Jace pov
The gym was nearly empty. Just the sound of punching bags taking a beating and the rhythmic bounce of a jump rope. Jace stood barefoot on the mat, his fists taped, sweat dripping from his brow—but nothing burned more than the words Mel had left him with the night before.
"If you want this—me—you need to choose."
He threw another punch.
Harder this time.
"You're gonna break your hand before you break that bag," Alex called from the bench.
Jace grunted, ripped off the gloves, and tossed them aside. He paced the floor like a caged animal.
Alex stood, arms folded. "Alright, spill it."
Jace didn't look at him. "She told me to choose."
"Mel?"
Jace nodded.
"She said if I don't quit the partying, the drinking, the late-night bullshit—I don't get to have her."
Alex let out a slow whistle. "Damn."
"I didn't say anything," Jace admitted. "I just... walked away."
Alex raised a brow. "And now?"
Jace leaned against the wall, head tilted back. "I don't know. Part of me thinks it's just who I am. I don't do clean and committed. But then I think of her, and everything feels… different."
Alex watched him in silence for a beat before asking, "You love her?"
Jace's lips parted, but no words came out.
Alex nodded slowly. "That's your answer, man. If you love her—really love her—you'll change. Not because she asked you to. Because you want to be better for her."
Jace stared at the ceiling, the storm inside him refusing to settle.
Mel pov
"I can't believe you're still thinking about him," Ella said, tossing another popcorn kernel into her mouth.
Mel sat curled on her couch, knees tucked beneath her, arms crossed. "It's not that simple."
Ella rolled her eyes. "It is that simple. He's a walking red flag. Clubs, drinks, chaos. Do you want to end up crying every weekend because he can't show up sober or on time?"
Mel flinched. "He apologized."
"So?" Ella leaned forward. "Mel, I've seen this story play out before. The 'bad boy' changes—for like two weeks. Then he slips right back into who he was, and you're left picking up the pieces."
Mel looked down at her hands. "But there's something different about him. I don't know how to explain it. He sees me. And when he's with me… he's kind."
"And when he's not?" Ella shot back. "When he's out at 2 a.m. while you're waiting for a ride that never comes?"
Mel's silence was all the answer Ella needed.
"I know you have a big heart," Ella said softly, "but don't let it blind you. You deserve someone who shows up. Who makes you feel safe. Not someone you have to fix."
Mel nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I didn't ask him to be perfect. I just asked him to try."
"And if he doesn't?" Ella asked gently.
Mel closed her eyes. "Then I walk away."
Ella reached over, squeezing her hand. "Good. Because if he's not willing to grow, he doesn't deserve you."
---