Photos [Luke Hemmings]

Chapter 30 - Blame

Chapter 30—Blame

{ a u t u m n }

"So I've been thinking..."

Luke scoffed, shooting me a sideways glance. "Uh, oh."

I shot him a glare, squeezing his hand as Luke merely grinned widely in response. The two of us were making our way to the main entrance of the mall from which we had entered from, ready to go home after a successful day of shopping. One hand held a few of my bags, seeing as Luke had insisted to carry most of the others, and my other held Luke's hand. "Shut up," I said, lips tugging into a smile. "I've been thinking that... I'm gonna meet Richard's family."

Upon hearing my words, Luke stopped walking, looking at me in mild surprise with raised eyebrows. I pressed my lips together as I waited for him to say something, staring at him in anticipation as Luke's lips parted before he pressed them together. Finally, he spoke up. "You are? Really?" I nodded, and I could tell he wanted to smile but he was trying not to. "What made you change your mind?"

I rolled my eyes, my smile growing as I looked at him. "You did, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that," I chuckled lightly, and this time Luke grinned dimply. "But I've had some time to think about it, and there's no point in running from this anymore. It's now or never, y'know?"

Luke looked down at me, his smile growing as he revealed his perfect white teeth. He then wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in sideways before we began walking once again. "I'm proud of you, babe," he spoke, his lips pressing to my temple.

I laughed. "I'm just glad you didn't say I told you so," I teased, my right arm looping around his lower torso as we exited the mall.

He snorted, squinting against the sun. "You didn't talk to me for almost two weeks," Luke retorted, glancing down at me. "I can live without being a smug piece of shit."

I grinned wolfishly, poking his side with the hand that was wrapped around him. "Aw, look at that—you're learning."

Luke rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything as we crossed the street to get to the parking lot where his car was parked a few rows down. We approached his car, and after putting all of our shopping bags in the trunk, we sat in the car to head home. As I buckled in my seatbelt, Luke asked, "So when are you gonna call Richard?"

"After you drop me home," I decided, reaching over to turn on the radio as a Calvin Harris song began playing. "I'll tell him to set up like a lunch or dinner or something. Keep it simple."

I was about to add something, but Luke cut me off as he backed out of the parking space, eyes trained on the rearview mirror. "I'd ask you if you want me to come along, but I think it'd be better if I didn't."

"What? Why?" I questioned, looking at him with a frown. Truth be told, I actually did want Luke to come with me. If it weren't for him—and the fight we had—I wouldn't ever consider sitting down with my dad and his family, but Luke managed to get through to me. And even though I was ready to do this, I didn't want to end up backing out of this. Luke would be good moral support.

Luke glanced at me briefly before returning his gaze to the road as he drove. "I just think it's a good idea for you to do this on your own, y'know? Face and conquer this situation by yourself because I know you can." He paused, looking at me once more for a split second. "But if you still want me to come with, then that's perfectly fine, Auttie. You know I will."