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Jace's POV
Speaking as someone who has come here more times than everyone in here put together, you could say I know the club like the back of my hand.
It was nothing huge and extravagant. It fits maybe two hundred people, maximum. But in a place like Wyoming with only so many people, that's all the space we really needed. The DJ was always the same, the son of the club owner, and he at least was pretty good. I smiled as we stepped inside and went straight to the bar, where Bat, a buddy of mine, was bartending.
"Hey man," I said as I slid in the stool.
Bat nodded towards me. "Long time, Jace."
"Not that long," I pointed out.
"If you say so," he chuckled. "What can I get you?"
"Actually," I turned and found Clary dancing with the rest of the group already on the dance floor. I pointed, making sure Bat knew who I was talking about. "You see the short, pale girl with the red hair, green dress?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Is she your new toy or something?"
"No, but I want you to keep an eye on her. Give her whatever she wants, but if you see anything sketchy, let me know. I don't want her to get hurt."
Bat gave me a weird look. "What are you on about?"
"It's her eighteenth birthday," I pointed out. "And yeah, we're not old enough to drink–"
"Most people who come in here aren't," he butted in.
"But just make it a night she remembers. Emphasis on the remembering," I said with a stern expression. And I pulled out my wallet, dropping two one hundred dollar bills on the table. "Deal?"
Bat took the money and slid it into his pocket with a nod. "Deal."
With that done, I walked away and headed to the dance floor, making my way through as the pounding music flowed through the crowd of teenagers and young adults. I smiled when I found Isabelle dancing with Simon, making him look awkward and confused. The poor guy didn't know what he got himself into when he asked her out.
But my eyes scanned for someone I actually wanted to dance with. Since I saw her earlier, Isabelle teasing me with the training out fit and now the dress, I've wanted time with her. But Clary was like a ghost now, disappeared from anywhere. All I could find was Alec by the bar, Sebastian with some random blonde, and a group of girls at a table eyeing me like I was their prey.
Not that I minded the last one.
I turned around to search the other side of the club when I spotted her red hair dancing alongside someone. They were grinding, and I grit my teeth at the sight.
But she looked like she was having fun, sadly. The guy looked to be Hispanic and he wasn't acting like some pervert. They were being gentle, and he was smiling and said something that made her laugh out loud. It wasn't bad or anything, but I frowned and stayed in the shadows as I watched. Clary seemed to be having fun, and it was without me. I refused to be that guy though, the one that gets jealous over the girl that isn't even his.
"Hey, you," a girl said as she stepped up beside me, instantly running her hand down the opening of my shirt. "Want to dance?"
"I–"
"Jace!" Isabelle exclaimed when she came up next to me, reaching out to grab my hand. "Dance with me!"
I didn't even get a say in it as I was dragged from the random girl to the dancefloor with my adopted sister. I frowned at her as she started to move and forcing me with her, but then she started talking.
"What are you doing?"
I frowned. "I was talking to her," I pointed to the random brunette that was now with her friends again, "Before you rudely interrupted."
"I meant with Clary. Bat told me what you said to him. If you're so protective over her, why don't you go dance with her?"
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Just go dance with Simon, Isabelle. Stop meddling into my life."
And with that, I walked away, heading for the bar. If I was going to get through this, I needed a drink. Maybe five.
By midnight, Clary was smiling, a couple drinks in her, dancing around and joking with people. I had danced with a few girls myself but I kept finding myself looking for Clary, just to watch her. It wasn't to be creepy, but I don't want her dancing with someone creepy, you know? That was the logical excuse in my head.
So I spent most of my time with Alec at the bar. With Magnus out of town, Alec didn't really have anyone to dance with. He didn't want to be considered 'cheating' since he thinks that dancing with another guy would be wrong. I let him do what he wanted though, not arguing with him.
But since I couldn't dance with who I wanted to dance with, there was nowhere else to be than with Alec.
"Is that number four?" Alec asked.
I glanced up and found Clary with yet another suitor, dancing with him to a slower song this time. Their arms were around each other as they talked, and I found myself gripping my glass of fireball whiskey a little too tightly.
Alec chuckled, drinking from his own glass. "Or maybe five?"
"You're not helping."
"Sorry," he held his hands up defensively. "Why don't you just do the Jace Lightwood thing?"
