"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." — Oprah Winfrey

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Chapter 48
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Maggie

"Jelly?" I offered to Luke, who shook his head as a response. "You sure? That biscuit is dry as shit."

At his silence, I tossed the packet back into the bag. "Fine. Good luck finding any flavor in there on your own."

With a huff, I leaned back into my seat.

It'd been this way, even after the thrift store yesterday. We still carried on with our dinners, and sleeping together, but other than that, there was still anger. No jokes, or insults, no talking unless asked a question, or anything of that sort.

It was driving me mad.

I wondered if this was how it was for him when I was mad at him. It didn't last this long, but nonetheless, it was still aggravating as shit.

I missed talking to him. I missed really being with him, and having someone to converse with over anything. I'd grown so comfortable, and peaceful in his presence, in him, and now that it wasn't here, I felt like the best part of my days had shifted.

He woke me up early this morning, and asked me to come along with him for breakfast. That got me up, immediately.

We sat in the car and ate in complete silence. I'd been trying to get a laugh, or at least a smile out of him. I didn't know how many more attempts I had left, though.

Finally, my agitation was cut short. "You know that you can't stay mad at me forever, right?"

He threw his wrapper into the bag that we were using as a trash. "Mhm." With his knees, he turned and operated the wheel while reaching for his juice.

"Luke." I threw the rest of my sandwich into the bag. "I said I was sorry."

That apology was for more than one thing now, considering how damaging my actions had been. Since I waited so long, the caller had erased any type of trace to his location or his identity. Luke could have found him if I told him sooner, but now, it was too late.

I didn't know if the sender realized that I'd tell Luke, or if he even knew of Luke at all. Either option was just as terrifying.

I'd apologized a thousand times over for it all. I knew of the consequences, now, but as bad as they were, I couldn't do anything to change the past. 

At his cold expression, I rolled my eyes. "You know what? Fine." I turned my gaze to the window, the clatter of frustration running through me. "Enjoy your pity party by your own self."

We rode on like that. The air in the car turned so tense, I had to stop myself from cracking a window.

I understood his anger, but it already happened. Acting like an ass wasn't going to change that.

Rolling my eyes, again, I glanced up from the door. My gaze traced over the outline of another street sign in confusion. This wasn't the direction to our house.

I glanced to Luke, whose attention was solely on the road. His hands were now locked on the wheel, not an ounce of emotion cracking through. I nearly broke our silence contest before I shut my lips, again. Nevermind.

I had no idea where he was taking us, but he could think about it on his own. I decided to pass the time on my phone.

The first thing I checked for were any unknown numbers. There were none, which both relieved and frightened me. Even though I had a new number, now, it was still better safe than sorry.

A couple of texts from Jax, probably checking on me, or pictures him and Tony.

It made me crack a sad smile. As much as our separation hurt, I was glad to see that it'd all ended up so good for him. Tony loved and cherished all parts, bad and good, of my brother, and that was all I ever wanted for him.

There were times where I wished I could just pop up on him, though. Cook together. Hear his jokes. Beat his ass in a wrestling match, again. Where he could come to Luke's, and eat dinners with us.

I couldn't have that, right now, though. The only thing that was barely sustaining me was the thought of having those things once my dad was out of the picture.

To prevent my mind from tumbling down the trap that was my life, I opened the group chat. Kimberly and Raven had blown it up from the last time I checked it. I couldn't even catch up on it all, so instead, I texted that I missed them.

For some reason, the text didn't go through. I retried it a couple of times, but to no avail. All I got was an error alert. Maybe they were in a bad spot, or something.

I mustered a sigh, staring down at the black screen. I'd try again, later.

My attention returned to the window, again, but the sight made my head spin. I paused, narrowing my eyes for confirmation.

We were at the airport.

Why were we at the airport?

I looked to Luke, but, he was getting out the car. A second later, he was at my door, pulling both it and me.

I cast him an uneasy glance. "What are we doing here?"

Instead of responding, his expression remained as blank as a sheet of paper. His hand grabbed mine, gently tugging me along. The closer we got, the more curious I grew.

I let him lead the way to the entrance despite my argument, "Luke...I know you're mad at me, but throwing me in front of a moving plane is not the answer." My eyes widened toward the large building, then back to him. "What would Jesus do, Luke? What would Jesus—"

As he opened the door for me, his eyes flickered back to mine, and for the first time in hours, I saw something other than anger: humor.

"I'm not throwing you in front of a plane, Maggie," he shook his head at me before murmuring, "At least not today."

I made a face at his back, stepping inside. "Thanks, Luke. Real reassuring."

I glanced around the busy airport before returning to Luke, who was standing still to my side, lips pressed together and arms tucked over his chest.

