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“Luca,” she whispers, dragging her hand away. “Is everything ok? You haven’t said a word.”
I want her without any inhibitions. Not the one that’s scared I’m going to hurt her. Not the one that’s scared to look me in the eye.
Pulling off the next exit, I turn into a place Holt showed me when I needed an escape. I’ve come to this clearing that overlooks the valley of Drexton Hall and its neighboring town whenever I felt like drinking myself into oblivion. It stopped me from drinking and gave me some peace to clear my head, and that’s exactly what I need now.
“Where are we going?” She lets out a forced laugh. “Luca, you’re scaring me.”
“I just need to think.” I don’t want to scare her. That’s not what I want.
“We can think back at Drexton.” She’s scared.
I really don’t want to scare her away, but I need to know if she does or if she could feel the same way I do. My head is so fucked up, I can’t keep my thoughts straight, and I need some clarity of my jumbled brain.
As if the universe was saying,“Screw you, Luca,”my mom calls.
The phone rings through the Bluetooth and I have to answer it.
“Just don’t say anything, ok?” I ask Kandi, because I don’t want to explain her to my mom. I’m not ready for that.
“Should I be screaming for help?”
“Hey,mom.” I ignore her and answer the call.
Kandi tightens her lips and doesn’t say anything as I pull my car into the clearing of the mountain overlook.
“Hi Luca, I’m sorry I missed your call.”
“Mom, that was two days ago.” I sigh as I close my eyes to clear out the static.
My brother’s birthday was yesterday, and there’s a distinct sadness in her voice. I had to answer to make sure she’s ok.
“Brianne came over with the kids and your sisters. It was a busy day.” That’s why I didn’t call yesterday. I knew my brother's wife was bringing the kids over and my sisters planned a busy day for everyone. “Tell me some good news. How’s it going with that girl you went on a date with?”
Of course, my mom wouldn’t remember that I called or what day it was, but she managed to remember I had told her about taking Kandace on a date two weeks ago.
Kandace bites her lip while she looks out the window.
“Mom, that was weeks ago.” My mom quietly thinks it over. Figuring out if I’m telling the truth and counting the days. “She’s in the car with me now,” I say to reassure Kandace I haven’t been on any other dates.
She’s the only one.
Kandace whips her head to face me with her green eyes bulging from her head. I didn’t want her to talk, but my mom needs to hear something good, even if it’s a lie.
“Oh, am I on speaker? Her name is Kandace, right?” My mom asks, and I thank god she remembers her name.
I called my mom on the way to her house when I picked her up before we played the Nerf war. I haven’t had the chance to talk to her about it since, but I’m so glad she remembered and leaves no doubt that Kandace is the only one for me.
“Hi,” Kandace says in a low voice, but clears her throat to say it louder. “Hi, Mrs. Kingivson.”
“Call me, Rebecca, hun.” Her voice immediately brightens. “Is my son treating you well? I told him he better bring you flowers.”
This is the first genuine note of happiness I’ve heard in my mom’s voice since my brother passed. She’s been trying so hard not to show how much it’s been affecting her. It may even be the first time she’s called me son without any hesitation.
“Oh yes, he brought me pink carnations several times.” Kandace reassures her.
“Oh, no! That’s not good, Luca. You should get her roses, not carnations.”
What is everyone’s problem with carnations? I thought they were pretty.
