Leah

"Say it again, but slowly this time."

I rolled my eyes. "Jax Livingston invited us to Nicole Clarke's birthday party."

"No freaking way!" Kayla screeched. "You can't be serious."

"As serious as a heart attack." I told her as I turned my attention back to my textbook. Seriously, screw Math. I was so close to burning my textbook.

"You told him that we're going, right?" She inquired.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I told him that we'll think about it."

She slapped my shoulder. Hard. "Wrong answer! You know we're going."

"Ow! You bitch!" I yelled tossing my notebook at her. Oh, it felt great to toss that stupid math homework away.

She apologized and rubbing my aching arm in soothing manner. Of course I gave her a glare. "But we're going." She said. "It's a personal invitation. You have to go."

"Fine." I muttered and picked my notebook off the ground, but not before hitting Kayla with it. Payback. "What ever happened with you and Jax? Or what didn't happen?"

It seemed like it was just a one time interaction and nothing ever blossomed from it. I was tired of the attention on my love life, so I decided to snoop into Kayla's.

"Nothing happened. Like literally nothing. I was expecting something from him since we had hit it off so well, but nope. After the party, it was like we didn't really know each other." She answers resting her head on her arms.

"Mhm. Well it seems like he's still interested." I told her and she perked up.

"What? What do you mean?" She asked all too quickly. I arched a brow at her response.

"He was very quick to invite you. The look on his face when he mentioned you was not one that you give a stranger." I answered.

"Ugh." She groaned and collapse onto the table. "But Luke."

"But Luke." I repeated. "Seems like you found yourself in a love triangle." I teased.

Kayla narrowed her eyes at me, but groaned in frustration. "Now I know how you feel." She said referring to Jace and Nate.

Really, Kayla?

I was trying to deflect off of my love life for once.

"Shut up." I said. "Well, now it's your turn. Enjoy."

She smacked my arm again. "You bitch."

This time I laughed.

***

"This is a small gathering?" I asked incredulously.

"Right?" Kayla asked in the same tone.

We had just arrived at the lakeside where Nicole's birthday party was being held and it was filled with people. Maybe not as much as a usual party, but still a lot.

It was a casual gathering. There was a fireplace set up near the lake to keep everyone warm in this cold weather. There were logs for seats around it for anyone wanting to be closer to the heat. There were multiple tables filled with food and drinks. One was filled with birthday treats and a cake, balloons surround the table with a golden 'Happy Birthday' sign.

White fairy lights were wrapped around tree trunks and in limbs illuminating the area. The sun had set earlier.

There were people scattered around the area with drinks and food in there hands conversing with each other. Soft music played in the background adding to calm and chill atmosphere.

It seemed pretty low-key.

"You made it." Someone said.

Kayla and I turned around to see Jax standing in there. A red cup in his hand. His blonde hair was slightly sweeping against his eyebrows. His dark eyes glimmer with happiness and the smile on his face reflected it.

How is this kid always happy?

His smile was contagious and of course I returned it. "We made it."

If it was even possible, his smile widen even more when he saw Kayla. He was smitten.

"Well, let's not just stand around. Let me be a gentleman and get you ladies some drinks." He offered and led us to the table filled with drinks and coolers underneath. "Let me make you guys one of my special drinks."

Jax started to make his drink concoctions. "I can see the attraction." I whispered to Kayla and she nodded.

"You see the dilemma I'm in now?" She whispered back. "He's like perfect or something." She paused. "But Luke."

Before we could say anything else, Jax turned around with two red cups in his hands. A smile adoring his face. "I call this a 'Pineapple Sunrise'." He handed Kayla and I the drinks.

We reluctantly took them and a sip at the same time. My eyes widen. Whoa.

"This literally taste like a pineapple candy." Kayla said before taking another sip.

I nodded. If you told me this wasn't an alcoholic drink I would believe you. Expect there was a slight burn that gave it away.

"One of my many talents." Jax gave us a wink. "I only make those for the people I actually like." His eyes trained on Kayla. I saw a blush filled her cheeks.

Oh, she is gonna have a tough time choosing if Luke and Jax are her choices.

I took that as my cue to give them some space. I turned on my heels and walked towards the fireplace set up. Not like they noticed when I left. Not complaining!

I welcomed the warmth as it was starting to get chillier as the night progressed on. I took a seat on one of empty logs and took another sip of the glorious drink. I need this recipe.

My eyes caught onto something. Specifically, someone.

Nate.

His light brown hair sat perfectly on the top of his head. His hands were stuffed into his jacket pockets. He was walking towards someone. I let my eyes follow him.

I haven't seen him or heard from him since the coffee shop a few days ago. I figured Kayla was right to give him space and time.