My gaze trailed over him, carefully. "So, you have lost it," I concluded, crossing my own arms. "Good to know. Sad to witness."

He rocked on his heels, side-eyeing me. "You doubt my sanity that much?"

I shot him an odd look. "You shot your best friend."

Luke scoffed. "He deserved it. And, you can't use that as an argument every single time."

I moved my eyes forward. "This is only my second time," I corrected. "And, I'm sorry that it's a bit unnerving to stand this close to someone who shot their best freaking friend."

"Don't be so dramatic," he responded with an eye roll. "You've hit me, pepper-sprayed—"

"Okay." I waved my hand off to turn the argument. "Being punched is not the same as being shot."

"They both hurt, don't they?"

My entire body shifted to him in disbelief. "That is the most stupidest logic—"

"Maggie!" I heard someone speech from from the other side of the building.

My eyes snapped up to the source. What awaited me was a sight that left me questioning my eyesight. My life. Hell, my sanity.

Kimberly and Raven were both heading my way. Kade and Levi were right behind them, carrying their luggages.

I blinked, then did so again.

I'm dreaming.

Or, maybe I'm high.

I jerked around to Luke, who was grinning back at me.

I motioned to myself. "Am I imagining this?"

The amusement in his eyes twinkled. "You're not."

"Mags!" I heard a girl yell.

I looked in the direction of the hallucination to see them growing closer.

For a dream, this shit actually seemed real.

"Luke," I said, slowly. "Did you see me eat a brownie?"

"A brownie?" he returned with humor.

My face tightened with seriousness. "A pot brownie, you idiot! Did you see me eat one, or anything of that sort?"

That was the only explanation I had. Because, there was no way in hell my best friends were running my way, right now.

His dimple sunk in. "You're not high, Maggie."

I rubbed at my eyes, daring myself to not look at them. If I even spoke to them, I'd fall too deep in the hallucination.

"I got sick of hearing you complain about me getting on your nerves, so I got them down here," Luke teased, shrugging. He allowed his gaze to soften just a bit. "And, I know that you said you missed your friends, so I called Kade and Levi to bring them a week early."

My eyes rose from my feet, widening at him. "What?" The shock shook me, dearly. "You did this?"

"I did," he shrugged it off, throwing a head tilt their way. His grin widened. "Now, quit thinking you're high, and go hug them."

This was real.

And, my friends were here.

I turned into a medal-winning track star as soon as I had them in my view, again. Seconds cut right in half as they met me half-way. All I caught sight of were their grins before I had them.

We nearly butt heads, and I was pretty sure Raven made one of my tits pop out of my bra, but I didn't care. I went right for them.

My arms tightened around the both of them. "Oh my god!" Their own wrapped around each other and me, as well.

Being in their arms again was one of the very few things that I could say made sense. There was no question, or doubt. Just so much care, and fondness and everything in between.

Tears sprang to my eyes. "I missed you."

"I've missed you guys so much," Raven whispered in my hair. I felt Kimberly nod, her voice cracking as she said, "I've missed you both more than you'll ever know."

I was the first to pull back, getting a clean glance over them. Kimberly had her dark brown hair curled to perfection down the middle of her back, brown eyes glimmering with joy behind her glasses. Raven's frizzy red hair grazed just below her exposed shoulders, hazel eyes widened with excitement. My beautiful girls.

They were here.

"Hate to breakup the reunion, ladies," Levi chuckled from behind us. "But—"

"Levi, shut up, and let them hug," Luke interrupted. I could practically hear his eye roll in that alone.

Through a chuckle, I shook my head with a tearful smile. "No, no. He's right." I glanced to Kimberly, then to Raven, my smile stretching from ear to ear. "We'll have all spring break to do our reintroductions."

Just as I backed away, someone else grasped me. Strong arms pulled me into a hug so tight, it was impossible to break free on my own. My shock remained until they pulled back.

Levi was grinning so big at me, I couldn't help my own from following up. I should have known. His green eyes stared into mine, the sight so familiar.

"Christ, woman," he teased. "From Raven, I think even I started to miss you more than she did."

I chuckled, returning to our hug. "I missed you."

"Okay, that's enough hugging." Luke stepped up, sweeping Levi's hand off of me in one swift motion. A glare swept over his friend before he reeled it back. "Let's get going."

Levi rolled his eyes, and looked to Kimberly, his smile softening. "I haven't seen you in forever, my sort-of little sister."

Kimberly laughed in return. "I missed you too, Levi." Levi opened his arms for her for a hug, stepping forward. "Come here."

Kade stepped to Kimberly's side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. His eyes went to Levi in warning. "Put your hands on her, and you lose them. Think wisely."

Levi frowned, instead creeping up to Kade, who watched him with disgust, but before he could go anywhere, Levi had him in a hug.

