Page 6 of Their Broken Tears
Her smile stretches across her face. “That’s the way.” She nudges me too hard on purpose, almost spilling my drink. I glare at her, only to have her smile widen with the silent threat. “So, where should we start? You want to find a date for this dance, right?” She asks as she scans the area.
“I’d like to look around, yes, but I wish you would let me find you a date,” I whine. I’ve been trying to set her up on a date for as long as I can remember. Never once has she agreed, stating, ‘He sounds like a douche-nozzle,’ about every guy I’ve mentioned. Proof that Jace and Alex’s vocabulary is rubbing off on her. The thought tugs a small smile to my lips.
“I don’t think so, Mare,” she laughs as I pout. “Not going to happen,” she counters, drinking about half her first cup in one gulp, sighing as if it’s the best tasting drink in the world. “Drink up, Mare. The guys are driving tonight.” A devilish grin spreads across her face. I put my cup to my lips and take a big swig. Normally, I don’t care for the taste of beer, but tonight it’s refreshing.
After three more, Jasmine and I are having the best time laughing and joking with the rest of the crowd. Who would’ve guessed we’d get along with everyone so famously? I may have found a new group of friends.
Jasmine is across the room when Jace sidles up next to me, Molly still a handful of steps behind him. “Hey, Mare. How’re you doing?” he asks, leaning against the back of the couch.
“Good, and you?” I tip my cup in his clingy, female shadows direction.
Jace glances over his shoulder and looks Molly up and down, provocatively. I roll my eyes and make a disgusted noise in the back of my throat, catching Jace’s attention again. The side of his mouth lifts into one of the cockiest smiles I’ve seen on him to date, one that says, ‘Girls fall all over my dick.’
“What?” he asks, innocently.
“You know what? You…” I point and wave my finger around in his face, “are a pig.” I pause for a moment to take a drink. “You shouldn’t treat girls that way. Not even girls like her.” I point to Molly, “Because even she needs somebody.”
When I look back up, Jace is staring at me strangely. His head tilts, raven hair slowly sliding into his azure eyes, lighting his face differently. He’s always been handsome. He’s Jasmine’s twin, and she’s gorgeous. I’ve always known this. However, this is the first time I’ve actually noticed.
“You need to stop staring at me.” I point at him again. I’m drunk and he’s making me nervous for no reason.
“You know what I think?” He grabs a hold of my pointer finger, humor dancing in his eyes. “I think you’re jealous.”
I suck in a sharp breath, surprised his accusation rings true. His eyes grow serious and his nostrils flare at my reaction. “I… I am not,” I argue, but it comes out breathless, like a plea. What the hell? My heart is hammering in my chest. My breathing is coming in short, shallow pants. Too much beer, too much beer, I chant in my head. There is no way I’m getting flustered because of Jace. He’s like my brother. That’s how I’ve always thought of him, but suddenly the thought of him being my brother is grossing me out.
Jace’s face fixes with determination, his lips poised as if to speak.
“What are you two doing?” Jasmine flings herself against us, shattering the moment.
I smile and hold up my cup, finally able to breathe again, and say the only thing that comes to mind. “Bottoms up.”
Jace eases to the side, confusion clearly draping across his features; eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He remains deep in thought until he glances back at Jasmine and adoration eases his troubled mind. Whatever was bothering him is all but forgotten. The love that the twins share for each other is an entirely different level of love, and neither Alex nor I will ever understand how deep their souls connect.
“Jaz, I told you you’d have a blast!” His eyes twinkle like crystals in the lights as he laughs at his sister’s slurred speech. He’s watchful but always tries to let her cut loose, since she rarely drinks. Typically, she hangs with the guys and drives them, so when she wants a night of freedom, Jace has little room for argument.
“You were sthoooo right.” She slurs as she leans on his shoulder, tucking her head under his chin. “I love you, Jacey,” she whispers. “Thank you for being my brother.”
Jace pulls her close with a protective arm, squeezing her once for good measure. He says something in her ear, just for her. Her smile grows impossibly wide, and she swats him on the chest while shaking her head.
Out loud, he says, “I’m going to find Alex. I think he went outside to talk to Carlos. You two going to be all right for a few?”
A frown pulls at my expression, wondering why my brother would hang out with Carlos. Carlos is a nice guy, but lives on the other side of town, and has a rough life if the rumors are true. His mom left when he was young. Dad’s an abusive alcoholic who blames him for her leaving; you put two and two together. He must get his good looks from his mom, because his dad is the epitope of homely. He may have been easier on the eyes in his early days, but now he’s dirty, and usually spells like piss or liquor. Carlos, on the other hand, is smooth muscles and tight cotton shirts, ebon hair, and melted chocolate eyes. Skin just as dark as my own, with a Mexican accent to match. Just because he’s dangerous doesn’t mean I’m blind. The guy is fucking hot!
“We’ll be fine,” Jasmine giggles, still slurring her words and pushing on her brother’s shoulder.
He smiles at her, knowing by the time we leave, she’ll be three sheets to the wind. “Okay.” He pats her head like a faithful dog. As she swats him away, he leans closer to me, bringing with him the smell of freshly laundered clothes, and a hint of spice that’s solely him. “Keep an eye on her, will you?”
“Of course.” The words come out breathless, not escaping his attention.
His eyes lock and hold mine for a moment longer, searching for an answer to a question I don’t think either of us is ready to voice before heading toward the back door.
“Now that our bodyguards are gone, let’s really get this party started.” Jasmine grabs my hand and heads toward the middle of the room, where the dance floor is in full swing.