Chapter 10

Try Another Castle

Jace smiled happily combing his hair in the bathroom mirror. He felt like a little kid at Christmas and was struggling not to dance around the room or say something silly like complimenting Bat on his new shades. God, he didn't think that she was going to go for it. When he first saw her at the bar that night he knew she was different. She didn't sway over anything he said or throw herself at him. No, Clary was beautiful, intelligent and self-sufficient. He couldn't help but be attracted to the way she spoke and how down to Earth she was. Then after a few drinks, she flirted back finally revealing with words the thoughts behind her frequent blushing. The first night was exciting and hot. The second night was different as they took their time and explored each other. He shivered remember the way she looked down on her hands and knees. Jace flinched for a moment as he reached to comb the back of his hair. His muscles felt trot and sore after so much activity. He hadn't had sex in 6 months and even then it was a drunken mistake. He had been at a family Christmas party where one of his ex-girlfriends from home was at. After a few drinks, he slipped. It had been another 6 months before that. He was so pissed at himself when he woke up that morning.

Aline was a sweet girl and the relationship was doomed from the start. He cared about her as a sister but not beyond that. His mother pushed him to date her saying that she was from a good noble family and a perfect match. She couldn't have been more wrong, as usual. He was pushed into dating her as Aline was pushed into dating him. Aline was to be his "saving grace" once he got over this rock star thing, according to his mother. Maryse thought she was being ridiculous but had no say in the matter since she wasn't technically Jace's mother. The thought made him mad. After dating a year, they split after high school civilly. Then last Christmas things changed. He visited his mother and being around her always made him on edge. Aline was there and had just gotten into a fight with her friend Helen. They bother were looking for a way to punish themselves. Needless to say, they both regretted it in the morning. Especially when Helen walked into Aline's bedroom before storming out in tears. It was obvious that she was more than just a friend to Aline. Jace ended up driving Aline to the girl's house while she cried in the passenger seat. He even knocked on the door and coaxed Helen out of the house in order for Aline to explain the situation to her. The girl was hurt and heartbroken but understood Aline's reluctance to come out to her family. That she wanted desperately to make sure that this was who she really was. They made up and Jace agreed to help Aline talk to her family. It turned out the Penhallow's were more than accepting and the two are happily engaged now. Jace was supposed to go to their wedding next year.

A knock on the bathroom door brought Jace out of his thoughts. "Come in." He answered. "Good morning handsome! I've been texting you all morning." Isabelle's face appeared wearing a giant grin. He knew she didn't have a Diva meeting this morning. "Morning Isabelle. Sorry my phone died last night. It's on the charger now." Jace replied tiredly. He couldn't be mad at her. After all, she helped him steal Clary away last night and keep her all to himself. Isabelle noticed his fatigue and grinned even more. Jace caught her gaze and looked away. "Oh come on Jace! You haven't been in a relationship in over a year and it obvious you are head over heels for this girl. So fess up! You know I am going to find out anyway. You might as well make it easy on yourself." She announced crossing her arms. Jace looked at her in exasperation. He knew Isabelle well enough to know that little could prevent her from obtaining anything she set her mind to. This included information. Maryse tried to push her into college and law school but she refused. Instead taking acting classes then getting into modeling. Hell, she was the Diva's wrestling champion for crying out loud. Of course that motivation and perseverance extended to nagging him about the details of his love life. She would keep bothering him and Alec, hell even Bat, until she got the information she wanted. Jace took a reluctant sigh and turned to face her. "Clary and I, we're dating okay." The response was instantaneous. "Ah!" she shirked jumping up and down in excitement like one of fangirls that normally stalked him did. The musician looked at her bewildered as Bat came running into the room at full force. Obviously thinking something was wrong. A fan did get by hotel security once and find his room. She was treated to a view of him in his boxers and a very angry bodyguard hauling her away. Bat had been extra careful after that incident. He couldn't blame the man for being alarmed. Jace pointed to Isabelle giving Bat an apologetic look. The dark skinned man frowned before putting away his weapon.