With his grip, he managed to lift Kade just by the smallest bit off the ground, giving him a shake.

"Get the fuck off of me," Kade growled in annoyance, shoving Levi off with one good push.

Levi sighed, swinging around with opened arms to Luke, who cast him a glare. "Levi, if you try hugging me again, we're gonna turn this airport into a boxing ring."

Laughter burst from me, and the girls. I hadn't even realized I was crying until I felt the mascara burn my eye. Under these circumstances though, I didn't care.

Levi looked at his friends, a scowl building the longer he did. "If I knew I'd get treated like this, I would have stayed in Hawaii."

Kade scoffed. "You wanna go back? Here. I'll pay for the ticket my own damn self." He went to pull out his wallet, before Kimberly stopped him.

Raven chuckled, stepping up to comfort her boyfriend. "'ll take your hugs, babe." His arms went around her, his head resting on the top of her head.

He eyed his friends with a feigned look of betrayal. "It's cool. I never needed you temperamental, strangely sexy, bitch-faced fuckers, anyway."

After kissing Raven's head, he spun around, and began to march off to the car. We all stood behind him. Smirks built along Kade and Luke's faces as Levi paused, then turned to face us, again.

"Uh..." he started, scratching at his neck with a soft chuckle. "Can you guys tell me where the car is parked? You kind of defeated the purpose of the whole dramatic, exit airport scene."

Luke chuckled, bumping into Levi's shoulder as he passed him. I sped up to his side. "I can't believe you did this," I whispered to him.

"It was nothing," he responded, bumping into my shoulder. "Promise that you'll still hate me most, though, yeah?"

He held the door open for me, and slammed it shut in Levi's face the moment he tried to get through. I heard him cursing Luke in return.

"You kidding?" I hit his side with mine, biting back a grin. "That's the only number one spot you hold for me." That was so far from true, it made me nauseous to say.

His brows popped up with humor. "Really? Not 'sexiest fucker I've ever known' or—"

"If you two are finished with your little ASMR," Levi interrupted, stepping up to the car. With his hands on his hips, he spun a smile to Luke, nodding down at his luggage. "I would like my bags placed by color, not size, in the trunk, if you will."

Luke's mouth opened, but before it could get anything out, Levi was taping something to his shirt. It was a piece of paper with writing printed in big, black letters. It read 'Wallace', which was Levi's last name.

Levi cocked a shit-eating grin as he glanced to Kade. "This chauffeur service was worth the money, don't you think, Ryder?" He said it loud enough to gain the other surrounding cars' attention. As soon as he turned to Luke, again, he added, "Speed it up, why don't you? If you wipe that little frown from that ugly face of yours, you might even get a tip."

Kade rolled his eyes at his friends, taking Kimberlys' bags to put in the trunk. "I'm not in this shit."

Luke ripped the paper from his shirt, then tore it until he could throw the white pieces into his friend's face. "I'm not your fucking chauffeur—"

Levi grasped his chest with a gasp, catching the eyes on onlookers. "You watch that tone of yours, young man. You young bitches—I mean, people, always so quick to disrespect your elders. And, you can bet your rude ass you're getting the change from the bottom of my wallet as a tip," he tsked under his breath, pulling out his phone from his back pocket. "You can't even get bubblegum with that nowadays, so good luck." He pretended to tap at something on his phone. "That'll be an automatic two star rating for you—"

Luke snatched the phone, sending Levi's expression to the ground with panic. "Oh, hell no. You've broken my phone three times—"

"Four times," Kade corrected from the trunk.

Levi pointed to Kade in confirmation before narrowing his eyes at his friend. "And, this won't be the fifth, young man."

Luke launched his arm back, but Levi caught it, sending the two into a wrestling match along the concrete. Their curses, as well as all else was loud enough to draw a crowd.

While they fought, I turned to the girls, who were laughing through their tears.

"It's gonna be like this the entire time," Raven acknowledged, watching them with a chuckle. "I just know it."

Kimberly nodded, amused. "They've been apart for too long."

"Not long enough, actually," Kade grumbled, lifting himself before glancing to his friends. "I'm gonna go break them up before someone calls security. We've already been arrested here before." He tugged Kimberly into a soft kiss to the forehead, softness melting over his expression. "Stay right here, sweetheart. I don't want you getting hurt." Her chuckle followed before she pushed him toward the two fighting boys.

I glanced at Kimberly with fake disgust. "So, are you two gonna be in heat for the majority of spring break, or..." I trailed off, balancing a look of humor over her.

"Shut up." Kimberly rolled her eyes despite the red tint in her cheeks. "But, no. There's no way I'm missing out on anything with you two."

Raven nodded eagerly "I can't wait."

I agreed with a smile. "How did you guys get here so early, anyway?"  I knew what Luke said, but there were still bits and pieces missing.