He tapped the person on the shoulder. They turned around and jumped to give him a hug when they saw who it was. I looked closely to see if I recognized the person.

Nicole Clarke. Her medium brown hair cascaded down her her back in prefect waves. Her blue eyes glistened with excitement. Then I caught it, the blush the filled her cheeks when she looked at Nate.

I just about choked on my drink.

Nicole likes Nate!?

Wow, I did not see that coming.

He definitely was oblivious to the fact that she had her eyes completely set on him.

It seemed like Nate felt my gaze because he turned to the side and met my eyes. I automatically turned away mentally smacking myself for getting caught. I felt his eyes piercing into me for a moment until I dared to look back and his attention was back on the group in front of him.

"You know, it's not polite to stare." A voice said as I felt a presence sit right next to me.

I turned my attention to the person. "What are you doing here?"

"I was invited." Jace said taking the drink out of my hand and taking a sip. No, not my liquid candy!

His dark hair sat perfectly tousled and his hazel eyes were illuminating from the fire. His dark jacket fit perfectly on his frame.

"I find that hard to believe. I didn't think you and Nicole were close." I said taking the cup back, but not before cutting him a glare.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" He questioned and the thought of Nicole and Jace together was slapped into my mind.

I felt a gnawing aching feeling at the center of my chest at the thought. I tried to push it down as much as I could. "You and Nicole? Seriously?" I asked trying to hide my bitter tone.

"It was brief, one time and a few years ago. Nothing special." He said simply. Even though his tone was casual, I honestly couldn't help the jealousy that kept rising. "We just greet each other in passing now. Acquaintances if you want to put a title on it."

But the thought of her enduring his touches and kisses were imprinted in my mind.

I didn't say anything, but just took a huge gulp of my drink to help cool the burning sensation inside of me.

Jace placed a hand under my chin and turned my head towards him when he noticed I wasn't giving him the time of day. His eyes pierced into my own. "Don't worry. There's only one person I have my eyes on."

I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach from those words. He smiled and I returned it. I hate him.

"Wait, if your here does that mean the Luke and Ian are here?"

He nodded.

Oh shit. Kayla!

I felt a arm grabbed me from around my shoulders pulling me into a back hug. I looked up to meet sparkling green eyes. Luke. "Did you miss me?" He asked with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "Luke, I'm only telling you this because I like you. But I think you have some competition." I directed my line of vision to Kayla and Jax who were deep in conversation, laughing and smiling.

"Oh, fuck man." He let go and made a beeline towards them.

Go get your girl, Luke!

Jace laughed. I went to grab my phone because I just had to record this encounter, but I noticed I didn't have it on me.

Crap.

I left it on my bed and I needed it just in case my mom called.

"Jace?" He turned his attention from the love triangle interaction towards me. "Do you mind driving me home so I can grab my phone? I accidentally left it there and I need it just in case my mom needs to reach me." I asked sheepishly.

He nodded without hesitation. "Let's go. But let's hurry I want a front row seat to this show tonight." He referred back to the love triangle.

"No way I'm missing this." I told him. We got up and made our way to his gorgeous Audi RS 5. We drove in a comfortable silence. I didn't live far away from the lakeside, ten minutes tops.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into my driveway. I got out of the car and jogged to my front door when I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned around. "I'll be quick. You don't have to come."

"Too late." He gestured for me to continue walking. I didn't want to waste time arguing so I reluctantly continue to my front door.

I opened the door and walked up my stairs, Jace followed. "Seriously, I don't need an escort to my room." I glared at him.

He just shrugged his shoulders, but stood his ground. I rolled my eyes and finished climbing the stairs. I walked into room and up to my bed, but my phone wasn't there.

"Where did I put it?" I muttered to myself.

"Maybe check the bathroom." Jace offered leaning against my desk.

I walked into the bathroom and scanned through to find my phone. Why are girls so messy when getting
ready? Clothing, make up and hair tools were everywhere.

I saw a light out the corner of my eye. Found it! I grabbed the phone off the corner of the bathtub. I had no idea how it reached there. I checked for any missed calls, but luckily my mom didn't call. Just random notifications.

I walked out the bathroom into my room. "Found it." I told Jace holding up the phone.

But his attention was elsewhere.

Specifically, the picture frame in his hands. I stopped in my tracks. That was the picture from box of my dad's items.

"Jace." I called out trying to get his attention.

He looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Why do you have a photo of my dad?"

***

Hello loves!!

Did you all enjoy this chapter? Are you ready for the next one?

There is so much more to uncover!

Don't forget to vote (70 votes for the next chapter) and comment (50 comments for the next chapter)!

Lisa S.