Home is Where the Heart Is (Home #1) (17 page)

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Tate said in a hoarse voice. “I begged you to talk to me.”

“That would have made it too real,” Isabelle whispered. “And I just wanted to forget.”

“You need to go to the police, that bastard needs to fry for what he’s done!”

“No!” Isabelle cried out desperately. “Tate, this is exactly why I didn’t tell you. No police, OK? They would make me relive it and there would be little to be done anyway. He didn’t actually…”

She broke off, a sob breaking through. Jace heard a whisper of clothing which must be Tate moving forward to console her.

“He would have,” he said softly. “And I will
kill
him for even trying.”

“Tate, just please leave it alone.”

“I can’t,” was the broken reply. “You’re my favourite person in the whole world and he’s broken something in you that turned you against yourself and everyone who loves you. I don’t think I can live with myself if I don’t make him pay for what he’s done.”
Jace felt uncomfortable even hearing this exchange, like he was betraying Isabelle’s trust just by being here. He glanced back behind him and sighed. No way of getting back inside without being in their view so it looked like he was stuck here.

“Tate, you’re my best friend. I know I’ve been horrible to you the past few weeks and I am so sorry, but you need to listen to me, OK? If you tell anyone, or do anything about this I will never forgive you. You will never hear from me again and all our years together will be for nothing.” Her voice was cracked from crying but very firm.

“I won’t go to the police,” Tate replied after a moment. “But I can’t guarantee I won’t hurt him. It’s not like he’s going to tell people why, so he’ll probably even make up some excuse for me.”

Isabelle sighed deeply. “I’d really rather you didn’t.”

“And I would rather have had you trust me enough with this, but this is where we’re at.”

There was a long pause, so long that Jace wasn’t even sure if they were still out there.

“I love you,” he told her quietly. “Don’t ever shut me out like that again.”

Jace’s heart pounded so loud and painfully at that moment that he wasn’t sure he could concentrate on Isabelle’s reply.

“I love you too,” she replied but her tone was much lighter than Tate’s. “And I really am sorry.”

“I know you are. I guess I can understand why you didn’t tell me.”

Tate let out a long breath. “So, how are you settling in anyway?”

“It’s been surprisingly easy,” she replied, her voice a little muffled. Were they pressed against each other? “Apart from getting punched in the face.”

“What?” Tate yelled, making even Jace jump. “Did that boy next door…?”

“No!” Isabelle insisted with conviction. “Jace would never hurt me.”

Damn right he wouldn’t.

“It was his ex-girlfriend,” she admitted grudgingly.

“I see. And she was hitting you because?”

“Jace has been really sweet and welcoming,” Isabelle said, and there was no denying the warmth in her tone. “I guess she didn’t like that.”

“Huh. And who is this guy anyway?”

Yep, definitely wasn’t a fan of Jace. He could hear the venom in Tate’s tone.

“A complication,” Isabelle replied shyly.

“So you like him?” Tate asked bluntly.

Jace moved as close as he could to the couch, not wanting to miss a word.

“He thinks I’m beautiful,” she whispered.

“You
are
beautiful,” Tate said flatly.

“He makes me
feel
beautiful, Tate.”

There was another long pause and Jace could feel the awkwardness in the air.

“I’m so glad you came,” Isabelle said finally. “How long are you here for?”

“Just the five days until school goes back,” he replied.

“You don’t know how happy I am to see you,” she told him fervently. “You can come and experience this place with me and then I won’t feel like I’m the outsider.”

“You would want that?” Tate asked. “Me to come and intrude on your new world?”

“Tate,” Isabelle admonished. “You
are
my world, ok? Did you bring your boardies? There’s a pool party on tonight and you have to come…”

Her voice faded away as they headed back inside and Jace felt his body go limp. He let himself slide into view and just lay on the floor, his mind filled with so much new information he had no idea what to do with it all.

“What are you doing down there?” Maia’s face appeared above him.

“Just chilling,” he lied.

She watched him intently and he knew she saw through the lie.

“Where’s Isabelle?” she asked instead.

“Her friend came to visit so she’s entertaining him, I guess.”

Why was his voice so off? It barely even sounded like him.

“Tate came down?” Maia asked in surprise.

Jace sat up on his elbows. “She told you about Tate?”

“She didn’t have to,” Maia said dismissively. “I’ve spoken to him myself.”

Jace’s eyes bulged. “When?”

Maia just crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes shrewd. “A while ago. Were you out here spying?”

Jace’s face flushed before he could think of a convincing lie.

Maia smacked her forehead with her hand. “Jace, that is called stalking and they have laws against it!”

“I wasn’t stalking her,” he said defensively, getting to his feet. “I just wanted to make sure she was OK.”

Maia sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Well, you better come inside before you get caught and I have to seduce the cops.”