"Luke called us," Kimberly responded, casually. "I did my exams early so that I could get here a week ahead of time."

"And, Levi and I checked out of our hotel as soon as we found a flight time." Raven crossed her arms, flicking her head at the boys, who were somehow both getting held back by Kade. "He said that it was urgent." She eyed me with a knowing glint to it.

My eyes jumped to Luke, who had Levi in a choke-hold, with Kade attempting to break it off, but somehow getting caught in the hold, too.

My smile grew until my cheeks hurt. My chest warmed at the thought of Luke's gift.

That feeling of feeling was growing a little too intense, but unlike all of the other times, I didn't want to shy away. I didn't think I had the energy to even try to.

Kimberly called to me with, "How has the whole shop thing been going?"

I painted a smile on. "Perfect. Everything's been perfect here." I wanted to laugh at my own statement, but I remained sober-faced. "We've made a lot of progress." If only they knew.

Raven bit into her cheek to stop from smiling. "Uh huh."

"I bet you have," Kimberly mused, no shame in her mischievous smile.

They continued on, marking grins between the other before following up to me, again.

My skin warmed under their stares. Why was it so damn hot?

I stepped toward the luggage just to get away from the conversation. "Jesus...are you two gonna read me my Miranda rights, too?" I nearly stumbled over myself as I stepped toward the luggage. "Come on, let's get this shit in."

I heard their chuckles before they obliged. It was nearly riotous at how much I'd teased them about their love-sick expressions, their mushiness, and relationships, but here the hell I was: blushing and tripping over myself for Luke.

The boys came to our side a moment later, their curses in tow.

I turned to see Kade, who wore a somber expression, with his hands around the back of their shirts as he held them apart. Luke was as cool as ever. Levi was breathing enough air for a room of people.

Kade glanced between the two with glares. "If you two start fighting, again, before we make it to the car, I'm beating both of your asses," he warned them before releasing the boys with a shove.

Levi swept at his hair, glaring at Luke. "You caught me off guard."

"Keep telling yourself that," he responded with an eye roll.

Kade cursed under his breath, dropping his head with a groan. "What did I just tell you dumbasses?"

Levi grumbled, stepping forward to put Raven's luggage in. "Whatever."

Luke chuckled, stepping next to me. "Yeah, whatever." He threw a nod at Levi. "Keep being Ryder's lapdog, bitch." Levi swept forward, attempting to grab Luke by the back of the shirt before Kade stopped him.

I waved my hands over the three, my chest bouncing with laughter. "Okay, okay." I motioned to them. "How in the hell are you three even friends? You argue like cats and dogs."

Kade moved next to Kimberly, a sigh following. "I've been trying to find an answer to that shit for as long as I can remember."

Kades' eyes moved to mine like water, flicking his head at me. "Cool to see you."

I was shocked he even acknowledged me, but I nodded in return, anyway. "You too."

When I first met the three, I thought Levi was the only one with redeemable questions, honestly. Now, my thoughts had definitely changed.

Kade was an ass, who at the time, was nothing but a questionable player when it came to Kimberly. I'd seen he changed that, though, so I accepted him since Kimberly did. I'd seen the way he cared, and loved her, and I couldn't doubt it's existence. He wasn't as bad as I thought.

Now that I was here, though, I found myself looking  hypocritical as shit. I'd judged Kade for the very same qualities Luke had, but I didn't know him as well as Kimberly did. I bet she thought the same thing about Luke, but just as the same, she didn't know nearly the amount of things I did about him.

I did find myself wanting to ask her a couple of things about it all, though. I wondered if she'd felt this way about Kade at first. Heart stammers, butterflies, big smile, and just...hope. Content. Happiness. If she thought that it'd go away like a sickness just as I did, but it only grew and grew until it became too hard to fight.

Because, fuck, was I tired of fighting it.

"I get shotgun!" Levi declared, nearly trampling me over as he rushed to the front of the car.

Luke stopped him with a palm to the chest. His eyes jerked over to my figure before he opened the door for me.

Levi mumbled something intangible before grudgingly walking to the back seat. I chuckled after him; poor thing.

I wasn't even sure how they managed to fit so well, but they did. Kade held Kimberly in his lap to give Raven a seat, but neither one seemed upset about it.

A part of me continued to question whether or not this was just a hallucination, but it seemed that this was way too vivid to be so.

They were right here. It was all so good that I couldn't help but attempt to find the wrong in it.

The first thing came out as torturous. My dad.

Shit.

I'd been so enticed in them, I hadn't thought about that part, yet. Everything that had turned upside down had been because of him.

They didn't even know that I was living with Luke, and not Jax.