"What would that be?" I asked, waving down Bat to fill my drink once again. I took a big swig of it when he did and glanced at Alec who never answered my question. "Well?"
"It's not like, you're thing, but I feel like it would work. Well, actually, Magnus might have mentioned it before when I talked to him earlier."
I still looked confused. "Maybe it's the alcohol, but I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Just walk out there," He pointed to the dance floor, "Go right up to Clary," He pointed to her, "And kiss her."
My jaw dropped. "She'd beat me senseless and cut off my manhood if I did that."
"Somehow, I doubt it."
"Obviously, you don't remember middle school."
"I do, and I still doubt it."
I watched as she moved around her new dance partner, wondering what it would be like. Would kissing her really be a good idea, or would this end as badly as I expected it to? But, would it be totally worth it? Especially after what happened last time… Probably.
"I'm doing it," I said, putting my drink down and standing.
Alec chuckled and raised his drink to me. "Go get her, buddy."
I did. Well, kind of. I moved my way through the crowd slowly, determining which way would be the best way to do this. A slow song started just as I almost made it over to her, and Clary turned to wrap her arms around the neck of the guy, leaning her head on his chest. She seemed pretty content, so did I really want to mess that up?
Yes I did.
"Hey, man," I said, getting the attention of the two. "Do you mind?" I asked politely, something you only find in the western clubs when it's full of complete sarcasm.
The guy didn't look happy, but after looking me up and down and realizing he'd lose in a fight, he nodded and backed off as Clary let go of him and came to me. She looked hesitant as I wrapped her arms around my neck, holding her wrists there lightly before trailing them down her bare arms, down her sides, to her hips. I felt her shiver and smiled.
She came closer and pushed her cheek against my chest. I felt the heat instantly. God, Alec was right. I should've just kissed her. But this wasn't that bad… I actually kind of liked it.
"Have you had a good time?" I asked her.
She nodded. "I don't usually come to these scenes, but it's been fun. I'm going to be exhausted tomorrow for sure."
"You're staying with us, right?"
She nodded again. "I'm probably not going to make it home. At least Luke knows about it this time."
I smiled at that. At least that meant I had more time to convince her of the deal I made with Luke. Somehow, I have to bring that up, but I don't think that right now, both of us full of alcohol, would be the best idea.
"I feel like I need some fresh air," she said.
I pulled back and grabbed her hand. "Come on."
She didn't hesitate and followed me through the club, and then right out the back door. The alley was lit up enough to where it wasn't creepy, but there were still dumpsters and broken bags, the usual. I stepped down the steps, helping Clary until she reached the floor and leaned against the brick wall of the building, smiling to herself.
I watched her for a while before stepping back and leaning on the opposite wall so there was distance between us. That was more for my self-control than anything. Alec's advice wasn't the best, I realized. I liked my manhood attached.
"It gets stuffy in there," she breathed out, her eyes closed.
I nodded as I watched her. "Yeah."
"Thanks."
I raised my eyebrows. "For what?"
"I haven't been really thankful for what you've done for me," she said suddenly. "I mean, you fixed my necklace." Her hand came up and touched where the ring hung around her neck. "Last night, you didn't have to help me find Opal, but you did without even hesitating, even if you stole her from me. And you've convinced Maryse to pay enough to keep my Mom and Luke afloat for a while, but I know you couldn't do everything. You've tried though, and you've been patient with me, and helped me, and I never really thanked you enough for all of that."
I didn't really know what to say at that. I mean, yeah, I did that, but the surprising part was the fact that she's admitted it and was giving me a look. I didn't even know what that look meant.
"Um," I hesitated. "You're welcome?"
She chuckled. "Are you not used to people being grateful?"
"I cause more destruction most of the time. Maryse isn't much of a thankful person anyway, and Isabelle and Alec would rather cut their left leg off than thank me for anything. I just know it's there."
"But you're not used to hearing it?" she asked with drunken sadness in her voice.
I shook my head and dropped it, kicking at the rocks on the asphalt.
And before I knew it, Clary's boots were in view. I looked up as she walked towards me and smiled at me. I smiled back and she stood on her tip toes. My heart raced as I thought she was going to kiss me, but her lips moved to my cheek where they stayed momentarily before pulling back. Her eyes looked right into mine, and I wanted nothing more than to grab her and kiss the crap out of her.
But I didn't. She just smiled and mumbled a "Thank you, Jace," again before turning and heading back into the club.
