Mila Wilson is quiet, anxious and a little bit of a mess. Panic attacks have ruled her life for as long as she can remember - but starting college is her chance to take control. Love? Not something she believes she's built for.
Then she meets Jace E...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jace's POV
"Been a while since we had a boy's night," Austin says, clapping me on the back as we head into the first pub.
"Too long," I reply, stepping out of his car. "Having girlfriends will do that to you."
Austin snorts. "Jace Evans with a girlfriend. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Not just you, man," I mutter, shaking my head.
The pub's packed, like it always is this time of year. Halloween turns the whole damn place into a circus. We push through the crowd and find a corner spot.
"I meant what I said at dinner," Austin says, settling into the seat. "I like her. She's good for you."
His words hit harder than I expected. I nod, giving his back a quick pat. "Thanks, man. Means a lot."
We order non-alcoholic beers—Austin's driving tonight—and get into the old rhythm. It feels easy, familiar. Like we're back in the old days.
"So," Austin leans in, smirking, "what was it about her? Why Mila?"
I sigh, glancing down at my beer, picturing her face. "I can't even explain it. Just... felt it. She wasn't like the others, you know? She wasn't trying to impress anyone. She's got this way about her—flaws and all, she's kind of perfect for me."
"Flaws?" he asks, brows raised, genuinely curious.
I hesitate. I could mention her panic disorder, but I promised Mila I'd never bring it up. It's her story to tell, not mine. "Nothing worth talking about," I say, brushing it off. "But they make her real, you know? And they make me want her even more."
Austin laughs, shaking his head. "Damn, man. You're soft for her. Better not screw it up again."
I roll my eyes and punch his arm lightly. "Says the guy who seems to have gotten himself a keeper, too."
"Yeah, yeah," he grins. "But I know how to be in a relationship, unlike you. Seriously ... I've never seen you like this. You're in deep. If you ever need any advice, hit me up anytime." Austin grins like an idiot, and I pretend that his arrogance is annoying the shit out of me. We knock back the rest of our drinks before heading to the party.
Ethan's place is the usual spot—he has a massive house just outside Seattle, overflowing with people who probably don't even know him. Ethan is Austin's older brother. We've been coming here for years, back when my weekends were a mess of parties, girls and bad choices. It's tradition now, though the reasons for coming have changed. We only hang out and play pool now.
The bass from the house rattles the windows as we pull up. Inside, it's chaos—costumes, drinks, people shouting over the music. I should be used to it, but my mind keeps drifting back to Mila. I know she's anxious about me going out tonight, and I hate that. I hate that I made her feel like she couldn't trust me. But tonight's my chance to prove I'm not that guy anymore.
