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I don’t have an answer for him.
“Be her friend first, Lucas. If you’re serious, she’ll see that. Clean up your house and be there for her. If things don’t work out with Ted, make your move. Just don’t take twenty years to ask her out.”
“I’m supposed to wait for her to leave Ted?” She seemed open to it five minutes ago, but suddenly not now, so I don’t know if that’s going to work for me. She said she wanted this, and this is happening.
“At this point, he’s the safer option, Lucas. You can’t play for both teams and expect to win either way. Make your choice and stick to it. If you’re hanging on to that spoiled brat, Allie won’t bite. She won’t be your second choice or side piece after that spoiled adult child. I told you this already.”
Yes, Tom is right, but it’s not sitting well with me why he takes issue with Katrina. I’m not entirely sure how they know one another. “Why, exactly, do you hate Kat’s family?”
Tom’s face changes color before my eyes. “Because that man thinks he can get away with whatever the hell he wants. He and that wife of his look down on everybody like they’re the king and queen of this town, and that rotten little child of theirs is following that same sense of entitlement. Allie won’t be subjected to their cruelties more than she has been already.”
Allie never had anything to do with them. Why would he say that? And I’ve never had that experience with them. Her parents are snobby, but they’ve always been fine with me. Mark has always welcomed me into the family like one of his own. “Are you sure about that, Tom? I know Katrina is spoiled, but—”
“Mark Vandenburg can veer off the highway for all I care. You won’t change my mind. I would have thought you either had more sense than to associate with the likes of that family or be able to influence the brat, but you’ve successfully buried your head in the sand. I understand you and the daughter arewhatever you are, but my daughter is nothing like her, and deserves more than you just looking for some sort of physical relief when Katrina pisses you off. Make your choice and stick to it.”
But I did. It’s Allie. I thought that was what was happening upstairs. “I need to go. Jadon’s asleep in his bed.” I slip my shirt back on and grab my keys. Tom doesn’t say anything when I walk out the door, but keeps his eyes on my back. His gaze could pierce through me like sharp knives digging in.
Allie is sitting inside of her car talking on the phone when I tap on the window.
“Shit!” She jumps when she sees me while her hand clutches her heaving chest. “Charity, I’ll call you back.” She takes deep breaths with her eyes closed and opens the door. “Lucas, I can’t talk right now. I need a minute. That was wrong and we should—”
“I’m leaving Kat.”
She freezes and her eyes widen. “What?”
“I’m not staying with her. I understand you’re with Ted, but I’m here. Whenever you decide what you want, I’ll be waiting. Until then, I’d like to be your friend.”
Her mouth drops open and I hold up a finger when she moves to speak. “I won’t push you. I’ll settle for friendship if that’s all you want.” Bullshit. I will outdo anything Ted does. “I mean, I want to be your friend if that’s okay with you.” I’ll be a better friend than Ted ever was.
What a stupid name.Ted. What’s that short for, anyway?Teddy?
“Lucas,” she shakes her head with exasperation, “I can’t do this right now. I just need—”
“To figure it out. I understand. I’m just going to take a step back.” I physically take slow steps back and toward my truck. I have no idea what I’m doing, but it seems to work since her shoulders are visibly relaxing.
I’ve never had to pursue a girl before, so I’m winging this right now. “See? We’ll figure it out, okay?” It’s going to work, I just don’t know how, exactly.
She glowers at me, but it’s cute. “Lucas.”
I flash her a confident smile. “Have a good night, Allie. I’ll talk to you soon. Asfriends,” I overemphasize the word for her benefit.
She watches my every move until I make it in my truck.
She needs a grand gesture. Something to prove to her I’m serious. I know it’s right, and I knew itbeforewe kissed and I got close enough to have her again.
Damn, I was that close.
Thanks for coming home, Tom.
First things first. I need to get rid of Kat. Fuck, that’s going to be a headache and a half. She’s not going to just accept it.
God, and my parents are over. I might need law enforcement—wait. I pull over and dial my best friend Joel once Allie’s house is out of sight.
“Hey Lucas, I’m in the middle of my shift right now.”
“Joel, I need you to look into something. Can you look into a closed case for me?” Is that how this works? Is it closed?
“Uh, Lucas,” his voice gets quiet, “I can’t just open up case files for your personal knowledge. Is there something relevant to—”
