Chapter 7
Luke pulled me down the front steps and around the car to the passenger side door in record time, and was around to the drivers side just as fast.
"I don't mean to rush you," Luke said, climbing in and putting on his seat belt. "I just don't like the thought of you out in the open." Then smiled sheepishly at me.
"It's ok, I understand." I said, finishing clicking my seat belt into place. "I'm sorry, but I have to make one quick phone call and let my brother know he doesn't need to wait on me."
"That's fine." He said starting the truck and beginning the drive down the long drive way. I leaned forward and pulled my old fashioned flip phone out of my purse, and dialed Brandon's number. It went to voicemail. I left him a message saying I caught a ride with a friend, and not to wait up, that I could handle things with Hayley, and that he should o out and have some fun with his friends.
I closed the phone and turned in my seat to face Luke. God, he was even more beautiful in person. He didn't appear to be aware that I was looking at him, maybe he was just letting me enjoy the view, but how could you not know when that person has been staring at you for the past five minutes?
"Enjoying the view?" Luke asked, finally turning to look at me, before turning his attention back to the road.
I shook my head to clear it, it didn't work. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to stare. Just, to have you sitting there, close enough to touch, is amazing. It's something I have dreamed of since Steve left, and Mom starting working more hours. Now you're here and you're not fake, you're real and breathing and flesh and blood with a pumping heart. It's just crazy..." I said, trailing off. Then saw the way he was looking at me, and blushed scarlet. "I'm sorry, I gave away to much again. But at least your family wasn't here this time." I turned right in my seat, as we pulled up at a red light.
"No," Luke said, reaching over and grabbing my hand. "You didn't. You said just enough, you always do. But, I can also tell you are holding back somethings. A lot of things. And, I will make sure we get to a point where you are comfortable enough to tell me all of those things. But, I want to tell you everything first. Explain everything and tell you what I think. Then, you can decide if you are still holding back anything." He gave my hand one last squeeze, before pulling it away to drive. So he knew. He knew I was totally in love with him, but wanted me to tell him. Oh God, things were about to get complicated.
I just nodded, and went back to looking out the window. Our town was small, and everybody knew everybody. One main grocery store, a couple gas stations here and there, a coffee house, a big empty lawn area with picnic tables in the center of town. A couple of small clothing stores and furniture shops, a dance studio that we used for gymnastics and cheer, and big auditorium/meeting place for recitals and competitions, also for city hall meetings and for when it comes time to vote. It was small, but with everything we needed.
"Turn up here," I said pointing to an up coming subdivision. "Fifth one on the right."
"Ok." Luke said, pulling in front of my house. Now here comes the awkward part.
"Thanks, for everything today Luke." I said, still sitting. Not sure what to do. He closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking about something. "What is it?" I asked.
Luke smiled, "You have no idea how good it sounds to hear you say my name." He said smiling up at me. My heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he ever said anything like that. I should have asked really or at least said something back. But, instead I sat there smiling like an idiot.
"I don't want this to be awkward," I said. "We both know what Caynes dad said, that we should stay together. I'm ok with you coming in, if you want to. My brother probably went off with some friends, and my Mom won't get home until really late tonight. Hayley will be here soon, I have to take her to a gymnastics meet. You can go to that if you want, I'm sure she won't mind." I said, looking down at the floor. "You don't have to though. I'm sure you have better things to do then hang out with me and my four year old sister." I said, smiling and looking up at him for the first time since I started talking.
