Songbird

Chapter 8 ~ Leverage

During the next week, Jace continued to work at the gym, but during his off time, he rested. His breathing was still causing him pain, although he knew it would be much worse if he had broken his ribs or had internal bleeding (he knew from experience). Having just a couple of bruised ribs was not as bad, but it still hurt. A lot.

The next weekend, while out on another date with his girlfriend, they each began to open up about their past. City spoke to Jace, who was sitting across the table from her at that small Italian restaurant.

"My father left before I was born. He would have been a terrible father anyway if he'd stayed, so it worked out for the better, I think," said City. Her eyes stared off somewhere, her thoughts taking control for a bit. "Mom was with me until I was 17. Even though it's been four years... it still feels like yesterday I got a call that she'd been in a car accident..."

A half-smile formed on City's lips as she shook her head. "I'm sorry I'm getting so deep and depressing," she said, taking a bite of garlic bread to try to take her mind off the heavy thoughts.

"No, don't ever say sorry for that," said Jace. "You have the right to talk about your mother."

City looked up at him, hazel eyes full of emotion. How'd I get so lucky to have this man? was one of her thoughts. "Thanks, Jace. I do have Wesley, though. He's been there for me these past few years more than ever, and I'm grateful."

"He's a great brother. Remember that first time I came over?" said Jace, a playful spark in his eye.

City laughed. "I could never forget! He stared you down like you were a murderer."

"I was rather intimidated by him, to be honest," said Jace, also laughing. He took a drink as City spoke up again.

"What about you? You never talk about your family."

"No, I don't, do I?" replied Jace. He sighed; he never talked about his family. Isaac and Devin knew the main parts, but only bits and pieces. Jace had never been one to open up about his feelings, anyway.

"Where to begin... My mother was a prostitute. She never found out who the father was, so I was the same as you, without a father figure in the house."

"Oh, Jace, I'm sorry," said City. She looked so hurt from hearing about his parents that Jace felt a pang in his heart for her.

"It's okay. It made me into who I am today, which I'm proud." Jace cleared his throat. "Actually, my father figure was Tim. Is Tim. My mom died when I was young, and Tim found me wandering the streets. He took me in, and he was the one who taught me how to fight. And he made me go back to school," said Jace with a grin.

City rolled her eyes, a smile on her face. "I can picture little Jacey now, begging not to go to school even though Tim was too stubborn to let you skip out."

"Yep, that was pretty much it," laughed Jace.

City was quiet for a moment. "Thanks for opening up to me... It means a lot that you'd trust me enough to share your lower points in life."

Jace stared at her. She was beautiful, her face glowing in the dim, candle-lit lighting in the restaurant. Her hair fell in waves around her face and down her shoulders.

"I don't like to hide things from you, Felicity..."

City sighed, looking into his dark eyes that seemed to grow hollow, distant all of a sudden. "Then don't. Tell me when you're ready, just like you did tonight with your family. I'll appreciate it, but on your time."

How is this woman real? Jace thought. She's perfect. And I'm not. "Felicity... you're too good to me, you know that?" He smiled warmly at her, trying to bring life back to the conversation.