I blushed beet red. It seemed to be a permenant shade for me of late.
"How are you really, " Jace whispered in my ear. I turned my head slightly so that my response would not be muffled in his shirt and said," I've been better. "
I clutched at my shirt to preserve my modesty as I moved apart. I was astounded by the sheer blues of Jace. Upclose they were enigmatic and somewhat mesmerising. I had forgotten their appeal over the years apart. As kids Nikki and I had spent our time out at the ranch with Jace and his parents. Jace a teenager back then had found us more of a nuisance then not. Nikki had been the greatest then for she hadn't yet discovered her propensity to prefer females over males of our species to mate. I had always respected her choice till she decided to try to convert me. Although looking at Eric now I realise she might actually have the right of it but still I just didn't swing that way.
But no matter what Nikki always came to my rescue. First she got me this job with Eric when I couldn't find a job and now she got me a place to stay with Jace when I had no where to go. It was no wonder even with her faults I can always count on her and love her as my best friend.
"Shall we go," Nikki was now saying while shooting daggers with her eyes at Eric.
"She is not going anywhere, " commanded Eric in dead earnest.
"She can go where ever she chooses," stated Jace in a tone that brooked no disagreement.
"She can speak for herself," I finally reminded them.
"That she can," Jace smiled down at me. I found myself smiling back. He had such a lovely smile.
"So will you be coming with me?" Jace asked again when I didn't reduce my stupid grin.
"Yes I will," I exclaimed suddenly excited at spending my time at Jace's farm. It will be just the thing I needed to put things into perspective and to get over my unhealthy infatuation for Eric. Eric would never change. He would never be as I needed him to be. It was time I finally admitted that and moved on.
I gathered my torn shirt and tied it in a tight knot beneath my boobs avoiding Jace's gaze as I did so. This was not the impression I wanted to give him of how I'd grown up. I was ashamed by what he caught me doing. It hadn't been all Eric's fault. I had craved his touch as much as he had wanted to do me. I still wanted him. Would I ever stop?
"Lets go," I said firmly then wrenched my arm out of Eric's grip and stumbled after Nikki's sure strides out the door. Jace lingered behind to have a nasty word with Eric but I didn't care. I needed to leave quick. I stopped at my office and grabbed my handbag then left with Jace who had by then appeared by my side.
"This is not over," rang out Eric's furious tones but I didn't turn back.
