Lacey's POV

What the hell is going on here?

Danny looks absolutely horrified and Jo has completely paled. She's kind of close to him, a little too close for comfort. I shouldn't be feeling a pang of jealousy…but I do. Though, the feeling must be irrational because Jo doesn't feel that way about Danny, right?

Then again, maybe she does because who would've thought that Danny and I would be where we are now?

Not lovers, that's for sure…so what is really going on here?

"Danny?" I crossed my arms over my chest when he didn't reply. He's just sitting there, his mouth a perfect O.

I turned to Jo. She's giving me the same facial expression. Like a deer in headlights. "Jo, what happened?"

Please don't let it be what I think it is.

Her eyes moved rapidly around the room as her cheeks puffed out. She's nervous. "Um…my dad just called and he's on his way, so…you guys better get going."

I cannot believe she just lied to me AND evaded the question. I thought we were getting along so well. I shook my head and left the room without a word. I heard him tell her bye when I stormed through the living room. Danny's quickened footsteps were right behind me as I flung open the door.

"Lace…" Danny called, but I kept going until I was in the car. He hurriedly got in as I whipped out of the driveway.

"Lace?"

"Are you going to tell me what happened…though I'm pretty sure I know what went on? I'm just hoping I'm wrong."

He hesitated, "Whatever you're thinking is probably right."

His voice sounded funny. He didn't want to tell me. I looked at him raising a brow.

"Okay, okay," he surrendered. I guess it was the look I gave him. "Jo…kissed me but I pushed her away as soon as she did."

I nodded, staring at the road. He confirmed what I was thinking. Masterson has a crush on Danny. I tightened my hands on the steering wheel and stepped harder on the gas. The car shot forward.

"Lace calm down," I felt his hand on my leg and I shifted away.

"I am calm."

"Then why are you going 70 mph in a 45 lane?"

I looked at the meter. Damn it he's right. I slowed down.

"Are you mad at me because I swear I didn't kiss J—"

"Of course not. I believe you," I interrupted him.

"Then, why won't you look at me?"

"I'm…driving."

"You know what I mean. She did it out of nowhere, I didn't see it coming. One minute we were talking and the next she kissed me-I didn't even know she felt that way-she's like a sister to me."

I knew all of this. I'm secure in our relationship because I'm confident and content with who I am…but it still irked me that she kissed him.

"Talk to me Lace."

I sighed. "Maybe we shouldn't have done this."

"What? Hang out with Jo?"

"No…I mean us." I risked a look and it was like the wind had been knocked out of him.

"What?! Lacey I know you're mad but—"

"I'm not mad at you." He didn't believe me. "I promise. It's just that…maybe you and I are going too fast. I mean you haven't been back in town long enough for you to adjust. I just broke up with Archie and the town is still jumpy around you… I mean, look at what happened today. We've been so focused on each other that we haven't even seen what was right in front of us. Jo likes you and—"

"Don't do that—don't try to jeopardize our relationship," Danny's voice was stern.

I looked at him and he was…angry. He's never looked at me like that before.

"God Lacey, I know what you're trying to do. You can't list a bunch of reasons why we shouldn't be together just because you're angry she doesn't know about us. You didn't want to tell her—"

"You're right, I didn't want to tell her or anyone else." Now I was getting angry with him. "Think about it Danny, if anyone knows we're together, they'll start a riot, say I'm your next victim, and try to banish you away from here."

Danny laughed but wasn't amused. "Really Lacey, that's a little farfetched don't you think?"

"No it's not. In fact, it's the same thing they did to you five years ago. This town threw you out and put you in juvie, don't you remember?"

"That's something I'll never forget," Danny said quietly.

I pulled up to his house and parked. When I looked at him, he was staring straight ahead.

"Look Danny, I'm sorry but I'm being realistic. I just don't want it to happen again. If the town knew—"

"You said you love me right?" He interrupted, still not looking at me.

I paused. What? "You know I do."

"And you still care about Jo?"

"…Yes…I do but what does that—"

"It has everything to do with this situation." He finally looked at me. "You're mad at Jo, though she doesn't know were together. You're conflicted because you want to tell her but now you don't think you can because maybe it'll hurt her feelings. And…you're scared for my being here, back in Green Grove."

I looked down. Wow. He knows me more than I do.

He tilted his head down so I can catch his eyes, then lifted his brows, "Did I leave out anything?"

