Page 90 of This I Promise You
Jace finishes what he’s doing and looks up. He rolls his eyes and storms off. Guess I forgot dramatic flare runs in the family.
He stops, looks up to the sky with his hands on his hips then turns back. “Coming? We don’t live that far from here.”
* * *
“So, you’ve been living in North Carolina this whole time?”
“Yep, pretty much.” I nod.
I explained everything to him. Literally everything from my sexual assaults and therapy to me and Easton to school and work. I must say that, as pissed as he was, it didn’t take long for us to fall back into being brothers again. Just a quick little fight and make-up sesh. And oh my holy hell did I miss him.
He points between Huxley and me. “And y’all are roommates?”
“And BFFs, but yes,” Huxley unnecessarily chimes in.
I roll my eyes.
“Well, it’s nice to officially meet you, Huxley.” He holds out his hand over the kitchen island. Huxley takes it…sheepishly? I’ve never seen her do anythingsheepishlysince I’ve known her. What is she doing? “Sorry you had to catch me in the middle of my run.”
“No apologies necessary,” she says, blushing a shade I’ve never seen on her either. Guess her “ew” comment earlier no longer stands. And OMG they’re still holding hands.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Jace drops his hand and addresses me, his eyes never leaving Huxley’s. “Just being friendly, baby bro.” He turns to me and smiles.
“I hate everything.” I huff and toss my head back and blink up at the ceiling. I run my hands down my face. “Anyway, when did you go back for Felix and Dani?” I ask. Dani is our little sister, she’s fourteen. Felix is the baby, he’s eight. “I’m honestly shocked Mom and Dad let you take them.”
“It wasn’t much of a fight. There was a lot of yelling on their parts, that’s for fucking sure, but I told them exactly how I would call the cops and tell them all about what Dad has done to three out of his five children if they tried to stop me. I told Mom everything in front of Dad, actually. Dad was pissed. He ran and locked himself in their bedroom. Mom cried and went to the kitchen. I for real wanted to burn the house down with them in it. They just…gave up.” He shrugs. “So I packed up the kids and left. They haven’t seen them since.”
“Fuckinghell, Jace. I’m so sorry. But you shoulda told me.”
“And what? You woulda come back? Ha, doubtful.” He pulls an apple out of the fridge.
“Fuck you. I may hate Mom and Dad, but I care about y’all. I’ve been nothing but worried since I left. And leaving wasn’t exactly easy either. You’re my damn family, Jace.”
“It is what it is, Paulie.” He shrugs and I wince, but he doesn’t notice. Dr. Orleen has helped me a lot, but that nickname still stings. Huxley looks at me. I breathe deeply and I look at the floor, picking at my fingernails. She places her hand on my forearm, grounding me.
How can he be so pissed and still just brush this shit off like it’s not a big deal when all it is is a big deal to me? It’s been on repeat in my mind as much as I’ve hadSchitt’s Creekon repeat. Maybe I’ve just been making too big a deal out of it? Maybe it’s not as bad as I made it out to be? Or maybe Jace is avoiding and deflecting and gaslighting. I’ll fuck him up if he is.
But he’s not even paying attention to us, so maybe not? He finishes off his water bottle and grabs a knife to cut up his apple.
“Where y’all staying?” Jace asks in between bites.
“Crossroads Hotel.”
“Nah. Save your money. Stay here. Someone can stay in Felix’s room. He can sleep in my room, and someone else can sleep on the pullout.”
“Fab! I’ll take the bedroom.” Huxley claps.
“Guess that means I’m taking the sofa.” I narrow my eyes at Huxley even though I’m smiling. I’m honestly so glad she’s here. Even if she’s flirting with my brother, she’s smiling right back.
“Okay, listen, I need to go get the kids. Y’all make yourselves comfortable, or do y’all need a ride back to the hotel to hand in your keys?”
“Wait, that’s it? All’s forgiven?”
“Not entirely. You still need to get past Dani. She’s the most pissed. Felix will be happy to see you though.” Jace looks down and gives a considerate grin. “He asks about you all the time. Trevor is in Denver working for some tech company. He doesn’t really know about all of this.”
“And you?”
