Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Thirty-Four - Lingering

Joe sighed, sitting outside on a bench, the grounds of the Enlightened's castle massive and genuinely something out of a book. Alex crossed over to him, taking a seat beside him. Joe straightened out, not wanting to meet Alex's gaze.

"Joe, why did you run off like that?" Alex asked.

"You know why," Joe rolled his eyes. "I thought you were past her? Jade is my best friend, and I can't have your eyes lingering on her when you told me you wanted to give us a shot."

"I only have eyes for you, Joe. I was just caught up in Jade's moment, and that's all."

"It's one thing for your eyes to fall on her, but another for you to make it seem like I don't know what I'm talking about," Joe stated. "I get it, okay? She is radiant. She is. I know she is. Seeing her dressed like that and everything, she is beautiful, but Alex. You're supposed to be my boyfriend, not Jade's. It would help if you thought about how you look at her affects me."

'I'm not trying to look at her in any way, Joe. Honestly, it's always that worry with you. Always worried that I am still hooked on Jade."

"Aren't you?" Joe frowned when Alex turned away. "See?" He cursed the crack in his voice.

"No, Joe, please," Alex grabbed his hands. "I want to be with you."

"No," Joe shook his head, "you just don't want to be alone since you can't be with her."

"Joe, I chose you. I want to be with you."

"I don't believe you," Joe turned his head. Joe wiped his eyes and shook his head, "I want more than anything to believe you. Believe that I am your first choice, but I know I'm not."

Alex pulled Joe into a kiss silencing him. Conflicting emotions kept his lips on Alex's. "I want you, Joe," Alex whispered, removing his lips from him. Joe took a deep breath. His deepest dreams were coming true as Alex's lips pressed against his own again. Though, despite the words Alex fed him, Joe knew the truth. Now, the question was would he sacrifice his own heart to live a dream with Alex. When he took Alex's hand and followed him upstairs, Joe made his decision.

Joe followed Alex into his room and shut the door behind them. Alex undressed Joe as he led him to the bed focusing on every detail of Joe's body. His lips graced every part of him until all Joe could focus on was the blue eyes that stared back at him. Alex smiled, running his hand on Joe's face before lowering himself to kiss his lips. Alex made his way under the covers bringing Joe into an embrace, and the safety and warmth from it dissolved his initial concerns.

"I only want you, Joe," Alex whispered. Joe fell under his spell and steadied his gaze on him. Alex reached over and turned the lamp off and brought Joe close to him until they both caved to their exhaustion.

Joe shifted out of his sleep, noticing on the clock that a few hours had passed. He heard talking outside of his room. Turning, Alex remained asleep beside him. Joe stepped out of bed and wrapped his robe around him, and peered out the door. Further down the hallway, he could see Jade and Edge. He frowned, seeing Jade's expression.

"Every time he ogles at you, I can't help but remember each time you chose him over me," Edge said. "You say you're mine and promise that your feelings are only for me. Then I see his gazes, and even you said you were worried his eyes were lingering. You wouldn't notice that if your eyes weren't also on him."

"You're not being fair," Jade argued. Edge scoffed. "Edge, I am the one that ended things with Alex. You said you forgave me, and I thought you wanted to be with me."

"I do, but." Joe watched as that one word destroyed her. 'but' it wasn't the word, but what usually followed it that brought forth the worry. Jade looked diminished, and her mood from earlier deflated as Edge said what she most feared. "But maybe I haven't forgiven you after all," Joe swore he could feel Jade's heart-crushing. Her head bowed, shame in her expression. "I don't know what to do about it."

"I don't know how else I can convince you?" Jade said, her eyes glistening. "You seemed like you wanted me to call you my boyfriend, and it seemed like you loved the way I looked when you walked in. Now, what, because you think Alex's feelings linger for me, it's my fault? What am I supposed to do to convince you?"

"Maybe stop being friends with Alex. Have you thought of that?" Joe's eyes widened, and Jade turned her head. "You can't, can you? Because the thought of him not in your life kills you. Even if this means our relationship ends, you wouldn't even consider letting him go first."

"It's not fair that you ask that of me."

"Not fair?" Edge laughed. "What's not fair is how you let me fall in love with you when you knew you would choose him. What's not fair is how I stood there with the ring in my hand, waiting for you to run to me and accept it. What's not fair is I watched Inanis fade away in that train window that day, knowing I would never be your first choice." Joe frowned, hearing Jade cry. His heart ached for his friend. Her worst fears of how Edge felt about her were proving true.

"You said you forgave me," she sniffled. "I know I was wrong then, okay? I know!" Edge sighed, staring at her as she pulled her knees to her face and wrapped her arms around them.

Edge sat beside her and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry. I guess maybe I needed to be angry. I don't want to be hurt by you leaving me for Alex again." Her tears stopped her from answering him. "Jade, please don't cry." Edge pried her head from her arms and sighed at the tears that stained her face. He wiped them off and kissed her head. "You're right. I'm sorry. I do forgive you. I do." Jade sniffed again, trying to regain some composure, but Joe knew it wasn't that easy.

Joe sighed and shut the door crossing back to the bed. He frowned as he pulled himself back under the covers and laid beside Alex. Joe's heart was heavy as he wondered where Alex's heart lay. Meanwhile, Joe's stomach turned because he already knew the answer.