Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[46]

"Between bites and broken words." 

- - 

Luke

It's been two days since Sloan's words carved through me like glass.

Two days since she called me selfish and left me standing in the kind of silence that sticks to your skin. 

She wasn't wrong. 

I hate admitting it—hate how much I can't shake the way she looked at me.

Now, I'm sitting at Alice and Tony's dining table, surrounded by the people who've somehow become my family, trying to act like I don't want to put my head through a fucking wall.

The house smells like rosemary and roast chicken, and the dining room buzzes with conversation.

Ally and Ashton are bickering over whose playlist is more "lunch appropriate," while Calum teases Mina about her plate being too neatly arranged. 

But even with all the noise I can't stop my eyes from drifting to Sloan.

She's sitting across the table, a soft smile on her lips as Alice leans in to show her something on her phone. She's not looking at me—not once since she walked in—but I feel her presence like a shadow. 

"Luke." 

Tony's voice pulls me back, and I realize everyone's looking at me. 

"What?" I ask, clearing my throat. 

"I was just saying." Tony repeats, grinning, "that it's nice having you back in New York. You planning to stick around for a while?" 

The question hangs in the air, and for a moment, I can feel Sloan's gaze flicker toward me, even if she's trying not to make it obvious. 

She's the only one I've told I'm moving back and I can tell she's not exactly ecstatic.

"Yeah." I say, forcing a small smile. "I'm looking for a place now. Figured it's time, you know, since you and Alice will need the house to yourselves soon. I'll be out of your hair."

Alice waves a dismissive hand, but my grandpa chuckles. "This is always going to be your house, but I think Alice would like to reclaim the upstairs room. Something about needing space for her puzzles." 

"Oh, is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Michael quips.

Alice rolls her eyes, but her cheeks flush as she shakes her head. "You kids are impossible." 

The conversation shifts, Michael launching into some exaggerated story about a disastrous date he had last week.

But as everyone laughs and exchanges quips, I can't help noticing how he and Mina keep sneaking glances at each other. 

They're subtle, but not subtle enough. 

Mina, sitting beside Ally, keeps her head down, pretending to focus on her food, but her smirk gives her away when Michael lands a particularly sarcastic punchline. 

"So, Michael." Mina says, her voice light but edged, "is this the same girl you swore you'd never call back, or a new one entirely?" 

Michael smirks, leaning back in his chair. "Jealous, Mina? I didn't think you cared." 

"I don't." she replies smoothly, lifting her glass of wine. "Just wondering how many women in this city are regretting their life choices right now." 

Sloan snorts into her drink, and even I can't help it when I crack a grin.

Their break-up wasn't messy, but every now and then they allow themselves some bitterness. I guess it's their right as ex boyfriend and girlfriend.