Fade Into You

Chapter 18

Jonathan's POV

"Pass me another one." I yelled at Luke.

I looked up lazily, catching him exchanging a glance with TJ, who was slouched in the leather armchair across from me.

We always hung out in TJ's basement—our unofficial game room—right after school, killing hours playing video games. 

,Typical guy stuff. But tonight, I needed something stronger than pixels and controllers to drown out the noise in my head. Something had been eating at me lately, and I couldn't shake it.

Luke strolled across the room to the mini fridge, pulled out a cold can of beer, and tossed it over. I cracked it open and downed a few gulps, the bitter liquid burning on the way down. Leaning back into the couch cushions, I stared at the can in my hand.

"Dude, you okay?" TJ asked, raising a brow. "That's your fourth already. This isn't like you."

I gave him a shrug. 

"So what? Is it that big of a deal I'm drinking on a school night? It's not exactly breaking news."

I took another swig, forcing the burn down my throat.

"Yeah, it is," Luke said, more serious this time. "You've been off lately. Spacing out, drinking alone. What's going on?"

I sighed. Might as well say it to get it off my chest.

"It's her. She's messing with my head again—and it's driving me crazy."

They exchanged confused looks.

"Wait... are you talking about... Faye?" TJ asked, cautiously.

I glared at him. 

"Who else? I don't know if you've noticed, but she's different now. Like, a completely different person."

Luke chuckled. 

"Of course we noticed. Everyone has. She's fading into you, man."

I sat up straighter. "What?"

TJ shrugged. 

"She's becoming like you—a badass, cold attitude, teasing you with Fitzroy. She's got your energy, man."

What the actual fuck?

"No, she's not. That's just who she's always been. I told you guys something was off about her from the start. The way she acted with people, it was too good to be true. Now she's showing everyone her true colors, and trust me—we're nothing alike. That's total bullshit."

Luke laughed quietly, and TJ just kept that irritating smirk.

"Say what you want," TJ said, "but I think our little plan really did a number on her. If Jonathan hadn't messed around, maybe she would've stayed the same. But thanks to us, we got to see the real Faye Castillo."

"I regret that," I muttered.

TJ choked on his drink. Luke blinked at me in disbelief.

"What did you just say?" TJ said, his voice rising.

I rolled my eyes and took another sip. 

"I regret it, alright? We didn't know why she acted the way she did, and yeah—our plan ruined that for her. She had a rep, and we tore it apart for fun. It was a shitty game, and we never should've dragged her into it."

They stared at me like I'd grown another head. Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but for once, I didn't care. I needed to say it.

Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 

"Okay. Then tell us one thing."

I nodded. "What?"

"What do you think of the Faye Castillo now?"

My mind flashed back to that night at the club. We'd gone out for drinks, just the guys, when a commotion broke out near the bar. I thought it was just two drunk idiots going at it—until I saw her. She was in the middle of it, heels on, hair wild, going toe-to-toe with a guy twice her size.

And winning.

She moved like she'd done it a hundred times. Sexy as hell, fearless, and terrifying in the best way. She ended that guy's life in seconds, and even now, the image of how effortlessly she took him down still gave me chills.

"Hello? You're zoning out again," TJ snapped me back to reality.

"Right." I sat up. "What do I think of her?"

They nodded, waiting.

"She's fearless. Strong. Relentless. And a total badass."

Luke smirked. "That's what everyone says. But what do you think?"

I sighed and looked away. 

"Honestly? She's annoying as hell right now, getting under my skin, but... she's the only girl I've ever actually cared about. I hate to admit it, but I kinda miss the old Faye. Seeing her now—this new side of her—it just makes me want her more. And fuck, I want to beat the crap out of Fitzroy for being near her. It eats me alive every time I see them together. I can't get her out of my head. Plus, I just can't stop wanting her no matter how much I try to move on."

I paused, exhaling slowly. 

"I know I messed up. Bad. And she probably won't ever forgive me. But... that's the truth."

I glanced up, catching them both watching me with that look. That knowing look.

I chuckled and raised the beer can. 

"Gotta love alcohol. It can make you say stupid things you don't really mean."

TJ shook his head. 

"Nah, man. That came straight from the heart."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right."

"No, seriously." Luke leaned in. "You like her. End of story."

"I don't like her," I shot back.

They both rolled their eyes this time.

"Then what the hell do you call all that?" Luke asked. "You basically confessed how you really feel about this girl, man."

I gave them a smirk, leaned forward, and stared them down.

"I don't like her," I repeated. Then I leaned back, looked at the ceiling, and let out a breath.

"I fucking hate her... but at the same time, I need her by my side again."