My Bully’s Love by Stacy Rush

CHAPTER 12: SURPRISE

JACE POV

I don’t know what’s going on with Ella, but since school has let out for break, she has been MIA. She won’t answer my texts, her bedroom window is locked, and the blinds are closed, and I haven’t even seen her leave the house. We are a week into break, and I was hoping to see her since tomorrow is Christmas. I know we don’t have a name to our relationship, well, at least not until she accepts that she is mine, but I still have a present for her. The last gift I gave her was for her sixteenth birthday when I bought her the diamond studs. I still have the one that Mason gave me; I wonder if she’s held on to the other one.

Not giving me any other option, I walk up to the front door of the Baxter’s and press the doorbell. It doesn’t take long before the door swings open and I’m greeted by Eli, Ella’s nine-year-old brother.

*Hey little man, how have you been?” I stick my fist out to him and he doesn’t leave me hanging; fist bumping with me before he lets his excitement out over seeing me.

Jace! It’s been so long since you’ve come over!” He steps aside, letting me in out of the cold winter air.

“I know buddy, I’ve been really busy, but I’m hoping to start coming over more often. Is Ella here?”

Before he can answer me, Mrs. Baxter comes over to see who is at the door, “Oh, Jace! It’s so lovely to have you in our home again. I’ve missed that handsome smile of yours! How’s your mom doing, I haven’t seen her all week?”

That’s Elaine for you, always the motherly type and always with questions. I grin because I’ve missed this, missed coming here, where the Baxter’s were a second family to me once upon a time. Once again, it’s all my fault that I missed out on all this time with this family, and the girl I love.

“It’s nice to see you, Elaine. Mom’s been busy with last minute Christmas orders at the store, but I’m sure you’ve been busy yourself. Don’t you head up the Christmas Pageant?”

“Oh, dear no, not anymore. I had to give up a couple of things because I was running myself ragged, and I wanted to spend more time at home with my family during the holiday.” Her hand goes to my back as she urges me in further, “So what brings you by, Jace?”

“Well, I was hoping to get a chance to talk to Ella. I haven’t seen her since school broke for break.” | glance around, hoping that Ella will come walking into the room at any moment, but her mother’s words only end up irritating me.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Jace, but Ella and Elise are already up at the cabin. They went up earlier than the rest of us to get it ready for the holiday,” she glances at the suitcases that I hadn’t noticed, “We were actually getting ready to head out soon ourselves.”

forgotten all about their cabin in the mountains, and that they spend Christmas there. I can’t believe Ella left without letting me know that she was leaving for the cabin. She obviously isn’t taking me seriously. Well, just wait until she gets back. I’m already planning her punishment in my head when Mrs.

was that?”

be wonderful if you would join us and asked if you wanted to spend Christmas with us. That is, if

would love to join you! As far as

well? They can head up once your mom’s done at the store.” She already has her phone in her hands, typing away, “There, I just texted her! Now, how about

with my parents if they go; I don’t want to intrude any more than I am.”

part of this family too, even if we haven’t seen you around for a while. Besides, I want to see the surprise on Ella’s

have to agree with Elaine, I can’t wait to see Ella’s reaction either. The question is, will it be a good surprise or a bad one? For her sake she better

Surprise

the family room, so there is enough privacy

for company in the back seat, I listen to my air pods for most of the drive while he plays video games. It feels weird being around all the Baxter’s again, but I will get used to it because I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime too soon. Whether

friends posted, so I click on it. My hackles rise right away when I see

fuck me real good, they’re friends with Jace, and you all know how he feels about

ass of yours for punishment,” Brandon laughs before continuing on, “Tell

words, “You know it!”, are added in

amount of students laughing and calling my Ella degrading names, has me raging inside. It’s time to put an end to all of this, as soon as we get back to school, I’m going to come clean, even if it means I’m no longer one of the popular guys. I’d rather Ella have the respect that she deserves

everyone involved in it. Instead I’m too far away to

care of it. He will also make sure that it isn’t able to get put back up after it’s taken down, as well as getting me the person that uploaded it. I already know the person, but I thank him anyway and tell him that I owe him big time. He tells me to

and I’m okay with that. That is one thing that I will never force her to do. The lifestyle has to be a chosen one, even though I’ m pressuring her into submitting to me, I’m only doing it to keep her safe, and because I know deep down that it turns her on. Doing the whole club thing and being in scenes isn’t what is important to me and I

Elaine and Ethan that I’m going to stay in the car until they get inside, so they don’t see me getting out, and they both agree with smiles lighting their faces. If they only knew what kind of hell I have put their

my girl greet them at the door. Her smile lights up her face, and I can’t help but wonder if she will greet me with the same one; I highly doubt it. I wait about five minutes before grabbing my own bag and trudge through the snow as I make my way to the front door. I lift my hand and knock loudly. Hoping that my Ella answers, I’m a bit annoyed when I hear Elise call out that she’s got the door. When it swings open, nobody but Elise is in my line of sight, so I lift my finger to my mouth, silencing her. She smiles

myself to face the girl that is my whole world and yet I know my presence will irk her. I snicker to myself over the latter; she

head of me, “Look what the cat