The Strongest Stone

Chapter Eight

The next morning the kids returned to school. Ana had finally told her boyfriend what had happened and had invited him to dinner. I dropped Cassie and Archie off at day care and went home. Lucas was at home when I returned.

"Hey, so we're beginning to run low on a few things. I was going to the grocery store. You in?" Lucas said handing me a cup of coffee as I walked into the kitchen. For a moment it almost seemed like we were a real couple, and after what had happened last night, my head was a mess.

I sipped the coffee and sat down at the table. "Thanks for the uh... coffee." I whispered. "Ana's boyfriend is supposed to be coming over for dinner, so I guess I'd better come."

"Alright. Well finish that up and we'll go." Lucas walked passed, he placed his hand on my shoulder for a moment before moving it and it sent a rush of something through my stomach.

I leapt to my feet and walked over to the sink with the coffee in my hand.

"I'm actually all good on caffeine. Let's go now?"

When I turned around Lucas was looking at me strangely. "You okay?"

"Great." I replied, lying through my teeth. Luckily Lucas believed me, or at least he pretended to, h flashed me a smile and then walked over to the bench and picked his keys up.

"Let's go."

I followed him out the door and walked out to his car. We hopped in and he started it.

"Did you fill it up this morning?" Lucas asked as he began backing out of the drive.

"Yeah." I replied.

"You didn't have too."

"I wanted too."

"Watch it Charlie."

"Huh?"

"We're on dangerous territory, sharing the same bed, raising kids... filling my car with gas." He let out a little laugh, and I could tell he was trying to be humorous but it wasn't washing, not after last night.

"Bad joke. Sorry." Lucas whispered, he didn't try talking the rest of the way and by the time we got to the supermarket the awkward silence filled the air. I escaped the car the moment I could and let out a gasp. Lucas grabbed a trolley and we walked into the grocery store. Lucas, in an attempt to make me laugh began to act up with the vegetables. I was unable to conceal and my laughter eventually and Lucas smiled. He pulled me into a playful hug and ran his hands through my hair, for a moment I felt warm and happy. Maybe things didn't need to get weird, maybe Lucas was right.

"Lucas! Oh my god... oh and Charlotte!" A familiar, but unwelcome voice broke the moment. Lucas' arms slackened around me slightly. I looked up and stared at the ever exquisite Darcy. She was dressed like a goddess, like she woken up and an army of fashion designers had awoken just to dress and preen her until she looked like the best thing ever.

"Darcy." Lucas said, her name flowed from his lips and turned into a flaming arrow that punctured my heart. "How are you?"

"Great. I've just moved back, that thing in LA didn't pan out." She smiled and looked down at me. "Looks like you're back from college too? Change of heart?" She sounded almost nice, which was strange, she'd never liked me.

"Charlie's parents passed away." Lucas whispered, his grip on me tightened, I could feel my emotions beginning to scatter. I looked down at the trolley and shrugged.

"Oh my god. Charlotte." Darcy placed her hand over mine. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm okay. At least I will be."