Titanium Promises

Six

The school day finally ends, and I'm nearly too exhausted to make my way back to my car. From the corner of my eye, I spot Luke talking to the other football players. I can't help but notice he's enjoying himself. All the anger he felt towards them seems to have disappeared into happiness. He sees me getting into my car and waves, but I don't wave back as I get into my car, pull out of the parking lot, and go home.

The punching bag calls to me as soon as I pull into the driveway. Without overthinking it, I take off my shirt in an effort to make it easier to exercise on a hot LA day. 

I pummel my fists against the punching bag, sweat dripping down my biceps and abdomen, until someone knocks lightly on the garage door. My mind is swirling with thoughts and I have to shake my head to concentrate. I walk over to the empty easel where my phone is and pause the music. I try to find my shirt, only to remember that Silvia put it in the washing machine. 

Keeping in mind that nothing could ruin this day, I drag up the garage door and realize just how wrong I was.

It's Luke, his eyes as blue as ever. He's leaning against the entrance to the garage, his arms crossed over his chest. My eyes widen, and I do my best to hide my exposed body. I'm so glad I finished my painting yesterday and brought it up to my room. I'd be dying on the floor right now if he saw one of those.

"Great gym you got here," he says, twisting the ring on his finger with his opposite hand. "Been training, have you?"

I feel like I'm on fire. "Yeah," I say, wanting to disappear into thin air. I can't believe he's seeing me like this.

Relax. It's just two guys, and one of them is exercising without a shirt on. Completely normal.

"You box?" I ask.

"Never tried," he says, stepping away from the door frame. "It seems like you're pretty good at it." He examines every inch of the garage, his eyes gliding over the shelves and stacked books. I clench my fist as a distraction, my nails digging deeply in my palm.

"I wouldn't say that." I find a rag, dirtied with paint stains, on the workbench and drape it over my shoulders. "What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd drop by. Is that okay with you?"

"It's fine," I say.

There's a clattering sound from inside, and my dad stumbles into the garage, his eyebrows furrowing as he sees Luke and my shirtless body. He looks at me and darts his eyes towards Luke.

Who's that? he seems to ask with his eyes.

I snatch the long sleeve shirt my dad's holding and drag it over me. Only then do I start removing my hand wraps.

"Hello there, Sir," Luke says, giving a polite smile. "I'm Luke, a friend of Reid's." He outstretches his hand, and my dad walks over to shake it.

"Oh, the famous Luke," my dad says gruffly. "Nice to meet you officially. What are you two up to?"

"We were just going to the park again," I say before Luke can get a word out. "C'mon Luke, I have to be back before dark."

"It's barely four—"

My dad gives me a look, and I ignore him, pressing my hand against Luke's back and shoving him forward. He gets the memo and steps away as I close the garage door behind us.

"We're going to the park?" he asks.

"Yes. Let's go." I shove my hands into my pockets and storm off towards the park. Luke almost laughs and follows behind me, his eyes looking at me the whole time.