"If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself." – Percy Jackson
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Chapter 13
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Maggie

Life has a true way of just kicking you right in the ass when you're already down.

And, damn it, was I down.

I had barely gotten any sleep all week. The hours that I finally managed to get through, were full of nightmares.

Not only that, I was coming down with something. Jax guessed it was allergies, but either way, I could barely smell, and my throat felt like a bunch of fireworks were lighting inside every time I spoke.

As if that wasn't enough to make me want to lose it, my car had a flat tire. It was ironic that it was one of the tires Luke had actually left alone.

This wouldn't be a problem if I had a spare, and if Jax hadn't left for work two hours ago. And, if I didn't have to go work for a certain arrogant son of a bitch today.

So, here I was. With a stuffy nose, a fuzzy mind from lack of sleep, a flat tire, and a wish that I'd get a freaking break.

I glanced up to the sky with a curse at the first droplet of rain. There goes another plan. I'd been running through the possible solutions, and all of them either would fail, or would cost me much more than I'd gain.

"Think, Maggie," I hissed at myself. "Come on."

I could walk, but with the storm that's coming, that would only worsen my cold. I couldn't call in, either. Luke was probably still pissed at me, and he'd surely use that as an excuse to throw our deal away.

I couldn't call Jax or Xander, because they were both at work. I had one option left, and it was one I had already declined and denied until I couldn't.

With a sigh, I pulled my phone out. I had to wipe it across my jacket a couple of times to prevent it from slipping from my hands due to the rain.

"End my suffering, now," I murmured to myself before putting the phone on speaker. "Please, please—"

It only rung twice before connecting. I sighed in relief at Kimberly's face. I didn't know if she'd be swapping tongues with Kade or what.

"Hey, babe." Her eyes squinted at me carefully before she frowned. "Is everything okay?" At her concern, my lips lifted on their own.

I wanted to answer truthfully. That everything was an utter disaster, and my life was a mess. I wanted to tell her so badly.

But, I couldn't. If Kimberly and Raven ever found out...I couldn't handle the loss.

"Maggie?" she repeated. "Talk to me."

I hadn't realized my eyes were shut until I felt the droplet of rain land on my eyelid. I sighed, pulling them apart to peer back at her.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Are you busy?" I couldn't see that well, but she had set the phone down somewhere, from what I could tell.

Kade appeared in the camera, right on the side of her. Kimberly smiled up at him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, before returning to me. Kade noticed, nodding once at me then peering ahead.

"We were just grocery shopping," she responded, her eyes raising to Kade. "I'm making him try one of Jax's recipes with me."

"I'm sorry if I interrupted," I apologized, scratching at my wrist.

She waved me off, quickly. "You're fine, hun. Is everything okay?"

I nearly stumbled over myself as I built the courage for an answer. It was going to be hard, but I had to.

"Everything's fine, I just..." I sighed, rolling my eyes at myself. "Is there any chance that you can give me Luke's number?"

Kimberlys' eyes widened at my question. "What?"

"Ow, shit," I heard Kade curse. Her eyes jumped to him, growing apologetic. "Sorry."

My eyebrow raised with humor. "Did you run over his foot?"

"No," she rushed out, pushing her glasses up. "Maybe," she added, flashing a smile.

Kade scowled. "You nearly took my foot off with the buggy, woman." Kimberly kissed his hand apologetically, to which he looked to melt in reaction.

If I weren't so distraught about it, I probably would have laughed. Instead, my expression held the same serious sheet.

Kimberly's attention bounced between him and I. "Did you hear her?" He nodded, glancing down at me once. "Yeah. I'll send it."

"So," Kimberly cut in. She was attempting a calm demeanor, but failing horrendously. "Is there any reason you needed his number? And, we are talking about Luke, right? Luke Vaudest? The Luke Vaudest—"

Kade chuckled, leaning down to kiss her head. "We only know one Luke, baby. It's impossible to confuse that ignorant fucker with anyone else."

The rain was beginning to really fall now. I rolled my eyes before getting into my car. It could shield me better than my jacket.

