Jace's POV
I walked back to my dorm after leaving Ariana’s room, the cool evening air doing nothing to clear my head. My shoulder throbbed with every step, but I kept my pace steady. The memory of her sitting at that desk, focused and sharp as she worked on her article, wouldn’t leave me alone. She was good. And for some stupid reason, that made the weight on my chest feel even heavier.
Mike was sprawled on his bed when I pushed the door open, flipping through his phone. He glanced up, one eyebrow raised.
“You look like someone just told you the season’s canceled,” he said.
I dropped my bag on the floor and sat on the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees. My hands hung between my legs. “Just thinking.”
Mike set his phone down. “About the girl? Or your dad?”
I didn’t answer right away.