"You're an idiot," I told myself when she was gone. "God, she was right there, and you didn't even kiss her." I turned and banged my fist on the wall. "What the hell is wrong with you, Lightwood?"
I wanted to beat myself up for my own stupidity, but I realized that was probably a really bad idea. So I headed back inside instead, wondering what I could do to actually make this happen.
"BIRTHDAY SHOTS!"
"Shit," I mumbled before moving through the crowd. I found Clary at the bar, already taking a third shot and shaking it out, her hair flying with her eyes pinched shut momentarily. Alec and Isabelle and Simon were all surrounding her. Bat was in front of her, being hesitant but pouring the shots as Isabelle instructed with a cold look on her face.
Even though I told him not to, I can't really be mad at him for obeying Isabelle. She can be terrifying.
But Clary was going to get smashed. She almost fell already and Simon had to catch her, glaring at Isabelle. And I'm not one hundred percent sure how I felt about that. This just made for a very long night.
"Well, doesn't look like we're practicing in the morning," I sighed to myself before walking to the bar to order more whiskey. If I was going to get through this, I needed more than another drink.
I needed ten.
CLARY POV
I woke to sunlight and heat. It was hot, wherever I was. But my head was pounding and my body felt weak. I didn't even think I would be able to open my eyes. I pressed my head more into the pillow as I tried to recall last night.
I don't even remember coming back to where I was. I don't remember much of anything after my drunken talk with Jace. I remember kissing his cheek, secretly hating myself for not kissing him straight up, but what can a girl do? I shouldn't feel that way about him anyway. It was a bad idea. After what happened, and he's my trainer…
Maybe Isabelle would know details.
I tried to get up and realized that I couldn't. Not because I was too tired, but there was a big body draped across my own. Well, an arm and a chest at least. One with no shirt and I realized my own shirt was off. Luckily, I could feel my pants and my bra, but shit, Jace was definitely laying with his head on my stomach and his arms around me like a child cuddling his teddy bear. It was actually kind cute.
"Oh my god," I mumbled, staring up at the ceiling with my massive headache. "What the hell happened last night?"
I wanted answers, so I leaned a little, causing Jace to tighten his hold on me unconsciously but still asleep, and reached for my phone on the dresser. I glanced through the phone calls, but the real stuff was in the text messages. Specifically, Isabelle's messages.
Where the hell did you go? It's three in the morning and you just disappear? – I
Jacey take me back to castle. I am tried. – C
And drunk, no doubt. You can barely type. Just don't do anything stupid, understand? He's drunk which isn't a big deal but you're hammered, smashed, gone, and the sexual tension between you two is so thick you can cut it with a knife. – I
No promises ;) he said I am going 2stay wit him. – C
Clary, I know Jace. Just please don't let him take advantage of you. For the love of God, please don't. He might mean well with you, and he even likes you, but he's not below the line when it comes to sleeping with a drunk girl. – I
And if I want it? – C
Don't. – I
Oh my God, I thought to myself. So we kissed last night, obviously. There was no denying that, even if I couldn't remember. And who knows what else we did. I just want to know what the hell happened between midnight and three A.M. that made me think that coming back with Jace was the best way to go.
But I needed answers. So I slipped his fingers in his hair, mainly because I wanted to see what it really felt like and it wasn't disappointing, and started talking. "Jace, wake up."
He mumbled and shook his head.
"Jace, seriously, we need to talk."
He sighed and pulled back without a word, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up.
Holy crap. The sheets fell down to his lap and I have to say, that boy really does have the body of a God. Everything about him was just… perfect, I hate it. I wanted to rub my hands over him and paint him and draw him, but I just pulled myself up to a sitting position, scanning the floor for my shirt or something, but I found nothing. Shit.
Finally, after what felt forever, Jace spoke with his head in his hands. "I have a headache."
I nodded, which was a bad idea and forced me to reach up and rub my temple. "Yeah, join the club."
"Okay," he breathed before slowly lying back down. His eyes opened and met mine as I looked down at him. "You first."
"What?"
"Clary, we were drunk and fell into bed with each other. You explain first, and then I will."
I turned until I was facing him on the bed, sitting criss-cross. "Um, I don't remember how we got here so I don't know what you expect me to tell you."
"Do you like me?"
My mouth went dry at the question. "Um, no?"
