Can You Hold Me?

Chapter 3

The dimly lit room felt heavy with unspoken words as Maya leaned back against the wall, her brow furrowed in confusion. Lucas stood a few feet away, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened?" Maya asked, her voice breaking the silence. She searched Lucas's eyes for answers, hoping to find some clarity.

"No, I can't. Honestly, I barely know myself," Lucas replied, running a hand through his hair. The tension in his shoulders was palpable. "We were all looking for you, and then I heard you yelling. Somehow, you got involved with Tomb Stone and ended up seriously injured."

Maya shook her head, the memories slipping through her fingers like sand. "I don't remember anything," she said, her tone laced with despair. She felt lost, as if she were a ghost in her own life, haunting the edges of her memories.

Lucas stepped closer, his voice softening. "Well, you'll be in Texas for a while, so you'll have plenty of time to think it over." He glanced out the window, where the sun was setting, casting a warm glow that contrasted sharply with their heavy conversation.

"You won," Maya whispered, the weight of that statement hanging in the air. Lucas nodded, but the gesture felt more like a burden than a victory.

"At a cost I never wanted to pay, yeah," he said, his eyes clouded with regret. "Next time, I'll listen to you and avoid doing something reckless. I let my instincts take over while you were against it."

The room fell silent again, filled with the echoes of their choices. Maya could sense the gravity of Lucas's words, the underlying promise that things might be different next time. As she looked at him, the flickering light from the window illuminated the lines of worry etched on his face, reminding her they were in this together—no matter the cost.

"You did the right thing, Lucas," Maya said, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation. She met his gaze, trying to convey her belief in him. "You should be more spontaneous at times. You can't just sit on the sidelines waiting for everything to come to you. Sometimes, adventure is worth the risk."

Lucas felt a flicker of frustration. He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, his brow furrowing. "No, sometimes taking risks ends with your friend in the hospital," he replied, his tone edged with concern. The memory of her injury still haunted him, like a shadow that refused to fade.

Maya sighed, the warmth of her earlier conviction dimming. "I get that. But life isn't just about playing it safe. You taught me that. Remember all those times we talked about chasing dreams?"

"Chasing dreams is one thing," Lucas shot back, his voice rising slightly. "But putting yourself in danger is another. I can't shake the feeling that I failed you."

Maya leaned forward, her expression softening. "You didn't fail me. You tried to save me. Sometimes things go wrong, and that's part of life. It doesn't mean you should stop taking chances."

Lucas looked away, his heart heavy with doubt. "I just don't want to lose you again."

The sincerity in his voice hung in the air, and Maya reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You won't. We're in this together, remember? Just promise me you'll embrace a little chaos now and then."

He met her gaze again, the tension easing slightly. "Okay, but I'll be more cautious. I'd rather have a boring life with you in it than an exciting one without you."

Maya smiled, the warmth of their friendship bridging the gap between them. "Deal. Just don't forget to enjoy the ride. I didn't think you really cared."

"Of course I care, Maya. You're my friend," Lucas replied, his voice steady but tinged with surprise. He had always valued their bond, even if it had evolved since the days they were closer.

Maya raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "I'm your ex's friend, remember?" she said, her tone light but layered with an unspoken tension.

Lucas frowned slightly, the reminder hanging in the air. "That doesn't change anything. Just because Riley and I aren't together anymore doesn't mean I care any less about you."

"But it complicates things, doesn't it?" Maya challenged, crossing her arms. "You're stuck in the middle, and I don't want to be the reason for any awkwardness between you two."

Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair again, the weight of past relationships pressing down on him. "Look, I know it's complicated. But I can separate my feelings. You and I have been through too much for me to just ignore that."

Maya softened, her heart warming at his words. "I appreciate that. I just don't want to make things harder for you."

"You're not," he insisted, stepping closer. "You matter to me, regardless of anything else. We've shared too many adventures to let that slip away just because of past relationships."

Maya considered his words, her expression thoughtful. "Okay. Then let's make new memories, just the two of us. No complications."

Lucas smiled, the tension easing as they found common ground. "I'm in. Let's see where this ride takes us."