Chapter 2 #3
There’s something about the way his whole face lights up that utterly transfixes me, and it’s like I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
It’s free and easy and such a departure from the Luke I’ve seen so far that I don’t want to take my eyes off him, which wouldn’t be an issue if I wasn’t currently driving.
But it’s contagious, and I don’t seem to have control over my face as a grin overtakes me.
The next thing I know, we’re both laughing.
When we settle back into an easy silence, I watch as Luke’s face falls somewhat when he meets my eye again, studying me intently. I shake my head with a frown. Where did he go?
“What is it?”
Luke rubs a hand along his jaw, then bites his lower lip. “I want to ask you something, but I don’t want you to take it the wrong way.”
I tilt my head, giving him an encouraging look. He takes a deep breath.
“Are you gay?” he blurts out, color creeping up his cheeks.
My brows rise higher than they should, but before I can respond, he keeps going.
“I don’t mean to insinuate that you look gay or anything,” he rambles, his face flushing even harder.
“I swear I’m not trying to hit on you either.
Just to make that clear. It’s not that I don’t think you’re attractive.
Because you are. Shit. I didn’t mean it like that.
Fuck. I’m only asking because you seem to think differently about it than I was expecting, and I only wanted to make sure—”
The way his voice gets higher surprises me, and the words start to string together like one run-on sentence the longer he goes on. I can’t help but smile at how ridiculous it is. I’ve never seen a man get so flustered, but it’s kind of adorable. In a manly way, I guess…
“Luke,” I interrupt him calmly. “It’s okay. Just breathe.”
“Yep, okay. Sorry,” he groans.
“Don’t be sorry. You’ve got nothing to apologize for. It’s not a rude question.”
Luke’s expression turns somber. “It can be.”
My smile falters. I know what he means, but that doesn’t make it easier to swallow.
Depending on who he’s asking, that question could have severe repercussions, especially if the recipient has views more aligned with someone like Frank’s.
One wrong assumption with a guy like him could mean the difference between life and death. Goddamn fragile toxic masculinity.
“I can’t begin to imagine what life has been like for you.” I sigh softly. “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with shit like that. It’s not fair.”
Luke stares at me with open awe, like I’ve surprised him yet again with my response. He slowly turns back to look out of the windshield, and then we're quiet the rest of the way, which is only a matter of moments before he sees his house coming up.
“It’s the blue one up there on the right.” He points ahead.
I nod and pull the truck into the driveway, throwing it into park once it comes to a stop. Neither of us moves for a moment, but as I see Luke reach for the door, I turn to face him fully.
“Can we start over?” I ask. His eyes widen before his lips twist into that little half-smile again, and I feel a strange tug at my heart.
“What, you don’t want to keep this bitter rivalry going forever?”
I can’t help but laugh. “You know, it’s been interesting, but I think I’d rather we be friends instead of mortal enemies if it’s all the same to you.”
Luke chuckles. “I still haven’t fully figured you out yet, so I guess I don’t have a choice until I do.”
“Do you want a ride to work on Monday?”
He shakes his head. “I’ll figure something out.”
“Well, why don’t you take my number and let me know if something changes,” I offer. “I’m always up early enough. It won’t be a problem if you need it.”
Luke hesitates, seeming unsure if this is a good idea, but after a moment, he nods.
We exchange a text to save each other’s contact information, and then he opens the door and slips out of the truck, collecting his things.
He faces me again on the driveway, his hand still on the door, and he cocks his head to the side.
“You never answered me, you know,” he says, frowning.
“Oh.” I smirk. “No, I’m not gay. Sorry to disappoint again.”
Luke rakes his eyes over me quickly before shaking his head. “Shame.”
Okay, now I know my brain has short-circuited.
My eyes widen slightly, and my breath catches in my throat, surprising me more than anything else.
Heat rises in my cheeks, and I’m too stunned to respond, but Luke only chuckles and shuts the door without another word.
He turns and heads up to his front door without a second glance in my direction.
It takes me a solid moment to realize that I’m still sitting in his driveway, and I have to shake my head a few times as I throw the truck in reverse. I almost back into a tree.
The rest of my drive home seems like a blur, and I don’t even know how I make it in one piece when I don’t remember half of it. But by the time I go inside and upstairs to my bedroom, my brain has stopped functioning entirely. I collapse on the bed, where it only takes seconds before I fall asleep.