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Ten minutes later the doorbell rings and my heart leaps to my chest. I take a deep breath, then open the door. Luke is standing with his back to the door, with a black leather jacket sprawled tightly across his shoulders, loose, ripped Levi Red Tabs, and a backward ball hat. He turns around slowly, and when our eyes meet, his panty-melting smile creeps across his cheeks. My knees shake, threatening to defy my weight.
Luke walks inside, carrying a pizza from Gianni’s.
“I thought you may need to indulge in some greasy comfort food after the day you had,” he says, handing me the pizza box.
“Thanks; I haven’t had dinner yet, just some cookies with my niece and nephew. Have a seat; I’ll grab some plates. Water or Coke?”
“Coke will be good,” Luke replies, removing his jacket before sitting on the couch.
I return to the living room with two plates, two cans of Coke, and a jar of ranch dressing. I flop down beside Luke on the couch, crossing my legs under my butt, as Luke puts pizza on both of the plates. I wave the ranch dressing in his face, and he scowls at me like I have a third eye. I shrug and add, “Suit yourself,” then pour some onto my plate. We eat quietly for a few minutes before Luke strikes up a conversation.
“I bet you miss Myrtle Beach, don’t you?” I swallow my pizza, then take a swig of Coke before answering.
“Like something crazy. Have you ever been?”
“Once, when I was younger. I can remember a big Ferris wheel at an old amusement park that sat across from the ocean. It’s a gorgeous city.”
“Ah, you’re thinking of the Pavilion.”
“Yeah, the Pavilion. There were a ton of rides there, games, and they had the best funnel cakes. I’m sure you’ve been, right?”
“Oh yeah, when I was younger we went every year.”
“Do you miss your friends there, or are you able to still stay in touch?” Luke asks with a mouthful of pizza.
“I never really made many friends. I always kept to myself. Work kept me busy.” I shrug. Luke chokes, then sits up coughing, pounding on his chest.
“Oh my god, Luke, are you okay?” I ask, jumping to my feet ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver. He takes a swig of Coke, then releases a light chuckle.
“What the hell is so funny; you scared the shit out of me!” I yell.
Luke pats the couch cushion beside him saying, “I’m good Carly. You just took me by surprise when you said you didn’t make any friends in Myrtle Beach.”
“And why is that a surprise?”
“Because you were the most popular girl in high school, head of the cheerleadin’ squad, you dated that dick quarterback for-frickin-ever; what was his name? Ah yeah, Connor Weston? Your daddy was the richest man in Williamstown. You always had it all. It just shocks me that things changed when you moved away, is all.”
Heat crawls up my back and around my neck, covering my face a bright red. Tension builds in my shoulders, and my heart thuds against my chest walls, ready to leap out.
“You don’t know a damned thing about me. Don’t act as if you do. And it’s Colton Weston, not Connor.” I spit at him as I sling my plate on the coffee table and jump to my feet. I stalk off to the kitchen, trying to calm myself down. How dare he come into my house, pretend to be my friend, then judge me? Luke follows me into the kitchen, but never looks right at me.
“Carly, I-I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t mean anything by it; I promise,” he says quietly, shoving his hands down into his pockets.
I look up into his gentle blue eyes, and my tension resolves.
“It’s okay. Look, just because I had all those things here, doesn’t mean I had it all in Myrtle Beach. I left for my own reasons, to start over. I didn’t let anyone in because I wanted to be alone. Things change.” I walk back into the living room, sit down on the couch and flick the TV on before placing my plate in my lap. “Sit down; let’s order a movie. I’ve had a stressful day and could really use the company.” I browse through the guide and wait for Luke to return to the couch.
“Fast 6 okay?” I ask once he is seated.
“Carly, I’m sorry. I seem to have a foot to mouth problem around you.”
“Let it go. We both just need a friend and friends are understanding. It’s cool,” I reply with a curt nod to Luke. I flick on Fast 6 and begin eating while the opening previews roll.
Luke and I spend the rest of the evening with Dom Toretto and his family of misfits. When the movie is over, Luke sits quietly while I clean up our mess. “Luke, you always this quiet? I swear in high school you were the boy who never shut up. Damn big mouth.” I laugh, trying to persuade him into conversation. His eyes lock on mine as his lips part, offering me a gentle smile.
“Don’t like the taste of crow,” he kids, laughing to himself. I pick up the pizza box as I walk past him and nudge his shoulder while laughing at his smartass comment.
“How are your parents?” I say over my shoulder as I enter the kitchen. I turn around, and Luke is rubbing his hand roughly over his face, then grips the back of his neck massaging the tension from his muscles.
