Moving On
Lucas
“Ican’t believe you did it,” Noah”s voice held a mix of surprise and concern, but I barely registered it. He had been repeating himself for the past hour and a half, ever since I signed the lease for my new place. Yet, his words couldn”t dampen my spirits.
This was my moment of freedom–my decisive step away from the waiting and wondering about Talon. He hadn’t called as he said he would. No surprise there, I internally grumbled. The sting of disappointment lingered, but I pushed it aside. No, I refused to dwell on him anymore. If he didn”t see my worth, then it was his loss. Three weeks of waiting had been more than enough. I was done with the hope, the pining–all of it.
“Lucas, are you even listening?” Noah’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
Casting a brief look at Noah, I focused back on the road, my thoughts drifting to how he had always been the anchor among us siblings. Fourteen years my senior, he had seamlessly stepped into the role of a protective elder brother, a role he shared with our oldest sister, Olivia. Together, they were the guardians of our family”s chaotic harmony—and with eight other siblings, that wasn’t an easy task.
Noah”s presence in the car was as commanding as ever; his deep blue eyes, a familial trait we all shared, exuded warmth and concern. His dark brown hair, always neatly combed, and his muscular build, a testament to his disciplined nature, set him apart. It was this strength and stability that made him a cornerstone of our family.
His gaze was fixed on me now, a blend of brotherly love and worry, as if he could sense the turmoil beneath my composed exterior. Noah had always been adept at reading us, understanding our unsaid struggles, and offering silent support.
I forced a smile, though it felt more like a mask. “Yes, Noah, I’ve heard every word. You’ve been saying it for the past hour and a half,” I replied, keeping my tone light.
“Yes, an hour and a half, and we’re still about another hour from home. You know Mom and Dad are going to freak out, right?”
“They’ll have to adjust,” I said, reaching to turn up the radio, hoping to end the conversation.
But Noah was persistent. He turned off the music and faced me squarely. “Lucas, I’m serious. You’re moving three hours away.”
I sighed. “Noah. It’s time. I…I need a change. I’m twenty-two; I finished school and got a good job where I can work remotely. It’s time I move out.”
“I get that. And if that’s all it was, I’d be all for it, but this is three hours away, Lucas—three hours. Mom and Dad are going to shit kittens and that’s not something rabbits should do.”
I suppressed my laughter at the mental image he painted. It really was something no one should do—shitting kittens equaled awful.
“Why couldn’t you find a place… you know, close to us,” Noah said, pulling me back to the present again.
I couldn’t tell him the real reason. I didn’t want to deal with the chance of running into Talon. It was bad enough controlling my rabbit. He was angry we didn’t go to him.
“Lucas, come on, bro. Tell me what’s really going on. Why so far?” Noah said softly.
I released a loud breath and looked at Noah. “I’m…. I… I’m just ready for a change. I need to be somewhere new. I need to move on.” I focused back on the road. “And it’s not three hours; it’s two and a half. See, we’re pulling into the neighborhood.”
Noah was the one to sigh now. “You seem too excited to go to your execution.”
This time, I barked a laugh. “Mom and Dad will be fine. Don’t worry, big brother.”
“You’ve met our parents, right?”
I shook my head and parked next to my sister’s car. I groaned. It seemed like I’d also be facing Olivia. Now, she was set in her ways and bossy.
Noah chuckled beside me. “Not so excited now, huh?”
I turned and glared at him. “You knew she was going to be here.”
Noah laughed louder and slid out of the car. “Come on, you get to tell the family about your decision.”
I sighed, looking out the window at the house I grew up in. It was more than just a building; it was like an old friend. This house had seen it all–the good times playing football in the backyard with my brothers, the late-night chats in the room we shared, and all the little moments in between. Each corner held a story, a laugh, or a memory that made me who I am. But as much as I loved this place, a part of me knew it was time for something new. I was going to miss it, sure, but life”s about moving forward, right? Yet, staring at that house, I couldn”t help but feel a bit sad about leaving all this behind.
“Come on, bro.” Noah hit the hood of my car.
I nodded and got out before making my way to the front door.
Louie’s voice, a joyful high-pitched squeal, pierced the air as he bolted towards Noah with unbridled excitement. “Daddy!” he exclaimed, his small arms outstretched, eyes sparkling with delight.
In response, Noah bent down, arms open, ready to catch the bundle of energy hurtling towards him. With a fluid motion, he lifted Louie effortlessly, tossing him gently into the air. Louie”s laughter, pure and uninhibited, rang out, filling the space with a warmth that eased some of the tension within me. His tiny legs kicked in the air, his face alight with absolute trust and joy. Watching them, a bittersweet pang tugged at my heart; I was going to miss these simple, precious moments.
“He’s been waiting impatiently for you guys to get back. Where’ve you been?” Jane, Noah’s wife, said from the front door.
I smiled up at Jane. She had curly brown hair and big brown eyes. She always dressed impeccably and was a paralegal who, in her spare time, had been taking night classes to become a lawyer. On top of that, she was a super sweet lady and a perfect match for my brother. They fit together perfectly. You’d think they were fated. I prayed no one ever came between them.
Jane was the kind of partner everyone hoped to find, someone who not only shared your dreams but also stood by you through thick and thin. She had that rare ability to balance a career and family with a grace that made it seem effortless, though I knew she worked hard at both.