I just stared at him and finally shook my head.

Tess was coming out the house when Danny was about to speak.

"Hi there Lacey, Danny. What have you kids been up to," she was at my window smiling.

"Hi Mrs. Masterson," we said. What's up with her eyes…

"Just hanging out. Making up for lost time," Danny smiled.

"Well that's nice. You guys were at the diner right…with Jo?"

We didn't want to lie to Tess. She's the sweetest out of all our moms.

"We were just—" he started.

But Tess cut him off grinning. "It's okay, if you were. Jo talks about you guys all the time. She misses you and anyone who makes her happy is okay with me." She winked and got into her car, driving away.

Danny looked at me. "Where her pupils a little too big to you?"

I frowned. "Yeah, they were…but she doesn't smoke or anything does she?" Hmm very curious…

"I don't know, I'm trying to picture Tess rolling up a blunt but the image is quite hard to visualize."

I laughed but then remembered our fight. "Danny…I'm sorr—"

"Hey, we don't have to talk about it now. I don't want your mom getting worried." Getting out, he grabbed his backpack, and walked around the car. "So I'll see you tomorrow at school?"

"…Yeah. I'll call you before I go to bed."

"Okay." He kissed my cheek and smiled, a little.

I have some serious apologizing to do.

"Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight, drive safe." He stood there, waiting for me to pull off before going into the house.

Driving down the street, I hit the steering wheel with my fist. Ugh! I wish I could've seen his real smile before leaving.

Damn it. I should've just apologized before he got out the car. I'm such an idiot.

Danny's POV

That ride home went in a completely different direction than I thought it would. I knew the kiss was a bad topic but that opened up a whole other door of issues. I've always known that she hides some of her emotions from me because she's the strongest girl I know. I love that she's strong but even the toughest girl in the world needs an outlet that will allow her to vent. I told her we'll talk about it later, so she could take a breather and mull things over. I know she wasn't angry at me for the kiss but with the obstacles that are threatening our relationship. I'm glad though because tonight, another one of her walls came down for me.

"Hi mother, how was your evening with Tess?" I found her in the living room with the usual glass of red wine attached to her hand.

"Danny," her smile lit up the whole room when I entered. This is the mom I've missed.

"It was like old times…like nothing has changed."

"That's good to hear. I'm glad you two are getting along."

"So am I. But Kyle is a different story. He's just—"

"Believe me, I know."

"So how was your day? Are you with Lacey or is it Jo now?"

Hm…I knew it was coming.

"Jo is my best friend mom." And I left it at that.

"So Lacey it is." She smiled and stumbled towards me. I took the glass from her, holding her steady.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be? Could you put that in the dish washer? I' m tired."

She kissed me on the cheek and slowly walked up the stairs. "Goodnight Danny."

Does she smell like…marijuana? Nah…though it would explain the goofy smile she gave me earlier…and Tess' eyes. I shook my head.

I went to the kitchen and placed the glass in the dishwasher. There was spilt wine on the countertop so I used a paper towel to clean it up. Throwing it in the trash, I saw what confirmed my suspicions. A small amount of marijuana was left behind in a zip lock bag. Really? Mom and Tess? I can't even wrap my head around it. Could they have at least flushed it in the toilet or something? I shook my head yet again and took the trash out. No need for this minor incident to end up on the rap sheet Chief Masterson has on me. I can see it in the headlines now.

Danny Desai, child murderer, prime suspect in Regina Crane's murder, and now pot head was found firing it up in his very own kitchen.

I really don't need any more shit on my plate.

I guess I'll take a shower now but I'm tired from the lack of sleep. I'm not complaining though…I'll stay up all night again if Lacey dropped by.

I started lathering up my arms, thinking about her. Maybe not such a good idea. Showering+thoughts of Lacey= one happy guy below the waist…and there it goes. I turned the nozzle on cold water. I shouldn't be thinking improper thoughts about my girl when she's upset. I hope she's okay. I'll call her when I get out.

When she spoke about us moving too fast, my heart stopped. I was praying that she wasn't breaking up with me but the more she talked, the more I understood. How fast were moving wasn't the problem. What it all boils down to is that she's scared to hurt Jo and she's scared for me.

But I'm going to be there for her, no matter what.

I stepped out the shower and dried myself off with the towel. I smiled, seeing the hot pink nail polish Lace and Jo spilled on it as kids. I was so mad at them that day.

