Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

The cop nods and shrugs. “I know, son. He’s the one repossessing it.”

When Jace looks at me, all I can do is shake my head as I cover my mouth.

That son of a bitch.

“Who the fuck does that to their kid?” Markus barks as he paces the room. Moving my hand up and down Jace’s back, l close my eyes as I lean against his arm. I am trying to hold back my tears, but it’s so hard. It was just so sad watching him take everything out of his car and hand the keys over, the look of pure defeat in his eyes.

“An asshole,” Jace bites out, his body trembling with anger. I’ve never seen him this angry, and I don’t know what to do but hold him. But really, who does this? Yeah, don’t get me wrong, we were rude to him. But you don’t take something from someone that you gave to them. “It’s my fault. I should have had him put it in my name.”

He groans, dropping his face into his hands, and my heart aches.

“This is insane, dude. I’m sorry.”

Jace shrugs. “What’s done is done.”

“If you need my car, you got it.”

“Thanks, bro,” he says and I squeeze him.

“You can use mine too,” I say, even though I’ve already offered.

He squeezes my thigh and then kisses my forehead. “Thanks, babe.”

“Have you told your mom? Jude or Jayden?”

Jace shakes his head, letting it fall back as he stares up at the ceiling. “No, I don’t want to worry them or hear ‘I told you so.’” When he stands suddenly, I watch as he kicks a shoe out of the way, groaning out loud. “God, I can’t believe this shit.”

“He is such a fucking dick,” Markus says, and I want to agree, but I’m still very upset with him for what he did to Mekena. I know Jace has said it was a mistake, but I can’t look at him the same. Especially when I know how upset Mekena still is. When Jace reaches for the door and leaves, slamming it behind him, I want to follow, but Markus shakes his head. “Give him a minute.”

I glare at him and cross my arms, which he rolls his eyes at. “You can’t be mad at me forever.”

“Yes, I can.”

He smiles softly. “You know it was a mistake, right?”

“A mistake that hurt my friend, but I can’t talk about this right now. I’m worried about Jace.”

He nods, his eyes full of remorse, but it’s not okay. He broke my friend’s heart. Clearing his throat, he says, “Me too. I wish he’d just call one of his brothers, or even Lucy. He won’t, though, he’s too proud. But he needs them.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and I agree. They know the pain he is feeling. And while, yeah, I have a shitty family, I don’t know his dad the way his siblings do. When Markus turns to go back to his game, I reach for Jace’s phone, sending Jude’s number to myself before deleting the text on his phone so he doesn’t know I sent it. I may be doing something wrong, but in a way, it’s not. It’s right. Jace needs his brother.

When the door opens, I set his phone down quickly as Jace shuts the door behind himself. His eyes and face are red, like he’s been crying, and that breaks my heart. “I’m gonna head back to my dorm.”

He gives me a look. “Really? You don’t want to stay?”

I shrug. “Why don’t you play some video games? Maybe get a full night’s sleep without me tossing and turning?” I add with a grin. “You also have work and hockey in the morning and always wake me up. So this way, we both can sleep.”

He nods, a smile on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes, before he reaches for me, kissing me on the side of my mouth. “I don’t want you to leave, though.”

“I know, but if I stay, I’ll fall asleep and I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“And fuck the dude who ran his mouth. I’ll find them for you, Avery. Then maybe you’ll like me,” Markus calls back to me, a huge smile on his face, and I roll my eyes.

“Doubt it, but thanks.”

Jace smiles, holding me close. “Be nice to my friend.” I give him a look and he grins. “Try to be nice.”

“I said thanks,” I remind him and he rolls his eyes. “Fine, whatever. I’m gonna go, okay?”