“Eventually, I took a break from my college classes so I could work full time and save money to send her to rehab.”
Jesus. And nobody knew what he was really going through.
“Where does the bruise come into this story?” I ask, mentally bracing myself.
He looks away. “Her boyfriend hit me.”
The swift rush of anger startles me, my entire body vibrating with tension as I barely stop myself from asking for his name and location. Visions of me slamming my fist into the stranger’s face assail me and make my blood pressure rise.
Only the sound of Luke’s voice brings me back to reality. His story continues, every bleak detail of his weekend after he left me Friday night. I squeeze my eyes shut, my head thumping back against the wall as I ride waves of self-loathing and disgust. I spent my weekend working out, watching the football game, and jerking off in mybedroom to thoughts of Luke while he was being assaulted by his mother’s boyfriend and then abused by said mother.
There was no way for me to have known, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking I should have been there to take care of him.
He finally wraps the story up, his eyes sliding up toward the ceiling with an anguished expression. “I know it’s the drug addiction talking. She just needs a really good rehab and a good support system. I’ve done some research, and I know it’s possible for her to beat it.”
Based on what he’s told me about her, I’m not sure she wants the same things Luke wants. But I don’t think he’s ready to hear that yet.
“I’ve been trying to get her help, but I’m such a shitty son, I can’t even get this one thing right. And if Jax finds out, he’ll never want to talk to me again.”
Shit, has he always felt this way about himself, or is that his mother’s voice in his head? Regardless, I know what the next move is. Luke has been at his breaking point today, and over my dead body will I let his mother break him. Besides, I’m not sure if it’s safe for him to return home if his mom’s boyfriend is still around.
Although I don’t understand where these feelings are coming from, Ineedhim to be safe the way I need air to breathe.
I squeeze his hand, and in a firm, uncompromising voice, I say, “You’re coming home with me tonight.”
Luke
“This is, like, homemade? It’s not from a can?” Shoveling another spoonful of chicken noodle soup past my lips, I’m well-aware that my eyes are probably lit up like a kid’s in a candy store. I’ve always had a weak spot for comfort foods, and my stomach was growling by the time Alek set the bowls on the kitchen table between us with a slice of toasted crostini bread.
He shrugs. “It wasn’t hard to make,but thank you.”
I finish off the entire meal, scarfing the food down with vigor and eagerly accepting a second bowl when he offers. Once he finishes his own, he leans back and studies me with that appraising look of his, as if he’s trying to figure out who I am. It makes me wonder if he’s thinking about my meltdown today. I clear my throat, averting my gaze as shame heats my cheeks. In his eyes, I’m probably a weak kid who can’t take care of himself. Not a twenty-four-year-old man who wants his best friend’s dad to rail him.
He'll never touch me now.
To distract myself, I peer around Alek’s home. It’s a modern, craftsman-style house with an open floor plan. On the left side, where we sit, is the kitchen area. It’s a small space with granite countertops and updated appliances, and an area big enough for a square dining table. Next to us is a hallway, which Alek already explained is where the three bedrooms and one bathroom is. To our right is the living room. It’s a clean, tidy space with a pristine look, black leather couch, and a massive TV sitting over a fireplace. It looks cozy, and it feels…peaceful.
Maybe I would enjoy it more if I didn’t still feel raw, like an exposed wire. My throat is scratchy, my eyes are puffy, and my skin has this too-tight, itchy feeling as I fidget in my chair.
“You’re probably tired. Do you want to take a shower before bed?” Alek’s voice cuts through my musings.
For a moment, I freeze, because I think he means together. Does he mean together? He can’t possibly find me attractive right now. Surely, I look like a hot mess. But my blood heats and travels south, and I bite my bottom lip.
Alek doesn’t seem to notice the subtle shift in my mood. “I can show you where the towels are, and I’ll leave you a pair of sweatpants outside the door if that’s okay. They’re probably too big on you, but I don’t have any of Caleb’s old clothes here anymore.” His smile isapologetic, pulling at the faint traces of laugh lines that are beginning to form next to his eyes.
My mood sours again, and I try not to appear too disappointed. Of course, he doesn’t want to touch me anymore. Why would he after the way I embarrassed myself? Besides, I’m too exhausted to do much right now. The mere thought of a hot shower and a bed has my eyelids drooping.
I nod. “Yeah, sounds like a good idea. Thanks.” When I try to take my empty bowl to the sink, Alek shakes his head and takes it from me. As I begin shuffling toward the hallway, the sound of clinking dishes pauses, and I hear Alek’s voice from where he now stands at the sink.
“Hey, Luke?”
I glance at him, frowning at the pensive expression on his face. I get the feeling he has something important to say, but like the squirrel brain I am, I still take a moment to admire him. The sight of him standing in his own home, white sleeves rolled up to his forearms as he rinses our bowls out, the gray sprinkling of hair along his temple standing out under the kitchen lights, makes me want to drool.
Will I get to see him in a pair of sweatpants while I’m here?Please, God of Gray Sweatpants, let me see that magnificent body in a pair just once.
Alek, oblivious to my wayward thoughts once more, rubs the back of his neck. “I just wanted you to know…your secrets are safe with me.Youare safe with me.”
Rubbing a palm over my chest does nothing to settle the rapid firing of my heart. I inhale a shaky breath, a colony of butterflies fluttering about my stomach as warmth spreads through my belly. Somehow, I manage to nod before squeaking out a thank you and disappearing down the hallway, silently commanding my pulse tosettle down.