I looked in the drawer and saw that I still had cartoon themed boxers. I thought mom threw those out. Note to self: never let mom shop for you again. She still thinks I'm eleven. I slipped on the more age appropriate boxers and looked at my phone. Two missed calls and one text. One call from Lace and one from Jo. The text reads: I'm really sorry Danny. Call me when you get this. –Jo

That's going to be one awkward phone call. Obviously, I'm going to call Lace first. She answered on the second ring.

"Danny," she sounded relieved.

"Hi Lace. I'm sorry, I was going to call you when I got out the shower. You made it home okay?"

"Yes, I did…I actually wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for freaking out before. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"Don't be sorry. I completely understand."

"Thanks, I'm glad that we're together it's just that…now that I have you, things are still trying to tear us apart."

"But that will never happen again. This time, we have now…no one can take that away from us."

I can hear her lightly breathing on the other end.

"Did you want to talk about the fact that you're scared for me being back in Green Grove?"

"…I am…"

"You don't have to be. Chief Masterson hasn't found any evidence on me and no one in town has threatened me in hours. I'll say that's progress."

She sighed, "Danny."

"Okay, I'm sorry. You don't have to worry about me though, I can take care of myself. I don't want you stressing over anything—"

"But it's not just anything, it's you. I don't want anything to happen to you. Some people can be so cruel, you know?"

"I know that better than anyone but I promise you, I'll be okay."

"How do you know that?"

I smiled, "Because I have you by my side and that's all I need."

I can practically hear her grinning on the other end.

"That was cheesy, I know. You don't have to rub it in Lace." She finally laughed. Yes!

"But it was still sweet, so you get points for that."

"Really? So I can take you up on that rain check now? You know, the one when we'll go at it in the backseat of your car" I smirked.

"Seriously, you are the only one who remembers stuff like that."

"When it comes to you, damn right I do."

"I'll think about it…"

"Wow just kill my hopes and dreams will ya Lace?"

"If 'sexy time' in the backseat of my car is your hopes and dreams, then we have another problem."

I chuckled. "Well, it's pretty high on my list."

"Danny!"

"Okay!"

"…So what are we going to do…about Jo I mean."

Shit. There it is.

"Well, she actually called me but I missed it. She texted me and apologized, saying she wanted me to call her back."

She was quiet.

"You there?"

"Yes, I was just thinking…do you want to go ahead and tell her about us?"

"You sure about that? I know you don't want to ruin the improvement you guys made today."

"Well…hopefully it doesn't ruin that…and I know it'll mean a lot to you if she knows."

"Yes, because she's my best friend but I also want us to be able to actually act like we're together in front of someone—and not always behind closed doors."

"Even when you know she likes you?"

"I have a feeling she won't for long."

"What makes you think so?"

"Because Rico has a thing for her."

"Wow. I guess I'm not surprised. I've caught him drooling sometimes looking at her...I don't blame him, she's like the gorgeous girl next door."

"Look at you. Complimenting her and everything."

She laughed softly. "What can I say? I miss her but I can live without her kissing you again."

"Ohhh, someone's jealous..."

"Wouldn't you be if Archie kissed m—"

"Don't finish that sentence, that's a low blow Lace. I'll kick his ass again before he even thinks about kissing you."

"Yeah okay, how would you know if he thinks about it?"

"Trust me, I'll know." I laid back on the bed, turning off the lamp.

"You know you're sexy when you're jealous."

"And you're sexy all the time…what are you wearing?" I smirked.

She giggled, "Down boy, not tonight. We both need our rest for school tomorrow."

"Please, just tell me one article of clothing."

"No."

"Fine."

"Big baby."

"You make me act this way, withholding important information like this."

"Seriously? Fine. I'm wearing an oversized jersey shirt, that's it."

"That's all you're wearing or that's all you're telling me?"

"Both."

"So you're saying…" My mouth fell open.

"Goodnight Danny," she said in a sing-song voice.

I sighed. "Goodnight Lace."

Cold shower number two here I come...

So guys, that's it for this chapter. I wanted to end it on a good note. The next one will include the Danny/Jo phone call and more of the trio. Btw, those Dacey scenes were hot on the last episode! I loved the car scene and the couch scene before the perv started filming them. Who do you think that was and what was your favorite Dacey moment? As always, thanks for your reviews. I love reading your TwistedTheories : )