I pushed out a sigh under my fear, glaring down at my fists. I didn't know how I'd tell them, but it was inevitable. Everything was going to come out much quicker than I'd ever wanted

For the time being, though, I needed to focus on the moment, and the now. That was what mattered.

Hastily, I undid my seatbelt, pulled myself up on my knees, and turned in my seat with a grin. Raven and Kimberly matched mine, automatically.

"I can't believe you guys are really here," I awed.

Kade chuckled, glancing to Kimberly in amusement. "I can. The girl kept me up all night talking about it."

I laughed as she threw a glare his way. "No, I didn't." She turned back to me, a sheepish smile growing. "I totally did, but it doesn't matter."

"Raven, too," Levi added, lifting his head from her chest with a groan.

We all chuckled in union before I started to ask. "Where are you—"

My words were cut short by Luke's, "Norris, get your ass back in that seat before you get hurt."

I whipped a glare his way, shushing him, before returning to my friends to finish my question. "Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was saying—"

One hand went to the pocket of my hoodie with a firm grip. By it, he tugged me back down into my seat.

His eyes darted over to me. "Sit down. I'm not letting you hit your head. Don't forget your seatbelt, too."

With a grumbled curse, I wrapped it around me just to shut him up. "I wasn't going to hurt myself, you jerk." By the time I had it strapped, he was staring at me with a grin, one that I found myself beginning to match before I heard Levi.

"Jesus," he chuckled from the back. "You're already arguing like a married couple."

Luke's and I heads whipped back to him in shock. "No, we aren't," we said, at the same exact time.

Once we both caught it, our eyes went wide with shock. We turned to each other with matching glares, then said in union, "Stop it." We narrowed our eyes at one another. "You stop it," our voices blended together so well, I couldn't depict which was which. This was ridiculous.

Hell.

I heard the snickers from the back of the car, from either of our friends. Levi's came last, following up with a, "Yeah, right." Chuckling, he added another point, "You know, this is gonna be the first dinner we have together as a family,"

I turned to look over my shoulders again, amused. "A family?"

He kissed the side of Raven's head. "Mhm," he nodded, motioning to Kimberly and I. "You both are practically my little sisters, and these mean shits of mine are obviously my brothers, so a family."

"A family?" Kade repeated with a chuckle, scoffing. "I don't even like any of you."

Kimberly rolled her eyes, patting his chest. "What he means to say is that he's so excited that he—"

"Sweetheart," he snorted, making a silly face at her. "Don't lie to them."

"It's hard to take offense to that when you don't like anyone," Luke acknowledged.

"That's not true," Kade argued with a simple shrug. "I love Kimberly. A lot."

Luke chuckled, lowering his arm to the window as he propped his head up on a fist. "You don't have to hide it anymore, Ryder. You know you missed us."

"Exactly," Levi agreed, passing a look over Raven's shoulder to Kade. A shit-eating grin crawled over his face. "It's okay. Kimberly told me you were bouncing all over the place when you found out I was landing with you."

Kimberly giggled at his glare. "It wasn't a lie." Kade threw the glower to Levi in return. "Once we're out of this car, just know I'm smacking the shit of you, Wallace. Just for old times sake."

Luke passed a look over his shoulder. "This coming from the fucker that was preaching peace and tranquility a minute ago, or was that just a load of bullshit?"

Kade leaned forward to smack Luke's shoulder. "You want a round, too?"

Luke snorted, sweeping Kade's hand off as if it were a pestering bug. "Try it."

"Remember this shit when I catch you in the jaw—"

Kimberly smacked a hand over Kade's mouth, casting him a glare of warning. She balanced a smile between the three boys. "He won't be doing anything other than eating dinner, and not fighting his friends." Slowly, she took her hand away from him, pecking his lips before smiling at him. "Isn't that right?"

His brown eyes narrowed in a glare, before he sighed a, "That's right."

"Pussy," Levi mumbled under a cough, stretching his legs out.

"We're going out?" I questioned, glancing to Luke, who nodded with a hint of a smile.

Kade glanced between the two men. "You know, I was actually going to let dinner be my treat, but now?" he chuckled, shaking his head. "Fuck that."

Levi jerked his eyes over to him. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me," he shrugged, stroking a hand over Kimberly's hair. "But, since you and Vaudest wanna be smartasses, best believe I'm only paying for the girls and myself. They can get whatever. You two are on your own."

"Ryder," Levi drawled out in a sigh, dropping his hand to Kade's knee with a chuckle. "Now, you know you and I...we go way back—"

Luke chuckled. "I don't give a fuck about you paying for dinner, bitch. Those pockets of yours start screaming for help the moment you go over the dollar menu."

Kade scoffed, balancing a playful glare over Luke. "Man, I could buy your life, and the amount wouldn't even be enough to take my girl to the dollar store."

