Pawned Virtue - #wattys2015 BK4 TPBS - Completed 1st draft

-47-

Not edited.

Lucas walked into maccas with a definite purpose in his stride that was clearly apparent to everyone he walked by. His stance and demeanor making people drop their heads and rush by. He removed his sunglasses as he walked through the door and very quickly scanned the room.

His eyes immediately softened as they fell on his girl. Then he felt like an idiot. Of course she had plans for the day... school! The three sitting at the table were all dressed in school uniform. The difference between now and when he'd seen Tara at the school was the fact that she was wearing the girls uniform and the boy clothes she'd been wearing were gone.

Jones met him with a tray of food as he walked towards them.

"Hey boss. Got you a deal to save time."

"Thanks." His smile was genuine as he thought of the extra minutes he'd get to spend with Tara.

Keiran waved a hand and said hello as they walked close. Tara turned and felt herself melt to see the smile on his face as he looked down at her. She smiled back at him and blushed as he lent down and kissed her cheek in front of everyone.

"Hi baby" he whispered before taking her hand and sitting in the chair beside her.

"Hey Keiran, hey Jace."

Keiran squealed making Jace roll his eyes lovingly at him.

"You two are so cute together!"

"Ke stop teasing babe" Jace jumped in as he watched Tara's face go from pink to flaming red.

"Oh but..."

"No." Jace spoke firmly but with a twinkle in his eye.

"Oh but.." Keiran pouted.

"Ke" Jace warned.

"Oh fine" Keiran slumped back in his seat "I never have any fun."

That was it. They all laughed as Keiran pouted like a little boy who was told no lollies before dinner.

Tara turned suddenly to look at Lucas with anger in her eyes that had him gulp back in surprise.

"You've been tracking my phone."

"Ah... Um... Yeh" he dropped his head in defeat.

"Why?"

Lucas looked at her pleadingly "I... When you went missing I went a little crazy because I missed you and not knowing where you were.. " he shook his head as if to shake away the memory before speaking again in a whisper "I don't want to lose you again."

Tara almost gave in. He looked so cute!

"How often do you check?"

"A couple of times a day."

"So you don't trust that I'm not going anywhere?"

"No! It's not like that! Baby I miss you all the time and well" he scratched the nape of his neck sheepishly as he quickly glanced at the others who were all grinning at his discomfort.

"And well?" Tara prompted knowing he'd already made her cave.

"Knowing where you are makes me fell closer to you" Lucas mumbled.

Tara grinned as she reached up and squeezed his cheeks in a pinch.

"So cute!"

Lucas sat in shock as Tara turned back to the table and started eating as if nothing happened.

Three very amused males watched their interaction but couldn't hold back any longer when Tara pinched his cheeks.

"Whipped!" Jones spluttered out knowing that anyone else would have been told off for laying a finger on Lucas. It was good to see the other side of Lucas. For a man who always spoke of dominance without using the words it was obvious he'd do anything at all for his wife.

They chatted as they ate while mindful of the time so they made it back to class without being late.

"Listen Tara... and guys.. I need to talk to you all about something serious. Are you available after school?"

"What about?" Keiran had become the serious young man he'd come to admire.

Lucas shook his head "Not here. What I have to say doesn't need to be overheard."

Tara looked at him not sure if she should be worried or not.

"Lucas?" she prompted nervously.

He looked at her with tenderness as he reached out and ran a finger down the side of her face supressing the smile that threatened as he saw her shiver and lean into his touch.

"It's important baby but as Jones can tell you it's not something we can discuss here."

Jones sat nodding as Lucas spoke.

"It's true. It's inportant that you all know but you'll have questions to ask as well."

Lucas looked at the three young people who looked at one another.

"Look... all I can tell you is that if a woman called Ellie speaks to any of you I want to know about it immediately."

Keirans eyes narrowed suspicously.

"Did you fück her?"

Lucas looked horrified.

"Oh hell no! That's part of the problem."

He looked at Tara who looked at him with uncertainty.

"I promise you that I never slept with that woman. Please baby, you have to believe me."

She slowly nodded without understanding why, she just seemed to know that he was telling the truth.

"Ok."

"Ok?" Lucas asked nervously.

She nodded again.

"I believe you."