"Trust me," I sighed out, slamming the door shut after me. "It was the last thing I wanted to do, but I have a flat and you know there's no way in hell he'd let me call out of work."

"Yeah," Kimberly nodded, tugging on her lip. "He is a little...difficult."

"Difficult would be a compliment to the son of a bitch."

Kade chuckled, but from first glance, he didn't appear to be listening. I saw him crane his neck, slyly tucking Kimberly's hair past her shoulder to say something in her ear. Her lips pulled into a big grin at whatever he had said, before she moved her eyes to mine, again.

I didn't like the way she was smiling at me. "The fuck is so funny?" I asked carefully, glancing between the two.

She attempted to lessen the grin, but failed. "Nothing at all," she stated. "I'll see you Saturday. Paint night?"

I nodded in agreement. At least I had that to look forward to. "That's right, and I'm taking the win home this time, baby. Sit back, and watch me outshine Leonardo DiCaprio."

Kimberly laughed, shaking her head at me. Kade watched her as if it were the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. It made me happy to see. I didn't care for Kade that much before, but to see that light and happiness return to my best friend was enough for me.

"Not that I don't appreciate the reference," she chuckled. "But, don't you mean Leonardo da Vinci?"

I thought over it for a minute before waving it off. There were too many Leonardo's. "Yeah, whatever. They're probably brothers or something."

Laughing, she bumped shoulders with Kade, who was typing away at his phone. A moment later, my phone buzzed with a notification from an unknown number.

Kimberly looked to me. "Did you get it?"

I nodded in relief; at least this part of the plan was over. The next would be the one to drive me to the point of insanity, most likely.

"Thank you," I said with gratitude. "I'm gonna let you guys get back to shopping, though. Remember: you have to be on the screen by four, okay? Any later, and you're disqualified. Raven's rules, not mine." They were mine, but that wasn't important.

Raven, Jax, Kimberly, and I were adults now, all in different places and spots in our lives. Ever since we graduated, though, we'd all made a promise to schedule at least one video call a week. We'd all watch a movie, do some type of competition, or something of that nature. It wasn't the same as seeing each other in person but it was enough to keep us together and healthy. I looked forward to the nights more than they ever knew.

"I won't be late," Kimberly responded with a smile, pulling the phone up from where she had set it. "I'll see you then, Mags. I love you." She raised the phone enough to wave, and motioned for Kade to do the same. He rolled his eyes at her before he let her grab hold of his wrist, and wave for them both.

I chuckled at the sight. "Love you more." I hung up, immediately clicking the notification from Kades' number.

My finger hovered above the screen, anxiously. If I hesitated any longer, there was no way I'd do it. I couldn't think.

I pressed the number, stringing so many curses along, my lips burned. Every time I heard the ring, I felt myself slip deeper and deeper into rock bottom.

Until it stopped.

"What do you want, Norris?" Luke said as soon as it connected. "Call to curse my existence, again?"

My mouth fell before I picked it up. How did he know it was me?

"No," I cut in, squeezing my eyes shut at my own voice. It sounded like someone was sitting on my throat. "I have a flat."

"So?"

I had to stop myself from slamming my skull against the wheel. "So...I can't get to the building without a ride. My brother, and my boyfriend are at work, so—"

"Angel, I've looked everywhere and I still can't see how that's my problem," he cut me off, adding a yawn for extra effect.

I rehearsed my breathing techniques, but not a thing helped soothe my growing anger. He was such a asshole. I knew I deserved this round of attitude because of what I'd said to him last week, but damn it, give a girl a chance.

I sighed, slamming my palm against my forehead as I gritted out, "Is there any possible chance that you could come and pick me up?"

I heard him snort. "Not in a million years."

My fingers tightened around the phone. "Why not?"

"Well, unloved, spoiled, bastards aren't necessarily giving people, are they, Norris?" he taunted. "Plus, I'm gonna enjoy giving you a mark for missing a day of work."

"What? For not having a fucking spare tire?"

