Page 76 of When Ben Loved Jace

I can’t make that promise.

“Talk to you later,” I say before hanging up.

I roll over onto my side and curl into a fetal position, sobbing a few times before I force myself to calm down. I need to think. Maybe he’s right. This could be Tim’s misguided way of making it possible for us to be together. Maybe he picked up Adrien for their date and that’s how he figured out where Jace lives. If so… I grab my phone and send Adrien a text, certain that the theory will be confirmed as soon as I get his response. If only.

We met at the restaurant.

I don’t think I ever told Tim about the trailer. I don’t see how it could possibly be him unless… What if Adrien wants Jace back, and he’s part of this scheme? I press my hands to either side of my head and feel like I’m going crazy. I need my best friend. I take a photo of the note and send it to Allison. Not wanting to bias her, I keep the accompanying text short and sweet.

I found this on Jace’s door.

Have you talked to him about it?she responds.

Yeah. He denies it.

But you have your doubts.

Exactly.

Then call the number on the note.

So obvious! Here I am, cooking up conspiracy theories, when I can go straight to the source. Of course, being me, I decide that I should pretend to be Jace and practice a voice that sounds more like him than my own. Maybe I should run it by Allison first. Although I can already guess what she’d say.

Stop being an idiot. Just call and ask.

So that’s what I finally do.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” I reply. “Is this Aaron?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

“Jace’s boyfriend.”

After a lengthy pause, the voice squeaks out a response. “Oh! I… didn’t realize that Jace had a boyfriend.”

“When you left the note, you mean?”

“You saw that?” Aaron replies, having the decency to sound embarrassed.

“Yes. I’m not mad at you. I just want to know the truth.”

“Okay.”

Even that one little word is steeped in guilt.

“When were you with him last?”

“A couple weeks ago.”

My stomach sinks. Jace had to leave town for a few days. After I screwed up with Tim. Adrien was right. This is him getting back at me.

“Was that the only time?” I ask.

“Yes, I swear!”

“Okay. That’s all I needed to hear.”