A sigh escaped Ace’s lips as he stared down at the steaming water running down his body at his feet, trying to figure out what Penelope might be going through. Ace never really spent time with her and didn’t want to, or at least didn’t feel the need to since he was Hope’s boyfriend. His full focus was on no one else but Hope, everyone else to him were merely side pawns to a game of chess and Hope was his queen.
But after spending that short time with Penelope, for once he felt as though he found someone valuable, someone he can rely to as a friend. Her behavior still annoys him, but he can still ignore it at least. After all, she helped him feel better about something he held a grudge against. It was only right that he returned the favor and make her feel better about hers too.
But how could he if he doesn’t know what’s bothering her?
The sound of the knock on the door filled his ears. He instantly turned the faucet off and grabbed the towel hanging by the edges of the shower cubical before stepping out. With no time to waste, is instantly dried himself and threw on a loose shirt and some shorts before walking out of the room and towards the front door.
For a moment he thought it was Penelope, but the closer he got he could catch a masculine scent that was all too familiar to him. It was clearly Harley and Hope. He stopped at the door and sighed out heavily before twisting the knob and opening it fully, only to glance down at Hope who smiled and held out a small container of cookies. He shifted his gaze to Harley who smiled as well, getting him to furrow his brows before stepping aside to let them in.
Surprisingly, he didn’t feel as annoyed at them as he did in the morning.
“A good morning would have been nice.” Harley sighed out as he glanced over his shoulder to Ace who rolled his eyes in boredom.
“It was a while ago.” Ace pressed his lips together as they made it into the living room where Hope and Harley took a seat on the couch, while he simply stood there, staring down at them. Hope glanced up at Ace, only to feel a bit uncomfortable since he was staring with a blank expression.
He probably hasn’t let it go.
“Ace… I’m sorry about-.”
“It’s fine.” Ace interrupted her and took a seat on the armchair. “What’s wrong with Penelope?”
The question took both Hope and Harley aback as they stared at him in shock. They were expecting him to bombard them with accusation and threats but instead he was solemnly focused on Penelope.
Maybe he was just hiding his anger?
“Um….” Hope gave Harley a quick glance before returning her gaze back to Ace who stared at her with a waiting gaze, hoping she would just go straight to the point and not start up an entire story line. “What did she do?” hope asked as she laced her fingers together with raised brows, getting Ace to sigh out and fold his arms on his chest.
“We were having a great time, then I noticed how distant she was though she emphasized on ‘helping’ me out with my problem. She looked off, like she was sad without actually showing it.” Ace shrugged his shoulders and glanced towards the floor as he bit onto his lower lip in thought. “When I asked her, she got a little defensive, giving me enough proof to know she was hiding something. She just lied about Harley’s little sister’s story that’s affecting her but I know it’s something else.”
“My what?” Harley asked as he felt his own heart sink into his chest, being reminded once more of his little sister, wishing he would erase the memory. Ace glanced towards him and sighed out in boredom before rolling his eyes as he watched Harley glance to the ground in thought. “Man up Harley, you can’t keep sulking about it forever.”
“You just don’t understand what I’m going through.” He hissed as he stood up from the couch and marched towards Harley in pure rage forming underneath his thick skin.
“I do. I’ve lost way more than you did.” Ace said in annoyance as he furrowed his brows towards Harley.
“Losing friendship and a pack isn’t the same thing as losing someone related by blood-.”
“I lost my parents, Harley.” Ace sighed out as he glared at him. “Not by losing them because I left, but because they died years back. I’m an orphan, the pack was the only family I had left. Then they betrayed me and threw me out, like I was never theirs.” He hissed, getting Harley to lower his shoulders and step back. “I didn’t have anyone. When I found you two, the only thing I could think of when I saw Harley in love with you, Hope, was how bad I wanted to ruin you guys. But then I fell in love. Then you stabbed me, again. I was just about done with everything. I wanted to leave, I felt like I would be better off alone and wondering about in the forest. But then she showed up after insulting her and she was so persistent to stay that I also killed her for being too stubborn. But she made me feel at peace with what I was going through. So I just want to return the favor.” He explained as Hope gave out a shaky sigh from the story, comepletely touched and feeling slightly guilty for being part of what was breaking him.
“I’m sorry.” Hope frowned as she stared up at him in pity, getting him to chuckle lowly and roll his eyes.
“Don’t apologize. I’ll beat you up if you apologize more.” He sighed and nodded to himself. “So, what’s wrong with Penelope?” he asked as Hope took a deep breath and sighed out as she ran her hand along her jeans.