Tightrope

It Was Really, Really Hard

Mum choked on her wine in a display that held more drama than a middle school musical. She held up a finger as Dad slammed his palm into her back, aiding her recovery. Her face was stained slightly red as she looked down at her plate, then back up again, at Jace and I, blinking rapidly.

"Hello, Jace, honey," Mum said, her voice raspy from the aforementioned choking saga. "Did your, uh, car break down? Are you stuck here? Did you need a lift home?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Eliza," Dad said. "She wouldn't offer to help him if his car broke down. She would've caused the break down." Dad looked at Jace seriously. "If she's holding you hostage, blink twice. If she's kidnapped your cat or something, blink three times."

Liv, who must've returned from Casserine early today, laid a hand on Dad's arm. "Dad, she would never hold Jace hostage. That would require spending time with him!" She looked at Jace with a seriousness that resembled my father's. They'd always had similar mannerisms. "No offense, Jace. It's Lena who is weird, you know we all think you're lovely."

"Uh, thanks?" said Jace.

"Hey, Hartley," said Alec from Liv's side. Alec was a regular fixture at the Montez dining table, and if it wasn't Alec with Liv, it was Kaelin with me or our other cousin Harry with Austin. Thankfully, our chef knew to make extras for the other branch of the Montez family. "Nice to see you bonding with my dear cousin, finally." Then he grinned. "But, like, was she knocked out today? Alien invasion? Should I be contacting Area 51?"

"You guys are hilarious," I said sarcastically.

"You guys are hilarious," said Jace genuinely.

"And she wonders why we like him more," Dad muttered.

Mum poked him with her fork defensively. Favourite parent award goes to: Eliza Montez. Then I saw her consider briefly and pause only momentarily before she nodded in agreement. Cool, they like my worst enemy more than they like their own daughter.

I need new parents.

"Well, Hartley and I are school project partners and he's staying for dinner now," I announced.

Because of course I had to have an excuse. I didn't want my parents sending me to hospital tonight to get my head checked.

Austin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, good girl, making friends." I could hear the thinly veiled knowing in his voice, the knowledge of why, exactly, I was being nice to Jace Hartley.

Though, admittedly, I'd slipped once or twice; I couldn't actually be expected to go an entire twenty-four hours without saying anything mean to him, could I? But given I'd also slipped in another way—slipped my tongue in his mouth—I believed that wholeheartedly made up for any insults I'd accidentally allowed. Really, it should be the highlight of that boy's life.

At least I had Austin's approval that I was following his blackmail laws. Like I really had a choice. I wasn't going to let Austin expose Knight. Well, unless Austin asked me to do the whole nice-to-Jace thing again; two days was far too much of an ask; I would rather throw Knight to the sharks. Plus, I couldn't risk my health like that; I've heard that excessive lying can give you indigestion. Liv was definitely my favourite sibling now.

Mum looked delighted. "Oh, wonderful! Jace, help yourself to any of the food. It's so nice to have you stay. How are your parents?"

Jace pulled out the empty chair next to Alec, and I stalked to the only other available seat; which happened to be the one next to Hartley. Ugh.

Hartley smiled warmly at my mother, in the charming way he always had with my parents that made them love him. It was revolting. Why could they not support my passions in life? Hating Hartley topped that list.