There's No Price On Love

Chapter 14: Dig Yourself Deep

We stayed in that cellar until the next morning. By then I had already fallen asleep and woken up as a continuous pattern six times. Jace however, was snoring softly with his head leaned back against the cold dirt wall. He looked incredibly peaceful, like a little boy cuddled up with his Tonka truck in bed. His snoring was soft but every once in awhile; he would erupt with an unattractive grunt and shift his position. That was usually why I woke up.

It was so dark in the cellar that when I did open my eyes, I still thought that I might be asleep rather than awake. If it wasn’t for the finger I’d touch to my open eyeball, I still wouldn’t have been sure. Of course, this just lead me to close my eyes and fall asleep again anyway.

I nudged Jace with my elbow and sighed when he kept sleeping without any acknowledgment. I lightly pushed his shoulder but all he did was snore. I pushed him a little harder but all that happened was he slid along the wall to face plant into dirt. Even then, he continued on sleeping. Finally I just gave up and got to my feet, outstretching my arms to feel around the cellar toward the stairs. I found them, went to move a foot but caught the edge of the stair and tripped. That was enough noise to wake Jace out of his coma.

“What the hell?” He mumbled and I could hear him shuffling around the ground. I rubbed my battered chin with tears in my eyes and cursed rudely at the stairs. My elbow was now throbbing and my ribcage felt broken even though I knew well enough that it wasn’t.

“Sorry Jace; just broke a few bones on the stairwell. At least you’re awake now, I tried almost everything but punching you in the face.” I called out into the dark toward him. I could hear his footsteps crunch through the dirt and then felt hands run along my shoulders. The pulled away quickly and I could feel the air move as he felt around the stairs, just like I did moments before.

“You know, there’s a pretty easy way to get a guy up.” He mumbled in his perverted voice. I raised a hand to cuff him over the head but missed, only hitting myself instead. My God, sometimes my life really sucks.

“Shut up, I’d probably get herpes just looking down there.” I retorted and carefully began trudging up the stairs, pressing my hands tightly on the walls to keep myself from falling. Jace’s footsteps followed behind me, each step just as cautious as my own.

“Herpes, no. Gonorrhoea, maybe. AIDS, definitely.” He answered sarcastically. I resisted the urge to smile and pushed open the old door, letting out a little squeal when the light of day hit my eyes. Dammit all, now I’m practically a vampire.

“Shit! That’s bright.” I exclaimed and Jace laughed. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked a few times, trying to get used to the overwhelming light.

Jace was head to toe covered in dirt, there was even a large smudge across his strong cheekbone. He ruffled his hair and a puff of the dark powder floated above his head and sailed through the air. He coughed a few times and dusted off his clothes. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s not like you look any better, bimbo.” Jace said with a brilliant smile. I stopped laughing and glanced down at my own clothes which were, surprisingly, covered in dirt worse than Jace.

“Well I fell on the stairs so that’s why. I was clean until then.”

“I have a hard time believing that you’re ever clean. You’re the dirtiest girl I know.” He began walking toward the house, stripping off his shirt to beat the dirt out of it.

Of course, like a goon and horrible portion of the female gender, I couldn’t help but stare at the perfectly sculpted body before me. He was a little underweight, which surprisingly didn’t show in his face but I’d imagine that he’d fatten up a little bit once he ate more. As in ate more food besides apples.

“That’s besides your sister.” I shot back and jogged toward the house. He laughed and picked up his own pace, meeting my stride.

That was when I bolted, trying to get the lead and started a race against Jace.

We ran as fast as we could, until the wind felt like needles pricking our skin and the grass cut little scratches into our feet. My lungs burned with the cold air and my throat felt raw but I simply just darted a look at Jace and smiled.

Of course, he won that race.

“Victory! What do I win?” He waggled his eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes.

“Brett? Brett, are you home!?” I called throughout the house. Jace turned his head to cast me a worried glance and I returned it. “Brett?”

“Emma shut up! I’m trying to get some effing sleep!” Yelled out a voice from upstairs. I sighed in relief and climbed upstairs toward my room. Jace followed me.

“I’m trying to get changed here.” I said while fishing new clothes out of my dresser. Jace smiled cockily and leaned against the doorframe.

“I won the race.” He stated simply, like that answered everything. I rolled my eyes and was about to move past him but he blocked the way, that same smile on his face.

“Jace come on.” I whined. “I’m all covered in dirt and I feel gross. The last thing I need is you being an idiot.”

