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“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 Pepsi?”
“Pepsi 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 Pepsi and a bottle of ranch dressing. I flop down beside of 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 my shoulders 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 Pepsi 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. They tore it down years ago, though. A few of the rides were moved to Broadway at the Beach to the new Nostalgia of the Pavilion Park.”
“Do you miss your friends there, or are you able to still stay in touch?” Luke asks with a mouth full 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 ok?” I ask, j
umping to my feet ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver. He takes a swig of Pepsi, 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 of 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. I can feel tension building in my shoulders and my heart rate thuds 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 of 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 say, walking back into the living room. I sit down on the couch, and flick the TV on before placing my plate of pizza back in my lap. “Sit down, let’s order a movie. I’ve had a long ass 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 when he is seated.
“Carly, I’m sorry. I seem to have a foot to mouth problem around you.”
“Drop it. Let it go. I think we both just need a friend. It’s cool.” I reply, with a curt nod to Luke. I flick on Fast 6, and begin eating while the opening previews of on Demand roll.
Luke and I spend the rest of the evening with Dom Toretto and his family of misfit, street car racing thieves. When the movie is over, Luke sits quietly while I clean up the pizza 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.
