The Fallen Ones (Holloway University #1)

26. Jace

Chapter 26

Jace

I tossed a black beanie to Damien.

“Glad to see you’re still onboard with this.” He turned the beanie over in his hands as we stood outside his place. The party was well under way and we were late because Caleb still hadn’t shown up to meet beforehand and wasn’t answering our texts. Based on his attitude last time he was here, I assumed he was still struggling. He’d been silent in our group messaging as well. Damien and I hadn’t discussed what we’d do if he didn’t show up because I think neither of us wanted to admit it would suck without him.

He’d grown on us. We’d never admit it aloud though.

“Well, I’m not putting that stupid fucking spray in my hair again. Took forever to get out. We’ll wear these and the masks so she can’t tell who we are by our hair color. Your plan makes sense.”

“It’s going to be hot as fuck in this shit though,” Damien said, shaking his head. “What the fuck are we going to do about Caleb?” he continued. “He was supposed to be here forty-five minutes ago.”

“He’s still not answering,” I muttered, looking down at my phone and sighing. “You know what. Whatever. If he shows, he shows. If he doesn’t, we continue on as planned.”

“Fucking asshole. I’ll beat his ass if he doesn’t turn up.”

I sighed, vowing we’d definitely have a talk because this was going to be difficult if we weren’t all in on it. We’d agreed we wanted to make it more permanent. How the fuck would we explain where guy number three ran off to? She’d demand to know who it was. It wouldn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to know it had been him, especially since Olivia saw him with us. Lily wasn’t an idiot. She’d figure it out.

“Let’s go. I’ll see you there,” I said, going to my car.

He grunted a goodbye, and I got into my car and started the engine before pulling out. I tried to call Caleb again along the way, but he still wasn’t answering. If I had to guess, I figured Damien was probably trying to reach him too.

By the time I got to Cameron’s place, I was beyond frustrated. I only hoped Lily showed up and tonight went to plan.

I parked and cut the engine before I got out and walked inside to the party. Cameron was loaded and had these huge parties every now and then. They were always talked about for weeks after because they were good. His house was huge, so it allowed pretty much anyone who wanted to come to come. Even though the place was big, it was always packed because of how popular his parties were.

I pushed my way through the crowd, not seeing Caleb anywhere. When I spotted Lily standing with Olivia at the keg, I made my way over. I grabbed a cup and had Jake Fields, who was manning the keg, fill my cup.

“Hey, Jace,” Olivia said, noticing me.

“Hey. Olivia Finley .” I nodded to her. “It’s been a hot minute. How have you been?”

“Good.” She smiled and looked to Lily who was staring at her feet. Lily looked beautiful though. Short skirt. Tiny top. All I wanted to do was sweep her into my arms and kiss her, but I knew that wasn’t a possibility. Instead, I cleared my throat.

“How’s it going, Lily?”

“Fine.” She finally looked at me, sending my heart aching with want.

Fuck, I missed her.

It strengthened my resolved to continue on as planned. It wasn’t just about sex. It was the nearness. The feelings I got when I was close to her. She was the only girl I’d ever felt this way about and while my anger and heartache may have fueled these plans in the beginning, I knew deep down it was more than that.

“Well, have fun tonight,” I said, backing away.

She stared after me, a frown on her face. I didn’t wait. I turned and left her standing there because I didn’t want to end up saying something stupid and fucking shit up. Now that I’d found her and knew she was here, I’d keep an eye on her from afar.

“Hey, Jace,” Marissa Steele tittered, twining her arm with mine. I cast a quick look back at Lily to see her eyes still fixed on me. Her frown had deepened. She caught my eye and quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed red.

In the beginning, I didn’t mind making her jealous, but now, I hated to know she was probably hurting just as much as I was.

At least in my mind she was hurting because thinking she just didn’t give a shit for me was a heartache all on its own and not something I was willing to face.

“Is that drink for me?” Marissa continued, giggling more and pushing her tits out at me.

I hated Marissa. She always tried to be the center of attention. If you had three goldfish, she had ten and they could cartwheel backward. If you said you had better pussy by fucking a dead cat, she’d tell you she’d fucked four dead cats compared to your one. She’d never been honest in a damn thing she did. Everything out of her mouth was a lie meant to gain a wave of sympathy she’d ride until it ran dry.

I knew this because I’d briefly dated her before Lily and she’d fucked my life up in the short amount of time we were together.

Emotional damage, but make it narcissistic and bordering on stalkerish. She was human herpes. She just didn’t fucking go away.

“No, it’s for me,” I said, pulling it away from her before she could take it.

“Aw, Jacey, don’t be like that.” She jutted her bottom lip out and pouted at me. “You give me that drink and I’ll give you a ride.” She bit her bottom lip, another giggle slipping out.

“Go get your own drink,” I said, untangling myself from her.

She glared up at me. “I don’t want to. That bitch you cheated on me with is guarding it like the bitch dog she is.”

I ground my teeth at her words. “I never cheated on you with Lily. I cheated on you with your friend Lana. And if you ever fucking say anything like that again about Lily, I’d drown you in a fucking toilet.”

She gaped after me as I stepped away.

I never cheated on her, but I also hated Lana, so if I could get the pair fighting, I’d feel petty and accomplished, a combination I didn’t experience often.

I caught sight of Damien in the crowd, talking to Alan Rickers, one of the elites.

“Hey, man. Glad you could make it,” Cameron called out, coming over to me.

“Hey. Great party,” I said, noting the three girls staring at me and giggling with each other. I was used to that behavior though. I turned my attention back to Cameron.

“Heard you and Olivia are hanging out.”

“Oh. Yeah, yeah. She’s awesome. Amazing, actually.” He raked his fingers through his hair.

“She’s a cool chick,” I agreed.

“Hey, maybe I can put in a good word for you to Lily?” He crinkled his forehead. “If you want. I know you two split.”

“We did. I mean, I’m not opposed to it, but it’s cool if you don’t. I’ll figure out how to get her back.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry you guys split. You seemed good together. She’s a sweetheart.”

“She is,” I agreed, glancing in her direction again. Brandon had joined her. That little gold mask elite prick I couldn’t stand. I ground my teeth as he reached out and tucked a long lock of her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks flushed, making me see red.

Cameron followed my gaze, his eyes widening.

I made to surge forward, but he quickly got in front of me to stop me.

“Easy, man. We don’t need fights and shit here. I’ll go talk to him.” He pressed his hands into my chest to hold me back.

I gave him a stiff nod as he backed away, his worry clear on his face. I didn’t want to cause problems and get the cops called, but I’d be damned if I let that little fuck touch my girl.

“What’s he doing with her,” Damien’s growl sounded out in my ear. Apparently, he’d seen what I’d seen.

“Looking to get his ass beat,” I answered back, watching as Cameron tried to pull Brandon’s attention away from Lily. It wasn’t going well because Olivia was all over Cam, making it hard for him to stay focused as he kept trying to engage Brandon in conversation.

Damien pulled his phone out and typed out a message.

“I’ll kill him,” I said, glaring at Brandon as he turned his attention back to Lily who seemed to not mind as she answered him and even laughed at something he said.

“Not if I kill him first.” Damien stood at my side, both of us watching the pair.

We needed Caleb here. He’d be able to be close and fix this shit.

For the first time in my life, I truly wished he was here and even sent out a silent prayer he showed up before I really did commit a murder.