Harper gives me a grateful look. It’s not just an excuse, though. We don’t know when the next attack will happen or how. All I know is I now have to watch out for my younger sister too. Tanner has made it clear that he wants revenge for what we’ve taken from him.
Ava is still the perfect target. Even after what he put her through, she might still have feelings for him and that’s what I have to suss out today.
Harper
Luke follows me into my house. I automatically go to the refrigerator to look at Mom’s new schedule for the week. I pause because she texted me earlier to say she was on nights still.
“She’s back on days.” I don’t know how to feel about it. I’m glad she’ll be home, but that means no more slumber parties. “She said you could stay here though. You don’t have to go back to your father.”
“I don’t want to overstep. I’ve lived with my father for years, princess. I’ll be fine.” He presses a kiss on my cheek. “Your mom said since I was home alone I could stay. Dad’s home.”
A throat clears and we both turn. My mom stands on the other side of the island dressed for the day. She takes in how close we’re standing, but Luke doesn’t step away. When I glance at his eyes, there’s a challenge there.
“Morning, Mom.” I take Luke’s hand and thread our fingers together.
“Morning, Jennifer.” Luke squeezes my hand.
“Only one today?” She arches an eyebrow.
“Everyone else has family obligations.” I shrug.
Mom’s eyes soften, knowing that Luke’s “family” sucks balls. “Have you had breakfast? I make a mean waffle. It’s been forever since we’ve done breakfast with zombies.”
I grin. “It has been. Do we have strawberries?”
“Of course. I picked some up on the way home.” She smiles and goes to the sink to wash her hands. She glances at Luke. “Do you know how to cut strawberries, Luke?”
“I can figure it out.”
I’m sure at this point Luke would rather be with his abusive father, but I squeeze his hand and release it. Opening the refrigerator, I pull out the strawberries.
“Mom and I have been rewatchingThe Walking Deadseries, including the spinoffs.” I hand him the container of strawberries and dig around for the whipping cream. “It’s a Sunday morning tradition. We do waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. And keep track of the body count.”
“Living or dead?” He sets the strawberries on the island and Mom places a cutting board, bowl, and knife out for him.
“Good question.” Mom smirks. “Both.”
“And if no zombies die, then we watch another zombie show that will definitely have dead bodies dying.” I set the whipping cream on the counter and give Luke an encouraging smile as I pull out a bowl and whisk. “It sounds stupid, but I swear it’s fun.”
Mom and I talk about my week at school while she makes a batch of waffles, I whip the cream, and Luke cuts strawberries. He looks so awkward and uncomfortable.
“Have you ever watchedThe Walking Dead?” Mom asks as we plate our waffles and pile them with strawberries and whipped cream.
“A little,” Luke admits. “I read the graphic novel when I was a kid.”
I cut Luke off as he heads to the table with his plate. “This is the one time of the week Mom lets me eat in front of the TV.”
He nods and changes direction to the living room. I sit on the couch and put my plate on the coffee table and gesture for him to sit beside me.
We settle in and Mom starts the show. It takes a while, but he relaxes as Mom and I make random commentary throughout the episode.
After I finish my waffle, I draw my legs up onto the couch and turn on my side to ease off my butt, which still stings. I rest my head against his shoulder and he takes my hand onto his thigh.
Mom stops at the end of the show and exits to the menu. “Total death count?”
“Two humans, twelve zombies.”
“Thirteen,” Luke corrects me, stroking his thumb over the back of my hand.