”Hey, Jane,” I greeted her, trying to match her cheerfulness. ”We just had a few things to take care of.” My vague answer was a deliberate choice. I wasn”t ready to dive into the real reason behind our delay, not with the full audience of my family yet.
Jane raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eyes. ”Uh-huh, I”m sure,” she said, her tone playful yet probing. ”Well, come on in. Everyone”s been asking about you two.”
I followed Noah and Louie inside, the familiar scents and sounds of home wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. The living room was buzzing with the usual family chaos - siblings arguing over the TV remote, the smell of dinner wafting from the kitchen, and the constant hum of multiple conversations.
As I entered, I could feel the weight of their gazes, a mix of curiosity and concern. I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions and opinions. Deep down, I knew my decision to move away wouldn”t just affect me, but the entire Bondar clan. This family was my rock, my haven, and stepping away from them felt like stepping into unknown waters.
Yet, as I looked around at the faces of those I loved most, I felt a newfound resolve. This change was necessary, not just for my growth, but also to prove to myself that I could stand on my own. I was ready for this new chapter, no matter the challenges it might bring.
“You’ve been gone forever. What took you so long? I thought you were just going on a little drive,” my mother said.
Camille, “Cam” Bondar might be short in stature, but she was the true boss of the house.
Noah glanced at me. His expression was one of “You’re up.” I nodded and stepped forward.
“I’m the reason we’re so late. I sort of tricked Noah along for the ride. I wanted his opinion on a house.”
My parents’ reactions were immediate. “House?”
“Schatje, you’re getting a house,” my Nana said at the same time, while my sister Olivia focused in on me.
I nodded. “I figured it was time I moved out. I’m getting too old to live at home.”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? You know we wouldn’t have stopped you from moving out. We encouraged each of you to be independent,” my dad said.
“Tell ’em where it is,” Noah coughed.
I glared at my older brother.
“Why? Where is it? Noah, is it in a dangerous part of the city? Lucas?” My mother asked, her wide eyes locking with mine.
I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. “Crystal Cove.”
“What!” my parents screamed.
“Oh, hell no! That’s like five hours away,” Olivia yelled.
The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, each one expressing their shock, concern, and, in Olivia”s case, outright disbelief.
“Five hours?” Mom repeated, her voice laced with worry. “Lucas, that”s so far.”
“It’s only three, ma,” I corrected.
“That’s still too far. You can’t go that far. Tell him can’t go that far, Louis,” my mom said, turning to my dad.
Dad”s expression was one of confusion mixed with a hint of pride. “Son, it”s a big step—moving. If you want to move, we support you—”
“Louis!” my mom cried as my dad continued. “We support you, but why so far away? It all seems sudden.”
“You know we’d respect your privacy and wouldn’t show up unannounced. You don’t have to go that far,” my mom said.
I met their gazes and steadied myself for the explanation I owed them. “I know it seems sudden, but I”ve thought this through. Crystal Cove offers me a fresh start and new opportunities. And it”s not like I”m moving to another country. I can come to visit. It has nothing to do with worrying about you coming over unannounced. I wouldn’t mind if you did that while in Crystal Cove. I want something new.”
“But why there, Lucas? It’s three hours! Why are you running away?” my mom asked.
“Ma, I’m not running away,” I replied, though her words echoed the doubts swirling in my own mind.
“Are you sure, Schatje? You”re not fleeing from something or someone?” Nana probed. Her intuition was uncanny, and it always made me uneasy.
My heart raced at her words. Who told her? How could she know? What does she know? I shook my head. Deny, deny, deny. “No, I’m not running from anyone.” Liar. There was someone, a very important someone. Someone who rejected me and someone I needed to stay away from.
My rabbit bristled at the thought of leaving, more so than my family. He wanted his mate—full stop. “How many times do I have to tell you he doesn’t want us?” I mentally scolded my rabbit. The silent argument with him was becoming all too familiar. “Fuck Talon,” I commanded myself, a mantra to drown out the persistent longing and confusion of my beast.
“Crystal Cove is just a place I felt connected to when I visited. And my job allows me to work remotely, so location isn”t an issue,” I replied, opting not to dive into the deeper, more personal reasons revolving around Talon.
Noah stepped in, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder. “He”s got a good head on his shoulders. Let”s give him some credit for making a decision that”s right for him. And the place is really nice; it’s a two-bedroom bungalow a mile from the beach.”
Nana sighed, her expression a complex tapestry of emotions–disappointment, resignation, perhaps even understanding. “Okay,” she said, turning to my parents. “If Lucas believes this is what he needs, then we should support him.”
“Mom’s right,” my dad agreed. “Son, you always have a home here, no matter where you go.”
The room quieted down, their initial shock giving way to a more reflective mood. I could see them grappling with the reality of my decision, their love and concern for me, battling with their respect for my independence.
Olivia, however, still looked skeptical. ”Just promise us you”ll be careful and visit often,” she said, her protective older sister instincts never far from the surface.
”I promise,” I assured them, feeling a surge of gratitude for my family”s eventual understanding. “I”m not leaving forever. Just branching out a bit, and Noah did mention I was a mile from the beach. I wouldn’t mind if you visited for a weekend.”
She smiled back at me and bumped my shoulder before walking off. The conversation shifted to more mundane topics, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Their support, albeit hesitant, meant the world to me. I was ready for this new journey, buoyed by the love of my family.
I’ve got this—it’s time to move on and forget Talon.