“You don’t always have to save me Maia,” he told her quietly.

“You’re my brother,” she replied simply.
And for Maia it was that simple. Blood would always be thicker than water and no matter how many times or how badly Jace screwed up, she would never leave him because he was literally her other half.

“You are the biggest pain in my arse,” he told her firmly. “But I love you.”

Maia stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him, her eyes wide with shock.

“What?” he asked. “What did I do?”

“You haven’t said that to me in years,” she whispered.

“That you’re a pain in my arse?” he joked. “Pretty sure I say it every week.”

“Not that,” she said quietly.
The way she looked at him with her eyes watering, he could not have felt more like a low life if he’d tried. His family had been through so much and
he
had put them through so much that they were all genuinely surprised if he showed any sign of love or affection towards them.

“Well, it’s the truth,” he told her gruffly.

Maia stepped forward almost hesitantly and wrapped her thin arms around his neck. “Me too.”

It was unbearable, this intimacy that spotlighted his short comings, and once again Maia came to his rescue, releasing him a moment later, her face a mask of boredom.

“Did you end up eating?” she asked casually.

Jace could only shake his head.

“Perfect, we’re going to Cactus for lunch and some cocktails.”

“We’re not eighteen yet,” he told her tiredly.

She grinned wickedly. “You underestimate the power of beauty and boobs.”

“Boobs?” he asked before he could stop himself.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes Jace. I’m aware of what I’m working with, which is why I’m inviting Isabelle.”

He opened his mouth to protest but she was already bouncing from the room.

“Hurry up and get dressed, it won’t take me long to get Isabelle on board.”

He sighed deeply. That was his sister; master manipulator.

He turned to his wardrobe in defeat, knowing full well Maia always got what she wanted.

Lucky her.

*

Twenty two minutes. Just twenty two minutes is all it took for Maia to have Isabelle, Tate, Matt and himself squashed into her Mazda and well on the way to lunch.

Jace was wedged tightly next to Isabelle with Tate on her other side and you could cut the tension with a knife.
“So Tate,” Maia began, and immediately Jace felt on edge with the tone she used.

“So Maia,” Tate countered but he was smiling and his voice was missing the edge it took when he was forced to address Jace.
“How long do you plan to grace us with that pretty face of yours?”
Matt scowled and shot Tate a nasty look which Tate either didn’t see or ignored.
“Just until holidays break up,” Tate replied.
“You can’t stay longer?” Maia asked, shooting him a pleading look.
Jace glared at the back of his sister’s head. What the hell was she doing?
Tate gave her a winning smile which only deepened Matt’s scowl.
“Just start fresh here with Isabelle and you guys? Leave my whole world behind?”
Maia gestured to herself and Isabelle. “I’d say the rewards speak for themselves.”
Isabelle was smiling up at Tate warmly, her hand sitting on his, their thighs pushed against each other. She never flinched away from Tate’s touch or froze at any accidental skin contact which had Jace fighting the urge to launch Tate out of the car.
“Do you have a special lady waiting for you back home?” Maia asked with a sly smile.
It would be impossible to ignore Tate’s eyes flick to Isabelle for a moment before settling back on Maia.
“Nope, I’m a free agent.”
“So is Jace,” Matt piped up, turning to look at Tate meaningfully.
Tate eyed Jace distastefully. “Sweet of you, but Jace isn’t really my type.”
Both the girls giggled, clearly charmed.
“If I were so inclined, I think I could do better,” Jace replied silkily before he could stop himself.
Tate gave him a smile that promised violence. “Cute.”
Isabelle patted Tate’s knee softly. “Be nice Tate.”
Tate stared at Isabelle and then finally broke away with a defeated sigh.
“So, what’s this I hear about a party tonight?” he finally asked as Maia parked the car incredibly crookedly.
No one dared point that out to her though.
“Oh my god,” Maia squealed as she jumped out of the car, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“It’s going to be so much fun! Are you a speedo or boardies man?”
Matt looked like he might pass out, his face was turning so purple.
Tate glanced almost apologetically at Matt and then offered an arm each to Isabelle and
Maia, and let them lead him away. He left the question unanswered.
“So, what’s the plan?” Matt hissed at Jace, his eyes never leaving Maia’s retreating back.
“The plan for what?” Jace asked dejectedly.
“Getting that pretty boy douche away from our women!” Matt replied like it was the most obvious thing ever.
“First of all, I don’t even know why you’re worried. Maia is in love with you, which puts you on top, and secondly, Isabelle isn’t my woman.”
Matt’s face began to recede back to his normal colour. “Well, with that attitude she never will be. You know he’s into her, right?”
Jace rolled his eyes at Matt. You would have to be an idiot not to see the bond Tate shared with Isabelle, the protectiveness he felt towards her and the way he looked at her longingly every time.
You would also have to be completely blind not to see how much brighter Isabelle seemed when around him.

