Gamble on Love

Chapter Nine

Lucas stands with a smile on his face, looking hot like always, sporting black jeans and a blue long sleeve top which makes his blue eyes pop. He eyes me up and down before handing me a bunch of roses.

Seeing the look of disgust on my face, he laughs. "I know you're not a flower girl but as it's a first date for you I thought I'd do the typical first date shit, flowers included."

My lips twitch. "Well thanks. You're right: I hate flowers. I'd rather get chocolate any day over flowers." Regardless, I take the flowers from his hands.

Casually, he shrugs, not seeming offended. "I'm not surprised."

"Oi!" I nudge him. I turn and tell up the stairs at Kiara. "What the fuck do I do with these flowers?"

I can hear Kiara banging her head against the wall. "You're hopeless!" She jogs down the stairs and shoots Lucas a look. It's mostly threatening but I can tell she's impressed at the flowers part. She takes them from my hands and heads into the kitchen.

Suddenly, a loud crash from upstairs makes me jump. Kiara's heads snaps towards me and my eyes widen in fear. No. Lucas can't witness this. "Let's go!" I desperately try to rush Lucas outside, but I'm not fast enough.

"DON'T YOU FUCKING WALK AWAY FROM ME!"

"DON'T YOU FUCKING ACCUSE ME OF SUCH A THING! HOW DARE YOU SAY I WOULD CHEAT ON YOU!"

"Oh come on!" Mum laughs bitterly. "Why else is it that you're never home?"

Suddenly, they fall silent, remembering it's not them in the house. I run a hand over my hair, inhaling sharply. Slowly, they both appear on top of the stairs and their eyes widen as they take in the look on my face, Lucas behind me, and Kiara appearing next to me. "Raelynn." My dad says awkwardly.

"Rae... sweetie." Mum says, starting to walk down the stairs.

My lips quiver; tears forming in my eyes. "Don't." My voice is flat. "Just... don't."

Turning around, I see a look of sympathy and - pain? - in Lucas's eyes. "Let's go." He takes both mine and Kiara's arms and leads us outside to his car.

The car is silent besides for Lucas asking for Kiara's address to drop her off. Once we arrive outside her house, she says pointedly, "Text me later." After my nod, she gets out and walks up to her house.

We sit in awkward silence for a bit, and I decide to try and ease the awkwardness. "Well... you've got a lot more insight into my life before the date even properly started." I say with forced laughter.

Lucas places his hand on mine. It feels warm and assuring. "Does that happen often?" He gently asks, glancing at me to make sure he isn't offending me.

"Yeah more often than not." I look out the window to avoid his probing gaze.

"Jesse and I never see our parents. They're always away for business. I thought we had it bad but it's better than being stuck under a roof with them like that." He pauses, then softly adds, "I'm sorry Rae."

Suddenly, I'm angry. Not at Lucas but at my parents. And I lash out. "Don't be sorry. I don't want your fucking pity, okay? I'm on a date to prove you wrong for this bet, okay? Nothing more and nothing less. Comprende?"

Lucas's hand tighten on the steering wheel; his knuckles white. "Fine." He curtly responds.

Immediately, shame washes over me. Why did I lash out at Lucas? Yes it was a bet but I didn't have to be a bitch about. But wait, does he actually look hurt?

It's because you lashed out at him, not because of the bet part. "I'm sorry for lashing out at you Lucas." I laugh suddenly. "Wow I am the worst date ever."