Luke snorted, glancing in his mirror before switching lanes. "Your broke ass couldn't even afford the gas to get her there."

Levi laughed, the sound bringing forth my own. The girls were a mess of laughs, too. "Please. I could have the both of you crying if I showed you my balance, right now."

Their back and forth was definitely ludicrous considering their actual wealth. They all had money spilling from their pockets, and were arguably the richest men in town.

"Out of sympathy?" Kade snorted around a chuckle "Hell yeah."

"That must be Kimberly when she sees the cobwebs at the bottom of your wallet, huh? Poor girl probably hears crickets in that son of a bitch." Levi looked to Kimberly, patting her hand with an encouraging smile. "Listen, if you ever get tired of the kiddie meals, just tell me and I'll send you enough to—"

Raven waved a hand between the three through her laughter. "Okay, okay."

I laughed so hard, my stomach was beginning to cramp. "Can you three remain civil enough for dinner? Or, until dessert comes, please?"

Luke passed me a grin. "I'll see what I can do, Norris."

"I'll try," Levi responded.

"No." Kade rolled his eyes at them. "Fuck the both of you."

Levi scowled, unbuckling his seatbelt. "You know what, Ryder? Let's—"

Just as he began his threat, the car began to slow. Luke put it in park a second later with a puff of relief.

"Thank fuck," he mumbled. "I don't have to hear the most two ignorant fuckers in the world, anymore."

I angled my brow at him in humor. "You started some of it."

As soon as he got to my side, he opened the door for me. Instead of waiting on the others, he led the both of us inside.

His hand remained on the small of my back until he turned me to face him. Concern was written over his expression as he eyed me over.

"You okay?" he asked.

I should have known he'd catch the lack in my mood when I thought about my father. "I'm fine."

I didn't want him to think that I was ashamed to be living with him, or anything of that nature. That wasn't true at all. If anything, I was too ashamed to give them a link to the truth, and I worried that revealing our situation would do just that.

Luke watched me for a lingering second, the uncertainty showing. "You know you can talk to me about anything, Maggie."

I nodded, curling my arms over my chest. "I know." The door chiming behind me allowed my shoulders to fall with relief that I wouldn't have to deepen the conversation.

I could feel Luke's drilling stare at the top of my head, but I chose to ignore it, smiling back at our friends. I would talk about it with him later.

Luke had already booked our reservation, so all we had to do was check-in. Once we were all ready, we made our way to our seats.

The restaurant exuded a timeless elegance. Despite its refined ambiance, the early hour meant it was nearly empty, and our section remained blissfully devoid of other diners. Our table commanded a breathtaking view, perfectly positioned to overlook a newly constructed, enchanting fountain that glistened in the morning light. Beyond that, an inviting gallery beckoned, adding to the overall charm of the setting.

I smiled at Luke as he pulled my chair out for me. "Thank you."

"Don't tempt me, Norris," he teased as I sat. "I might just yank it out from under you."

I rolled my eyes, throwing a smile at him over my shoulder. "Good luck fighting for your life in front of your friends if you do."

As soon as I was in, he took his seat next to me, scooting his own so close that we were touching knees.

When they grazed, I had to massage at my stomach to calm the butterflies inside. My blush wasn't any better.

Levi sat to the side of Raven, Kade next to Kimberly, and Luke next to me. They were all on the opposite side of the long, spotless table.

"So, I was thinking." Kimberly picked her menu up. "How does going to the nail salon before we get started on everything sound?"

Raven nodded in agreement, quickly. "Hell yes. My nails are screaming for a new set." She placed her nails out for our view, which had a fresh coat of polish on them. Kimberly and I laughed at her dramatics, before nodding.

I chuckled, parting my menu. "You already know I'm in. I'll probably have to to only get gel this time, though." It would be much easier to work on Luke's car, or his shop with either short nails, or just gel. "What are you guys thinking for your shapes?"

"I'm going for the square, or the ballerina for mine," Raven responded, flicking her head at Kimberly "You?"

"Definitely the almond," she answered before looking to me. "What about you?"

"Tapered square, probably. You know it's my favorite—"

"Okay," Luke cut in, raising his eyebrows at us. "A ballerina and a..." he shook his head, confused. "What in the hell are you three talking about?"

Levi rolled his eyes. "You've never been to a nail salon?"

Kade chuckled, reaching for Kimberly's hand over the table. "Have you?"

"Hell yeah," he chuckled, nodding at Raven. "I took her out to get her nails done a while ago, and she forced me to get a pedicure with her. I've been a new man ever since."

Kade snorted, earning a sideways glance from Kimberly.

"I don't know why you're laughing, Ryder," she teased, bumping into his side. "You just got a manicure with me last month. And, you always help me pick which design I'm gonna get."

