MUKE short stories

want you back ✦ 09

9 - bad at love ✦

I believe that we're meant to be.
But jealousy gets the best of me.

I know that you're afraid I'm gonna walk away.

✦✦✦

Michael was admiring his work on the computer.

In about an hour, he had a meeting with his clients, a couple with completely different ideas for the renovation of their apartment.

Usually, Michael didn't do apartments but the building they lived in was considered old. The husband wanted a white, Scandinavia-inspired home and she wanted it to have more life.

They asked for two different models, one in each of the styles they preferred so they could then choose one.

Michael, of course, created a third model, one that incorporated both of their ideas into one plan, one home.

There was a knock on his office's door, too early for the clients to arrive.

It was Noah.

"I have some papers for you to look over and sign."

The architect frowned. Even at their worse, right after they broke their engagement, Noah has never acted this cold towards him.

"Thank you, is everything alright?"

Finally, the man looked him in the eyes. "It is, thank you. How was your house party?"

"Good," Michael raised an eyebrow. "You said you'll drop by and never showed up."

Noah sighed. "Yeah, sorry I didn't let you know. I just didn't feel like I should be there."

The thing is when you know someone enough that you want to marry them you know their flaws and acting stupid was one of Noah's flaws Michael hated the most.

"If you want to say something just say it," Michael said not wanting to fight.

"Okay, I didn't want to be there while you and Luke would play all in love." Noah challenged him. "Happy now?"

"We're not in love."

He knew Noah didn't know about that one night when they took their old love too far. The only person who knew was Calum and he disliked Noah. And maybe Calum told Alex but even though she worked with Noah, they never talked.

"You asked your ex-boyfriend to move in with you, what would you call that?"

"I don't know Noah, being kind? If you'd need a place to stay you know I'd give you my spare room for free if you wanted it."

"Still," Noah wasn't ready to lose the fight. "I didn't want to see him. He just makes me think about our relationship and how the memory of him was on every corner."

"Noah, I wish you'd tell me that bothered you when we were still together. Because I don't remember us talking about Luke once. I remember you asking who he was when you saw him in a photo but then when I wanted to explain you didn't want to hear it."

"You didn't have to explain," Noah said. "The first time I came home your nieces asked if I'm your new Luke."

"That happened once."

"When we got engaged, Jack asked to see the ring and you know what?" Noah laughed. "He was surprised. He remembered you already had a ring that you had made when you were eighteen. And I didn't even know you wanted to propose to him when you were together."

"You see," Michael smiled. "Here you are telling me how you thought you were compared to Luke and now you're telling me you wouldn't be upset if I gave you the ring I had made for another man?"

Noah looked surprised.

"I loved you, Noah. If you believe it or not. I truly wish you would have shared your worries with me while we were still together."

Before he could leave, Michael decided to be petty just this once.

"And please don't lecture me about exes. You went straight to yours the moment we broke up."

✦

"Luke," Michael called when he walked into the apartment.

All the lights were turned off but Luke was usually home when Michael came from work on Fridays.

His phone ringed and it was the man he was looking for.

"Michael? Did you just come home?"

"Yeah, where are you?" Michael frowned.

"Just a sec." Luke hung up and it wasn't just a second so he wanted to go and look for him.

The dancer walked down the stairs. He had his work attire on and a tired smile on his face.

Luke was working two jobs, he was still dancing at the club and taught multiple ballet classes.

"Are you sick?" Michael asked him. "And why did you call me? You could just come downstairs to check if I was here."

"You are early."

No, he wasn't.

"I thought it might be Calum and just wanted to check before I'd come downstairs dressed like this."

Michael knew it was a lie.

"I wanted to ask for a favor. Could I maybe borrow your car tonight or do you need it?"

Luke was definitely acting strange; he never took the car even when Michael offered.

"I'm going to Calum's, but I can drop you off. And pick you up."

"Oh, no." Luke shook his head. "I could be there till five."

"So? It's a five-minute drive and it might rain."

"Okay," Luke agreed. Too quickly for Michael not to worry.

✦✦✦

Thoughts?

Noah? Their fight?

THE FACT THAT MICHAEL HAD A RING MADE FOR LUKE?

Luke acting weird? Any clues?

Love, Lucija ♡