Infinite

After the Storm- Part 2

**mature content**

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The drive home is completely silent as we both try to process what happened tonight. I'm trying to think about what I'm going to say to Lucas when we get home, but my mind can only think about how angry he's going to get. I'm not sure if he knows that Sam kissed me, or if that's what started the fight. Either way, I will need to offer up that information before he can ask me about it.

Lucas has his injured hand resting on his leg, and he's been staring out the window since we left. I think he's looking up at the stars. He likes to try and find constellations when we are outside at night. I love trying to find what he's describing in the sky, but most of the time they just look like clusters of white dots and I can't see any shapes.

I pull into our driveway next to my car and turn off the engine. Our home is completely dark besides the white on the porch and above the garage. Street lamps are illuminating all of the trees and bushes that line the neighborhood.

Lucas immediately undoes his seatbelt and opens his door with his good hand. He hops out of the truck and runs his fingers through his dark hair. That's not a great sign for his mood. I take a deep breath and get out. The leaves crunch under my heels as I walk around the car and up the front steps, holding the train of my dress. I hear Lucas following closely behind me, his footsteps heavy.

I unlock our front door, immediately feeling more relaxed as I step inside. I love being at home, it's the most comforting place. I don't stop to take off my shoes and head straight into the kitchen and flip the light on above the island. I can hear Lucas locking the front door as I grab a bag of frozen peas and an ice pack from the freezer.

Lucas walks in, his shoulders slouched. I can't tell if it's from being exhausted or from his mood.

"We only have one ice pack for some reason, so you'll have to use these," I say as I gesture for Lucas to sit down at the island.

He smiles weakly and listens, making a swishing sound as he pushes the air out of the cushion. I walk over to him and gently place the bag of peas on the back of his right hand. He winces and groans slightly as he closes his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, leaving it there as slowly as possible.

I hand Lucas the ice pack, not sure if he wants me to put it on his face for him. He picks it up and rests his chin on it, covering part of his mouth. I don't feel like I should sit down next to him yet, so I walk around the island and grab a glass out of the cupboard. I stare at the stream of water coming out of the fridge, trying to collect my thoughts.

"I'm sorry that I lost my cool tonight," Lucas apologizes.

I turn around to meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry that I always react this way." He closes his eyes and leans into the ice pack, pressing it more against his face. "I just-" Lucas opens his eyes again and sets the ice pack down on the counter. "How could you not tell me that he was here?" His voice is still gentle, but it's slightly louder than before.

Here we go.

I take a deep breath before answering him.

"I wanted to tell you so many times, Lucas," I begin. "Things just kept getting in the way."

"No, that's not a real reason," he replies bluntly as he shakes his head vigorously. "If you wanted to tell me about it, you would've."

The guilt that I've already been feeling this week doubles in size.

"Do you have any idea how upset I am with you right now?" Lucas' voice gets louder as he stands up from his chair. The bag of peas falls off of his hand and onto the floor, making a crashing sound in my ears.