"That's not my fault," he responded around boredom. "Get someone else to come and get you, because I sure as hell won't be wasting the gas on you."

I slammed my hand against the steering wheel so hard, it honked. "You son of a—" before I could finish, he had already hung up. "Bitch," I hissed anyway. It was fitting for him.

The phone fell into my cup holder with much force than necessary. I sniffled for the umpteenth time today, slamming the back of my head against the headrest.

There went that plan.

It wasn't even really one to begin with; it was a natural set up for failure or disaster, or both. That was all it was when it came to Luke.

I knew I'd messed up saying what I did last week, but he never even gave me a chance to apologize. How the hell was I supposed to make it better if he wouldn't let me? And, the prick was giving me a mark on that imaginary check list simply for an uncontrollable event.

I could only get three before he terminated our deal and sent me to prison. He only erased first two because I brought him more of Jax's food, but knowing him, he'd probably claim it didn't happen if there was no physical proof.

Fuck.

How had my life turned around like this? A month ago, I would have been at Xanders', probably watching reruns of American Dad or eating reheated nuggets from McDonald's. I'd been growing bored of the simplicity of it, but now, I craved it more than anything.

Because I let my emotions rule over me, I was stuck in this position. Being Luke's' fucking servant, and losing my mind at trying not to lose my mind.

Turns out, he had told the truth. Since I had to be with him three days out of the week, I was at Moarde's the other four.

The first day that I came back, Lowen had called me into the office, just as he said he would. I fully expected termination, but instead, he asked me what my preferred salary was, and after I picked up my jaw, I told him. He was beyond flustered at what I requested, but he accepted, anyway. For all of the unnecessary staring and the sly comments he'd made over the last year, he was lucky as hell I didn't run his pockets dry.

For some reason, Luke had threatened Lowen to give me a raise. It was the last thing I expected, especially from Luke. There wasn't a good enough reason I could find, but that didn't matter, anymore. I'd taken it wrong and destroyed thousands dollars worth of property, because of it.

I was barely holding on, honestly. With the news of my dad getting out of prison, everything that I thought was okay, suddenly not being that...nothing would ever be okay again if he was walking free, again.

It'd been four days since I found out. I hadn't told a soul, not even my brother or my grandmother. If I told granny, she'd probably check herself out of the hospital to make sure that I was safe. If I told Jax, he'd go, and burn the town down to stop our father from reaching me, again.

I didn't want that. I didn't want to be that girl they had to protect, or waste their lives for. Jax and granny deserved so much, and I couldn't get in their way of having it. Not again.

Without a doubt though, I wasn't scared.

I was terrified.

I knew my fathers' strength, his relentless rage, his endeavors to take and take. I was sure I could take him physically, but I had no idea what else he had up his dirty sleeve. If he didn't come alone, there was no way in hell I could effectively protect myself against all of them, no matter how many hidden knives I had.

I'd have to tell Jax, eventually. Even under the grave, he'd never forgive me for keeping this to myself, but he had no idea. He deserved so much, and if he found out, he wouldn't have that.

Until my fathers' release date though, I needed to prepare. Mentally and physically, because when it came to my past, both were at risk.

I was violently thrown from my thoughts, then. My head jerked over to my road, which seemed to be buzzing from the roar of an engine. I knew that engine.

I had to strain my vision to make sure that I was actually seeing this correctly. When the silver Maserati's engine roared, again, I knew that it was real.

I managed to direct my startled limbs to the door handle. Once I was out, I pulled the hood of my jacket up, before hurrying to Luke's car.

I pulled at the handle, but it wouldn't budge. The asshole locked it. I could feel him smirking through the tinted windows, before he finally unlocked it. I managed to get inside just before the rain drowned me.

"The fuck was that for?" I all but growled at him.

His frown grew and grew until he appeared as evil as he was. He was leaned against the door, arms crossed as he watched me. "For being late." Before I could respond, he was in my space. It happened so quick, I barely caught it. He flicked me in the head so hard with his middle finger, it stung. 

