Dark Hearts (Light in the Dark 3)

“We broke up two years ago—and I’ll be honest, it wasn’t our choice to break up. My parents are very strict and his parents wanted to avoid scandal.”

“Scandal?” he repeats, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“His dad was our Mayor but he was running for Governor.”

“Oh, I see. I know how that is.” Jace nods. I’m sure he does know. If his dad is a Senator he’s probably been in politics for a long time. “But how was you dating Owen such a big scandal?”

“My dad’s a minister and he didn’t feel like I should be involved with a politician’s son, and Owen’s dad felt like my background might harm in the election,” I explain. It’s not the whole truth, not by a long shot, but I can’t get into it.

Jace grins. “Bet you never thought you’d end up involved with another politician’s son.”

I sigh. “The irony isn’t lost on me. I fled my hometown, moved hundreds of miles away, and ended up back at square one. Life’s funny like that.” I push my cereal bowl away and cross my fingers together. “I promise you, Owen and are done. If he feels anything for me still that’s on him. I’ll admit, I’ll always feel a sense of fondness for him, but that’s it. It’s certainly nothing like what I feel for you.”

“Thank you,” he says, and I know he means it. “This whole relationship thing is new to me. I’m not used to feeling so jealous and protective all the time.”

I reach across the table and wrap my hand around his. “Trust me, you don’t need to worry about Owen, but if you need to ask me something about him you can. Any time. Okay?”

He nods. “Thanks. I will … if I need to.”

He goes back to reading, and I finish cleaning the dishes.

Even though things should feel better I still feel like Owen hangs over us like a dark cloud marring a clear blue sky.

Something tells me a storm is coming.

Jace

Thanksgiving passes, and Nova and I spend the day with our friends. It ends up being a surprisingly nice day. Probably one of, if not the best, Thanksgivings I’ve had since my mom died.

Now, with a little over week until Christmas, I’m overcome by how different my life is now than from a year ago.

“I’m playing tomorrow night at W.T.F.—I think I’m going to invite everyone,” I tell Nova.

She looks up from the Polaroids splayed out on the kitchen table. Her project is due tomorrow and she’s been slaving away over it for the better part of two weeks, piecing together the photos to make … something.

I don’t know what yet because I’m not allowed to look. Any time I try to sneak a peek she yells at me.

I tune my guitar and wait for her response.

“What?” she says after a moment, having registered that I’ve spoken. “What’d you say?”

I sigh. This project has killed some of her brain cells, I swear.

“Tomorrow’s Friday night, and I’m playing at the bar. I was thinking about inviting everyone. I know Xander’s back in town.”

“Oh.” She thinks for a moment. “Yeah, that’d be awesome.” She bites her lip.

“Spit it out, Clarke,” I urge, knowing she wants to say something.

“Can I invite Joel?” I groan. “Please,” she begs. “He’s been dating this one girl, so he’ll probably want to bring her. But I haven’t hung out with him in a while, and this is perfect because everyone will be there.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yeah, sure, why not.”

“Thanks.” She smiles.

I sigh. I think I’d do anything to make that girl happy, to see her smile. I’ve become everything

I used to make fun of. I’m a lovesick sap, and you know what? I’m glad. Loving Nova has been the bravest, and greatest, thing I’ve ever done.