“It’s ok; you’ll strip for me someday. That’s actually not what I want to talk about, much to your surprise.” He ran a hand through his hair, dropping to a serious tone.

“Alright. Then what do you want to talk about?” I plopped down onto a bean bag chair, ignoring the puff of dirt that erupted from my clothes. Jace took a spot on the floor, leaning back on his arms.

“For one thing, my sister is finally letting me move in with here. Meaning, you can no longer call me a hobo. Although truth is that I am a hobo, it’s incredibly hurtful to be called one and my lack of feelings still feel it. So from now on, every time you call me a hobo, you will have to sleep with me.” My eye twitched and Jace laughed. “Secondly, since I’m moving in with my sister, I’m going to finish my grade 12 but not only that, I’ll be attending your school to keep an eye on William.”

“How is that going to work? William hates you. He’ll destroy your reputation within minutes of you being there!” I exclaimed and Jace shrugged nonchalantly.

“Whatever. It’s not like I’ll have much of a reputation to begin with. Besides there’s nothing my irresistible charm can’t solve for me. It works on you after all.” He grinned devilishly and batted his eyelashes.

“You’re not taking this as seriously as you should. William... William knows people and if he doesn’t like you, he can get those people to-“

“Hurt me?” Jace finished in a low voice. “Look, I can take care of myself. Stop worrying about me and focus on yourself. It’s not like I’ve been living an oblivious life Emma, I’m quite aware what being hurt is like.”

“I never said you didn’t know Jace, it’s just that William is maybe... Maybe more than you’re able to handle.”

Jace shot me a dirty look.

“I’m the one who used to be friends with him; I think I’m well aware of what he’s capable of.”

I didn’t answer.

“He always gets what he wants Emma. It doesn’t matter how either. By the end of the week, I won’t be here anymore. That won’t stop him from trying to use you to get to me.”

That caught my attention. My head jerked up and I stared at him.

“He wants to use ME to get to YOU? How is that even possible when you don’t even like me that way?”

Jace shrugged. “You’ve become a hoe of mine and a person of moral support. I think that pretty much explains it.”

“Jace, I’m not your ho!” My face flushed a scarlet red color and Jace raised an eyebrow.

“Well you’re definitely well-paid.” He said with a wicked smile before leaving the room.

I couldn’t have said anything even if I wanted to.

*Monday Morning*

School was back on again. I strolled to my locker without a word, despite the whispering and stares that followed behind me. I expected this, I mean, the school’s most well-known couple had split because of cheating matters. Not only that, but the even bigger deal was that both of them cheated on each other. Worst yet, I was pretty sure that everyone knew that I had cheated with William considering everyone probably seen me get into that limo, wasted out of my mind.

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and began spinning the lock until my locker opened. Everyone always says that the best way to beat gossip is to ignore it but it’s easier said than done. I’ve had my fair share of contributions into the world of being talked about, but this might just take the cake for the worst yet.

“Seems like everyone knows now.”

A scowl fixated on my face and I slammed my locker as hard as I could. William smiled politely at me and leaned against the cool metal. I went to brush past him, only to have him stop me in my tracks and gently pull me back in front of him.

“Apparently. I wonder who let the cat out of the bag.” I snapped sarcastically and shook my arm out of his grip. He laughed lightly and shook his head.

“Blame me all you want but I didn’t say a word. I’m trying to win you over, not push you away.”

“Well you definitely are fighting a losing battle. I’ve been over this with you. DEAL DONE AND LEAVE ME ALONE. I thought I made that clear at my house which oh my, you happened to rummage the hell out of against my will. You’re lucky I didn’t press charges on you!”

“Right, you would definitely do that. So, when is the hobo due to departure? Or are you two finding refuge in each other? I would have to say that it would be rather disappointing to see someone of your stature sink so low after dating Samuel Bellefleur.” I bit down hard on my tongue. I wouldn’t let him get to me, there would be no way in hell that I’d let that happen.

“As a matter of fact, I am completely oblivious to what Mr. Fox is doing considering the fact that he wasn’t in my house and you seen that.” I answered, trying to keep my voice level. William raised an eyebrow.

“Rather a pathetic fib coming from a perfect liar. I don’t turn my head the other way to these kinds of things Emma. For one thing, you’re forgetting that I know Jace better than anyone else on this planet except for Krista and I also happen to know that there would be no way that you’d be so ungrateful as to not help out someone in need. He ‘saved’ you, remember? Of course you’d be the type of person to repay him from making such a horrible mistake.”