I swung back in shock, rubbing at the spot. "What the hell?" That would surely leave a mark. "What is—"

"You should have checked your tires," he shrugged me off. "Aren't you a mechanic?"

Fuck that. I flicked him in the forehead, even harder than he had me. He glared before repeating the action again, in the exact same spot as his first.

I only caught a quick glance of his smirk before I made my next move. I swung the rain drenched arms of my jacket around until his expensive clothing was altered with rain.

"Stop doing that," he hissed. One big hand pushed me away by my throat, holding me at arms length. "Stop it, damn it." I continued on anyway, smacking him in the face with one of the wet sleeves. Through it, I heard him curse them, "Truce, okay?! Truce!"

"You started it." I smacked his hand away, causing him to release me with a hiss of pain. My glare continued on as I folded the jacket in my lap. "And, not that it's any of your business, but no. I'm not technically a mechanic."

Luke snorted, wiping his wet palms along his pants. "Of course not."

I rolled my eyes, and chose not to give elaboration. It wasn't his business.

"Why did you come?" I chose, instead. "You said you wouldn't."

Luke put the car in reverse, casually glancing at the camera across his radio. "Don't suck me off or anything because of it, Norris."

I rubbed at my temples to soothe the growing headache. It always started around him. "Do you have to answer every question with a smart-ass response?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he shrugged with a smirk. "I simply give responses. It's a listener's choice to take it in a smart-ass way."

This bitch.

"Today though, we start on painting," he responded, putting the car back into drive. "I wasn't going to let you skip it. Knowing you, you probably flattened your tire on purpose."

"Weren't you the one who went Edward Scissorhands on my tires?"

"I don't recall that accusation, Norris," he shrugged. "And, I'd appreciate that you don't make it any longer."

I rolled my eyes, averting my gaze to the tear stained windows. From the dark line of clouds ahead, I knew a storm was definitely beginning to roll in.

A moment of silence passed before I asked, "Are you going to take me home, too?" I didn't know what time Jax was getting off, and Xander was a no-go, too.

Luke chuckled, glancing once in his mirror before he jumped a lane. "I haven't decided, yet. It depends on how badly you annoy me, today."

Agitation bit at me, but I forced it back. I knew of the next conversation, but had no idea how to confront it aloud.

Oh, fuck it.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out so suddenly, I nearly startled the both of us from it. "I'm sorry about what I said," I quickly added, this time more genuinely. "I shouldn't have brought up your scars, or your dad or—"

"It's cool," he interrupted with a simple shrug. "I've heard it a million times, Norris. Trust me, it doesn't hurt."

I blinked at him. That was easier than I thought. "It's not cool," I argued, anyway. "I don't know anything personally about your family, but—"

The skin along his jaw tightened from a clench. "Are you hungry? I'm hungry."

I was hungry. Jax was running late, so I hadn't eaten breakfast. It was sad that he was practically my chef, but we'd both long ago accepted it.

Obviously, Luke was finished with the conversation about his family. I wasn't sure if there were an exact reason, but I apologized. He could never say I didn't. "I could eat."

His gaze remained ahead for the rest of the ride. Even though it was silent, the energy in the car shielded me better than my own jacket did. By the time the car slowed, I'd nearly disintegrated into nothing from the awkwardness.

As soon as he pulled into the nearly empty lot, I smiled. I recognized it as Kimberlys' uncle's dinner; it was where Jax and I first met her, too.

My heart ached before I could attest. Raven and I had spent many nights here, waiting on Kimberly to get off, and enjoying leftover pie while doing so. I missed the both of them so much. The only thing keeping me sane was that they'd both visit in a couple of weeks.

I followed Luke from behind, nodding at him in thanks as he held the door open for me. I half-expected him to slam it back in my face, but he didn't.

"Welcome to—" I heard Kimberlys' aunts: Shay and Celeste, say before their voices turned to the sky, "Oh my gosh, Maggie? I haven't seen you in ages, girl!"

I glanced around until I caught them. Celeste was behind the counter, and Shay was a couple feet in front of me, taking an order.

