Love's Deception

Chapter 23 - Family

Family is something that's so important to everyone. Whether you have a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, just one mom, just one dad, step-parents, non-binary parents, or if you consider your friends your family, it's so important. Our family isn't just who we're biologically related to. It's who love and care for us, and who will always be there for us.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a family with a wonderful mom, dad, and brother. Unfortunately, my family lost a member when I was 18 and my dad was killed. But, I know he's still here with us, watching us and continuing to love us from afar.

Family will always be with you, whether it's family you were born with or family you choose. They'll always be there for you, you just have to be open to accepting their love. There is a time when you can't tell your family everything, and that's okay. Just know that they'll be there to listen when you're ready.

****

Jace and I have been official for two weeks, and it's been the best two weeks of my life. I'm so excited to call him mine, my boyfriend. I know that Jace loves calling me his girlfriend. Of course, at the moment, the only people who know are Mrs. Dyer, Jax, Jace, and me. But that's all that matters, no one else needs to know.

Now that we're officially dating, we seem even more attached to each other than we ever have been. We're always trying to find ways to spend time together, and in our free time, we're together. Well, minus the times where I have to sneak off to my actual work and when Jace has to work late.

I've been finding it harder and harder to sneak off to my real work every day now. I know that Jace is suspicious. I know that he knows something is up, and I'm so grateful that he hasn't said anything to me about it. Not yet at least.

That's another thing. Work. It's so hard to hide this from everyone there. I told Cam and Paige that I was just going to remain friends with Jace, what a lie that was. I don't think they believe me at all, but they haven't told Billings yet. I'm on thin ice here.

Most nights I spend the night at Jace's but sometimes we'll go to my apartment to stay. I'm cherishing this time with him because in an instant it can all be gone and he'll be out of my life. But before I let that happen, I'm putting up a fight.

****

I wake up to the sound of my phone rudely ringing. My hand grazes Jace's bare chest as I roll over and take my phone off my nightstand. As I grab it, I look over to make sure it didn't wake Jace. Somehow it didn't, I swear this man can sleep through anything. It makes sense since he's always so exhausted from work.

Without even checking who's calling I answer, "Hello?"

"Where are you?" My mom's voice booms through the phone, "Aidan, Shana, and I have been waiting outside your door for ten minutes, knocking."

Shit. Shit. Shit. I check the date on my phone. It's the day that Aidan and Shana were coming to visit, I forgot they're staying with me for a few days. I silently curse to myself as I get out of bed, grab my clothes from the floor, and put them on.

"I'm so sorry. I'll be right there, I promise." I say.

"Where could you be this early?"

I hear my brother in the background say, "Probably with her boyfriend."

"Ivy Marie Warren, you have a boyfriend and Aidan knew about him before me?" My mom says.

I grab my purse and continue to get dressed, "Can you clock Aidan in the head for me?"

"Oh honey, I'll throw him over my knee right here and now in front of his fiancee."

I laugh and then exit Jace's bedroom to grab my shoes. I put them on and take a piece of paper and pencil from a cabinet and write Jace a note saying I had to leave and deal with something. I place the note on my pillow and just observe Jace for a moment.