JASON'S POVBy the time I got downstairs, Tess was already gone. Thanks to Lexi, now I had an explanation to give. I had no idea how I would convince her that I hadn't slept with her. The temptations had been there and yes, I had kissed her back but I hadn't gone beyond that. Sure she had thrown herself at me and I had wanted it but I just couldn't go through with it.The living room was a mess. I made the calculations of cleaning up alone and groaned. Whatever thing had made me think that throwing a party for rowdy teenagers was a good idea, I was now regretting it. My head was spinning from a hangover and there was no one to help me.The couch looked inviting. If one could ever say that. I had spent the night there leaving my bed for Lexi. Quite a gentleman I had been, only for it to come to this. I clutched my head in my hands and sat down with a heavy sigh. "Hey, handsome! I hope you don't mind that I borrowed these?"I looked up abruptly as Lexi walked into the l

JASON'S POVI wasn't sure whether Tess was entertaining Evan to spite me or not. Her gaze from across the room was piercing and hateful. That was as close as I could get to her without her getting up to get away from me even before I could speak. The look however also contained regret. So yeah, maybe she was doing that out of spite. And yeah, she had a reason to hate me. I know I hated myself.I'd had better days in school and that was by far the worst. I decided to skip practice that day because I knew my mind wouldn't be there. I also knew that if I happened to run into Evan, I would break his bones. Instead of going straight home, I took a detour around town to clear my head. That evening at dinner, Tessie sat far away from me and didn't dare look at me. She ignored my attempts trying to get her attention until the meal was over. She got up to clear the table and I followed quickly with my plate. I was determined to get something out of her if only a word. The silent treatment was

TESSIE'S POVI walked down the hallway heading to my locker slowly. I could hear voices around me but I couldn't make out anything anyone was saying. My thoughts were wandering somewhere between the sheets on Jace's bed and his bedroom, in the hallways of our house, our living room, our kitchen—Whoa. Did I just think of it all as ours? It was funny how I didn't want to associate with him from the first day but now I was considering things as 'ours'. I chuckled softly and bit my lower lip with a dreamy smile. I clutched the books in my hands closer to my chest as the thought took root. Suddenly I was leaning against my locker and I couldn't tell how I got there. "Still thinking about penises and hormones?" Ava asked as she banged her locker closed. It was next to mine. "Oh, right. You joined the club so it's hard not to." "Oh my God! Could you be any more vulgar?" "Hmm," she pretended to think. "I don't think so. I'm not getting any action and

TESSIE'S POV "A kid!" I exclaimed in shock stopping in my tracks. "Is that seriously why you dragged me all this way Dad?" "Well, yeah..." "It's not like I have a say in that. This is between you and Diane." I started walking down the pier again. "Besides, didn't you decide to get married again without telling me you are even dating again? Having another child doesn't change anything," I stated without thinking. "Tessie," he stated from a few steps behind me. I turned only then realizing that he had stopped. He appeared upset but I didn't apologize. "I wanted to be sure before I introduced you to any other woman," he stated as he slowly joined me. "I knew it was a major decision and it would affect you majorly so I needed to make sure that the woman who replaced your mom was worth all that change."I scoffed and stared at him in disbelief, "Replaced my Mom?" "That didn't come out quite right," he pinched the bridge betwee

TESSIE'S POV "I didn't know you could cook like this," I stated as I dipped a piece of the chicken into the sauce then took a bite.Jace grinned. I knew right away that his response was going to be a brag but I let him have his moment. "I told you, there are a lot of things you don't know about me. I'm revealing them slowly by slowly." "Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes. "How did you manage to get all this done within the few hours I left with my dad anyway?" He parted his lips to respond but I saw the lie right through him before he could even say it. "I knew it! Your mom did this, didn't she?" "I helped," he laughed. "Get out! Maybe keeping her company in the kitchen. The only thing you are good at is football and looking good." The last words were out before I could stop them. He was now smirking. I had given him another reason to gloat without even trying. I waited for him to note that out loud but he remained silent