I grinned at them both, stepping closer to the counter. Celeste hurried around, immediately pulling me in for a hug. I returned her embrace with a chuckle.

"I know," I responded, pulling away. "I've been so busy with school and work. I hope you guys haven't forgotten about me anytime soon."

"Now you know that's impossible." The skin around her eyes crinkled as she grinned. "You know, that chocolate pie recipe your brother gave us has been a real hit here. There's barely any leftovers."

Shay came from my side, her hand gently rubbing my back. I smiled at her in return, sharing a quick hug.

Kimberly's uncle Griff, who was a round bellied, silly teddy bear, peeked over the open kitchen window, next. "Is that Norris?" I heard his heavy footsteps round the corner before he reached me.

"Wise girl!" he all but shouted, pulling me into a tight grip. I grinned against his chest, clapping his back in return. "Griff! My favorite half-blood!"

Big, green eyes stared at me with so much joy, I couldn't fight my own. "Coming from the legend herself?"

"Ugh," Shay scoffed, rolling her eyes at us both. Flicking her box braids over her shoulder, she swept a glare at her husband. "Don't even get me started; Griff has been reading Annabeth the entire series. He's on the one with that little orphan kid who can hang with the dead, or something like that now—"

Griff released me to glare at his wife. "Don't you ever disrespect Nico's name like that, again."

Shay rolled her eyes, squeezing my arm as she walked to the kitchen. "I'll make sure to put extra love in your food, Maggie." Griff followed after her, ranting about Nicos' character before they both disappeared behind the door.

Celeste chuckled after them before turning back to me. "Go, sit, sit!" She all, but shoved Luke and I into a booth.

On the nights I'd wait for Kimberly to get off, I'd talk to her family, and quickly bonded with them and their dysfunctional vibe. They were one of the best I'd ever met. They weren't our family, but they practically treated me, Raven, and Jax like we were.

For a moment, I'd forgotten Luke was here. It took Celeste's knowing grin to figure it out. Except she was knowing the wrong thing.

"It's a real pleasure to have the mayor's son here. I hope we live up to your expectations, hun." She smiled warmly at Luke, who nodded back in return, but remained silent. I would have thought he'd be more cocky about it, but he wasn't. She tapped the edge of her pad with her pen, nodding at us. "What can I get you two this fine morning?"

I told her a breakfast platter, and coffee, then Luke told her his order. I wasn't sure if he'd eaten here before, but he seemed pretty confident in his answer.

Celeste directed her radiating smile at me. "I'll be right back with your drinks, Mags." I returned the smile, watching her turn and walk away before I moved my eyes back to Luke.

He was already watching me, a disgusted glare in his eyes. I returned it with an eye roll before pulling the menu up. It was stupid since I'd already ordered, but it helped as a distraction.

"Why do you sound like that?"

I glanced up from the menu to him. "Like what?"

"Like you have Squidwards' clarinet down your throat, or some shit," he replied sarcastically. "You sound sick."

"That's because I am sick." I looked down to the menu, again. "And, shut the hell up. You look like a loose sperm seed from Plankton himself."

His brow raised at me. "Plankton?" he repeated in disbelief. "Really?"

"Mhm," I hummed. "You two could be brothers, trust me."

The corners of his lips pulled into a smirk as he leaned back into the booth. "Okay, Cruella."

I placed the menu down with much force than necessary. I glowered over his casual figure.

"Really? Is that the best you got?"

"Mhm, let's see." Rolling back a smile, he planted either elbow on the table. "Jafar, Ursula, Ren Höek, Eric Cartman, Raven from Teen Titans, Gru, and Gaston."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "For you, it's Scar from The Lion King, Tasmanian Devil, Roger from American Dad—"

His head cocked at me. "American Dad?" he confirmed with lifted brows.

"Yes, Roger from American Dad. 2005 till now, bitch," I scoffed. "And, Sid from both Toy Story and Ice Age."

He stared at me for a moment, his jaw tight and eyes narrowed. For a moment, I expected him to body slam me, and for me to stab him with a fork, because of it.

