Jace was getting ready to leave to go back home for Thanksgiving break. He hasn't seen Blake since he left for college because he has been so busy with classes and football. He definitely was not prepared for college football at all.

He felt bad that every time Blake had asked to drive out there and see him he said that he was busy. If he wasn't out on the field or gym he was studying or in classes. He was just always busy, even on the weekends.

"What're your plans for Thanksgiving?" Jace asked Tommy.

"Just hanging out with family, I'll be leaving once I finish all this bullshit" he grumbled as he adjusted his glasses.

Jace finished packing his bag and a knock on the door came.

"You have company" Jace announced.

"You answer the door, you're about to leave" Tommy said, not taking his eyes away from his laptop.

Jace groaned and made sure he grabbed everything before swinging his bag over his shoulder. He opened the door and his eyes widened.

There stood Blake in all her beauty, her bottom lip latched between her teeth as Sparrow sat wagging his tail, a black leash connected to his collar.

Jace threw his arms around Blake immediately, finally being able to hold her after a little over three months. He went far too long without her kisses.

After they pulled away from their hug and kiss and held her face in his hands. "What're you doing here?"

"I was thinking you could drive to Massachusetts with me and Sparrow, I was heading up through Ohio so I thought why not."

He beamed and nodded before tugging her in the room gently.

"Tommy, come meet Blake."

Tommy was excited if he was being honest, Jace talked about her a lot and he didn't think she was as he explained she was.

"Hi nice to meet you" Tommy smiled as he stuck his hand out.

She looked at his hand and didn't bother shaking it.

"Sup."

He laughed a bit and put his hands down, "Jace doesn't shut up about you."

"Jace never mentioned you."

Tommy looked at Jace and he only shrugged in response. They stood in silence for a few moments making Blake grumble.

"We should get going because I'm quite over just standing here in silence like fucking bozos."

Tommy let out a laugh, Jace wasn't lying then.

Jace did his little bro hug with Tommy before following after Sparrow and Blake.

"I'm so happy you're here."

Blake only smiled in response and put Sparrow in the back as Jace put his bag on the floor in the passenger seat.

§

After a long eleven in a half hours of driving, Blake parked her car out in front of Jace's house.

"You're not coming in?"

"I just want to say hi my mom, might take a nap too while I'm there."

Jace nodded and gave her another kiss, "will you spend Thanksgiving with us?"

"I'll see what my mom has planned for me."

He nodded and gave her one more kiss before getting out of the car. Blake envied the way they all tackled him in hugs as she drove off.

She got home and her house looked empty from the outside. No car was parked in the driveway and she unlocked the door, being met with a dark silent house.

She plopped her keys on the counter and unhooked Sparrow's leash as he pranced around his home.

Just in case you come home me and London went to the Bahamas with her family for the holiday! We'll be back on December first!

Blake sighed loudly and left the note on the island as she walked up to her room. She stripped down and climbed into bed, immediately crashing.

§

Blake felt movement next to her and she would have swung if she didn't smell Jace's cologne that immediately invaded her room.

"You awake baby?" he asked softly even though he knew she had woken up.

She hummed tiredly and turned over to hug herself to him.

"Your moms gone."

Her heart sank a bit at the fact her mom had left her alone once again for the holidays. She would have thought she would have asked her to tag along seeing as all she was doing was traveling. She's been away for three months, you'd think her mom would want to see her. But apparently not.

"I know."

"You can spend Thanksgiving with me and my family tomorrow if you want. I know they would love to have you."

She did know that, she already knew that because Tammy and Mark texted her last week saying they were making a lot of food and would love to have her at the house. Avery, Gracie and even Collin had texted her as well asking her to come over for the day if she didn't have any plans. Despite them inviting her over she still would feel unwelcome in a way. She didn't want to intrude in on their family day just because her mom had left her for vacation with another family and her dad died. She could spend it with Chris as well since he had told her many times before she is always welcome for any holiday but she feels bad intruding on the small family.

"Thank you for the offer but I'll probably just stay here instead."

Jace sighed, "Blake come on. It's better spending it with us than being alone."

"I won't be alone, I have Sparrow."

"You know what I mean."

"Well I was thinking about going to Chris' house though, spend the holiday with him since he is starting off not with Jack this year."

She felt bad for lying, he did have Jack this Thanksgiving instead of his ex wife. But she really didn't want to intrude, Jace has been away and he deserves to spend time with his family. She knew if she went that he would be with her most of the time, his family deserves to hangout with him too.

"Oh you are?"

"Yeah, Chris always says how I'm welcome at his house for Thanksgiving. So I might just stop by there at some point tomorrow."

"Okay good, I just don't want you to be alone tomorrow."

She gave him a small smile and he held her to him.

"I really missed you bubba."

She heard the suggestive tone in his voice and she looked up at him.

"I'm still on birth control" she murmured.

He beamed and attached his lips to hers almost instantly.
———
4-12-21