"Finally! Oh my gosh, I knew you liked her! She is so pretty and feisty! Did you ask her or did she ask you? Is she coming to the concert tonight? Do you think she might be the one for you? Maybe you guys will end up getting married and having kids. That would mean I would be an aunt. Oh I can see it now! Ahhh! I hope you have a little girl and name her after me. Oh, this is just wonderful. Finally!" Isabelle squealed completely obvious to the scene she had created. Jace couldn't help but smile and shake his head. That was his lovable sister for you. Izzy had her moments but he knew that she sincerely cared about him. The Diva knew that he was ready to settle down and wasn't looking for a party girl. That didn't mean he was going to get married and have kids. He wasn't sure he would ever be ready for that but stranger things had happened. "Jaaaace!" she whined utilizing a pouty face. He sighed giving in. "I asked her and she obviously said yes. I told her briefly about the concert tonight but we got distracted before I could relay all of the details. Though, Bat told me Maia said yes so she will most likely be at the concert tonight. We're not getting married and I'm not sure kids will ever be in the cards for me. Now, stop this nonsense or you will scare her away." Jace replied giving Bat another apologetic nod for causing alarm.

Izzy ignored him and went on talking excitedly anyway. After a while Jace tuned her out and finished combing and putting gel in his hair. When she finally settled down and began asking reasonable questions he answered what he could. When she was at last satisfied she ran into the room and grabbed his phone. "What are you doing?" Jace asked curiously. He wasn't one to keep anything too personal on his phone. There were no naked selfies or explicit text messages that he had to worry about. He had changed his number a year ago to insure he would stop getting phone calls from former booty calls. Now his phone was clean, though with Clary being his girlfriend now that might change. He smiled making a mental note to change his password so Isabelle couldn't snoop. "Getting Clary's number." She answered. "I want to meet up with the girls before the concert. Maybe grab a bite." She smiled texting the contact info to herself. Jace rolled his eyes hoping that allowing Clary to meet Isabelle wasn't a mistake. "I know you'll be busy rehearsing or I would invite you." She added. Izzy was right of course. He would be rehearsing, checking over the stage and at the concert for the rest of the day. "I understand, just don't scare her off Iz." He cautioned taking his phone back from off the bed. "Me? Never!" Izzy smiled innocently. "Isabelle Lightwood." He warned turning around and glaring at her. The poor girl frowned.

"Where is your necklace?" she asked suddenly. "What?" he asked caught off guard. Isabelle eyed him. "Your necklace, Jace. The one you got from your parents for your 19th birthday. The one you never take off." She explained sarcastically. "I, I gave it to Clary. I wanted her to have something to show her that I was serious. Plus, it's not like I can't get another one." He shrugged. His sister was silent, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you don't like to talk about your dad but I'm not stupid Jace. You wouldn't wear that necklace if it didn't mean something. You shouldn't have given it away even if it was to your girlfriend." She explained. "I know Izzy. It just felt right to give her something to show her that I'm serious about this. I want something more sis. I, I want to be happy too." He whispered. They sat in silence for a moment as the browned eyed women wrapped her arms around her brother. Bat listened in keeping his back to them; trying to give them some privacy. America's heart throb did have a heart and it seemed like he might be finally ready to open it.

