Centre of His World

Chapter 6

Luke was at home, preparing some home styled mac and cheese. He was grating the cheese and keeping an eye on Kelly in her play pen. He had a can of Miller Lite cracked opened. He turned to the stove and stirred the pasta a bit and went back to grating the cheese.

This was a meal he enjoyed as a child. It was LeClaire's recipe. He remembered how he and Chris always came running for it when his mother had called them for dinner. He chuckled at the memory. When he first cooked it for May, she had been amazed. All it took was the right cheese and seasoning to make the perfect mac and cheese.

But Kelly wasn't old enough to eat it and it felt wrong to be making it just for himself. Luke through the cheese in a small pot, added milk, seasoning, and brought it to a boil, stirring the thick cheese and mixing it in the pot. After it was ready, he turned the burner off and set the pot on a cool burner. He strained the noodles, and then mixed the sauce and noodles together.

Luke picked up his phone, deciding to call Caroline and invite her to dinner. She was being such a good friend, helping him with Kelly and all. She deserve at least a dinner with him and Kelly.

"Hello?" Caroline asked after she picked up the phone.

"Wanna come over and eat some mac and cheese?" Luke questioned her, a smile appearing on his face.

"Uh, I can't," Caroline stuttered.

Luke took in a deep breath, then released it. "Look, I know I acted rudely to you grabbing my hand. And I'm sorry. It just felt weird, I didn't like it. That doesn't mean I don't want to be your friend, though."

"Okay, fine. Dinner and then I'm gone. No movie, no chatting, no hanging out."

Luke was confused. What in the world had gotten into her. "Caroline, I didn't do anything wrong. Why are you shutting me out like that?"

"Just stop, Luke. You're making it worse."

"Making what worse?" Luke questioned, confused.

Caroline groan. The line went dead and he knew right away that she had hung up. Well, that was weird. Was jerking his hand away really that bad? And why did she grabbed his hand in the first place? He didn't like it, he never would. What did he do wrong?

Luke sat alone at the dinner table, playing with his food. Caroline had never shown up and he didn't know if it was something that he did or not. He found a friend in Caroline and somehow manage to mess it up.

He looked up when Pappy started barking nonstop at the door. Luke sighed, getting up and opening the door. Caroline immediately hugged him. Luke smiled, hugging her back. "Luke, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. It's been eating me up all night." Caroline pulled away and then glanced at his lips. Luke raised an eyebrow.

"Caroline, it's fine. Just tell me what's wrong. What did I do?" Luke asked.

"You make everything better," Caroline whispered, attaching her lips to Luke's. Luke was in shocked. Did... did Caroline have feelings for him. Why was she kissing him? He wasn't kissing back. He couldn't. He didn't feel the same. Luke felt hallow inside. He's gonna break her poor heart. Caroline pulled away and shook her head. "I'm sorry. Luke, I need to tell you something."

"Go ahead," Luke choked out. He was still in shock.

"Leah told me to avoid you, because I have feelings for you, but you don't for me. She told me you were only gonna end up hurting me more than you already have."

Luke looked at her in shock. "I hurt you?"

Caroline nodded. "When you rejected my touch. Luke, I'm falling for you. I know, you don't feel the same but, please say something. Anything."

"You're right. I don't have feelings for you. And why should I? I just lost my wife, I have a child to look after. I've been so unstable lately, that my nephew isn't living here right now. I just got my dog back. Now that I'm getting better, you pull this stunt on me?! Caroline, we're friends! Nothing more, nothing less!" Caroline started tearing up and Luke cursed at himself for saying such things. "Caroline, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

"No, you're right. Leah was right. I should've listened. I knew you didn't like me back. I knew I was gonna get hurt," Caroline cried out. "I'm gonna go now."

Before Luke could say anything, Caroline ran off. Luke groaned. He didn't know. He just didn't know. He didn't feel the same, but now, he just didn't know what to think. She kissed him. She tried to hold his hand. He should've known that she had feelings for him. Luke stormed back into his house, slamming the door. Why didn't she say it before. Why did he lay it down so hard on her. What if he really is falling for her too? There were too many questions going through his head.

Luke turned to face Kelly, sleeping peacefully. He then looked at Pappy and pat his head. "You're a dog, but you understand so much," Pappy barked in excitement. "Tell me, boy, do you like Caroline?"

Pappy jumped around excitedly, barking and licking Luke nonstop. Luke chuckled. "I do too. But, should we be a couple. I mean, am I falling in love with?" Pappy just tilted his head in confusion. "I know, Pappy. I don't know what to do either."

Luke left Pappy alone and turned to the door. Suddenly, tears started pooling in the tear ducts of his eyes. He already missed her. He hurt her. Luke never even kissed her back. He made a mistake. This was who May meant in his dream. She wanted him to move on. She was telling him that Caroline was what him and Kelly needed. Luke didn't have feelings for Caroline, he knew he didn't. Or, he didn't before. Now, he wasn't too sure anymore.

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A/N: Yep. So, Luke isn't sure where his feelings stand right now. Leah was right, or it seemed that way. Was Leah actually wrong? What about Pappy? Do you think he was confused whether Luke liked her or do you think he's confused as to why Luke thinks he's doesn't like her? Okay, so we find out that Til is living with Luke, but isn't with him right now. When will he come back? What does the future have in store for Luke? Sorry that this is another short update. I need at least two days to make a long one, and you know who you are. Haha. ~Kelsea 

PS: I will fix grammar and typos tomorrow.

And I have officially made this my senior quote: