I didn't plan on seeing him that night.
But something told me I had to.
The note burned in my pocket all day. I read it so many times, I could picture the handwriting with my eyes closed. Every word pulled tighter at the knot in my stomach.
I needed answers — and Jace was the only one who might give them to me.
The old basketball court behind Eastbridge wasn't exactly a secret, but it might as well have been. Half the lights were broken, and no one used it after school hours… except for Jace Carter.
I found him there — alone — sitting on the bleachers, hoodie up, a half-lit cigarette dangling from his fingers.
He didn't look surprised to see me.
"You followed me?" he asked, not looking up.
"No," I said. "I just knew you'd be here."
Silence.
Then he finally turned his head toward me, eyes sharp in the dying sunlight. "You shouldn't be here, Elena."
"Then tell me the truth. And I'll leave."
He laughed under his breath, bitter. "Which truth? You'll have to be more specific."
I walked closer, pulling the folded photo from my pocket. "Start with this."
He froze.
I watched the color drain from his face as I held the photo up — my mom and his dad. Younger. Smiling. Familiar.
"Where did you get that?" he asked quietly.
"My mom's things," I said. "She said she didn't know him. She lied."
He stared at the picture for a long moment before finally whispering, "That's because she had to."
"What does that mean?"
He didn't answer right away. His fingers clenched around the edge of the bleacher. "Our parents… they were friends. A long time ago. But something happened. Something bad. They never talked about it again."
I stepped closer. "What happened?"
His voice dropped. "They were keeping a secret. One they thought they buried. But now you're here. I'm here. And it's not buried anymore."
I could barely breathe. "Why me? Why now?"
He looked straight at me — all of his walls stripped down in a single glance.
"You don't understand yet, Elena," he said softly. "But you will."
I swallowed hard, heart racing. "Why do I feel like I shouldn't trust anyone?"
He gave a sad smile. "Because you're finally starting to see the truth."
And then he stood, walked past me, and disappeared into the night — leaving me with more questions than ever.
I clutched the photo in my hand as the wind picked up. My mom. His dad. Jace. Me. All connected by something none of us wanted to face.
But the truth was coming.
And I had a feeling…
This was more than just a secret.
This was only the beginning.