“He makes her happy,” Jace told Matt intently as he followed after them. “We do nothing.”
Matt sighed deeply but followed behind Jace.
As they approached the entrance of the restaurant Jace’s eyes widened as he noticed they had extra company joining them for lunch.
Giselle, Kandi and Ben stood in easy conversation with Tate.
“Jace, hey!”
Giselle moved away and enveloped him in a hug.

“Oh my god, your girlfriend has great taste in friends,” she whispered quickly into his ear before releasing him to punch Matt lightly on the shoulder.
Kandi nodded their way before turning back to the conversation, her eyes not on Tate but instead on Ben as usual, which also meant that, as usual, Ben was completely oblivious.
“Hope you don’t mind us crashing,” Ben said, giving Jace an easy smile.
“No,” Jace said, feeling a bit out of sorts. “I’m just surprised to see you here.”
Ben shrugged. “The girls were helping me get some supplies for the party when Maia texted them that there was another new babe in town and they had to come ASAP to lunch.”
He grinned sheepishly at Tate. “I tagged along because I thought Isabelle might have a lost cousin or something that came to visit. I had no idea the babe was you.”
Tate smiled back at him. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Oh, there’s been no disappointment,” Giselle told him softly, running her eyes up and down his body.
“I’ll admit, I’m a bit surprised too,” Tate said, ignoring Giselle’s leering. “You’d have thought Izzy was being sentenced to prison the way she acted about having to move. I expected to come here and find her sulking in her room in the middle of a hunger strike.”
He smiled brightly at the girls and Giselle actually swooned a bit.
“It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one who sees she’s something special.”
Ben clapped his hand on Tate’s shoulder. “My man, you have no idea. Wait until the party tonight, you might have to bring a stick to beat the guys away from her.”
Isabelle blushed as she ducked her head. “That’s not true at all, Ben.”
“Guys, I’m starving,” Maia whined as she grabbed Isabelle and tugged her along, motioning for the rest of them to follow.
“Let’s go get something to eat and then Tate can tell us all about the mysterious Isabelle Mason.” She gave Tate a wink over her shoulder.
Tate barked out a laugh. “Mysterious? Is that what they think you are, Iz?”
Isabelle smiled at him ruefully. “I’ve tried to tell them otherwise but it just adds to their theory.”
The girls followed along, glowing and giggling, leaving Ben, Matt and Jace to trail behind.
“Old boyfriend?” Ben asked quietly.
“Best friend,” Jace replied.
“Not a fan of you?”
“Hated me on sight.”
Ben smiled brightly. “Good, means he knows you’re a threat. Hang in there man, it’s about time some luck headed your way.”
He elbowed Matt and together they eased after their group, leaving Jace standing alone, mystified at Ben’s kindness.
He honestly thought his only true friend in this world was Matt, but as it turned out, he’d spent so much time feeling nothing and shutting himself away from everything that he’d neglected to realise other people had his back too.
He thought about what Ben had said, about Tate targeting him as a threat. He’d never actually been a threat to anyone before so he was completely unaware of how it felt, but he had to admit that there was no hostility when Tate spoke to the other guys; just him.
“Jace!” Isabelle called, her eyes alight with joy as she watched him. “I saved you a seat, come on.”
Every eye on the table was trained on him as he took the seat Isabelle offered, right next to her.
Jace pulled his chair slightly closer to Isabelle’s before easing in, feeling the burn from Tate’s eyes on him.
“So, what’s good here?” Isabelle asked, breaking the silence as she opened a menu in front of Jace.
“The cocktails,” Maia replied, leaning close to the pair.
Isabelle eyed Maia warily. “None of us are eighteen yet, Maia.”
Maia grinned. “But some of us have the body that defies all laws.”
“I know you’re not referring to me,” Isabelle told her firmly.
Maia rolled her eyes and shared a look with Tate that clearly said they both knew she was crazy.
“How you survived this long completely oblivious to simple truths I will never know,” Maia muttered.
“We’re going out tonight anyway,” Isabelle continued. “Why don’t we just take it easy until then?”
“I’ll go get a jug of coke for everyone,” Jace stated loudly. “Do you want to help me out, Isabelle?”
Isabelle smiled gratefully up at Jace, already half way out of her seat. “I’d love to.”
“Isabelle, please just ask for a jug of Female Viagra OK? I don’t want to get drunk, I just really want to show you what heaven tastes like. Please? I will never ask you to do this again, and if they ask for ID you can just say you left it at home and we won’t ever bring it up again.”
Jace groaned inwardly, knowing that Maia didn’t even need to pull out her puppy eyes for this one; Isabelle was sold already.