The Sub

Chapter 28

"Who was that?" Luke asks ignoring his phone.

"I, uh, I don't know." I tell him confused. "It just said I'm in for a rude awakening." I see Luke tense up from the corner of my eye.

"Probably someone prank calling you." He says uneasily. Something must be wrong.

"I guess so." I place the phone in an open cup holder. "Who called you?"

"It was Devin from work. He'll be okay if I don't answer right away."

"I didn't know you worked with a Devin."

"Actually, I don't. My dad does. He runs the Australian branch. I'm also here to check up on things for dad." He informs me.

"Ohhhh," I drag the word out longer than needed. Silence falls in the car so I reach for the radio. I turn on a station properly titled Today's Top Hits and let it play.

"I heard you singing." I tell Luke.

"It was,"

"Awful, disturbing, glass shattering?"

"Beautiful." I state what I was going to tell him before he rudely interrupted. "I liked it. It was short lived, though. You should sing more."

"When I was around 17 me and few people I knew tried to start a band. It ended shortly after."

"Why's that?"

"I slept with Michael's girlfriend."

"So that's why he hates you as well."

"Yeah, well, he has a few reasons. Let's just avoid that, alright?"

"So, did him and his girlfriend or ex work that out."

"No, he totally left her on her ass after that."

"Understandable."

The ride isn't much longer. I start to see buildings minutes later and Luke pulls into a parking lot beside what I'm guessing is a supermarket.

"What exactly are we getting?"

"Well being that this is a grocery store, I'm thinking we should get three belts."

"You're such a smart-ass." I roll my eyes grabbing a shopping cart.

"Let's just get snacks and a few things to make. We'll go out for dinner mostly."

"Alright. Only if you let me pay."

"Ja-"

"Luke, please. You do so much for me, that it's literally insane."

"It doesn't feel right."

"Luke, it's just a few things."

"This is the first and only time I'll ever let you do this."

"How cute," I kiss his cheek leaving a little lip balm on it. It shines in the light. He uses the back of his hand to wipe it off.

"Shut up and push the cart." He can't help but laugh.

We go through the aisles grabbing what we think we'll eat. When we go down aisle six I see a woman around Luke's age with a young girl, she's probably around five, shopping as well. The girl has been crying, maybe she threw a fit.

"We don't need anything in this aisle," Luke grabs my arm pulling me away.

"Actually I do," I tell him pulling away from his hold. I push down the hall looking for the chips I like. A lot of the name brands I'm used to are nonexistent here.