Chapter Five

Jace

O nce they arrived at the hotel, Jace stood beside Nico when he checked in. Nico got him to wear a baseball cap and sunglasses so he wouldn’t be recognized in his hometown at this hour. Because Mark had such unusual bright red hair, he had to wear a cowboy hat and shove his hair underneath it. Nico had Sammie wear a baseball cap the color of his outfit. They all had sunglasses on to cover up.

Nico’s style was unique and unmistakable. He always wore a turban, which added an air of mystique. His ears were adorned with small but noticeable earrings. The woman at the check-in desk had her eyes all over Nico. Whether he was on stage or off, Nico’s clothing was a blend of casual and edgy. He wore jeans and fitted shirts that highlighted his muscular build. Jace felt jealous when the flirting lady winked at Nico, but there was nothing he could do but follow him. It seemed he enjoyed flirting with both men and women, but he never initiated it. Like he had told him, Jace didn’t know what Nico did while he was sleeping. That only put sick thoughts into Jace’s head of Nico fucking Mark or Sammie, or both, for that matter. He sure didn’t mess with Jace, as much as Jace wanted him to.

They went upstairs to the shared room. Nico wanted the bed closest to the door as he said he had to guard them. Mark and Sammie took the bed beside the window. With only one bathroom, they had to take turns.

It was midnight, time to shower and hit the sack, but Jace wanted to meet some old friends from high school. He didn’t know how he was going to get out, but he would find a way.

“We’ll take showers alphabetically, Jace, you’re first, and don’t take all night in there.” Nico wasn’t just the drummer. He also managed the group.

“No prob.” Jace unpacked some clean clothes and rushed to the shower. He made sure the water was warm enough. Before he jumped into the stall, he listened by the door to the conversation in the other room.

“He’s going to try to leave when we’re sleeping,” Nico said. “But I’m going to sleep very close to him, so if he moves, I’ll know.”

“Good luck! He’s quiet when he wants to be,” Mark said.

“He just wants to see his old high school friends,” Sammie added.

He knew they talked about him, especially since he’d had a few messes staying overnight with fans, then calling for a ride back. He had messed around more than he should have. None of it meant much. Who he really wanted was Nico. Mark and Sammie knew who he was after. Sammie was supportive, but Mark said it would be trouble for the group if they connected.

When Jace heard a few sets of fists pounding on the door, he quickly rinsed off and put a towel around his waist. He carried his clothes out to the room. Mark was in the bathroom as soon as there was space for him in the doorway. Sammie was removing his makeup with lotion and tissues, while Nico sat on their bed writing notes on his iPad .

“You don’t need to get dressed,” Nico said as he watched Jace put on jeans and a T-shirt.

“I’ll be sleeping with you, so I need clothes.”

“Oh please! You parade around the house naked all the time. Now you need to be covered? Give me a break. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Jace ignored Nico, got completely dressed, and slipped into the bed beside him. “I don’t want you to get all turned on.”

When it was Nico’s turn to shower, Mark said, “You’d better stay put tonight because Nico’s onto you.”

“And we don’t want him pissed off tomorrow night,” Sammie said.

“No one ever gets put on restriction in this group except me,” Jace complained.

“Not true. Nico tells me I can’t walk alone if I dress up,” Sammie said.

“For your safety,” Mark and Jace said together.

“And the same goes for you, Jace,” Sammie said.

“All I want to do is see my friends. I’m not at risk.”

“Your father lives here,” Mark said.

Just then, Nico came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. “What’s going on in here?”

“Nothing,” Sammie said.

“Lights out!” Nico shouted, then slipped into bed beside Jace.

Jace’s fingers brushed against Nico’s warm skin, while the scent of the shower gel filled his nostrils.

“You smell good enough to eat,” Jace whispered to Nico.

“Stop teasing and go to sleep.”

“Not teasing. If I can’t go out, then let me entertain you.”

Nico smacked his butt. “If I fucked you, you wouldn’t be able to walk.”

“Do it. ”

“Go to sleep.”

“We can hear you guys,” Sammie said. “We don’t mind a show.”

“I should have gotten two rooms,” Nico teased. “We have to practice tomorrow and then put on a show. No time for all this bullshit.”

“And who would be in your room?” Jace asked.

“You, of course. Please, I’m begging you to keep your ass in this bed.”

“Night, Nico,” Jace said.

Nico kissed Jace on top of his hair and rolled over facing away from him. Jace slipped out his phone and read his messages when he was sure Nico was sleeping.

Laura: We’re all here waiting for you. And there’s a surprise person too.

Tom: Hey, Jace! We’re waiting for you at Bailey’s.

Jace sent a group message to his friends.

Jace: Meet you guys at Bailey’s in twenty minutes.

Jace slipped out of bed and made it to the hallway without waking anyone. In a rush, he sprinted towards the elevator and hastily pressed the button for the ground floor. He stepped out of the hotel and onto the lively street, the enticing aroma of food wafting from the nearby twenty-four-hour Mexican restaurant, as he made his way to a local bar to join his friends.

The bar was buzzing with excitement as Jace stepped inside. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the rustic wooden tables and chairs, and the air was filled with laughter and the familiar scent of beer. An enormous banner hung above the bar, displayed the words “Welcome Home Jace!” in bold letters. Streamers and balloons in various shades of blue and gold adorned the walls, adding a festive touch to the cozy space.

Jace’s heart swelled with a mix of nostalgia and surprise as he took in the scene. His high school friends, faces he hadn’t seen in years, were gathered around, their smiles wide and genuine. One by one, they approached him, wrapping him in tight hugs and clapping him on the back. There was Laura, the mastermind behind the party, her eyes twinkling with pride. She’d had a crush on Jace since fourth grade. And then, amidst the crowd, he saw her—Erin, his younger sister.

Erin stood near the bar, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. Jace made his way over to her, his heart pounding. As he reached her, she threw her arms around him, holding him close.

“Jace, I’ve missed you so much,” Erin whispered, her voice trembling.

“I’ve missed you too, Erin,” Jace replied, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled back slightly to look at her. “It’s been too long.”

Erin nodded, wiping away a tear. “It has. But Jace, there’s something I need to tell you. Mom…left Dad. I know you want to see her, but she’s in Lodi with Aunt Mary.”

Jace’s expression hardened, the mention of their mother bringing back a flood of painful memories. “When did this happen?” he whispered.

Erin squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with understanding. “She asked me to tell you to call her at Aunt Mary’s.”

“Damn. What happened?” Jace wanted to call her right this minute, but it was too late. He should have called her before now. He didn’t think she wanted to talk to him again. Maybe it was his father who had made her turn cold towards him. Now he was hopeful a phone call would help their relationship.

“It’s a story for Mom to tell. I have to go because I have to be at work early.”

“Are you still living at home?”

“Yes. I have a job here. Don’t worry. I’m coming to your two shows this weekend. See you tonight.”

“Love you.” He hugged her again then she left .

As he stood there, surrounded by the warmth and love of old friends, Jace felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could heal the wounds of the past and move forward. But for now, he was content to be home and to see his friends and sister, if only for a little while.