Chapter Fifteen

Jace

J ace had never had such an unexpected sexual encounter. Outside in the woods was new to him.

“Do you think we’ll see any wildlife?” Jace asked.

“Maybe some deer or squirrels,” Nico replied.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, they heard birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant trickle of a stream. Jace felt relaxed, enjoying the rhythm of their conversation and the surrounding beauty.

“Imagine if we found a hidden waterfall,” Jace mused. “Or an ancient grove untouched by time.”

Nico chuckled. “Or a bear,” he teased.

Just as Jace laughed, a low growl resonated from the thicket nearby, halting them in their tracks. Jace’s heart dropped as an enormous bear emerged, its dark fur glistening in the sun. Jace stood frozen, eyes wide, while Nico instinctively stepped in front of him, shielding him from the looming threat.

“Stay calm,” Nico said. “Back away slowly. ”

Jace’s breath quickened, but he followed Nico’s lead, moving in sync as they carefully retreated. Jace felt the adrenaline surge through him, aware of every movement of the bear.

“Do you think it’s hungry?” Jace whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

“Let’s hope not,” Nico replied. “Just keep moving.”

They edged back, never turning their backs on the bear. After what felt like an eternity, the bear lost interest, turning back into the underbrush. Jace let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, his shoulders relaxing as the immediate danger faded.

“Fuck! It’s a damn good thing he didn’t come around when we were fucking.”

“Yeah, it was,” Nico replied. “But you handled it well. Just stay close, okay?”

Jace nodded. “I can’t believe we just faced a bear and lived through it.”

Nico smirked. “Just remember who kept you safe.”

“Of course. My personal bear guard.”

As they continued their hike, the earlier thrill transformed into a shared bond, their laughter echoing amidst the giants, a reminder of the wildness they had faced together. This was more than a hike; it was a memory etched in the forest’s heart; one they would carry with them long after the trees whispered their secrets away.

“My ass is sore now,” Jace said.

“Then I think it’s a good time to get home and soak in the tub.”

After the bear incident, they walked closer together, their footsteps synchronized.

“Do you think my voice will hold up in the desert?”

“Of course. I’ll make sure you’re hydrated. And on the drive there, you’re going to stay silent to save your voice. ”

“That’s a good idea.”

When they reached the cabin, Mark and Sammie were sitting outside on the rocking chairs and drinking Cokes.

“I thought you guys would never get home,” Sammie said.

“We saw a bear. He was really close,” Jace said.

“Did Nico save you?” Mark asked.

“He did. I’d be dead if it weren’t for him.”

“I’m going to the kitchen. Dinner will be ready in an hour,” Sammie said.

“Okay. We’re going to clean up before dinner,” Nico said.

Jace followed Nico upstairs to their bedroom.

“I need to make a call,” Jace said.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you so I can give you a nice bath.”

Jace sat down on the edge of the bed and dialed his aunt’s number where his mother was staying, his heart pounding with a mix of hope and anxiety. Erin had told him that their mother wanted to talk to him after leaving their father, and he clung to that small glimmer of hope.

“Hi, it’s Jace. Is my mother there?”

“No, Jace. She went back home. Try her cell phone,” his aunt said.

“Okay. Thanks.”

Jace’s heart dropped when his aunt said she had returned home. He dialed her cell.

His mother answered on the first ring. “Jace, don’t call here anymore,” his mother said with a coldness that cut through his heart.

“I thought you told Erin for me to call you.”

“Don’t call again.” She ended the call.

Jace sat there, the phone still pressed to his ear, feeling a wave of emotions crash over him. He had always believed that, despite their differences, his mother still loved him. But now, his lifestyle as a musician, late nights, and the wild parties had driven a wedge between them he couldn’t bridge. The rejection stung deeply, and he felt a hollow ache in his chest.

He had thought his mother would understand; that she would see past the surface and recognize the passion and dedication he poured into his music. Instead, he felt more hated than ever, as if his choices had erased any love she’d once had for him. The pain of her words echoed in his mind, leaving him feeling lost and extremely upset.

“Jace, what happened?”

“I don’t know.” Jace threw himself on his stomach, not wanting to face Nico.

“Hey, something is wrong. Tell me.” Nico lay beside Jace, feeling the warmth of Jace’s body against his. He gently ran his fingers through his hair. “Didn’t they want to talk to you?”

“My mother and nope. She’s done with me,” Jace said.

Jace reflected on his life and choices. He realized that while his mother’s rejection hurt deeply, it didn’t diminish his passion for music or his commitment to living authentically. He resolved to stay true to himself, knowing he couldn’t change who he was to meet someone else’s expectations.

“Give me your phone.”

“Why?”

“I’m deleting your mom’s cell number and blocking her, too. This is bullshit.”

“Everything about my family is. My sister told me to call her. So, I did. I thought she wanted to talk to me.”

“Did your sister tell you the truth?”

“Erin told me my mother left my father. She told Erin to tell me to call her at my aunt’s house.”

“When’s the last time you talked to her? ”

“When I left. A couple of years ago. My aunt said she went back to him.” He handed Nico his phone.

Jace watched as Nico tapped on his phone screen, erasing his mother’s phone number. It hurt him deeply that she continued to ignore his attempts to communicate. Nico acted as his personal guardian, ensuring that he would be spared any future harm, and Jace found he didn’t mind.

Nico gently rolled Jace over to face him, wrapping his arms around him in a comforting embrace that lasted for quite some time. Jace felt energy coming to him from Nico. Crazy as it sounded, when Nico cuddled him like this, he regained his strength.

“Your parents don’t define who you are.”

“I felt your energy flowing into my body.”

“Do you feel stronger?”

“Yep.”

“Good. Now get up and let’s take a bath together.”

Nico got up, picked up Jace, and carried him to the bathroom. He helped Jace undress, then he ran the water.

“I feel like shit,” Jace said.

“I know. Think about us and how together we’re going to make glorious music. And of course, with Mark and Sammie too. We’re finally together, Jace.”

“I wish they had bubbles,” Jace said.

Nico looked under the sink and found some leftover bubble gel. He poured a few drops into the running water, then put his hand in and tested the temperature.

“There are your bubbles.”

“You’re the best.”

“I’ll go in first, then sit between my legs and we’ll soak. ”

Jace enjoyed watching Nico get into the tub and wait for him. He seemed so different when they were together as a couple. Jace stepped into the tub and sat between Nico’s legs.

“Your legs are so muscular and strong.”

“Chasing you for years.”

“We’ve known each other for seven years, and we finally got together.”

“You were too young when we first met.”

“Why do I feel your hard dick against my ass?”

“You turn me on, but no more for you. I don’t want you walking bowlegged.”

“I can take of you,” Jace said.

“Maybe. Just relax for now.”