My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the message.
"Where are you? I see you."
Panic surged through me like ice water.
James must have noticed the change in my face because he sat up immediately.
"Everything okay?"
I scrambled to my feet, brushing grass off my jeans, my hands trembling.
"Yeah — uh, I just... I forgot I have somewhere to be."
James looked up at me, concern flashing across his features.
"You sure you're alright?"
I nodded too quickly.
"Yeah, totally. I just lost track of time."
He stood too, towering over me in that easy, effortless way, his brows furrowed.
"I'll walk you," he offered, brushing dirt off his pants.
"No!" I said, a little too sharply.
He blinked in surprise.
"I mean... it's fine. I'll see you later, okay?"
Before he could argue, I was already turning away, half-jogging toward the parking lot, heart hammering against my ribs.
---
The sun had almost fully set now, and the lamps lining the sidewalks flickered to life, casting long, eerie shadows.
I scanned the area desperately, looking for Jace — but the field was practically empty, save for a few lingering students.
Maybe he hadn't seen me with James.
Maybe he had just seen me around and sent the text to mess with me, teasing.
Maybe—
A figure stepped out from behind the cafeteria building.
Jace.
My stomach twisted painfully.
He was still wearing the outfit he had worn to class earlier — dark jeans and a fitted black hoodie — but now, he looked different.
Colder.
Harder.
His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and even from a distance, I could see the tension in his jaw.
I approached slowly, my heart in my throat.
"Hey," I said, trying for casual, but my voice cracked halfway through.
Jace didn't smile.
Didn't say hi.
He just stared at me, like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn't want the answer to.
"Who were you with?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Say it was a study group.
Say it was a friend.
Lie.
Anything.
But before I could speak, James' voice called out behind me — cheerful, oblivious:
"Hey, you forgot your—!"
I turned just in time to see James jogging up, holding my denim jacket in one hand, that easy, boyish grin still on his face.
And that's when Jace saw him.
Really saw him.
The guy I had been laughing with.
The guy who had touched me like I belonged to him.
The guy who wasn't supposed to exist in my life.
Jace's eyes darkened, his fists clenching at his sides.
James slowed when he noticed the tension, glancing between us, his smile faltering.
"Everything okay?" he asked, confused.
I looked from Jace to James, panic flooding every inch of me.
One step closer — and everything I had built with Jace would shatter.
One step closer — and my secrets would be laid bare in the worst way possible.
And the worst part?
A tiny part of me didn't care.
A tiny part of me wanted James to fight for me.