Chapter 12
While I'm writing this chapter, I'm watching Wristcutters: A Love Story. It's a little dull but it's good at the same time, like plain bagels.
Thanks to my darling reviers eliclarejaceclary, KyKat, Blue-Eyed Cat, Guest, Virginia Herondale-Raffaeli, isabellefray, , RoBiNiSmYbOo, Bookfanic, YayitsCaroline, Divergentshadowhunter4, daydreamer1998, liveandbreathediangelo, VMars lover, Guest, Elizabeth Fayes, WildHeart22, nerdbookworm, nofar123, ClaryH, TesaRose, CeruleanCat, Becky, Leddie2012, Soaking In The Reign, Guest, Guest, Monkeytje, SmokesGurl20, and Guest.
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"I don't need you to walk me home, I'm not an invalid," I insisted for the fifth time, frustrated. Jace ignores me, keeping up his pace as we rambled through Queens.
"You're concussed," Jace reminds me.
"Not anymore," I crossed my arms across my chest, "They released me."
"They also said you had to be careful," he says condescendingly and I frown at him.
Huffing, I hurry up, trying to outrun him but he catches up to me with a few of his quick strides, catching my arm.
"Clary," Jace looks forces me to look into his eyes, "I'm just worried about you, okay?"
I almost soften at his concern before I remember that I have to get rid of him. I promised Robert that I'd meet up with him as soon as I got out of the hospital and I can't do that with Jace here. I roll my eyes instead, "I'm not your damn damsel in distress, I'm fine."
Jace doesn't say anything but falls back a little on our walk home. I can still hear his footsteps behind me, familiar now after him tailing me from the hospital to my street, but it's less stifling now.
"Honey, I'm home!" I call out to Maia, who rushes into the living room, Jordan coming out a few seconds after, adjusting his belt. I roll my eyes, they're like rabbits, I swear.
"Oh my god, Clary, are you okay now?" she asked, hugging me so her boobs were mashed into my face, one hand wrapped around my back, the other on my head, rubbing where she assumed the bruise would be.
"MMph PHnnmph," I mumbled into her chest and she let go of me. I brush my fingers through my now tangled curls.
"Jace!" Maia hugs him too, but because he was so tall, he didn't have his face in her cleavage- unfortunately for him, "Thank you so much for bringing her home safe."
It was times like these that Maia reminded me of a mother. But it was times like her doing body shots at Hunter's Moon and having sex in every corner of the apartment that she reminded me of my rebellious little sister.
"You're welcome. At least one of you appreciates my heroism," Jace looks at me pointedly.
"I said thanks," I growl. I felt the muffled vibrating of my phone in my purse, letting me know that Robert texted again.
"Stay for dinner, we're having takeout," Maia's invitation sounded more like a command but Jace accepted graciously. I felt like a kid being outshined by my cousin again, my parents praising Elise on everything she did. She was a perfect angel to my parents but a demon to me. Two-faced little bitch.
"I ordered your favorite, Clare-bear," Maia told me, "And I didn't know what Jace likes so I ordered a bunch of stuff that we can eat for leftovers tomorrow if we don't finish."
We dragged two more chairs to the wobbly dining table. I say 'dining table' but it was really just a small 3 foot by 3 foot table that we scavenged from goodwill. Still, I'm almost sure that dining table just means a table you eat on, no matter the size.
We were watching TV when the doorbell rang. Maia looked at me, seeing as I was closest to the door and I groaned, grabbing a few bills from the takeout fund by the front door. The delivery boy was a short Asian kid, who looked pretty worn out and annoyed at having to climb ten flights of stairs. Out elevator was out of a service for a long time and our landlord never bothered fixing it, but I was used to the long climb. I gave him a nice $30 tip for his troubles, feeling generous.
"Dinner's ready," I hold up the bags. The food doesn't all fit on the table but Jace picks out the two he likes and we put the rest in the fridge for tomorrow.
I basically inhale my food, excusing myself when I was done within minutes. "I have to go out. You guys can finish eating without me."
Rushing into my room, I change into good clothes quickly, checking my phone at the same time.
7 o'clock tonight. It said simply. I calculate my time quickly. It was 6: 15 now and I could probably make it through the subway. It would take too long to take a taxi through a Friday night.
Running out of my room, I run into Jace at the same time.
"Hey, where are you going?" he asks.
