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The drive is about fifteen minutes, yet it feels like seconds. I don’t even realize we are parked outside the apartment until the driver opens the door. I go to leave, but Mom’s hand on mine makes me pause.
“Whatever you decide, let me know,” Mom says sternly. “Even if you do decide to write the story.”
“And if I don’t?” I ask, wondering if she will help me fight Lori and her publishing house.
Mom smiles. “We will support you. No matter what.”
I give her a curt nod before stepping out of the car. I trudge up the staircase without looking back. The moment I open the door, I see Rachel, sitting in the living room, with Hunter, Seth, and Alex surrounding her. She immediately stands, her eyes filled with worry that makes my heart ache. I’m the reason for that worry. I should have called them. It was selfish of me to leave the way I did.
“I’m sorry,” I say while rushing towards her, throwing my arms around her frame and holding her tight. “I’m so sorry.”
“I was so worried,” Rachel sobs. “I thought… I thought—”
“I’m fine.”
Rachel pulls away from me and strokes my face. “Did you see your mother? Did you have a chance to speak?”
I nod. “Yeah, we did. Everything is fine.”
“So,” Rachel starts, stepping away from me. She wrings her hands and I know exactly what she’s about to ask next. “Are you going to go through with it? The book, I mean?”
I sigh, feeling absolutely drained from this stupid, horrible day. “I have no clue.”
“Do you even want to?” I hear Alex ask from the couch.
I chuckle and rub my head, feeling a headache coming on. “No, not at all, but I signed a contract.”
“I’m sure your parents can help you get out of it,” Seth says.
“And what if they can’t?” I shake my head, already feeling the flight mode inside me kick in. “I’m sorry, can we talk about the any other time. I’ve had a hard day and I just want to get some sleep before mays shift tomorrow.”
“Of course,” Rachel whispers with a curt nod. She steps out of my way and I trudge into my room, kicking the door shut behind me. I lean against it for a moment longer, my mind replaying the day over and over again. I can’t believe Mom actually flew in and found me. I can’t believe Rachel called her. It’s crazy, yet it happened.
I push away from the door. Rather than going to my bed, I plop myself in front of my computer. I open the document I’m supposed to hand in to Lori in ten days. My fingers twitch, ready to write. They move against the keyboard, pressing and clacking away, yet, the more I type, the more I write about Rachel and the bros and the love we share for one another.
Chapter 23
RACHEL
It’sbeenthreedayssince we all looked at the house. Three days since Lucas told us the truth about his book. Three days since I called his mother, and that had been quite an interesting talk on the phone.
“What do you mean Lucas is in trouble?”I remember Christina’s shrill voice yelling through the phone.
“Could you please talk to him?”I recall saying.“I think it would really do him some good to speak with you. Just… try to be… you know… supportive.”
“Talk to him? Ha! I’m flying there right now.”
I can’t believe she actually did. It always astonishes me just how rich Lucas’s family is. Maybe it’s because he was never frivolous with the money before. Sure, he bought me some nice dresses, helped Hunter out when the drug dealers were after him, and the houses and apartments we stayed in were absolutely beautiful, but he’s never just called for a private jet to fly him from east coast to west coast. At least, that I know of.
I glance at him, watching him steam the milk while the espresso pours into a small cup from the machine behind me. He’s been very quiet since his mom returned him to us. She even had time to call for a car pick-up. That woman will always amaze me. We definitely didn’t get off on the right foot, but I’m starting to discover that she’s a bit of a super hero in disguise. Therapy is definitely working out for her.
Lucas, on the other hand, has remained locked in his room every chance he can get. He still has work, which he grinds through, working meticulously, treating the customers with his most charming smile. As much as he hates this job, he’s good at it, which probably makes it even worse for him. Why get good at a job you hate? Why spend time getting better at it, when it takes you away from your goals?
Lucas has barely uttered a ‘hello’ since our shift has started. I came in an hour ago for the lunch shift. He’s been here since early morning, opening, and I really hope Jason doesn’t pop his head in here in another hour to tell Lucas he has to close. That would be completely barbaric.
Another hour passes and the line dies down, leaving me leaning against the counter, heaving a long sigh of relief while my legs finally the break they need from running around like a crazy person. It’s days like this where I feel like I’ve done an entire marathon. Lucas stands next to me, his hands braced on the counter, his fingers nearly touching mine. He doesn’t look fazed at all, but I suppose he’s used to this. It’s crazy that he still goes to work out every now and then after shifts like this. I wouldn’t dare. It’s hard enough for me to walk all the way to the art school after a shift like this.
“You were right, Rachel,” Lucas says so softly, I wonder if I imagined it.
