Glancing at the clock from my phone, I realize I have an issue.

I’ve spent the last hour and a half dissecting Jace’s Facebook. But it’s just so easy to get lost in him and his life. It’s like a fairy tale. He is obviously loved and he loves life. I’m jealous. Just watching him grow through the years was magical, but the problem that has arisen is I want to know more. I want to know the names of all the women on his page. I want to know how old the child his sister holds is. I want to know why in the last couple of years there are no pictures of his dad in the group photos of his family. I want to know why he didn’t go into the draft last year, because there was an article he had posted a link to saying he was supposed to go. I’m thankful he didn’t, but still, I want to know why.

I don’t even care about hockey, but I want to watch him play.

His album of hockey is full of pictures of him playing in tournaments and videos of him shooting and puck handling. He’s amazing. Like, super good. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that we have been at the same places a lot in the last five years. He was even at Worlds when I was there for Matty. I never saw him, though, and that upsets me. I could have found him earlier. But then, I guess I wouldn’t be the person I am now. Back then I was broken, and I wouldn’t have talked to him. Hell, I probably wouldn’t have even looked at him.

I was a mess.

But I’m looking now, and I can’t wait to see him tonight. I’ve decided I can’t ignore him. I have to know more. I have to have more. I don’t know what will happen, or what this attraction and need will lead to, but I can’t fight what I’m feeling. I just can’t. I have to see where it goes. If it gets to be too much, then I’ll back off. It won’t be that hard, and I sure as hell can’t fall like a dumbass. I have to be smart about this.

When a notification pops up that Jace has posted on my page, a grin curves my lips before I click it, going to my wall. Reading his post, I can’t stop smiling. And when I read the title he suggests for my song, my heart pounds into my ribs and I lose my breath. Not only did he watch the video, but he really listened.

Swoon.

But the title for song suits it; it’s good.

Clicking the comment button, I type back quickly.

Avery Rose: Maybe. It’s okay.

I don’t wait long for him to comment back.

Jace Sinclair: It’s okay? Whatever! It’s amazing, and I demand that it be called that.

Giggling, my grin grows.

Avery Rose: Demand? Who are you to demand anything?

Jace Sinclair: Um…the person you wrote the song about?

My face burns, but I’m grinning as I laugh out loud.

Avery Rose: Goodness, do you have room wherever you go with an ego like that?

Jace Sinclair: Not that much, but I manage. Try to tell me it isn’t about me. I dare you.

Jace Sinclair: Double dare.

Butterflies go crazy in my gut as I shake my head. This guy. He is crazy! There is no way I’m admitting that on Facebook. To his face…probably not, but he can think what he wants. Even if it is the truth. But before I can tell him that, my phone dings with a text.

From Matty.

Two days in a row? What the hell?

Clicking on his text, my brows come together when I read what he has sent.

Matty: Why is Jace Sinclair all over your shit?

Me: Huh? What are you talking about?

He then sends me a screenshot of Jace’s post and I’m confused. What the hell?

Me: Stalker much? Why does it matter?

Matty: Because that’s the dude I’m fighting first draft spot for. Are you fucking him?

Me: What the hell? That’s none of your business for one, and two, why do I care who you are going against in the draft?

Matty: Because I’m your brother. Stay away from him.

Me: Yeah, okay. Where do you get off?

Matty: I’m not kidding, Av. Stay away from him.

Me: Can you give me a reason?

Matty: Because he’s a dick like his brothers.

That confuses me. What the hell is he talking about? How does he even know Jace? I mean, I get that they are probably in the same division for tournaments and shit, but I doubt he knows him personally. I’ve never heard him mention his name, and Jace and I had no friends in common. Which means one thing: Jace must have beaten him at something.

Me: What, did he win a tourney over you?

Matty: Shut it, Av, and do what you’re told.

Me: Lol. Please. Get over yourself. If you were smart, you’d encourage me to be with him so it would be a distraction and you could win. Because God forbid, you don’t win everything.

Matty: You’re no distraction, Av. Just a constant pain in the ass.

Rolling my eyes, I shut the messaging app and shake my head. God, he is such a dick, and I really don’t understand why he is so mean to me. Isn’t he supposed to love me? What did I ever do to him? I almost want to ask him, but I feel like I know the answer.

Caleb.

Not wanting to open that can of worms, I go back to Facebook. I won’t do what Matty wants. I’ve always had to sacrifice my happiness for him, and I won’t do it any longer. This almost makes me want to pursue things with Jace more, just to spite him. But I wouldn’t do it for that reason. I’d do it because I want Jace, and I do. I just wish my brother wasn’t such a dickwad.

When my phone dings, I notice I have a message on Facebook. From Jace.

Jace Sinclair: You’re just gonna leave me hanging?

Grinning, I hit his name and go to the chat.

Avery Rose: Can’t confirm or deny your allegations.

Jace Sinclair: Oh you can, it’s just will you?

Avery Rose: No comment.

Jace Sinclair: I’ll shoot you some disgustingly corny lines until you do.

Avery Rose: Is that supposed to be a punishment?

Jace Sinclair: Baby, if you want punishment, I can give you some. Just ask.

Avery Rose: Ew, you just went full 50 Shades of Grey on me.

Jace Sinclair: I did, so bend over, let me spank ya a bit.

Avery Rose: I will cut you if you try.

Jace Sinclair: Challenge accepted.

That has me giggling so hard, my stomach hurts. Falling over to my side, I watch the little chat bubbles as he types, feeling every bit like a girl with a crush. I’m hanging on every word he types and I am practically begging for more.

Jace Sinclair: No, but really, tell me you wrote that song for me.

Avery Rose: I didn’t write it for you, thank you.