She likes being involved in my life. I wasn’t kidding when I told you we were sort of close. I hope that doesn’t make me lose ‘cool’ points… Lol.
-M

I stifled a laugh.

No, it’s nice. I wish I would have been able to have that kind of a relationship with my mother. That’s how it is with Gwen, Jace’s mom.
-A

I closed my phone and watched the clock. There’s two minutes left of class. Thank goodness. As soon as the bell rang I went to go find Jace, before he could find a booty call. I don’t want to wait here all the day. And we came in the same car, I can’t just leave him. I went to his locker and saw him depositing books. I pinched his side. He shook me off.

“You ready to go?” He asked. I nodded. “Mom wants to see you before we go to Matt’s.” He told me. I nodded.

“Alright.”

-.-

Gwen played with my hair and did her best to calm my nerves. She gave me a headband and we spent a good hour just gabbing.

“You should come back after dinner. I don’t like the idea of you staying at your place alone. I worry about you.” She told me. I nodded. “If anyone, anyone, hurts you again, they have me to answer to. Do you understand? You’re so little, honey; I don’t want someone to take advantage of that.” She hugged me.

“I understand.” I told her. I didn’t admit to anything, but I know she means well.

“You ready to head out?” Jace asked. I nodded.

“Let’s go.” I told him.

Notes

Music Credit: "Baby Got Back" -- Sir Mix-A-Lot

Next chapter will be up later.