Absent

Chapter 11

~ ~ ~

The driveway was empty when I finally made it back home. Somehow the house seemed even more quiet than usual, more lonely. Stella and Ryan were gone often; I hadn't noticed right away because Jason was always there to keep my company, but there was often a business trip or random vacation to keep them away.

Now that I found out the truth, I wondered if this was their way of distancing themselves from me. Were their date nights yet another ploy to stay away from me?

My wounded heart said yes, they wanted to be away from me as much as possible. My memories said otherwise though. They'd shared special moments with me, ones I hadn't had with anyone else. Shopping days with Stella, and visiting the shooting range with Ryan.

How could they do any of that with me when it was all a lie?

I discarded my backpack next to the front door, knowing Stella would scold me as soon as she came in and saw it. She loved keeping her living room pristine.

I took all of two steps forward when a sudden knock sounded from the door right behind me. I spun, a small shot of fear raced through me. Was it the FBI here to tell me that I would no longer be staying here, and that the Summers' had finally grown tired of me?

The peep hole was just a bit too high for me to look through, my short stature once again leaving me at a disadvantage. I opened the door, my eyes immediately landing on Luca.

I moved to shut the door, but his hand reached out and stopped me. "Just listen to me for a minute."

"I think I've heard enough."

"Rowan." His eyes were serious then, no room for argument. For once, he wasn't completely emotionless; I saw regret grace his features.

I relented and stepped aside. "Fine."

He entered the house and turned to me as I closed the door. "I know you think we've been lying to you, but it isn't like that. Jason wanted me to watch out for you, but only because he cares."

"I'm trained in several martial art styles and I worked for the FBI. Why would I need you to protect me?" I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the side of the arm chair.

He looked away from me, frustration in his hazel eyes. When he met my gaze again, he seemed to be fighting to keep his guard up. It was slipping though, and his face was filling with emotion.

"He knew you wouldn't need protection from criminals or serial killers. But you've never been in school before. He asked me to give you rides and to keep an eye on you. High school can be fucked up, he wanted somebody to look out for you."

"So, you're here to make sure I'm okay? If that were true, then why did Jason tell you about my past?" It was my biggest secret and my greatest shame. I couldn't imagine a valid reason for Jason revealing that part of me.

"That wasn't about you. It was about him. So that he could understand you better." His voice became so low I almost couldn't make out the words.

"Understand? What are you talking about?" I straightened up.

My mind was filled with unanswered questions. I watched him, waiting for him to continue; his pause was long and getting longer with each passing second.

"He wanted to know what it was like for someone to live normally after doing something that horrible." His voice echoed off of the walls, leaving me in silence.

I was hoping his explanation would take away my confusion; it didn't.

"You're going to have to elaborate." I said to him, the rate of my heart picking up slightly.