"You don't sound so sure."
"Jace, I changed my mind. I don't want to talk. I don't want to deal with this right now," I said, rubbing the pain from my head. "We have a race to prepare for and I really don't think that whatever happened last night needs to be repeated."
He was quiet for a while. I didn't look down at him, and he didn't force me to. Instead, he sat up and slid a bit closer to me. My heart started racing. I wasn't sure what he was doing, or why he was doing it, or what he was trying to prove, but I knew I didn't answer that question from earlier correctly based on how my own body was betraying me at the moment.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, slowly pulling my hands away from my face.
I stared at them as he intertwined our fingers. And I didn't pull away. It was like I was mesmerized and when I looked up at his golden orbs that were so close to mine, I swallowed.
"Better."
He smiled and glanced at my lips, biting his own. Was this seriously about to happen? Whatever was happening, was this real? Maybe it wasn't?
"I know you have a lot of questions about me, but I want to tell you something."
"Okay?" I gulped.
He smiled at me with those golden eyes that were burning like fire. "I don't just let anyone in here. You need to know that. You're the first girl that's ever been in here, and I need you to know that."
"Why?"
"Just because."
And then he leaned closer to me and before I knew it, he was kissing me. But it wasn't too much. He simply pressed our lips together lightly, and I felt that spark that people always talk about. It made my stomach turn. He squeezed my hands in his, moving me down until I lied under him, his body sliding onto my own, our mouths still moving together but not too deep or intimate. It just kinda… was.
"I do like you, Clary," he said when he pulled back with our foreheads pressing together. Our hands separated as he traced my cheek with one of his fingers, trailing down my neck to my collarbone. "And this isn't the alcohol talking. I may be hungover, but I'm not drunk."
I moved my hands to his hair and felt the curls once again, a feeling I found to be one of my favorites. "This is purely physical, isn't it?"
He didn't answer right away. "All we do is fight, but I find myself liking our fights better than any other conversation. I mean, I don't know what it is, but you've been driving me crazy in all senses of the word since you got here. This isn't physical, I promise. I mean, I want it to be physical, but there is something else that I can't pinpoint."
If only there was a way to make sense of this, because it was confusing. I didn't think Jace felt like that at all. In fact, it was the last thing I thought.
"Jace," was all that I could say. I didn't know what else to say, honestly.
"Why does that sound like hesitation?"
"Because it is," I answered honestly. He leaned back at that, frowning with rejection in his eyes, but I had to say my piece. "You've broken my heart once, Jace. Granted, we were extremely young but it still hurt and sucked. I don't know if I'm ready to give it back to you again, if I'll ever be ready. How do I know you've even changed? You could be treating me like you've treated all your jockeys."
He shook his head fiercely and pressed his forehead to mine, holding me down. "That's not true. This is different. You know that."
"How exactly do I know that?"
He sighed, his breath fanning over my face. "You don't know," he finally said. "But I can prove it to you."
I shook my head. "Jace–"
"What is it?"
"We work together," I pointed out as I pushed him off of me. He rolled off and gave me a hurt expression but I gave it back with a stern on. "You're my trainer. I'm your jockey. I'm not going to mix this. The past is the past and we need to keep it there. Whatever happened all those years ago and last night, even right now… we need to let it go."
"So everything that just happened," he pointed around aimlessly, "We're supposed to just forget about it? That last kiss and all the ones we can't remember to begin with? Are we supposed to just pretend we didn't sleep together two nights in a row?"
I nodded. "Yes."
He reached out when I moved to get off the bed, grabbing my hand. "I don't know if I can do that, Clary."
"Well, I need you to."
My head shook in a 'no' aspect. "Actually, it's pretty imprinted on my brain."
"I need you to unimprint it. Erase it. Delete it. Whatever."
"But–"'
"Jace, please," I begged. "Just pretend this never happened."
He stared at me for what felt like an eternity before he let me go, falling back on the bed to stare at the ceiling. I took the chance to sneak out into Isabelle's room, a place I knew that would be empty since she's at Simon.
Because I need some space from people. And a nap to rid myself of this headache.
Don't freak out. It's all good in the hood. Kind of. Maybe? I want to write it like it is, but honestly, who knows what will happen next time I get a chance to write. When I know, you'll know ;)
Stay tuned, loves! Review! You're all awesome!
