Grinning, I kiss his lips once more. “It happened because of you.”

He waves me off. “No, it happened because you’re awesome. Yeah, I had my dad contact him, but your talent got you the interview.”

“You really think so?”

His lips curve as he shakes my shoulders. “I know so. God, I’m so proud of you.”

“Eek!”

“I’ll be tearing up the ice, and you’ll be singing all over the world. Don’t forget about me when you’re big,” he reminds and I grin. “If I hear you’re dumping me for Shawn Mendes, I swear, I’ll take a hockey stick to his kneecaps.”

“God, Jace. Never!”

Leaning toward me, he kisses me. “That’s right. You love me and only me.”

The desire in his eyes is all-consuming, and all I can do is smile. “That’s right.”

“Good, I love you.”

“I love you,” I whisper, and I can’t say it enough to him. I just want to scream it in his face. Tell him how much his love means to me and how I’ll treasure it my whole life. I don’t know how I got this lucky, but I swear, I’ll never ask for anything else.

Jace is enough.

Kissing my nose, he pulls away before starting his car. I’m bouncing with excitement. I still can’t believe this. I’ve wanted this for so long. And damn it, I’m going to rock the shit out of it.

All of a sudden, I want to share it with someone else. My mom. I have to tell my mom. She’ll be so excited! Pulling out my phone, I hit her name and put it to my ear.

“Who you calling?” he asks, confusion visible on his face as he turns on to Broadway.

“My mom,” I practically sing as she comes on the line.

“Hey, honey.”

“Mom! You’ll never guess what just happened.”

“What?” she asks, and I wish she sounded as excited as I am. But she will be! I relay what just happened. It’s almost like a dream. I even pinch myself just to make sure, because it isn’t that easy. This is happening. I haven’t paid my dues yet, but I got in. I really don’t want to owe his dad anything, but I guess I do now. That doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t trust him, and I really wish he’d disappear, but why am I thinking about that? That’s not my problem right now.

No, I’m supposed to enjoy my moment.

“Honey, that’s amazing.”

From the sound of her voice, it doesn’t seem like it is, but I ignore that. “Right? So the showcase is March fourth.”

“Great, make sure to let me know how it goes.”

I pause, my heart sinking. But then, no, they have to come.

“You can’t come?”

“Honey, no. Daddy is so busy with work.”

“Okay, but can’t you come?”

“Oh no, I don’t travel without him.”

She says it like it’s not a big deal, but it is. Doesn’t she realize that? I bite into my lip as I nod slowly, looking down at my thighs and hand. When Jace’s hand slides into mine, I close my eyes. Why did I even think it was a good idea to call her?

“Oh.”

“Don’t be upset, honey. It’s okay, and plus, I’ll see you Friday. Maybe we can talk him into it.”

I shouldn’t have to talk them into it. They should want to be there for me.

“Yeah. Okay, well, I gotta go back to class. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Great. Love you, honey.”

“Love you,” I say sadly before hanging up and letting out a long breath. I can’t believe it. I really can’t, and a part of me thinks maybe it didn’t happen. But it did and that just hurts. It fucking hurts. Like, why? Why aren’t I important enough? She didn’t even want to bring it up to my father or talk to him about coming. She didn’t ask anything about it. Or even about my life. Nothing. It doesn’t make sense. When the hell am I going to matter?

When the car stops, I glance up to see that we are at Jeni’s Ice Cream. I look over at Jace to find him looking back at me with concern in his eyes. “Do you feel like celebrating?”

My lips quirk and I shrug. “Why don’t they want to be there for me?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know, baby. I’m sorry.”

I shake my head. “Oh well, you’ll be there. That’s all that matters.”

“And my family, of course,” he says, and then he is on his phone, putting it on speaker.

“Hey, baby,” his mom says, and I hear nothing but love in her voice.

“Hey, Mom. Guess what?”

“What?”

“Avery is performing downtown for a showcase for a record deal!”

“Wait? What is that?”

I smile as Jace laughs. “Like singing, Mom. A real singer, on a stage and stuff.”

“Like Taylor Swift?”

He smiles. “Better,” he says with a wink and I grin at him.

“Shut up! When? Let me get to the calendar. Is she there? Goodness me, that is so awesome.”

“Yeah, you’re on speaker.”

“Oh, Avery! Honey, I’m so proud of you. Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” I say sadly and my eyes flood with tears. Why didn’t my mom say that?

“Okay, when is it?”

“The fourth of March,” I say, wiping away a stupid tear that falls.

“Got it down. I’ll be there. Bells and whistles on! Hell, I may even have a sign, since that’s what hockey moms do. Cowbells might be frowned upon, huh?”

Jace cringes, a grin playing on his lip. “Just a bit, Mom.”

“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll be there!”

“Thank you so much,” I say, swallowing past the sob that wants to escape.

“Well, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Wow, I’m so proud. This is awesome.”

“Yeah, we’re excited,” Jace says, kissing the back of my hand. “Okay, can you tell Lucy? I’m gonna text Jude and Jayden.”

“Sure!”

“Okay, love you, Mom.”

“Love you. Love you both. I’m just so excited for you, Avery!”

“Thanks,” I say once more. “Love you too.” I expect it to feel weird, but it doesn’t.

Because when I fell for Jace, I fell for all of him.