"Out," I say plainly, sneaking around him to the front door. Jace follows me.
"At night? Are you going to go drinking again?" he asks, "What are you dressed up for?"
I curse under my breath. If he follows me to Robert's I'm screwed.
I turn around at the apartment lobby. Jace jogs to a stop in front of me.
"Jace," I simpered, moving closer to him. He eyes me warily but I grin up at him- a toxic grin that I used to get what I want. He moves back a little but my right hand finds the hem of his shirt, pulling him closer. I rise on my toes even with heels on. My left hand reaches for the back of his neck, pulling him down and my other hand joins it as our lips meet.
There's a brief spark and a moan escapes my lips before I could contain it. I can feel his confusion before he kisses me back, his lips moving against mine. I almost forget what I'm doing this for before I push myself back. I flash him a brief smile before running out the door.
It was about a block until the subway entrance but a taxi was just down the street. I wouldn't disarm him for long. Sighing, I waved down the taxi. I rattled off Robert's address, eyeing my building's door as we pulled away from the curb. Jace bursts from the door in the rear view mirror.
"You too?" the driver mused under his breath. I startle, "What?"
"Nothing, just thinking out loud," the driver shakes his head, a smirk playing at his lips.
I frown but don't think much of it as I lean back into the seat. That was a close one. "Could you try to take less traffic-y roads there, please? If it's possible."
He nods, "So what are you up to tonight?"
"Nothing, just a night in with my… boyfriend," I decide boyfriend's a good enough term for him.
"Aw, should have known a pretty girl like you would be taken," he leers playfully. My driver's an old Italian looking man with a beer gut- but he reminds me of a cute perverted grandpa like in the movie Last Vegas instead of a pedophile.
I laugh good-heartedly, "If only we'd met earlier," I joke.
But still with taking a few back-roads and avoiding Manhattan, I was ten minutes late. "Thank you," I told Giullio, leaving a tip.
"Now if you ever break up with your boyfriend, just come find me," he told me, patting my hand on the window.
"Will do," I grin, before rushing into the building, trying to minimize the time I was late for.
Knocking on the door, I composed myself, pulling my dress straight.
Robert's face was stony when he answered the door and I swallowed, smiling weakly.
He shut the door before the storm began.
"You have some explaining to do," he growled.
"I know-"
"You made a fool out of me. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was to hear that my mistress left with my son?"
"Robert, I-"
"Everyone was laughing at me behind my back, I know it. I can't believe you."
"Robert, please, I had a panic attack, I'm sorry-"
"And being late today, you have some nerve," I cringed.
"There was a lot of traffic. Please I'm so sorry Robert, I didn't mean for that to happen," I put on my best puppy dog look.
Robert took a steadying breath and sat down. "Clary," he began, "I forgive you. Come here," I obeyed, cursing in my head. I thought he was going to break up with me. He motioned to his lap and I sat down gingerly, "The reason I asked you to come here today is because I'm going on a trip to the Hamptons and I'd like to invite you to come with me. We're leaving tomorrow morning."
"I'd love to," I lied.
"I'll tell Martin to drive you home to get your stuff and you can stay here tonight and we'll leave tomorrow," Robert smiled.
I called and asked my boss for vacation days in the car, planning in my head what to bring. Sexy lingerie, probably, and my toothbrush and toiletries, my make-up bag, a few shirts, a pretty skirt or two, my nice jeans, my jacket. My black heeled-boots, and stilettos. Some jewelry maybe? A few dresses for sure. I've never been to the Hamptons before. I was a little excited, I'll admit.
I let myself in my apartment quietly. The living room was empty so I figured Jordan and Maia were out. Jace probably left a long time ago. I packed my bag quickly, already knowing what to grab. Lingerie check. Tooth brush, hairbrush, tampons, toothpaste check. Make up bag check. Good shirts, check. My floral print skirt, check. Jeans, check. My jacket check. Shoes, check. I brought along the jewelry Robert gave me on our first date. Dresses check.
Oh crap, my black dress was in Maia's room.
I half-ran to her room, letting myself in, before stopping abruptly.
Jace and Maia sprang apart from each other. My eyes flickered from Jace to Maia, their eyes were full of panic.
Swallowing, I backed out. Forget the black dress.
"Clary, wait!"
I didn't listen, running to Martin's car.
