After we ate and settled on the couch, I grabbed his phone and put it on top of mine on the ottoman. “Are we okay?”
Jace sighed heavily. “Can we talk about all of this another day?”
“We are supposed to leave next week for LA, do you still want me to go?” I was scared to hear the answer.
“Of course.”
“Christmas is coming up, are we spending it with our families?”
“Of course.” Jace raised an eyebrow and reached for his phone.
I was getting really annoyed. “Do you want me to suck your cock?”
Jace smirked. “Of course.”
With sarcasm, at least I got a little bit of my boyfriend back for a second.
“Zoey wants me to fly down with her and her parents. Are you okay with that?” I sprawled out on the couch and rested my head in his lap, reaching up to stroke his cheek.
Jace leaned into my hand. “Sure, it makes the most sense.”
Staring into his clear, green eyes, I felt the telltale zap that always happened whenever we wanted each other. Without breaking eye contact, I lifted my shirt, exposing my breast. His cock immediately sprang to life, I could feel it through his sweats where my ear rested. He cupped my breast and flicked his thumb across my nipple. When I pulled the waistband away from his taut stomach, the tip of his dick bobbed against my lips. I took him into my mouth.
Three hours later, thoroughly sated, I was on the brink of falling to sleep when a thought popped into my head.
We might not be able to carry a conversation right now, but at least we have this.
Chapter 27
JACE
When we landed in LA for the holiday show, I went straight to the hotel with the guys and texted Alex that I needed to get a few hours of sleep. In reality, Ty had arranged for Zoey and Alex to have a private meeting with Christian Siriano, a famous designer to style their red-carpet looks, and she didn’t know about it.
When I woke up from my nap, I was greeted by a picture of Alex by the pool with Zoey and her mom. They were all waiting for me and the guys to get there for a barbeque. I was a bit surprised that she hadn’t mentioned the style session.
Our relationship had devolved into a really weird dynamic. I couldn’t wait to see Alex because just being with her gave me solace. Our sex life was out of this world. The problem was, since I’d come back from New York, I couldn’t talk to her. Fielding the barrage of texts that Jessica sent me each day drained me of any ability to have more conversation. I was putting off all things paternity because I was in denial. My sister hounded me. Alex tiptoed around me. So we walked on eggshells.
Until we were naked. Then, we fucked like we’d never fuck again.
I was living on borrowed time. Knowing my Poppy, she wouldn’t put up with my bullshit for much longer. I knew this because I wanted her on my arm on the red carpet. Hence, why I’d pushed Ty to include Alex in Zoey’s fashion surprise. She’d agreed to accompany me and go public. To me, she didn’t seem very enthusiastic. Or excited.
Because she’s figuring out when she can leave you.
So I was constantly on edge. The edge of a breakdown. Waiting for the shoe to drop.
I was in the car on the way to Ty’s house when I got another text from Alex.
Poppy: Heads up - Zoey’s been grilling me about us all day, and I told her that I don’t know where I stand.
Jace: WTF! You know where I stand. We agreed to let everyone know we’re together, why would you tell her that?
Poppy: GAWD! Jace, we don’t talk about what is happening with you, and you won’t tell the guys. I don’t know what to do.
Jace: I’m ready to tell them the truth.
Poppy: ugh
Jace: Ugh? Is it that hard? Is this what I’m walking into.
Poppy: It’s kind of hard to tell them this truth when you won’t tell them the entire truth. When you get here, I’ll duck out and go into the guest room, find me, we’ll talk, don’t be mad at me.
Jace: Well, I am mad.
Poppy: No!!! I didn’t want to add to the stress for the band since no one, but Zoey and Ty, know anything about us.
Jace: Jesus, Alex, everyone knows about us, goddamn, we’re the ones making it weird.
Poppy: I don’t know what to say.
Jace: Who do you think arranged for you to get styled? It’s so we can go public.
Poppy: …
Jace: What did you say to Zoey, tell me exactly.
Poppy: That I’m hoping we’ll work out and that we are both tired of hiding, but also that I’m not sure where we stand.
Jace: Wow. Fuck.
Poppy: Well, it’s kind of true, if you’re all about the truth.
Jace: Why would you say that to her? She’s going to tell Ty that, you’ve just created a shitstorm of drama!
Poppy. I’m the one being honest, Jace. But I promised to keep your secret, and you get so weird about me when it comes to talking about you possibly being a father.
Jace: Well if u didn’t want to add to the drama u did a shitty job.
Poppy. …
I couldn’t respond. My blood pressure shot up and it felt like my head was going to explode. My heart felt like it was shattering. All my insecurities flooded and filled my head. Goddamn it. I was drowning. Alex was pulling away. I was driving her away. But what could I do?
A million thoughts went through my head, all ending in rage. Why couldn’t we get on the same page and fucking stay there? The next thing I knew, the car had already pulled up to Ty’s house and
