Revved Up Soul

Chapter 32

Luke

Slamming the door behind him, Luke let out a frustrated breath at the sight of Gabriel's place being a total mess. One of his plants was knocked over and several plates were broken and strewn all about the carpet. Gabriel and Kayla were sitting on the long green couch, though the man was holding her. They both looked over at Luke.

Oh shit, Luke's heart dropped in his chest and he instinctually strode over to Kayla, carefully cupping her bloodied face.

Gabriel let go of the woman, "You know if you had just waited like I told you to . . ."

"Sorry," Luke replied without actually looking or caring, petting back the strands of her firetruck red hair. "I didn't think you were serious about her messing up your face," Luke whispered.

Kayla moved away from the man's touch and sniffled. "Asshole," she spat with venom, "I tell you that whore cut my face up and you're already hanging up and checking up on her before me?" Her blue eyes were alight with fire, lips pursed tightly together. "She isn't just some random skank," Kayla paused, "is she?"

It was time for the truth.

Gabriel went to his feet and walked over to his room, "I'll give you guys some space," he said quietly, "just . . . leave my TV alone, that's all I ask," he threw up a hand, closing the door.

"No," Luke admitted. "She's not – Kayla I want the truth," he shook his head, sitting down beside her. Her lips came out in an almost imperceptible pout, eyes welling up with liquid – she downturned her head and looked away from Luke. "What you told me on the phone, doesn't add up . . . it doesn't make sense."

Kayla scoffed, "figures you won't believe me. She's crazy, Luke. I told her to just stay away from you and she went nuts." Her icy blues gazed back into Luke's eyes. You're such a liar.

Something inside of him snapped and a burst of adrenaline coursed through his body in that moment; his eyes narrowed and tightness formed in his throat as he leaned forward. "Don't you fucking lie to me."

"I'm not!" She yelled back, getting up in his face.

"Bullshit," he called, screwing up his face. His heart was hammering in his chest now; he saw the flash of his brother's face in his mind's eye. "You're always spinning something," he emphasized with his hands, springing up from the couch and walking a couple of steps away.

"Name one," she challenged, rising to her feet. "You're the one who can't keep his dick in his pants."

"Please," Luke turned back to face her, staring her down. "Like you don't know how this shit goes? You're not my old lady, never have been – you think anyone else isn't getting something on the side?" The winds of wrath filled his sails as he stepped right up to her face, posturing himself aggressively. "Don't think I didn't know how badly you wanted to sleep with Able," Luke kept pushing her away with his chest.

Kayla retreated step after step, the look of terror on her face. "I didn't want to," Kayla fired back. She pressed her hands against Luke's hard chest and shoved him a half-step back. "I did."

Luke put a hand to his mouth and turned away, shaking his head and looking back at Kayla. The two stood what felt worlds apart, his spine tingling and the soles of his feet dancing with fire. In a white-hot rage, Luke struck his arm against the cluttered mess of magazines, cans and other junk resting on the coffee table; sending them flying across the living room. He exhaled a deep breath and stalked around the couch, distancing himself from her. "You're an addict," he said, jabbing a finger in Kayla's direction, "you're a liar and daddy's spoiled you too much you narcissistic bitch."

"Fuck you, Luke," Kayla flipped up her middle finger, water rolling down one cheek. She then slid over to the other end of the couch, the path between the two becoming clear. "All I've ever done I've done it for you," she sobbed, wiping at her eyes and composing herself.

"You've never done a thing for me," Luke attacked, standing his ground and pushing out his chest. "Everything you've ever done has been for you," he jabbed his finger in Kayla's direction. She was really starting to piss him off, it was becoming harder and harder to stay in the realm of composure.

"I've done more for you than you'll ever know," Kayla hissed.

"Yeah," Luke said, "frankly, I'm done giving a shit – I'm done putting up with you. Go find someone else to dig your claws into." The anger shaking in his hands, Luke spun on his heel and swung open Gabriel's front door.

He pressed on into the night, uncaring how she called for him to come back.