Shadows of the Past

Chapter 7

"I just wanted to see if the rumors were true, the whole town is talking about you coming back here. Obviously, I thought that couldn't be true. After 6 years? I really thought you were smart enough to just stay away but I guess I was wrong after all. You always did have a knack for proving me wrong, even when we were kids." He had gotten taller since I left, and he wasn't as scrawny either. Still, those piercing blue eyes stared down at me coldly. Luke towered over me as he spoke, which would be intimidating if I hadn't been so angry at him, but unluckily for him my rage was still very present.

"I didn't realize I was still so popular, that just makes it so much more fun when I visit." I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. "Anything else you wanted to tell me while you're here or are you just gonna stand there trying to look like you aren't terrified that I'll somehow ruin your perfect reputation? By the way, the whole intimidation factor thing you're trying to pull right now is failing spectacularly. Maybe try it on someone who actually has a reason to be afraid of you next time," I spoke with a strong, sure voice that surprised me slightly. I wanted to shout at him, ask why he did what he did, but that wouldn't get me anywhere. 

"Blake, who is this?" Evie's soft voice came from the seat across the table. Why did Luke have to choose to pick a fight with me when she's here?

"Luke Price, ma'am. Blake and I go way back. What's your name?" His expression changed instantly when he heard her voice, cranking up the charm and giving her a blindingly white smile. He stuck out his hand for her to shake and looked expectantly down at her.

"Don't answer that, he's far less friendly than he's trying to appear right now," I warned. "Let's get out of here, I'll explain everything. The coffee is paid for already," I gathered my things from the seat next to me and began to stand when Luke spoke again.

"No need to be hostile Blake, I just asked your friend here for her name." He placed his hand on my shoulder, keeping me from leaving. "How about instead of rushing out of here like a bat outta hell, you let her speak for herself? Now," He turned to face her again, "Where were we? Oh yes, your name?"

"Luke, I'm only going to say this once so listen up. If you want to keep your hand attached to your body, you better take it off my shoulder." I tried to shake him off but he squeezed, hard.

"I'd rather cut all my limbs off one by one than talk to you, thanks. She said to let her go, now you better do as she says before I do it for you." Evie said with a sweet smile, her normally soothing voice now sharp. "I may be small, but I've been in martial arts and kick-boxing classes since I was about 5 years old and I will not hesitate to knock you on your ass."

"Well now, all I wanted was to make your acquaintance, but I can see when I'm not wanted. I'll be keeping an eye on you, Blake, so don't go causing problems." Luke raised his hands and walked away after this.

"Come on, let's get out of here before he decides to try something like that again," Evie said. We walked out the door and towards the town square, both more than a little rattled by the whole experience. "I'm guessing he's one of the causing factors that made you move?"

"You could say that, yeah. He kinda got me disowned and got my girlfriend at the time sent away to a Jesus camp. Not a fun thing to deal with at 18, especially when it's your best friend that does it." I didn't really feel like going into detail about the whole thing, but I did promise her an explanation. I rubbed my arm as we walked, trying to soothe the ache where he had grabbed me. "To be honest, I was really hoping that I wouldn't run into him at all while I'm in town. Dez really isn't gonna be happy, I think my shoulder is bruised. He already thinks I need to see a doctor, so this isn't gonna be fun at all," I pulled my phone out of my bag to text him.

"Why does he think you need a doctor? Are you okay?" Evie looked at me worriedly, taking my hand and pulling me to a bench by the sidewalk.

"It's nothing to freak out about, I just got a bit overwhelmed yesterday and fainted. I don't really take the best care of myself sometimes and had kinda been running on fumes for a while, and I got some bad news that just sorta sent me over the edge. I really just needed to sleep, that's all." I reassured her, squeezing her hand slightly. "Anyway, I have an appointment at the doctor's office for this afternoon just in case."

"Wanna talk about the bad news you got or is that something I'd have to buy you dinner first to learn?" She joked, smiling slightly but still looking a bit concerned. "Take you to a movie first and everything?"

"Dinner and a movie? A woman after my own heart," I smiled. "I can tell you now though, it's not a secret or anything. Remember that old girlfriend I mentioned?" I waited for her nod before I continued, "she passed away last week, and I wasn't told until I got here yesterday. I was kinda caught off guard because she's the one that asked me to come here to talk about what happened, I guess to see if we could both understand what exactly went on and maybe get a little closure. Not great news after a really long drive, if I'm being honest."

"That's awful, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. If Luke bothers you again while you're here, call me. I wasn't kidding earlier when I said I'd knock him on his ass. You should probably call that best friend of yours, I'm sure he's worried about why you've been out so long." She wrapped her arms around me in a quick, tight hug before letting go and leaning back, seemingly basking in the warmth of the sun on her skin. She closed her eyes and took my hand in hers again, "I'll stay with you until he gets here just in case someone else decides to test their luck today messing with you."

With that I made the call to Dez and explained what had happened, listening to him rant about how I shouldn't have gone out without him and swear to make Luke regret being born if their paths meet. I gave him directions to the bench Evie and I were at, assured him that we were fine, and hung up.