AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Peter.” I greet him awkwardly, feeling like a little girl I’m most definitely not. “Hi.”
He stands to give me a hug and sits back down, motioning me to sit, too.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, still standing at the edge of the table, refusing to sit down.
“You look amazing, all grown up. I emailed you saying we'd be coming for a visit.” He gives me a half smile, trying to appear genuine.
The wrinkles in his face are deeper than the last time I saw him. His hair is a lot grayer, but his leather watch on his wrist is the same. I don’t understand why he still wears it. It’s old and worn, and he can afford better.
He said “we” which means she’s here too. Somewhere.
“Some of the alumni are getting together this weekend, but I’d like to have lunch if you’re available?” His old, kind, and tired eyes plead with me. “I’d like you to meet them.”
My eyes widen at his words. They’re all here. And I’m definitely not welcomed. I’d maybe sit down with him for all he’s given me, but then there’s everything he took away. It doesn’t even compare.
“I, I can’t,” I stammer and shake off my unsteady voice. “I have a lot of planning to do for my sorority’s charity event.”
“Oh.” His eyebrows raise to his hairline. “I forgot, you're the Vice President of it, right? That must be hard work.”
“President now.” I clear my throat. “And yeah, it’s a lot.”
This is awkward, and I keep looking around forher.I don’t see her anywhere, but he doesn’t go anywhere without his wife.
“Kandace,” Peter takes my hand to grab my attention. “I’m sorry for how things happened. I’ve been trying to reach out to you to apologize and make things right.”
“What’s going on here?” Luca’s voice booms out from my side.
“Nothing.” I pull my hand away and turn to Peter. “I have to go, my friends—”
“Luca Kingivson.” Peter puts his hand out for Luca to shake. “I saw the game yesterday. That was a great goal.”
“Thanks.” Luca firmly shakes his hand with about as much mistrust as two opponents about to throw down.
“It’s ok,” I whisper and clutch Luca’s forearm for him to calm down.
He has to be nice to Peter. Luca’s glaring at him as if he’s ready to stake his claim on me and beat anyone in the process. He wouldn’t be looking at him that way if he knew who Peter was.
“Are you two seeing each other?” Peter doesn’t miss a thing.
“No,” I say at the same time Luca says “Yes.”
I glare at him, but quickly turn back to Peter. “It was nice seeing you.”
“Kandace, don’t be like this. Please meet with me tomorrow.” He grabs my hand again to stop me from walking out. “Please talk to me.”
“Let go of her.” Luca tries to step in between us.
“Luca, no.” I push him back with a hiss. “It’s not what you think.”
He looks at me with confusion and hurt all over his chiseled jawline and up through his clear eyes. A look I recognize all too well on him. No matter what, I will always hurt him.
This was supposed to be a good night. Fun and no drama. No boys.
“We can get coffee tomorrow, just you and me.” I turn back to Peter with an offer to hear him out. “I have to go.”
“Kandace?” Peter’s wife emerges from the depths of hell where she truly belongs. “How are you?” She asks awkwardly, with that fake smile across her plastic face.
“I’m good, thanks. But I really need to go.” I try to back away, but they keep holding me in place. A past I want to but could never forget.
