Dear Life(69)
He shifts off the wall, pockets his phone, and swaggers over to me, little blond sprigs of hair poking out from his forehead, his blue eyes focused directly on me.
I only have a small duffel carry-on bag that I have slung over my shoulder but when Jace reaches me, he frees me of my bag and links our hands together. Without a word, he guides me out to the temporary parking lot. Soon he unlocks a black Range Rover, places my luggage in the trunk, and guides me to the passenger side where he helps me in the seat but then turns me so I’m facing him. He lets out a strangled sigh and buries his head into the crook between my shoulder and neck. It’s as if he can finally rest, find peace. What on earth has happened since I last saw him?
“Thank you for dropping everything to be here with me.”
Pushing his hood down, I run my fingers through his hair, feeling the tightening in my chest from the intimate touch, but I move forward, knowing Jace needs the contact more than anything.
“What’s going on?” His hair is soft against the pads of my fingers, reminding me of all the times I used to play with Eric’s hair. The memory creates a dull ache in my chest. I miss Eric, but . . . have I mostly missed being intimate with another human? “From the way you’re reacting, I’m going to guess your conversation didn’t go very well with Rebecca.”
“Not so much.” Lifting his head, he asks me, “Can we just drive?”
“Yes, we can just drive.”
He stands up, pinches my chin with his thumb and forefinger, and says, “Thank you, Hollyn.”
Starting up the car, he pulls out of the parking spot, navigates onto the road, turns up the music, and drives. The twangy sounds of a steel guitar fill the cab along with the smooth, yet very country voice of Alan Jackson. It’s soothing, calming, perfect for the drive.
The city passes us, turning into the dark empty night sky, desert landscaping the sides, cactus standing tall, casting shadows under the moonlight. The only light on the road a distant shack up ahead, the moon, and bright beautiful stars shining in the sky.
Not even bothering to strike up a conversation, I revel in the silence, letting my mind become clear. It’s not very often I get to sit back and let my mind be free, and now is the perfect time. Getting comfortable, I put my feet up on the dashboard just as Jace pulls up to the little shack I spotted in the distance. It’s a drive-thru ice cream shop.
“Milkshake?” he asks, turning toward me, a boyish charm in his smile.
“Strawberry, please.”
He raises an eyebrow in question. “Strawberry? I would have pegged you for a chocolate girl.”
“At least you didn’t think I was vanilla.”
He shakes his head. “With that beautiful red hair of yours, there’s no way you’re a vanilla girl.”
“Smooth.” I laugh and look out the window, listening to Jace put in our orders. Two strawberry shakes. For some reason, it makes me giggle knowing Jace likes strawberry shakes as well. It always seemed like a girl drink to me. I’m so wrong because Jace is anything but girly. In fact, he’s the complete opposite. Complete. Opposite.
It doesn’t take very long for our shakes to be made and for us to be out on the road again, a cold cup in hand, and no destination ahead.
After a few more minutes on the road, Jace pulls off onto a little lookout parking area and puts the car in park. Turning to me, he asks, “Want to sit on the hood with me?”
“Do you have a blanket?”
He nods to the back of his car. “Got you covered.”
He’s thought of everything.
While he grabs the blanket, I go to the front of the car where I contemplate how to get up on the hood. I always thought sitting on the hood of your car could dent it but from the way Jace approaches me, determination in his eyes, I don’t think he really cares.
“Need help?” He sizes me up.
“Um, I think I can handle it.”
I assess my attack of the hood once again but don’t get a chance to finish because Jace has me by the hips and lifts me up on the hood effortlessly. In seconds, he’s sitting next to me, milkshake in one hand, blanket in the other. Scooting back to the windshield, we lean against the warm surface, and gaze at the dark sky. A light wind whips against us. Thank goodness for the blanket.
Getting a little more intimate, Jace pulls me into his body so my head is against the crook of his arm and shoulder. He’s so warm that I don’t pull away and instead, relish in the comfort of another human.
In silence, we sip our milkshakes, enjoying each other’s company in the dark depths of the desert. At least that’s what it feels like with no light in sight. It’s almost spooky but with Jace next to me, I know I have nothing to worry about.
Knowing we can’t sit here in silence forever, despite how peaceful it is, I stare up at the stars and ask, “What happened with Rebecca?”
The feel of his fingers running through my hair sends shivers up my spine. It’s that touch—something I’ve been missing out on for so long. It makes me feel alive again. I lean into him some more, clinging to the spark of energy running through the tips of his fingers.
“She’s been seeing my best friend, Ethan.”
“What?” With a hand to his chest, I sit up to look him in the eyes. “Are you serious? For how long?”
“A month,” he replies on a long breath and then runs his hand through his short, unruly hair. “I still can’t even comprehend it. Honestly, I couldn’t care less who Rebecca dates. It’s the betrayal by my best friend that is fucking gutting me right now.”