My heart hurts a little, as the pain and longing for his brothers is apparent on his face. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that his statement just tickles me to death. It’s something special when someone says they can depend on you. At least, for me, it is. Clearing my throat free of emotion, I look over at him. “You miss them.”

His jaw clenches as he nods. “More than I like to admit.”

Flashing me a grin, he squeezes my hand, bringing it into his lap. “Maybe you should tell them that,” I suggest.

He nods. “Maybe I will.” Grinning as he pulls into a parking spot in front of the Bullies’ house, he looks over at me. “Can you come in?”

“Yeah, I’m free for the rest of the night.”

“Awesome.” He leans over and kisses me hard against the lips. “Get ready for some intense Bullies karaoke of death.”

I scrunch my face up in confusion. “Why does that freak me out a bit?”

“Because adding death to the end of things usually does,” he says with a shrug. “Like wild sex of death. Or hockey rink of death, or—”

“Please stop. I got it,” I laugh and he smiles. “So I have nothing to worry about?”

He laughs. “Um, yes. You are competing against me, and I’m the best singer in the world.” I don’t think I believe him, but his sureness is smothering as he flashes me a grin. “So get ready to go down, Avery Rose.”

Grinning back, I’m pretty sure I’m a little too excited about this, but who wouldn’t be? “The only one who will be going down is you, Sinclair. It may be rumored that you are the best on the ice, but on the stage—it’s all me.”

He scoffs. “I am the best at everything. You’ll see.”

With a challenging gaze, I nod. “Yes, I will.”

“So here is how this goes… We have three categories,” Markus says before taking a pull of his beer. “Tonight, it’s rap, love song, and duet.”

“Duet?” I ask, my fingers tracing the rim of my Jack and Coke. Apparently, the Bullies drink here with their fake IDs. I’m pretty damn sure that’s illegal, but I’m not complaining. The Gilroy is packed full of people—everyone and their mother are in this place, and it’s exhilarating. This is the first bar I’ve been to since I came to BU. Usually, we drink back at the Bullies’ house, so I’m excited to be out.

When I look over at Mekena, her eyes are wide as she looks around the room. I had texted her, inviting her out since I haven’t been hanging with her lately for one reason and one reason only: Jace Sinclair. But she tells me she doesn’t mind. She’s busy too, but she was quick to jump at the opportunity to come out with us tonight.

Probably to see Markus.

“Yeah, like you get a partner and sing together.”

“You’re my partner,” Jace says to me, and Markus yells out in protest.

“No way! That’s not fair,” he complains, but Jace just grins.

“Sorry for ya. She’d choose me anyway—we’re Javerying,” he says simply and Markus rolls his eyes.

“Dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. You’re either together or not; stop with that shit. Commit to my boy, girl! He’s a catch,” he says, shaking Jace’s shoulders, which makes him laugh as my cheeks redden a bit. But that’s probably from the booze. We’ve already done two sets of shots and I’ve drunk two Jack and Cokes. I’m somewhere between Buzzville and Drunktown, and I’m enjoying my stay.

Holding up her drink, Mekena adds, “Exactly.”

“You hush,” I demand and she grins. For Markus and probably everyone else in the world, our relationship status is dumb to them. But it works for me; I feel comfortable in it. Though, when Jace’s eyes meet mine, I know it isn’t working for him. That has me on edge. Clearing my throat and tearing my gaze from his, I look back at Markus. “Anyway, are there points?”

“Yup, loudest cheers get a point.”

I nod. “Cool. Who goes first?”

Markus looks at Mekena. “You wanna be my duet partner?”

I’m pretty sure Mekena just died. Her face turns bright red, her mouth parts as she looks at him with nothing but dreamy sunshine and roses in her eyes. “I’d love to.”

“Cool, let’s go pick a song,” he says, standing up and taking her hand.

Looking back at me, she mouths, “Oh my God,” and I can only laugh.

“So I take it she’s still into him?”

I laugh as I nod. “God, yes. It’s so sad. She won’t ask him out.”

“He doesn’t date,” Jace supplies with a shrug. “But then, at one point, I didn’t date. Oh, and I knew a girl named Diane who didn’t date either.”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up.”

Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he surrounds my chair from behind, kissing the back of my head. “You better kick ass up there. I’m not carrying this duet.”

I press my lips together to keep from laughing. “Oh, I wouldn’t expect you to.”

“I mean, I will. Being as amazing as I am, I’m used to getting points for the team.”

“Good Lord,” I groan and he smiles against the back of my head as his fingers dance along my collarbone. “That ego is bursting at the seams, Jace Sinclair.”

“Nah, it’s good.”

“Okay,” I laugh as he kisses my jaw.

“You look hot tonight,” he whispers against the spot below my ear. Before we came out tonight, I went back to my dorm to get Mekena and changed into a long maxi dress with long sleeves down to my wrists. It is comfortable and I am tired of wearing jeans. While Mekena is wearing a very short skirt, I gave those days up when I used my thighs as a cutting board. I never thought I would regret it one day when I was doing it, but then I didn’t think I was going to live long either.

But I am.

And I’m happy.

“Thanks,” I say, leaning into him.

“You smell good too,” he says huskily, and heat burns between my thighs.

“Jace, are we gonna make it through this?”

Grinning, he brushes his hand against my breast before holding me under my arm. “Not sure yet. I’m considering taking you into the bathroom.”