The Summer I Spent With You {L.H} ~ Book 2

Chapter Nine

A/N 

Hey guys, a quick note before the chapter starts. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far, I'd love to hear your feedback and also what you want to happen?

Thank you all so much for reading and enjoy!
-ImJustFabu x

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"It's nice to see you again, Mila." Ashton shook my hand firmly and gave me a smile. I hadn't even thought about having to meet Luke's friends again until Luke asked me to come over. I guess they where just as guilty as Luke when it came to the whole high school scenario but I was over it. 
"You too." I replied. I wasn't exactly sure what to say to them. It felt somewhat awkward as Calum and Michael also shook my hand and I struggled to carry on the conversation. Thank god Luke was there to break up some of the tension. 

"Who wants to watch a movie?" He asked and we all jumped at the chance to escape the awkwardness of the moment. Luke was staying at his parents house since he was back home and so we where all bundled in his converted basement, sitting on large plush sofas and drinking iced tea. I was kind of happy sitting basically on Luke's lap with his arm wrapped around me whilst we watched old 80's movies. 

"So Mila, what do you do nowadays?" Michael asked. Fuck sake Michael, I'm trying to watch a movie here. "Luke tells you're a therapist or something?"
"Yeah. I work at a private firm. I'm waiting to be told if I have a permanent position or not." I explained. 

"So you're a shrink?" Calum said, looking away from the screen and sipping from his mug of tea. 

"Yeah, basically." I laughed halfheartedly. 

"We had a shrink on tour. She kept telling me I had crazy dreams." Calum explained to me. "She wasn't very good."
Michael laughed loudly at his statement. "Yeah, she was kind of hot though." They all laughed at this and I kind of fake laughed with them. I didn't really get the joke but I didn't want to be a bitch. 

After spending like four hours in their company I finally decided that they where actually pretty cool and funny, so whatever the history was between us; I was over it. No point in holding onto shit when I don't need to. Luke drove me home and when I arrived there, I was pretty shocked to see Gloria and Drew sitting at the dining table; chatting away like old time friends. I was so fucking confused. I thought they hated each other. What the fuck?

"Hi..." I said slowly as I put my bag down on the counter and walked towards them slowly; a confused expression on my face. "What's going on?"
"Drew just came for a visit." Gloria started. "He wanted to speak to you. So I invited him in for a coffee to wait until you came back. I'll leave you guys to it." She disappeared into her room and closed the door behind her; leaving Drew and I in complete silence, the only noise the ticking of the clock that hung next to the bookshelf on the far wall.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked curiously as I sat down across from him at the table. I clasped my hands in front of me on the table and awaited his reply. 

"Why didn't you reply to my text the other night?" He asked. Drew hadn't changed a whole lot since high school. The same dark, model type features and bulk build. He had this sort of dominant manner about him and when he walked into the room; every single girl would turn their head and stare. I suppose it pissed me off, but then I would remember he was mine and he liked me better than anyone else who was looking at him. 

"I didn't want to." There was no point in making excuses, we'd always been pretty open with each other. 

"Why?" He asked. Okay, maybe there was some points where maybe I struggled to say what I was thinking. It was difficult to tell your ex-boyfriend of four years that you're now dating someone else. In all honesty I wasn't completely over Drew. When you're with someone that long; the feelings aren't going to go away in an instant. Everyone thought Drew and I where made for each other; at one point I thought it myself. If I'm honest, if we were still together, I think we would've even been engaged by now. It was a mutual decision to end it, but I was the one who had brought up the conversation.

 "I'm seeing someone else, Drew." His face dropped when I said this. At least Luke had confirmed our relationship status last night, it was difficult telling people we weren't actually a couple, because before he'd asked me to be his girlfriend last night; I couldn't just tell people we were dating, even though we've spent nearly every day together since we met again. 

"...And here I was, thinking I could ask you to take me back." He said sadly. It wasn't fun watching someone you know and care about cry; especially when you where the reason. He sniffed and wiped away a salty tear that had rolled down his cheek. "Sorry." He laughed weakly, embarrassed. 

"I'm sorry, Drew. But I don't want to get back together with you." I tried to sound sympathetic, but I wanted this chapter in my life to finish; I had Luke now.

I know, its okay." He stood up from the table and pushed the chair in. "I was going to ask if you wanted to get back together, but if you're happy. I will never try to sabotage that."

"I'm sorry, Drew." I wasn't sure why I kept apologizing. Maybe it was because Drew was stood in front of me with red, puffy eyes and a sad expression on his face as he continued to brushed away a stream of tears. 

"Its fine, I'm glad you're happy." He started to head towards the door and I followed him. He opened the front door and we stood face to face as he stepped outside the apartment. 

"You'll find someone Drew." I reassured him. "You're a really great guy, remember that." 

"Thanks, Mila. I hope whoever it is you're with now, he loves you the way I did; because you're honestly the most amazing person I've ever met." 

"Goodbye Drew." I smiled. I pulled him in for a hug and he buried his head in my neck, muffling the sobs. After a few minutes he pulled away and wiped his eyes again. 

"It was good to see you again. Goodbye, Mila." He left me standing at the door of the apartment and padded away down the stairs; not looking back. When I shut the door, I not only stopped the cold draft coming from the stairwell, but I shut off that part of my life and I finally felt ready to move on with the next phase.