Ace didn't see Laura on Sunday or over the next school week. His uncle was keeping him busy with 'deliveries' and she was locked away again under the care of a she devil.
It wasn't until the next Sunday that Caroline noticed her daughter dejectedly staring at the window that she suggested she go visit one of her friends from her old job at the hospital.
"Do you want to walk into town with me, I could use the company?"
Laura sprang off the couch and accompanied her mother on the short walk, looking out for Ace. She finally spotted Vince and after saying goodbye to her mother ran across the street to ask him where Ace was.
"Sorry Laura I don't know," he replied when she asked him.
She hung her head a little sadly and thanked him anyway.
She looked in all the usual places, the diner, the pool hall, the icecream store, the candy shop, the drug store and even the book shop. She was starting to feel like she was never going to find him when she spotted him coming out of the strange store he had said belonged to his uncle.
She ran towards him, calling out to him until he finally turned around. She noticed he had a black eye and one of his hands had scabs over the knuckles.
"Hey gorgeous," he said pulling her off the ground as he hugged her.
"I was looking everywhere for you," she said breathlessly, her breath still trying to catch up with her after her sudden sprint.
"If only I'd known," he said, dropping his cigarette to the ground and kissing her.
"I feel like I haven't seen you forever," she said, a hint of sadness returning to her voice.
"I missed you too doll," he said, kissing her more roughly now, causing passers by to stare. But Laura was too happy to feel the usual sting of judgement from their eyes and slipped her hand into Ace's and began walking with him to where he had parked.
"Good idea babe," he teased her when he noticed they were walking to his car. She only smiled and pulled open the unlocked passengers door.
"Take me somewhere," she asked when he had gotten into the drivers seat.
"If you insist," he grinned, gunning the engine.
He already had a place in mind for where they could go, he had noticed it when he was driving back with Bear from one of their jobs.
"Ain't it cozy," he said as he parked on a deserted dirt road, close to the river. He got out of the car and quickly opened the passengers side, pushing Laura against the side of his car as soon as she had gotten out.
He kissed her with a greater sense of urgency than usual. He hadn't been with her for over a week which for Ace was really starting to take a toll. He reached under her dress, removing what he needed to and unzipped his pants.
Laura gasped at the speed in which he entered her and cried out at the pace he was thrusting in and out of her. Ace held her firmly against the car, massive rushes of adrenaline and testosterone allowing him to bear her full weight as he continued on mercilessly.
After he had came he set her on the ground gingerly, noticing she was wobbling a bit.
"Are you a little dizzy babe," he said lowly in her ear, pinning her to the car again. He nipped her playfully on the neck before fixing his pants. Laura sunk to the ground. Ace sat down next to her and pulled her into his lap, reaching for a cigarette and lighting it.
"How do you get me so worked up babe?" he asked, blowing smoke in her hair. "Are you sore?" he asked a little concerned she hadn't replied.
"No," she lied. She snuggled against him, pulling his jacket around her, enjoying the warm smoke around her.
"I feel crazy when I haven't see you," he said crushing the butt off the cigarette under his shoe.
"My heart aches when I haven't seen you," she replied a little sadly.
"What's with this jacket babe?" he asked trying to lighten the tone a little.
"Stop teasing me, they're all I own," she said pushing him playfully.
"That's not true babe, I know for a fact I left a jacket at your house."
"But that's yours I can't wear that," she protested uncertainly.
"Why not?" he asked, "It's my jacket, you're my girl. I don't see the problem."
He stood up suddenly and helped her off the ground. He slid her into the passengers seat and then set out towards her house.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, "Do you want me to go home?"
"We're here for the jacket doll," he replied rolling his eyes.
"Oh right," she said feeling a little daft.
They went inside and Laura pulled it out from where she had been keeping it in her closet. After a brief switch she was dressed and they were on their way back into town.
"Where are we?" Laura asked as Ace parked near The Two Hills.
"You'll see in a minute," he said as he reached for her hand.
They entered the bar to see Eyeball, Charlie, Vince and Jack already there.
"Oh you found him," Vince said as he seen them walking towards them
"Yup," she said happily. Ace put his hands either side of her waist and lifted her up on to a bar stool. He then moved behind her and slipped his arms under the jacket and around her waist while he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Nice jacket," Eyeball said recognising it, cigarette dangling from his mouth.
"I prefer what's in it," Ace said, running his hands along her thigh.
Laura looked around to take in her surroundings. She knew enough about bars to recognise that she was in one and she was a little surprised that they were in one.
"Aren't we not supposed to be here," she whispered, "we aren't old enough." Especially her, she thought, she was only sixteen.
"You're so cute," Ace smirked, "don't worry about it."
"But what if we get caught."
"Hey, don't ask don't tell," he shrugged and let go of her briefly to step in front of her and kiss her deeply.
"Wanna play darts?" Eyeball called out from across the bar, already pulling them out of the dart board. Ace lifted Laura off the stool and walked her over to where Eyeball had written both his, Billy's and now Ace's name down in chalk.
Laura went to sit down so she could watch but Ace held on to her hand.
"You're my good luck charm," he said pulling her hand up to kiss it.
Ace didn't let go of Laura for one second whilst they were at the bar. Even when he was throwing darts he kept one arm slung loosely over her shoulder.
When it got too late Ace drove Laura home.
"I'll see you during the week, I promise," he said kissing her goodbye. "You better be wearing my jacket."