Kade scowled down at her, before jerking a glare to his friends, who were snickering. "She made me do it. Tempted me, really."

Kimberly chuckled at him. "All I did was ask you once—" He pecked her lips to stop her confession.

After our laughter died down, we all continued to converse while we searched our menus. As soon as our waiter came, we gave them our drinks. Kimberly ordered a water, Raven and I ordered a bottle of wine. The moment they heard the boys last names, they compensated the drinks, immediately, not even bothering to check our ages, first.

Luke bumped my knee, to catch my attention. His low voice hugged at my ears until they were warm. "You already know to get whatever you want."

I smiled, teasing, "Even the whole list of dessert?"

He smirked. "Especially that, Norris."

We held gazes for a moment more, our smiles growing against the others. Electricity cracked through the air like a whip, and each passing second was another slash through my resistance.

Just as Luke's eyes dipped a bit lower, our connection was interrupted.

"Stop," Raven attempted to murmur, but more spoke than anything else. It made us look up.

Levi was attempting to grab the bottle of wine from Raven's hand, one she maintained a deadly grip on. As soon as she released it, he yanked it back from her with a glare, one in which she matched times ten. He passed his glass of water to her, instead, then handed the bottle over to me.

His glare deepened as he leaned down to whisper something intangible in her ear, to which her nostrils flared at. With an eye roll, she pulled his glass to her.

Kimberly and I clashed confused gazes with one another. We knew that Raven was a bit...loose when she drunk, but with the way Levi was treating it...

I shook my head. Maybe we were overreacting, and Levi was just trying to avoid Raven's hangover in the morning.

I cleared my throat to clear the hushed tension, instead smiling at Kimberly. "How has your second semester been so far, beautiful?"

Behind her glasses, I saw the complaint before she voiced it. "Absolutely terrible. I'm barely even surviving at this point. I'm practically failing this math course because the teacher's an ass."

Kade cocked a brow at her, rocking his chin on his fist. "You're passing with an A."

Kimberly rolled her eyes. "That's because you threatened the poor man's job, and made him start to ace all of my quizzes."

I pointed at her. "That's true love if you ask me."

Kade nodded in agreement at me. "Exactly. I'll be damned if I let that dumbass try to stress her out over the same exact shit his other students were doing."

Kimberly laughed, glancing over their hands. "As long as I'm passing, then everything else is fine." The happiness on her face brought forth my own. That was all I ever wanted for both her and Raven.

The warm sensation started from the bottom first. It began to rise until I was forced to confront it by lowering my eyes.

Luke was holding my hand under the table. His fingers were working at mine so effortlessly, I had to stop myself from seeping into them right there and then.

I didn't tear my hand away, despite wanting to keep the façade up. With the comfort that simple touch was bringing along, I couldn't.

Instead, I squeezed it once, maintaining my smile. Luke fought his own as he returned the squeeze.

I looked to Raven, next. "How was your gap year?"

Her glossed lips rose. "Amazing. I've loved every minute of it, but I've missed you guys even more." She shared a collective smile between the both of us. "I took lots of pictures, and brought even more souvenirs for the both of you."

Levi flicked his head at the boys. "You guys aren't gonna ask me how I've been?"

"Still ignorant as shit, is what I expect will be the answer," Luke mused, throwing a grin his way that had me wanting to watch it grow forever. Kade shrugged. "I don't want to know things I don't care about."

"Wow." Levi sent an offended glare their way. "And here I was, bringing the good shit home for you two."

Kade and Luke raised their eyes up to him.

The girls and I laughed, but it stopped when we realized the boys weren't joining us.

Kimberly was the first to speak, glancing between the three. "What kind of stuff? Pictures or something?"

Luke snorted, earning a look of confusion from me.

Kade released her hand to drape his arm over her shoulder. "Nah, sweetheart, that's not what he means."

Her nose crinkled at him with confusion. "Then what..." Raven and I were just as confused.

"The fucker brought drugs, probably shrooms knowing him," Luke answered for her in a sigh, glaring at Levi.

Levi chuckled, shrugging once. "What can I say? I'm always thinking about my boys, which is why..." he lifted his body up a bit to reach into his back pocket.

Kade reached over Kimberly to smack him in the side of his head. "You brought the shit in here?"

Luke palmed his face, sighing out, "Of course he did."

Levi frowned, glancing between the both of them. "We used to bring all types of shit with us, the fuck is the problem now?"

"The problem is that we have our girls here with us, now. It's not just us," Kade hissed at him, pushing Levi back down into his seat by his shoulder.

"Don't you remember the last time we got caught with that shit? I sprained my knee from jumping that fence, and Kade nearly broke his trying to get your high ass over it. I'll be damned if we do it, again," Luke added, narrowing his eyes at Levi in warning. "Now, sit down and—"

"It's just shrooms," Levi rolled his eyes, running a hand through his brown strands. "And, it's an edible. The servers won't think shit of it."