Instead, I received something entirely different.

Luke threw his head back, the scar along his throat stretching with it. His adam's apple bobbed as he let out laughter from the pit of his stomach.

I stared, almost in a trance as it continued. My own threatened to follow suit, but I held it back. Even then, I found myself listening closely to every laughing second that passed.

The thing that frightened me most, though, was that I didn't think I wanted it to stop. It was like water, fully sinking me deeper and deeper until I yearned for more.

I shook myself out of the thought before it could settle. What was I talking about?

I shouldn't be wanting more. Throwing up at him just breathing was the only right response I should give. A couple more minutes here with him, and I would.

Finally, he stopped, and I thought I felt myself stop with him. His eyes shifted over me before his expression fell altogether, as if he realized what he'd done. That he'd actually laughed.

I tore my eyes away, first. "I'm going to the bathroom," I rushed out so quick, he probably didn't even hear me. I didn't care, though.

As I passed the register, I could hear Griff singing the height of some opera song, fully oblivious to how loud he was actually being. Celeste was pretending to scold him, but still humming along. Shay watched on with a chuckle, shaking her head.

Head hanging, I hurried to the restroom with muscle memory. I'd been to the diner so many times, I practically knew it inside and out.

There was no one inside, much to my luck. I didn't even have to use the bathroom, but I needed the room to breathe for a moment. I needed to get my head together.

Since I hadn't worn any makeup today, I took the chance to splash the cold water on my face. It sprung me awake and alert enough to get my thoughts together.

Where the fuck did those thoughts come from? This was Luke.

It was the lack of sleep, and the stress that I'd been through the past week. It had to be. Even if it wasn't, I could blame it on the fact that Luke was physically attractive. Anyone with eyes could see that.

I pulled my phone out to check the time. It was noon; Xander should be on his break by now. I needed a refresher of the great, perfectly normal and loving boyfriend I had.

I waited for the call to connect, but it never happened. I tried again, but got nothing in return. He sent me to voicemail. I frowned at the phone; he never rejected my calls.

A moment passed before the phone buzzed.

Xander: Sorry, babe, I didn't take my break today. Too big of a lunch rush. Is everything okay?

I responded that everything was fine, and that I understood. It was strange since the restaurant he worked at wasn't notoriously big, so there were barely any lunch rushes, but I took his word for it. Today could just be one of those days.

We had barely been able to make plans ever since I came back from Pennsylvania. We'd both been so busy with work, and ever since school started back, our visits had only dwindled. Not only that, I had to be with Luke half of the time.

I told Xander about the entire ordeal, and as angry as he was about it, he understood that I had to do it. I didn't like the idea of being alone with Luke either, but there was no solution. Xander and I trusted each other, though, so I didn't have to worry about it.

I did miss him, though. I hadn't fucked him in exactly ten days, and if I didn't get something soon, I was going to rip my hair out.

I'd gone online for my classes to work, and to visit my grandmother more, but apparently, it'd all been for nothing since those days would now be spent with Luke. Xander and I would find time, though; a couple days apart wouldn't rip everything to shreds.

I shoved the phone back into my pocket. Taking tentative steps, I didn't stop until I had the bathroom door open.

I didn't expect the sight.

Lukes' back was to me, so he couldn't see me. I had to step closer to make sure I was seeing this right, though. I was.

One hand was trained around the handle of my coffee, while the other held a salt shaker. I saw him sprinkle it a couple times into my cup of coffee before he shrugged, and removed the top from the shaker entirely, pouring its contents right in.

I scowled at him even though he couldn't see. This little bastard.

The temptation to march over there to throw the coffee in his face was strong, but so was my pettiness.

Instead, I pulled a natural expression on and walked back to the table.

Lukes' eyes followed me as I sat down. I gave a dry smile, dragging my coffee to my side of the table. His own remained in front of him.

If a stranger saw him, they'd think he was innocent. He was a Vaudest. Fake appearances was his best skill.

Lips perked at the corner, dark eyes mischievous, he asked, "Have fun?"

