Jace

{28}

Indie music was playing inside of a massive white tent billowing with the breeze during the reception. The ceremony had gone perfect and beautiful and Mrs. and Mr. Josh Devine we're boogying on the dance floor that had been fitted inside the tent. It was quite full and for a moment, I thought I had lost Jacelyn.

'Aw shit,' I thought. 'Paul's gonna kill me if I lose her again!'

Yet soon she caught my eye just outside of the entrance to the white cloth mansion. She was standing, terrified, as Aaron spoke to her. It was easy to see by his expression that he was not using a pleasant tone. Jace's expression was equally revealing about her mood; she was upset. Very very upset. She was sad too, and disappointed. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what they were talking about. What would provoke that kind of reaction from them?

Jace raised her fist to beat down on her immense brother's chest as she did when she was beyond furious. But Aaron caught her wrist mid swing and lowered it for her again, this time with a stern frown. She ripped her hand from his and turned around with her hands on her head, visibly distressed, she tried not to cry. Aaron gripped her shoulder and turned her around to face him. Pointing an accusing finger as if scolding a child, he began to shout.

I had witnessed enough and my protective side made me feel uneasy about how brusque he was being. I started to run but forced myself to a fast walk. I had to get to her, but couldn't be to obvious about my concern.

"Hey Jace-"

"We're having a discussion if you don't mind Liam." Aaron's tone of voice made it blatantly clear that he didn't like me. And I didn't mind. I didn't like him either.

"Yeah well, discussion's over. Lets go Jace." I didn't mean to be so harsh or demanding, but he got on my nerves quickly and made it difficult to keep my cool.

Aaron's patience was being tested as well and he spoke through gritted teeth. "Jacelyn I swear to God-"

"The wedding is over and we have to get back to tour."

"We have a show tonight.." She explained to her brother feebly. He looked outraged so I pulled her gently along with me towards the tent again.

"Hey lads we've gotta go." I found the other's and they seemed acutely aware of the discomfort both Jace and myself felt.

"Uh yeah ok," Louis stammered, setting down his drink. "Is everything ok?"

"Are you leaving already?" Jaden approached. She was smilely and breathless from dancing, with a certain glow around her. My eyes darted uncomfortably. I still wanted her. How did she act like she hadn't said anything? I heard her! Or was it really just a figment of my imagination?

"Yeah we've got a show tonight and I guess its time for us to go?" Niall cocked his head at us. Jacelyn nodded quietly and then hugged Jaden tight as if to say goodbye. I was only aware that Jace was whispering to her when Jaden's expression began to change.

"What?" She pulled away and held her at arms length. "You cant be serious!"

She must of told Jaden what Aaron was telling her. The thing that she wouldn't leak to any of us.

"Jaden.." She glanced at us.

"Oh. But c'mon. You know what the right thing is and you're going to do it." She didn't say anything. "Right?"

"He's my brother," she whispered. "He practically raised me..."

Sean jogged over. "Leaving JaceyBear?" She nodded and a sly smile snaked onto his face. "Then you might want to leave with this." He handed her a set of keys and her eyes widened instantly. The key chain of pointe shoes dangled and she obviously recognized it.

"You didn't!" She shrieked.

"I did!" They jumped and shrieked and hugged and shouted.

Harry pretended to be just as excited. "What did he do?"

"My car! MY car my car my car!" She waved goodbye, dragged us out of the tent, and raced over to an SUV custom painted the color of the streaks in her hair.

"I'll ride with you!" I smiled, masking my concern with fake excitement.

"Meet you at the airport?" Zayn laughed.

"Yes and I'm getting this car flown to Oakland with us." She climbed in the drivers seat and I, in the passenger seat. We watched as the other boys in the silver van drove past and waved out the windows at us. Jace settled in her seat, placed her hands on the steering wheel, and then gave up her brave act.

"Liam I don't feel much like driving..." she sighed, slumping.

"O-ok," I stammered, confused by her sudden mood change. I got out and switched seats with her before starting to drive.

"Do you wanna tell me what happened back there?" I asked after a couple minutes of unnerving silence.

"No." She responded immediately, leaning her head against the window. She turned to me, not sitting up. "Do you wanna tell me why you looked like a deer in headlights during the ceremony when Jaden dropped her flowers?"

"No." I replied equally as fast. She nodded saying 'see?' and turned back to the windshield.

I sighed and shifted uncomfortably seeing that if I wanted to get anywhere, I would have to make the first move.

"Jaden told me she loved me."

"What." Jacelyn sat up immediately and enunciated the 'wh' sound to show here disbelief. I nodded. "You're insane."

"She did! When she leaned in to get the flowers she whispered that she loved me!"

"That isn't even remotely funny Liam."

"It's not meant to be!" She didn't believe me. Why would I make this up? Because I loved her to some extent as well? Well...yes, but Jace didn't know that.

"She just got married Liam!!"

"Well maybe she's not happy! Maybe she's going to divorce Josh in like a month."

"He's your friend! She's my friend! Why do you say it like tha- oh my God!"

"What?" I double checked the road to make sure I wasn't about to run over someone.

"You think that you love her too!"

I hesitated and shifted my weight again. "I don't think I know."

"We just got out of my best friend's wedding and you tell me that you are in love with her?!"

"WERE, Jace. I was in love with Jaden! I don't want her anymore."

"Because she's married!! You were just talking about her getting a divorce!" Her shrill shout squashed in the compact car, making it appear louder.

"I don't just not want Jaden anymore because she's married. I think she's an amazing girl but-"

"I don't want to be your sloppy seconds."

"You aren't my sloppy seconds!" I said. She was implying that I was in love with her now. Which I was. She was finally putting the pieces together; connecting the dots.

"At her wedding," she spat, sounding appalled. "What if I was more like Jaden. Would you stop trying to steal a bride away then?"

"This has nothing to do with that!"

"It has everything to do with that!"

"Jace-"

"I don't understand what you want from me Liam!' Her face was red and flushed with anger and her fists were balled at her sides. "What do you want?!"

"YOU!" I screamed before I could control myself and recognize what I'd just said. "I just want you!"

She was silent for a moment and the only noise was of the tires humming down the road. Then, she scoffed. "Bullshit." And before I could react, Jace unbuckled her seat belt and opened the car door. She dived out and I screeched to a halt screaming obscenities at her for doing such a stupid thing. With the jolt of the stop, the door slammed shut again and I could see her walking away in the mirror.

I'll be damned if she gets away like this. So I turned the car around and speed after her.