Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
LUKE
Walking away from Clara is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. At the risk of sounding like a pussy, even to myself, I’ve never felt anything close to the way I feel about her with anyone else. She’s mine, and I can’t imagine my world without her.
But instead of pushing my way into her life, I decide to take a step back and allow the dust to settle on this whole thing. Once she realizes that the world doesn’t really give a shit, they were just shocked by the outrageous headlines, she’ll realize we can be together.
So, maybe she’s right. Maybe a break is what’s needed, but that’s all that this is. Just a break.
On my drive back home, I make a few stops. I fucked up Valentine’s Day in a big way, and I need to at least attempt to make it up to her. I mean, we had amazing sex, and that made it up for me, but Clara deserves more than just fantastic sex.
She deserves everything.
When I park in front of the flower shop, the eyes of the girl standing behind the counter widen at the sight of me. Either she isn’t expecting anyone to come in so close to Valentine’s Day, or maybe she recognizes me from the drama. I’m not sure, and I don’t give much of a shit, either.
“I’d like to order some roses for delivery,” I announce as I walk up to the counter.
“Okay,” she says softly before she asks me specifics.
I order six dozen red roses with no filler. Just the roses. After I pay for the flowers, she shows me the cards. I pick one with red hearts on it and fill it out. I’m not sure what to say, so I make it simple.
Clara,
I love you.
-Luke.
“Thanks,” I say as I slip the card across the counter.
“You’re him, right? The guy with his…”
I almost roll my eyes at her question, but I decide against it. “She’s my stepsister,” I state. “We didn’t grow up together. I only met her a few years ago.”
“Oh,” she whispers. “Really?”
“Really.” I nod with my confirmation, then wave at her and call out a thanks.
“I’m really sorry then that things have gotten crazy.”
My lips twitch into a smirk. “Yeah,” I murmur. “Me too.”
I leave the flower shop but don’t get into my car. Instead, I walk down the street toward another store. While I walk, I think about the flower shop girl’s words. She’s sorry things have gotten so crazy. I said that I was, too, but am I?
Am I really sorry?
I’m not. I’m glad it’s all out. I wasn’t sure what the fuck we were when we started. I was focusing on my career, which has always been the main focus of my life. We started out as nothing more than some fun in our free time.
It was nothing serious.
It was just scratches to itch.
But then it turned into so much more, and by the time it did, neither of us knew how to approach it with our families, which obviously would have been a fucking mess judging by the way it went down when we were exposed.
Sure, I could have lost my career, and so could Clara. I know it would have been a lot less painful for everyone involved if we had just admitted we were together months ago rather than the way it went down.
But I’m not sorry it’s finally all out in the open now. It should have always been in the open. We have done nothing wrong. Clara should have never been a secret and should have never felt like one, either.
The reality is that it became easier all the way around to keep things as they were, regardless of our feelings toward one another.
When I walk into the jewelry store, all thoughts of secrets vanish as the bright lights hit me. I’m greeted by three people from behind the counter, but I know where I’m going. I head straight for the rings.
She may think that we’re over, but I have news for her.
Big fucking news.
I didn’t get my place on the Cleveland Vortex by lying down and taking whatever was handed to me. Luke Sullivan is a fucking fighter. And I know exactly who and what I’m fighting for, and that’s Clara.