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I frown at him. “It’s not about that. He destroyed the trust between us.”
“Luke left you because he gave into his fear. It was never about not trusting you. It was about him not trusting himself. He loves you, Liv. He still does. Just say the word, and he’ll be here.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “How would you know that?”
He sighs. “Because he checks in on you.”
Still? Panic grips me. “Does he know where we are?”
“I haven’t told him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s figured it out.”
I let out a sigh and stare out over the lake.
“You can’t run from him forever. Stop being stubborn and choose to be happy.”He puts his hands on my arms, his tone softer. “Everything you are? It’s in here.” He pushes his finger over my heart, and I close my eyes. “You need to listen to what it’s telling you.”
I frown at him. “I thought you wanted me to hook up with Charlie.”
“Only because it will force you to decide if you really want Luke or if you’re ready to move on. You can’t keep living in this limbo. It’s killing you.”
The intensity in his gaze is humbling. He sees me, despite my best efforts to keep my walls in place. He stands, pulling me to my feet with him.
I wipe the tears away with the back of my hand. He bends down and puts my camera in the case and throws it over his shoulder. He drapes the blanket over his arm and puts his other one around me.
I lean into him and sigh as we head to the house. “Bet you didn’t think you’d be in this position when Luke hired you.”
He chuckles. “No. But calling you out on your bullshit has become one of my favorite pastimes.”
I smirk and wrap my arm around his back. We’re silent for a few minutes.
“You should keep a dream journal. Tracking your dreams about Luke could show you a pattern. And I’ll talk to Dylan about getting you set up for more therapy.”
“Ok. That sounds like a good plan.”
His phone rings and he frowns when he looks at the name on the display. He tries to hide it from me, but I read Luke’s name.
He turns his back to me and steps a few feet away. “Yea?”
I can’t hear what Luke is saying, but his deep timbre reaches me and I fight back tears.
“She’s fine, why… You what?” Garrett tenses and spins to face me, his eyebrows pinched. “That’s weird. I don’t know man.” He turns away again. After a few more exchanges that tell me nothing, he hangs up. I move in front of him as he stares at his phone. He brings his eyes to mine.
“What did he say?” I whisper.
Garrett shakes his head and pockets his phone. “Nothing you need to worry about.” He turns and heads up the porch steps and inside the house.
I sigh and head inside. Dad is asleep on the couch, a magazine open and resting on his chest as he snores. I take off his reading glasses and pick up the mechanics magazine, setting them on the coffee table. He looks younger when he sleeps, more like John. I miss my brother so much. I glance up the stairs as Garrett passes on the landing. At least I have more than one.
I look down to find my dad watching me. He smiles and sits up. “You look like your grandmother,” he says, patting the seat next to him.
I fall onto the cushion. “You said she’s who I got my red hair from.”
He nods and brushes my hair behind my ear. “And your stubbornness.”
I groan as my head drops to the back of the couch. “Not you too.”
He chuckles. “You and Garrett have a heart to heart?”
I nod and he takes my hand and squeezes. “You can’t hide from your family.”