I picked up my spoon, stirring the coffee to play the role. "I went to the bathroom," I responded dryly. "How fun could it have been?"

"I was just being polite since you said I act like a smart-ass."

I glared down at the ruined coffee. "I didn't say you act like one, I said you are one."

His eyes remained on mine, feigning innocence. Motherfucker. "I can't deny it," he responded with a chuckle. His gaze fell to his own cup before he pushed it away, and stood. "I'm going to take a piss."

"You're a gentlemen, Vaudest. Really."

He shrugged, bending his back to pop the bones. "Never claimed to be one, Norris." I rolled my eyes at this, watching his back as he strode to the bathroom.

I watched, and waited for a moment to make sure he didn't change his mind. When the didn't, I hurried and began my mission.

I pulled his coffee toward me, then the pepper shaker. I didn't sprinkle like he had at first. Instead, I pulled the top off and poured the entire thing in his cup. Celeste knew I liked Parmesan cheese on my eggs, so she had set that out for me, as well.

I added that to the coffee, then half of the sugar, I mixed it so quickly, some of it spilled on my side of the table.

If he wanted to be funny, I'd be a damn comedian.

I discarded of any evidence as quick as I could, even going as far as shoving the empty sugar packets into my jacket. When I looked up, I expected him to be there, but instead, it was Griff, who was holding our food.

His eyes roamed over the sugar, then me. "Sweet tooth?" he chuckled. "Not that I'm one to judge." He nodded down at his round stomach.

I shook my head, attempting to calm my expression. "Something like that." I thanked him as he handed me my plate.

"I saw that young man salt up your coffee," he told me. "And, we all watched you put the pepper in his. I gotta give it to you both, that's pretty damn hilarious."

"Don't let him fool you," I chuckled, scooting my plate closer. "He deserves it, trust me."

"You don't have to explain shit to me, hun," he chuckled, placing Luke's' plate on the table, next. "Shay and I used to play all types of tricks when we were young. We were teens the first time. Me being young and just wanting her attention, flirted with one of her friends to make her jealous. She was a waitress then, too. The girl dumped a container of cinnamon in my pancake mix to get me back. She had no idea I was allergic."

My eyes widened before the laughter spilled out. My fingers pressed against my lips to conceal it, but it didn't stop. Just when I thought I couldn't like Shay more, I did.

"Luckily, I got to the hospital in time." Griff laughed with me, nodding to himself as he reminisced on the memory. "You should have seen her face when she saw me choking for dear life. On the drive to hospital, I pretended to go unconscious just so she would kiss me awake. Nearly sent me to heaven when she actually did it. I fell in love with the woman right there and then."

"Damn straight!" Shay hollered from her table, earning more of my laughter.

Griff stared in her direction fondly, before looking back to me. "Call for me if you two want another drink, hun."

I nodded with a chuckle. "I'll make sure of it. Thank you, Griff." I watched him disappear to the kitchen once again.

I glanced up to catch sight of Luke, who was distracted by his phone. I nearly chuckled at how oblivious he was to what awaited him.

He folded into the booth, but he was so tall that one leg had to stretch out of the seat. He slipped the phone back into his jacket before meeting my eyes.

I slipped on a facade, casually smiling at him. "Have fun?"

His fingers curled around his plate, pulling it closer to him. "It was the bathroom. How fun could it have been?"

"I'm just saying..." I shrugged, grabbing my own plate. "You could have went to Narnia for all I know."

He said nothing, just stared at his plate for a moment. I watched him carefully while attempting my casual look.

His eyes jumped to his cup of coffee as he picked it up. I nearly yelped with joy before he paused, his eyes squinting down at the liquid.

Shit. "You know...they have the best coffee around town," I attempted.

"Uh huh," he mumbled, one eyebrow raised as he tilted the coffee around. "Kade told me."

I forced a smile. I needed to knock him off his caution. "Hey—"

Before I could finish, he raised his cup to me. I looked to him in confusion until he nodded at my cup.

