Red Roses [Luke Hemmings]

Eighteen

"I don't understand why this is such a big deal," Luke said over the phone.
"Dude, you bought us a house! We told you not to!" Jack yelled. Luke scrunched his nose and eyes at the loud noise and pulled the phone from his ear.

"I think the correct words are 'Thank you' Jack. Come on, be grateful. Technically, you said not to buy your house. I didn't. I bought you a house, a nice one too," Luke said. He heard his brother groaned and Luke snickered. Rebecca was cooking in his kitchen as he was lounging on the leather lounge with his laptop resting on his lap. Luke was talking to his publicist about his relationships and to keep them quiet as he was also looking for a new home to live in. This place was getting old and Ashton and Holly were moving too.

"I know you have the money but you can't just buy anything you want," Jack said.
"Actually, I can and I will. Jack, don't make me sell the house. I like it, it's perfect for you guys and it's close to work," Luke said.
"If you like it so much, why don't you and Rebecca move in?"
"Fucking hell Jack Hemmings thank me for buying you a house!"
"We don't want it!"
"You might not want it but you need it! This is heaps better than staying at Mum's. You have your own backyard, a pool, a jacuzzi, all that crap. Mate it's literally perfect and you're here complaining."

Jack's voice lowered as he spoke and Luke furrowed his eyebrows. "How can I live knowing that my younger brother bought my house because I didn't have enough money?"
"Live knowing it was a present," Luke shrugged.
"I can't believe you."

The line went dead and Luke groaned, locking his phone and putting it on the coffee table before slapping his laptop shut and walking toward the kitchen to see Rebecca pulling out baked salmon from the oven. She wore a short flowery dress and Luke's breath hitched at the sight. Undoubtedly, Rebecca Richards was beautiful and it was still a little bit mind-boggling to know that she was all his.

"Stop right there Miss Richards," Luke said, shaking his head.
"Hm?" Rebecca asked, glazing the salmon with a honey-lemon and mint glaze.
"I don't appreciate you flaunting your ass everywhere as you cook. Imagine if we weren't alone?"
"You're being annoying. I'm sorry I bent over," Rebecca laughed, "It won't happen again."
"I was reading this article about women liking controlling men... to some extent. Are you like that?"

Rebecca shoved the salmon back into the over, bending her knees rather than her torso this time. Luke smirked as Rebecca closed the oven door and took the grey oven mitts off.
"I guess," she shrugged, "I've never really been with a controlling man before."
"Do you find it attractive?"
"I find manliness attractive. Let's be real here, a girl loves a good strong man. Why are you talking like this?"
"No reason. So what's with all the food?"
"It's Sunday. I wanted to have dinner here. I even called Indie to bring Kyle over."

Luke choked on his own saliva and turned tense.
"You didn't," he said.
"I did. Luke, he seems to really care for Indie. I understand she's your best friend but you can't hold onto her like this. She needs freedom. Imagine if she did this to you," Rebecca said.

Thinking about it, Luke sighed. Rebecca was so right. He was acting like a total jerk and Indiana somehow still managed to love him.
"Did Rocco tell you that Ben got a promotion?" Luke said, changing the subject. Rebecca didn't seem to mind as she threw some strawberries into a food processor with some sugar.
"No he didn't mention it. Though, he did mention going back to Wellington to see my grandmother," Rebecca said. Luke leaned his elbows on the table and rose his eyebrow as his fingers grazed his bottom lip in curiosity.
"When?" he asked.
"When you're away. It'll keep me busy, keep me from missing you so much."

Luke smiled. Rebecca was trying and she was doing it all for him.

"That'd be nice," Luke said, "I'm sure she'd enjoy it."
"I hope so too. You know I'm still a bit jealous your grandparents live here."
"I know, I know. But it'd be kind of cool to head to another country just to see them."