Downstairs Clary's meeting finally got out. "I can't believe you are dating a rock star. My little Clary sage is growing up." Kaelie smiled walking out beside her and Maia. Rebecca had to stay and work the afternoon at the day spa bar. "Just don't tell anyone okay. I don't want the tabloids bothering me." Clary whispered pleadingly to her friends. "Oh, of course, Clare!" the blonde replied. You know, I may like to know what's going on but I can keep secrets." She replied. Maia nodded reassuringly. Kaelie was a social butterfly but she knew what to keep to her chest. She didn't need to gossip about a girl to beat her, it wasn't her style. "You should keep that necklace safe." The blonde beauty said suddenly pointing to the sparrow chain Jace gave her. Clary looked at her curiously. "I wasn't planning on taking it off." She began as Maia giggled. She shot her a glare. "Oh shut it!" she snapped trying to hold back the smile that was sure to creep up on her face. "I know it's the necklace Jace wears all of the time. I remember seeing it on the cover of magazines." The red-head explained shrugging. Being stuck waiting at a doctor's office with a dead phone wasn't the most fun thing in the world. She did remember seeing her sexy musician on a few covers, though. Who would have thought she would be the lucky girl to catch his interest? Kaelie stopped walking and turned to face her. "I don't mean to pry but do you remember Jace Herondale being on the cover of Sports Illustrated?" she asked. Clary shook her head no but Maia nodded. "Yeah, it was a big ordeal because he wasn't an official athlete. It was a photoshoot and article about how he played football in high school. Apparently, he was pretty good and got a full ride scholarship to UCLA. He stopped playing after the first year of college once he got signed to his record label." She explained. "Really?" Clary asked. "I remember reading about how he was part of a band for a year before they disbanded and he went solo." She added. "You googled him?" Kaelie asked. Clary frowned. "Maia made me but I didn't read much. Just his age and musical background. There wasn't much about his family and I rather hear that part from him so I skipped it." She supplied. At this, the dark skinned beauty grinned.

"Clary you are too trusting. If I could google Bat and magically and learn things about him, I would in a heartbeat." She groaned. The two girls eyed her widely. "Bat? As in Jace's bodyguard Bat?" Clary asked. Kaelie gasped as Maia cursed her big mouth. "Jace's necklace. What about it Kaelie?" she asked trying to draw the subject away from herself. The look in her roommate's eyes told her that she wasn't getting off that early. "Oh yeah! Well, I read the article about how he didn't want to take the necklace off for the shoot. Apparently, it was a present from his father. He said something about his little brother liking it so he never took it off." The blonde supplied. Clary's stomach fell clenching the necklace. If it was something so precious to him he shouldn't have given it to her. Maybe if they were dating for a year or something but not after two nights. He had told her that it was precious to him and that he wanted her to wear it to remember him. To show her that he was serious about trying to have a relationship but this was too much. He would probably be missing it soon. She had to give it back to him but how to do it without upsetting him. "Earth to Clarissa," Kaelie said waving a hand in front of her. "Oh sorry." She squeaked looking up at her friends. "Sorry, I was just thinking about how I should give it back to him. It wouldn't feel right to keep something so sentimental." She explained. "I think that is a discussion you need to have with him." Maia replied. Clary felt her phone vibrate and instantly grabbed it thinking it might be the blonde rock star himself. Her heart dropped a little when she saw it was only Simon. She held up her finger to the girls and pressed the accept button.

"Hey Simon." She answered. "Finally, princess! I was beginning to think you got kidnapped and taken prisoner by Bowser." Simon said jokingly into the phone. They had been playing Mario since they were little and it was always a joke between them how Peach was always being kidnapped by Bowser. It had taken them three days to beat the original Nintendo Mario game. In that time, they didn't really eat or sleep. Just camped out in front of the television with determination. "Oh, I'm sorry Simon but I'm in another castle." Clary teased back. Each time they thought they were close in the game it would always end the same, the princess was in a different castle. This is why Simon was so smitten with her. No matter what nerdy thing he said Clary would understand. She knew him and more importantly "got" him. He just wished that she returned his feelings. He had been in love with her for years. "Well, Princess you better go and be 21st-century independent women and save yourself because you have a battle of the bands concert with me tomorrow night." He smiled. "Oh! That is tomorrow night isn't it?" Clary gasped surprised. At this Simon frowned. How could she forget? She was only his best friend and this was only the most important moment of his life. "You forgot? Claire, come on. You said you requested that night off weeks ago?" he begged. Clary couldn't help but giggle at this. "Oh Simon, of course I already took it off. I told you I would be there remember. I'm your number one fan… I'll come and cheer for ...umm what's your bands name again?" Clary asked. This she couldn't fault him for, they changed band names like Hugh Hefner changed girlfriends.

