Toxic Lips [l.h]

f i f t y s e v e n

My heart is instantly in my throat as Luke shuts the metal door behind him.

"I had Hemmings monitor our conversation from the security office," Drew says evily.

Luke's face is stoic as he stares at me.

I have no idea what to think, or to expect. My throat is dry and I can't seem to form words.

Drew is using my false words about my feelings to get Luke to turn on me.

"Hemmings, can you vouch for what Alaska has just said?" Drew asks, the sinister smile still on his face. "Do you feel nothing for her?"

For a split second, I see emotion flash before his eyes--the green splashing from light to dark in seconds. I see visions of him holding me in the night, me cleaning his cute, the two of us laughing togather, his hand on my back as we stared at the stars only a few hours ago.

Then his eyes darken, the blue so muted it's almost black.

"I feel less than nothing for her," he snaps, tearing his eyes from me.

And in that moment, I feel my heart crack.

"I suppose I have musjudged," Drew says, raising his eyebrows. "But there's always the chance that you're lying."

Luke swallows. "I told you, she doesn't know anything. Why would I tell her anything?"

Every word that escapes his lips seems to hit me harder, but I keep my expression neutral.

"Get her out of here, Hemmings. I expect you attending meetings from now on," Drew snaps, picking up the papera on his desk and straightening them.

Luke nods and paces out of the room.

I stand from my seat, taking one last look at Drew before turning and following Luke.

I hate Drew.

When I emerge from Ivory and into the alley, Luke is standing by his car, which is parked across the street.

"Get in," he snaps at me when I near him.

I sigh and comply. It seems that every time I'm at Ivory, Luke ends up fuming at me.

"I don't understand," I say. "What were you even doing there?"

"I went to talk to him beforehand, to make sure he wasn't pissed because I've missed meetings. He caught sight of you and Michael walking in and told me to wait in the surveillance room." While he talks, Luke doesn't look at me once.

The rest of the car ride is silent.

I lean my head against the window, shutting my eyes.

"Don't you dare fall asleep in my car again, I won't carry you up."

I flinch at Luke's venemous words, sitting up straight. "I wasn't going to."

Luke's hands grip the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles almost turning white.

"I don't know why you're so pissed off," I say to him.

"I heard everything you said," he snaps "Everything."

"So what?"

"So, you basically said you couln't give a flying fuck about me."

"Why does that matter to you?"

"Of course it matters to me, we're friends." He shakes his head. "We were friends," he corrects himself, and I feel my heart sink.

"That's not the reason, and you know it," I say. "You have feelings for me, but you won't say it."