Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right
Hello 721

Chapter 21

Chapter 721

Tears were still running down Demi's cheeks when the suddenly rented, "Hoses, the starving Grab me risotto,"

"On it," I said quickly, "Want some meat, too?"

She used to be all about meat-then complain about dieting right der

"Meat helps you heal, right? Why not?" she replied with a playful grin, Ne the old Demi was still in there somewhere.

Her smile hit me harder than her tears. How could she act so normal when I knew the wasn't okay? I forced a grin. "Alright. Pork belly sound good?

"Make sure it's marbled, not all lean or fat," she quipped, her usual picky self.

"Got it. Only the best for you," I promised, standing up.

But instead of leaving, I hovered outside her door, leaning against the frame. A moment later, the sound of her quiet sobs slipped through.

I pressed my back to the wall, eyes shut, my chest tightening like I couldn't breathe. After a second to pull myself together, I headed out to grab her food. That's when I ran into Jace.

The second I saw him, my mind flashed to the image of him coughing up blood-crimson dripping down his chin. It was so vivid, I couldn't shake it.

He spotted me too, but neither of us said anything

He walked right past me, close enough for our shoulders to brush. No glance, no acknowledgment. Like I wasn't even there.

After ten years, four of them as a couple, that's all we'd become-nothing

And yet, maybe that's what we were now. Just two people, no strings attached.

"One order of pea risotto, slow-roasted pork belly, and a salad," I told the cashier, rattling off Demi's favorites.

Even though I knew she couldn't eat much, I got her extra-just in case. A dessert, too, because she deserved something sweet.

With the bag in hand, I left the restaurant. But there he was again-Jace, leaning against a

car.

He ignored me earlier, but now he was clearly waiting. I didn't say anything, just stared. "What are you doing here? Not feeling well?" he finally asked.

It was a hospital cafeteria, so fair question.

- 75 BONUS

1 couldn't bring up Demi, and Hayden was off-limits, so I lied, "I'm here for Lena."

He glanced at the takeout bag. "You're still lying to me, huh?"

1 hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. It's for Xander. He's hurt."

Wayne knew, Cole had seen him-Jace was bound to replace out sooner or later.

Jace's face shifted, but barely. The last time he'd heard Xander's voice-or Hayden's, really

he ended up coughing blood. I bet part of him thought he'd have a chance now that Hayden was 'gone.

But Xander being back? It messed with that fantasy.

Not that it mattered. Jace and I were long over. No way was I going back.

"Oh," he said casually. "Is it serious?"

There wasn't any real concern in his voice-just curiosity, maybe.

"Not really," I said flatly.

Jace's eyes flicked to the food. "Doesn't seem like he's in too much trouble if you're buying enough for a whole party."

I didn't answer, and neither did he. The silence stretched between us, awkward and heavy. That's when I noticed how bad he looked-thinner, tired. The weight loss didn't suit him; it just made him look... off. "Goodbye," he finally said, turning to leave.

"Goodbye," I whispered back, barely loud enough for myself to hear.

I carried the food back to Demi's room, but the moment I stepped out of the elevator, two guys in black suits were waiting.

They looked at me, then the bag.