Instead, he released his grip on me and leaned into the counter. He looked up at Winston and Stacy and shook his head. "I'm sorry, guys. This shouldn't be happening here. This is personal stuff. I apologize."

Winston gave Jace a nod and stepped back into the kitchen without a word. He knew better than to get involved. Things were complicated.

Stacy just looked back and forth between the both of us confused. "I don't know what..." She trailed off when the door to the diner opened and William stepped inside with a huge grin on his face. She looked into my eyes and shook her head, in shame. "Oh... Williams here. Great timing," she murmured.

William quickly walked over and reached for Stacy's hand. "Hey, guys," he said, nodding his head at the three of us. "Nice to see you, Avery." He blushed slightly as he looked around the diner, noticing that something was off.

I looked over at Jace to see him turn his head away and run his hands through his hair in frustration. Then I looked over at William and nodded my head. "Hi, William," I said softly, not wanting him to know what was going on.

Stacy looked at William and frowned before she gripped his hand tighter and nudged him in the side. "Let’s leave these two alone," she said stiffly.

I waited for them to sit down in an empty booth close to the back of the diner, before I pulled the strap of my purse back up my shoulder, staring at the back of Jace's head. I felt helpless and I had to do the only thing that I knew how to do. "I hope that you understand why I must leave. It has nothing to do with you." My voice shook as I said my last words. "I will be gone by the time you get home."

I saw Jace's shoulder stiffen at my words. He stood there motionless, holding his breath with his hands tightly gripping the counter as I walked away and out of the diner.

Once outside I paused and looked back at the door. Some part of me hoped that Jace would come rushing out asking me to stay. The bigger part of me knew that I had to leave before I could drag Jace down with me. My parents knew where I was and it would only be a matter of time before they came into the diner searching for me. I couldn't be there when that happened. A small part of me was afraid of being sucked back into their lives. Leaving was the only thing that could save me and keep Jace away from their demented ways. I didn't want them to hurt Jace in any way. I wouldn't allow it.

I hesitantly pulled my phone from out of my purse and stared down at the black screen. Then with my hands shaking, I hit the power button and scrolled down to his name. The only one that would be willing to come to my rescue now. Caleb.

He answered the phone after two short rings and I could tell by his desperate tone that he would say yes to anything that I asked. "Caleb," I stammered.

The phone was silent for a moment before he answered. "Yes, Avery."

I took a deep breath and glanced back over at the door of the diner. It was clear that no one was coming to stop me. I couldn't wait any longer. My parents could already be on the way for all I knew. "Can I stay with you for a while?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice strong and steady.

I heard Caleb breathe into the phone before answering. "Yes. I'll come get you now." He sounded relieved. "I'm so happy that you called."

I sat down on the curb and nervously tapped my foot on the gravel. "I'm at the diner. I'll be outside waiting." With that, I pulled the phone away, hung up, and shoved it inside of my purse.

Two minutes later, Caleb pulled up and jumped out of the car. He had to of been just a few blocks away when I'd called. Lucky me.

His blond hair looked freshly cut and his amber eyes were full of a certain glow that I hadn't seen in him in a while. It was then that I took notice of just how beautiful he really was. I had so much going on before that I didn't even let myself notice. I was determined to block everyone out of my life, making me blind to everything around me. Jace changed that for me. I was blind to that as well. "Are you alright?" he questioned, while reaching for my hand.

I shook my head and let him help me to my feet. I didn't even push his hand away as he held onto my arm for support. He walked me over to his car and I looked up and smiled at him before I got into the car. "I'm fine. Thank you."

Caleb grinned and shut the door before he walked over to his side of the car and jumped in. He looked at me with wonder in his eyes before he smiled and leaned back into his seat. "It's so good to see you. I've missed you." He looked past me and his smile slightly faded as he shifted the car into drive.

"What?" I questioned, as I studied his face. I got ready to look out the window, but Caleb quickly reached out and grabbed my face to stop me. 

He looked me in the eye and smiled. "You just look so beautiful. That's all," he whispered. Then he looked past me again and slammed his foot on the gas. "Let’s hurry up so that we can grab some of your things."

I felt my heart stop beating at just the thought of going back to Jace's house. I couldn't stand to be around anything that had to do with Jace at the moment. It just hurt too much and I was so close to giving in to my heart and running back inside to be close to him. I couldn't do that. I wouldn't let myself hurt him anymore.

"Not right now." I blurted out. I took a deep breath and leaned into the seat. "We can do that a different day."

Caleb nodded his head in agreement and gripped onto the steering wheel. "Sure. Maybe tomorrow while that guy is still at work. I'm sure he isn't too happy that you're leaving."

"Sure," I whispered. "I'm not so sure if he truly cares." It was the truth. It wasn't as if he attempted to stop me. Maybe Caleb was the only one that would ever care. That still didn't make me want him. Not the way that I wanted Jace.

I'm doing the right thing. Jace will be safe now...

Chapter 11

I took a deep breath and looked out the window as we turned into a driveway surrounded by a forest of trees. The driveway seemed to go on for at least a mile before we pulled up next to a large white house with tremendous glass windows.

The green lawn was perfectly kept with white stones that led right up to a huge square fountain that was lit up with bright blue lights. The sight was actually quite breathtaking and like nothing that I had ever seen before. Caleb must've had a lot of money. Something that I hadn't been aware of. I guess I should've known from his nice BMW.