BEAUTIFUL BROKEN MESS (Broken, Series #2)(124)

“I was wrong. It doesn’t matter the reasons I had at the time, I was wrong. I’m so sorry. I can’t seem to get my head on straight around you. From the very beginning, I should have stepped up and put you first. If you give me another chance, you’ll always be first to me…I swear. Please forgive me,” he adds, looking directly into my eyes.

“I think it’s time for karaoke,” Lane interrupts.

“That’s a f*cking great idea,” Jaxon bellows.

“Apologize with your heart man, sing it out,” Cole adds mockingly.

“Shit, can y’all keep to yourselves for one minute?” Jace asks, annoyed.

“Karaoke?” I ask, intrigued by the idea.

“Yep. You see, this week I convinced Ed he needed to add a karaoke night to the bar. Attract more customers and all that. Welcome to the first night!” Lane exclaims animatedly.

“Babe, can we go somewhere else?” Jace begs with both his words and his eyes.

“Are you scared?” Lane taunts, clamping a hand on his shoulder. I don’t bother trying to respond. I’ve learned that when I’m hanging around these four large, loud guys, my voice gets lost in the crowd. They’re a fun group, but it’s hard to get a word in once they get started.

“He’ll never do it,” Jax eggs on.

“This was your plan all along, Lane?” I finally question.

Lane nods his head with a huge grin and Jace throws his hands up in defeat. He looks at me and I try to hide the grin on my face.

“You actually like this idea, babe?” he asks with surprise in his voice.

“I just can’t imagine you doing it,” I reply softly. He swivels on his toe and immediately starts toward the brand new screens Ed apparently installed while I was gone. My mouth drops open in shock.

Everyone around me begins to whistle and Cole shouts, “Can I pick the song?” Jace throws a middle finger in reply. Cassie, our newest bartender, mans the karaoke machine while Jace flips through the song title book. She gets on the microphone and welcomes everyone to ‘Karaoke Night,’ before announcing that it’s time for the first victim.

“This hot thing right here is Jace,” Cassie calls out, and there is a round of catcalls and whistles directed toward the small stage. Jace shakes his head and lets out a coy smile. This is totally not his thing. Despite the ribbing he was getting from the guys, I can tell he would never be up there if I hadn’t expressed interest.

“Shit, he loves you something hard.” Jax stands next to me while leaning his weight into the pool table.

“You think so?” I ask, trying to contain my excitement.

“Jace always needs to be able to control and know what the outcome is going to be before his action. Singing in front a crowd?” he chuckles, “Yeah, he’s totally burning up on the inside. This is good for him though.”

“I’m glad you’re doing better, Jaxon. It wasn’t a fun time with you down,” I say sincerely.

“Thanks for picking up some of the stress for Em and still being here, even after Jace was an ass.”

“It feels bizarre talking to you about me and Jace,” I nervously admit.

“I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. Lord knows y’all make more sense than we ever did. Don’t feel weird,” he says and pulls me in for a side hug.

“Lay off my girl,” Jace’s deep voice booms through the speakers. I smile adoringly up at the stage and move closer.

Cassie leans into the microphone and calls out to the crowd, “Jace is going entertain us with Whatever It Is by Zac Brown Band. Get at it, hot stuff.” The music intro begins and I get nervous butterflies in my stomach watching Jace up there all alone. He winks at me but I can see that he’s garnering his confidence.