Page 56 of Splintered Desire

Fuck.

I know what this is even before he says a damn word, and I feel my blood begin to boil.

“Zela, is that…” he trails off, but the slight shake to his voice lets me know he knows exactly who that is.

Jace takes that moment to turn around; his eyes start at my feet and move up me like a physical caress before they flick to Josh for a moment, and his face twists up in disgust.

Jace isn’t huge exactly, but he has a damn big presence, and with the glare he’s currently got directed at Josh, well, I can’t imagine Josh is still happy he came out with me.

Letting his hand drop, I move to stand between them, with Josh at my back.

“Do you know him?” Josh asks, and I know Jace hears because his lips twitch up in a fucked-up little smirk.

“Does she know me? Of course she does.” Jace hops down off the hood of the car and starts toward us, and I wish I were anywhere but here. “Isn’t that right, sis?”

I groan as I hear Josh suck in a breath, and again, I don’t blame him for his reaction. After seeing what the guys are capable of, I wouldn’t be so quick to want to be around them either. Hell, the whole point of being here and with him was to get away from them.

That doesn't seem like an option, though.

“Just go home, Josh. Thanks for studying with me.” I try to keep my annoyance from my tone, but I’m not sure I manage.

I am annoyed. Jace just had to show up now. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, and I don’t enjoy being babysat or cockblocked.

Josh hesitates for a moment before he moves around me, giving us a wide berth to go to his car without so much as looking back.

It’s the smart choice, but also a coward's choice.

Yeah, Josh and I never would have worked, but I do wish I could have at least gotten laid first.

“Let’s go, sis.” Jace slings his arm over my shoulder and directs me toward his motorcycle.

I’ve never been on a bike before, and I’d be lying if I said the idea of it doesn’t scare the shit out of me, especially with Jace driving. But I refuse to give him any kind of leverage to use against me.

“Put this on.” He shoves a helmet into my hands, and I want to refuse just because I can, but honestly, I want the damn helmet. I pull it on and try to figure out the strap, but I can’t get it on.

With a chuckle, he bats my hand away and handles it in two seconds, shaking his head at me like I’m a silly child.

Asshole.

He swings his leg over the bike and folds out a tiny metal peg that he pats.

“Put one foot here and swing your other leg over and plant that fine little ass right here for me.” He smacks the back of the bike that I guess could be considered a seat before he turns back around and grabs the handlebars.

With a deep breath, I steel myself and do exactly as he said and do a mental whoop of excitement when I get it on the first try.

My excitement is cut short when he reaches back, running a hand down my leg as he looks back at me over his shoulder.

“Hang on.” He wiggles his brows at me before he turns back around and starts the bike. It’s loud, and even though I really, really don’t fucking want to, I lean into his back and wrap my arms around his waist, feeling the rumble of his laughter. I swear I hear him say something about getting used to this as he peels out of the parking lot at speeds that are no doubt illegal.

With the first turn, I’m almost positive I’m going to throw up, but by the third, I’ve managed to peel my eyes open, and despite his speed, I don’t hate this.

If I weren’t relying on a psycho to keep us from being smeared on the pavement, I might actually enjoy this; it’s oddly freeing.

“See, it’s not so bad, babe,” Jace shouts over the rumble of the bike at a red light, and I don’t even bother correcting him.

“So long as we stay alive, it’s alright,” I shout back, unsure if he’ll even be able to hear me with the helmet.

He smiles, and fuck, if it isn’t blinding.