"If pickles could talk would you still eat them?" Simon replied. "Though the humor wore off and we'll probably go back to Lost Poet Society before tomorrow's event. What are you doing tonight? Maia said you had the night off." He asked happily. "Oh." Clary hesitated. "I'm um…I'm going to a concert." She stuttered nervously. She wasn't sure how Simon was going to react to everything that had happened in the last 48 hours. She wasn't even sure she knew how to react. "Oh really? Which one?" Simon asked curiously. Maia looked at the panic stricken expression on her roommates face. The brown eyed girls said goodbye to Kaelie and began walking back to her friend. It was clear that Clary needed so help. Maia doubted that Simon would take the news of her dating a rock star well. The guys been in love with her for years and Clary just finally seemed to realize that a year ago. She gave Maia the 'what do I do' look. Her roommate told her to breath. Of course Simon wanted to know which concert. Normally she only went to concerts with him and most of the time he had to drag her kicking and screaming. Maia didn't like the concert scene either. It reminded her too much of the club and was too noisy. It was completely sensible that he would find it strange that she would be going to a concert without him. "Jace Herondale." She replied weakly. "Jace Herondale? Oh yeah, I forgot that he was playing tonight. He is cool but his music is a bit too pop for my tastes. I like a few of his songs, though. I didn't know you even listened to him. Did you win tickets or something? Do you need anyone to go with?" he asked curiously.

"Well…." She began working how to phrase this. "Not over the phone." Maia whispered. Clary nodded. "Clary, what's wrong. I can hear it in your voice." Simon asked. She paused for a moment, cursing herself for not being a better liar. It's not like Simon wouldn't find out eventually. She just didn't see the point in telling him right away while everything was so new and shaky. Then again was it shaky? She had given the man your Morgenstern necklace to wear. Taking a deep sigh, she conceded. He was sure to be upset seeing it online and not from her first anyway. "Okay so this is going to sound odd but it's the truth I promise." She began. "Uh, Oh. What happened Clary? Simon asked again but more sternly. "Well, I sort of have a boyfriend now." She mumbled. The line was quiet for a moment. Maia put her hand to her head in exasperation. After waiting another minuet Clary was worried that Simon hadn't heard her. "Simon?" she asked. "Are you still there?" Just great. He was probably in shock. "Yeah Clary I'm still here." He replied. "Sorry, you just took me by surprised that's all. What do you mean by sort of? You either have one or not." He inquired.

"Okay not sort of. Simon I have a boyfriend and he has a concert tonight. Do you want to come? I have an extra ticket and Maia is tagging along." She asked hastily. Maia rolled her eyes but Clary held firm. If he thought her having a boyfriend was a surprise she doubted, he would believe her when she told her who. Maia was right, it probably best to tell him in person. "Maybe? So, who's the lucky guy? You haven't really said anything about any potential boyfriends, Clary. It's very unlike you to keep things from your best friend." He scolded. Great. If he kept asking questions at this rate she would have to tell him over the phone. "His name is Jace and you haven't met him yet." Clary replied. She didn't know why but she was scared. She had never been scared to tell Simon anything before. The women couldn't seem to settle the uneasy feeling in her stomach. "I have to go Simon but hey meet me at the concert tonight. Park in the Mandalay Bay garage and meet me at in front of the A1 side door by the Starbucks. I got to go, see you at 7:30!" she rushed and then hung up. "Well that was mature." Her roommate snapped. "Hey, I was trying to give him the least amount of information possible. They began walking towards the parking garage still discussion how they thought Simon was going to take the news. Yes, it was the cowardly thing to hang up on him but she couldn't help it. Simon hated pretty boys and although he admitted to liking Jace's music she doubted he would still like it if he knew that the singer was dating his best friend. Clary sighed deeply. "It will be alright Clary. Simon loves you and as long as your happy, he'll support you." Maia smiled hugging her friend.