“I’m happy that you agree.”

“I don’t. As a matter of fact, my father happens to have some good connections with the school board. It appears that Jace Fox’s name is thrown around quite loosely in that area, considering it is the infamous son of John Fox.”

“Your point is?”

William took a step closer, too close for comfort. Yet, I couldn’t step back. The hallways were so crowded that I wasn’t able to move away. My heart picked up speed drastically and I thought for a second that I was going to pass out.

“My point is that whatever Jace is trying to prove, it won’t happen while I’m around here. I think you know that better than anyone.” He murmured with his lips just inches away from my ear. I jerked my head away from him, nearly head butting someone in the face.

“Of course I do William. Luckily for you, most of us don’t care what kind of shit you pull. I don’t give a shit about Jace and I certainly don’t give a fuck about you.” I hissed and he laughed loudly.

“Always the charmer Emma.” He mumbled and then turned, disappearing into the crowd of students.

I stared out into the distance after him, feeling cold and very scared of what might happen to Jace.

“What was that all about?”

I swung around and was face to face with Myranda. Her arms were folded over her chest and her hair draped over her shoulders. An eyebrow was raised and her jaw moved rhythmically as she chewed on a piece of Stride gum.

“I’d rather not tell you, you’d probably run to Sam about it.” I snarled at her, she gave me a look of annoyance.

“Well let’s see here. My best friend is cheating on her boyfriend with the worst possible person on Earth and somehow, says she sees the errors in her ways and yet does it again only this time, a homeless guy gets involved. I seen it as a way to help you Emma, make you really appreciate what you have rather than take it for granted. I never said a word about hobo; it was only about that creep.” Myranda bit back, gaining a little bit of red in the face. I tousled my hair with my free hand and sighed.

“I know... it’s just weird not having Sam around. Turns out he cheated on me as well.”

Myranda’s eyes widened in surprise and her gum almost fell out of her gaping mouth.

“What!?” She exclaimed and I shook my head.

“Whitney Barron, the night of my formal party.” I murmured and watched blank faces pass by. Myranda looked livid.

“What a douche bag! Here I am criticizing you for this and he does the same thing!”

Sure enough, there had to be Sam walking down the hallway, hand-in-hand with that fucking blond bitch Whitney. His eyes scanned the crowd and rested on me then darted them away with a shameful look on his handsome face. He moved past me quickly and I could smell his cologne, a reminder of what used to be mine.

“She’s such a whore.” I muttered to myself as the bell rang.

Myranda nodded in agreement, tapping her blue fingernails against her chin in thought.

“She definitely is. So what did William want from you now?” I chewed my lip thoughtfully and then crossed my arms over my chest.

“Reminding me that I didn’t fulfill the deal because I wasn’t the one to tell Sam. Now he’s after Jace for some odd reason and is convinced that somehow I’m going to be dating him. I’m nervous about this this time Myranda. He’s completely sure that he’s going to destroy Jace’s reputation.”

“How is that even possible? He’s like, a hobo.” Myranda said with a giggle. “He pretty much has no reputation.”

I shook my head.

“Not exactly. Jace is enrolled in this school and he’s starting here in two weeks. The son of John Fox isn’t a guy who goes unnoticed, especially since his father is famous around these parts. Homeless or not, Jace is going to be the talk of the whole school for awhile. Not only that, but people are going to be curious about him and William. Turns out they used to be friends, I never even knew that.” I explained, feeling the air grow more uncomfortable. “William knows people Myranda, not good people.”

“So I’m assuming that the rumours involving him and drug trafficking are true then?” She whispered. By now, the hallways were empty, it was lucky that we both had a spare in the same block.

I nodded my head.

“I’m assuming so. The only thing that bothers me is how Jace is involved in this whole scenario. I don’t know if he was a runner or a dealer or if he was even involved with the whole situation that William was in.”

“You’d have to believe he was. Especially if he and William were tight 2 years ago. That’s freaky; you’re living in a house that has the world’s hottest dealer right now. God, if drugs made every guy look that gorgeous, I’d be so addicted.” I swatted Myranda’s arm with a laugh.

“Don’t talk like that!”

Myranda let out another laugh and poked my hand away from her arm.

“I can’t help it, he’s such a stunner!”

I paused for a moment.

“He won’t be if William gets too involved though.” I murmured and glanced down the hallway.

It was empty, just like Jace’s life.