“We’ve always planned that we would go to Maylen, join a dojo, and kick ass—together. And now you’re going to Monarch. I just don’t get it.” He throws his hands in the air. “You hate all that bureaucratic bullshit and the dirty money that follows it.”
I couldn’t argue with him. Even though his family and mine are rich as hell, we don’t flaunt it or use it to up our game like most we went to school with.
“You know that college has a freaking uniform for undergrads, right? You hate uniforms.”
He isn’t wrong. It’s ridiculous. “It’s just for a year.”
“And that college is notorious for only accepting spoiled, rich assholes whose families want them to follow in their corrupt corporations? I’d hate to see you get caught in any bad shit.”
“I’m sure I’ll have no problem handling myself.”
He turns me so that my back is against his chest. I lean back into his warm body. His arms wrap around me, and he rests his chin on my shoulder. I’m glad he can’t see my face as I let the lie slide so easily from my lips. “I promised my mom I’d stay close.”
“I know. I’m being selfish.” Luca pulls back a little and twists me slightly so I can look at him. His full lips quirk into a lopsided grin. “Selfish or not, my last argument for you not to attend Monarch is that you’ve missed the first two weeks of the semester. It’s going to be a bitch to catch up. And I’m going to bet you got shitty classes.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Again, you’re not wrong.”
He’s right on target with that one. I’m with the leftover classes. It’ll suck, but the small sacrifice will be worth it.
“That’s all I got, and it seems that isn’t enough for you to change your mind.”
“We have next year,” I say without knowing where this year will leave me.
“Fine.” He spins me around to face him. “So, you want to fight today? I bet we can kick this shitty day’s ass.”
Being Luca’s best friend not only comes with all the standard best friend perks but we also enjoy the benefit of kicking the shit out of each other. We’ve studied jiu-jitsu, karate, and other martial arts for most of our lives. We’re a good match most days, but I can usually take him down if weapons are involved. And I never let him forget it.
I plop down on the bed. “As much as I’d like to, I still have a ton to do. Besides, I’m still on the mend.” Subconsciously, I touch my side where my stitches were.
“Nice try. I’ll buy the excuse of a lot to do but not the ‘on the mend’ one. You and I both know you’re ready to get back on the mat.”
I grin. “Jeez. Let me have a little more time before you hand me my butt again.”
“I did get you good in our last match.” He laughs and sits beside me, tracing the lines of the dragon tattoo that runs the length of my forearm. “I still can’t believe you’re leaving me.”
I lay my head on his shoulder. “It’s not like I’m moving to Alaska. I’m only a couple of hours away from Maylen.”
“I know,” he grumbles. “How’s your mom holding up?”
My mom hasn’t taken my dad’s death well at all. To say they were in love is like saying you might get burned if you touch fire. The pills have helped numb some of the pain, but I’m not sure the thousands of shattered pieces of her heart can ever be put back together.
I shrug. “The same. It’s like she’s turned into an empty shell. It’s horrible to watch.”
I swipe at the wetness pooling in my eyes. I know she loves me, but I feel like I lost her too when my dad died.
Lifting my head, I knock his shoulder with mine. “Hey, I thought you came over to cheer me up?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Luca jumps up, pulling me with him. He looks around the room of boxes and half-emptied bookshelves. “Why don’t we order pizza while we finish packing?”
And that’s exactly what we do until Silvia, our housekeeper, gently raps on my open door, a man in a dark blue jumpsuit standing next to her. The label on his breast pocket reads Alex. “Are you ready, dear?” she asks.
With the sting of anguish, I answer reluctantly, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I point to a stack of boxes near the closet. “Those are the ones to be delivered this afternoon.”
The mover in the jumpsuit nods, pulling the tape gun from his belt.
Luca glances at the three boxes. “That’s all you’re bringing?”
I look at the boxes. “What? I packed clothes, toiletries, and a box of miscellaneous crap. My school uniforms were delivered to my uncle’s. What else do I need?”