Hell. Slowly, my own hand pulled my cup into the air, only a hair's distance from his.

His lips pulled into a smirk as he nodded at me. "Bottoms up, Norris." He clinked our glasses so hard, the liquid shook.

Shit. "Bottoms up," I repeated, attempting to hold my disgust in.

Neither of us moved for a moment. His expression remained sullen, but there was no way he didn't know.

My mind flickered for a resolution. His gaze weighed on me even though he had the cup raised to his mouth, waiting.

Yeah, he knew.

I lifted the cup slowly, until the heat crisped my lip. We both watched the other carefully, until he placed it against his lips, as well. We both drunk, slowly but surely, waiting for the other to break.

But, we didn't. Our egos were at war, and neither one of us were willing to surrender.

I nearly gagged at the taste of the coffee. I willed, no, begged myself to swallow it. I tasted nothing but bitter salt and what seemed like Parmesan, as well. We apparently had the same idea.

He tried to keep his expression natural, but he couldn't. His lips pursed, his eyes widening slightly at the taste. I saw his throat bob so I knew he swallowed it. If I weren't so disgusted with my own coffee, I would have found so much humor in this.

He ran a hand down his mouth.. "Another," he offered. "You were right, best coffee around town."

I nearly screamed with terror as he raised the cup, again. I matched his move, silently pleading with the universe to put me out of my misery.

This time, we both took a bigger sip. I tried to swallow, I did, but fuck.

Luke didn't seem to be doing much better. A moment passed, and I knew neither of us had swallowed.

We met eyes. I saw his throat bob as he attempted to down it, and my own did the same, but neither body accepted it this time around.

Before either of us could react, we had sprayed the drink out of our mouths, and either onto each other or onto the table.

I nearly dropped the cup as I placed it down. "Shit," I hissed.

Luke gagged, his hands shoving the coffee away from him. "Fuck," he cursed. "What did you put in there?"

I wiped my mouth with the napkin, refraining from wiping my tongue, as well. Nothing could get the taste out. "Pepper, sugar, and Parmesan," I responded. "You?"

"I only put salt and Parmesan," he responded, his face pale with disgust.  "How did you know?"

Griff appeared in my peripheral vision, amused. "Here you go, hun." Celestes' and Shays' laughs were close. Griff placed two new coffees in front of us, as well as two towels, water and Parmesan packets for me. I was nearly traumatized from all of it.

I thanked him, anyway, listening to his chuckles fade as he left. I turned back to Luke. "You're not very subtle," I replied sarcastically. "How'd you catch me?"

"You really think I'd leave my shit around you?"

I shrugged at that. "I'll give you that one." I had destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property over a misunderstanding. "But, you started it."

"Yeah, well, it was supposed to be entertaining for me," he scowled at himself, fixing his new cup. "Instead, I got coffee spit on me."

I tilted my head, glaring. "Karma's a bitch, isn't it?" I swiped at my chest with the towel but it wouldn't do anything to stop the stickiness.

Luke's stare shifted into a glare. His eyes ran over my figure, and mine did the same. I was sure we both looked like idiots, angry and covered in coffee.

It was laughable, really. The mayor's son, a Vaudest, had finally gotten a taste of his own medicine, but I'd gotten my own ass handed to me, as well.

The longer I thought on it, the harder it became to hold my laughter.

My head fell to hide it, but there was no concealing. The laughter started slow at first, before it fully heightened.

I tried to catch myself, glancing up at Luke. He was watching me with a frown. My own laughter increased.

"Stop that," he demanded, a scowl curling his lip.

I managed to get out, "Stop what?"

"Laughing." He jerked my towel away. "Quit it."

"I can't." I waved my hand over his figure, then my own. "Just look at us."

He stared at me, scowl intact. One eyebrow raised before it fell into a stern frown.

Finally, his expression fell into nothingness. "You're something else, Norris."

I couldn't help it, anymore. I laughed so hard, the muscles in my stomach were beginning to tighten.

And, for a moment, I thought I'd seen him fighting his own, as well.