Toxic Lips [l.h]

f i f t y t h r e e

The next few days fall into a routine.

I stay at Luke's for three nights, until he says he is able to get my key from Tyler. I've told him again and again that I can go get it from him myself, but he always gives ma a look I can't quite decipher and says a very stern 'no'.

Luke has also been driving me to and from work as well, and again, I've told him I can drive myself but he alwasy smirks and says, "Allie, don't you care for the environment?"

And of course, Luke always has the last word.

Every night, we come home about six, Luke constantly complaining about rush hour traffic and me rolling my eyes at him. He ccoks dinner, something different every night, and whenever I offer to help him cook, he blinks at me and says, "Alaska, get the fuck out of my kitchen."

So I do, smirking at his vulgar language.

We always have animated coversations over dinner--most of the time, we argue. It's not harsh arguing, though. More like civilized arguing. It always ends with one of us laughing too hard, and more often than not, that one is me.

We watch The Big Bang Theory every single night after we eat--cpmaring notes on how many times we've seen the episode playing. In the past few days, I don't think Luke smile so often and so big.

And at the end of each night, Luke bids me goodnight as I settle into my couch-bed, but I always stay awake for an hour before sneaking into Luke's room and sliding into his bed next to him. He never asks me what I'm doing, or if I had another bad dream, he just wraps his arms around me and sighs sleepily, tangling his legs with mine.

We haven't kissed since the first night, though, but I always catch him staring at my lips when we talk.

I am currently sitting on Luke's couch, reading a magazine as I wait for him to get off a phone call with Michael. He told me he's going to get me my key tonight, but it's past six and I'm considering just going on my own.

He finally emerges from his room, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright, I'm going to go now," he says, pocketing his phone and grabbing his keys off the table.

"Explain to me why I can't come with you again?"

"Because Tyler is a son of a bitch and I don't want you near him," Luke says easily. He wwears a blue plaid shirt and his usual skinny jeans.

"Luke, what if he hurts you?"

Luke raises an eyebrow. "I'll hurt him back, twice as hard."

"Can't I just come?"

"No. Now, go back to reading that magazine that showed up in my mailbox again."

I roll my eyes. "Let it go, will you!"

He smirks again before opening the front door, turning back to me. "I'll be back in an hour. Don't do anything stupid."

"I should say the same to you."

"Me, stupid?" He scoffs.

"Just go," I say, smiling like an idiot as I wave him off.

He smiles again before shutting the door behind him.

I consider following Luke juse to make sure he'll be okay, but I have a feeling he would have my head if I pursued him again.

Then, I consider following him just to piss him off, but decide against it.

My phone suddenly starts ringing, and I pick it up and bring it to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Alaska. You busy?" Calum asks.