Jace's POV
I sat on the edge of my bed, gear still half unpacked from practice, my phone open to the text thread with Ariana from the night before. Mike walked in without knocking, dropping down into the desk chair, spinning it slightly like he always did when something was on his mind.
"You've got that face again," he said, studying me.
"What face."
"The one where you're somewhere else completely." Mike leaned back, arms crossed. "You've been weird since your dad called. What'd he say this time?"
"Called Ariana a distraction." I set the phone down, rubbing a hand over my face. "Said I need to focus on the scouts, not some girl."
Mike's jaw tightened slightly. "That man really doesn't know when to shut up."
"Yeah." I let out a breath, something heavier than just tiredness sitting in
