Page 46 of Until Ace

This goes on for some time, and I finally lose my patience. “Ace!”

His eyes finally focus on me, the storm shifting through them, and I finally become aware of the electricity emanating from him. I step closer and whisper his name.

“Are you here all alone?” he asks, his voice crackling.

“Um... I guess I am, but Beverly was here with me. She just went to her apartment to get some trash bags.”

I don’t understand his reaction.

He knew I was coming here today. He knew I wanted to sort out this mess and be able to go back to my normal life as soon as possible.

I don’t want to be a burden to him, or to anyone for that matter.

And I know how tiring it can be when someone depends on you for every single thing, without them giving anything in return.

I’m not averse to giving, but when giving is all it’s expected without getting just a morsel of even gratitude in return, it turns sour and it turns fast.

I don’t have anything to give right now. Only me.

And if my family is any indication, that’s not much.

In fact, it’s nothing.

“You mean to tell me, you’re here alone,” he says again, but this time he says it as a fact and not a question.

“Um....” I don’t know what he expects me to say.

“Have you called your family and friends and told them what happened?”

At his question, I take a step back. I can feel the blood drain from my face.

How do I tell this magnificent man standing in front of me that, besides his aunt and her friends, I don’t have anyone else?

That all the friends I had in the past demanded the same thing my family does?

Money or favors of any kind.

He doesn’t miss my retreat. His eyebrows pull together as he watches my feet, then he looks up at me, and his face clouds over. I don’t need to say the words. He knows.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters when I keep my mouth shut. “How the fuck is this possible?”

“Well, my family—” I start to say, but a familiar voice comes from the vicinity of my door.

“Dear God, I knew you were a slob, but this level of filth? I couldn’t picture this in my worst nightmare,” a voice accented with an audible sneer comes from behind Ace’s back.

God. No.

I know that voice. It’s the same one that often hurls insults my way, just before I get a smidge of sweetness to do what she wants.

It's my mom.

Oh God, please, not now.

I don’t need her to come here and berate me in front of a man I wish were mine.

Hearing the words, Ace turns around and stands in front of me, hiding me from sight. Every muscle in his body is taut. He’s on high alert.

Seeing him positioning himself between me and a woman who’s brought only misery to my life makes a jolt go through my body.