Raven joined in on the jumping match, as well, smacking him in the chest. "I told you not to buy it, let alone bring it in here, Levi."

"I forgot," he excused, innocently shrugging. "But, now that's it's here..." he looked to Kimberly with a kind smile. "I brought you a Lucky Charm's treat to make it easier on you. Want it?"

Kimberly returned his smile, outstretching her arm for him. "Sure—"

"Fuck no, she doesn't want it." Kade pulled her arm back, his glare on Levi. "You're not giving her shit." She glanced up to him with confusion. "It's just a treat's bar."

Luke chuckled, squeezing my hand from under the table. "It's not the type of treat you're thinking about, Kimberly, trust me."

"Put it up. Now," Raven demanded to Levi, who was murmuring curses at all of us.

With a grumble, he returned to his original position in the chair. "Pussies."

We all laughed at his choleric expression, then formed a new conversation seconds later.

"So," Kimberly started, looking to me with a warm smile. "You've asked all about us, but how have you been, hun?"

Even though Luke wasn't staring at me, it still felt as if he were. At his hand squeeze, the tension lifted from my chest just enough to allow words through.

My free hand grazed the lining of the menu while I spoke, "I've been fine. School's been getting real hectic, but at least the exams are done. That's been my biggest worry, lately." If only.

Kimberly nodded in agreement, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose with her wrist. "I know you did amazing on all of them."

"She did," Luke nodded. "A's on all of them."

My head whipped toward him at it. I didn't fight my smile until I realized who was watching.

Kade glanced to Kimberly with an encouraging smile, pecking her lips. My smile fell with confusion at the gesture, as did Ravens.

Before we could confront it, our waiter came.

Kimberly and Kade gave them their orders, then Luke and I, and finally Raven and Levi.

Before Levi could say his order, Kade said, "If you order anything that's not on the kid's menu, remember you're stuck with your own bill."

Levi gawked at him in return. "You'd do that to me? Your best friend? Your brother? Your—"

"Pain in the ass?"

With an eye roll, Levi finished his order, that was indeed not on the kid's menu. Kade responded with an annoyed scowl, only dropping it when Kimberly laughed at him. We all thanked the waiter, then returned to each other.

"I'm gonna enjoy running that nice little black card of yours hot, Ryder," Levi joked, nodding at Kimberly, next. "Lucky."

Kade scoffed, earning a chuckle from Kimberly before she added, "It is pretty nice."

An eye roll followed from him as he dangled a grin her way. "It's really yours, too, baby."

She shrugged, her smile growing. "I only really use it when I go to the bookstore."

"So, every day, then?" he teased, his lips stretching into a silly smile at her.

"You're the one who keeps giving it to me."

Raven drawled our a satisfied sigh, leaning back into her chair with a grin. "God, how I love having these rich boys of ours on a whip."

Levi shot her an odd, playful look, his smile growing, "Is that all you think of me?"

"Fuck yeah," she scoffed playfully, pulling the carton of bread to the middle of the table for her, and Kimberly, and I to share. "Well, that and your curved d—"

"Raven!" Kimberly and I called out past our laughter.

A silly grin sat her face as she shrugged. Levi chuckled, kissed her cheek, then got up to leave for the bathroom.

Once all of our laughter died down, I caught Kade glancing to Kimberly, nodding at her. Her eyes fell from him for just a moment, her smile leaving before returning with a sigh to it.

Raven was too engulfed in buttering her bread to notice, but once I kicked her under the table, her attention jumped up to me. I flicked my head at Kimberly, which she followed.

Kade craned his neck to say something in her ear, next. Whatever it was left her in smiles. By the time he finished, she was looking back to us, that same smile falling.

I narrowed my eyes at her, but she didn't give anything in return.

I took the chance to glance to Luke, who already had his eyes on me. At my catch, he quickly turned away, pretending to be interested in his menu.

Something floated through me at him. I bit back a smile, instead focusing my attention on Raven. "You ready for your first year of college?"

"Absolutely not," she groaned, softly. She craned her neck past to look at Kimberly, then to me. "Rate it on a scale from one to ten."

She snorted, taking the bread that Kade just buttered for her. "Negative one thousand."

I laughed, nodding in agreement. "Ready yourself for exam week. It's nothing, but stress, cramming, and crying."

Raven groaned. Since Levi had left, she grabbed the bottle of wine from me to pour her own glass. As soon as she had it, she scooted it back just as Levi walked up.

"Then, there are the labs, exams, and shit like that," I sighed out in disappointment. "Trust me, you're going to want to take Levi up on the shrooms by the end of it."

Kimberly nodded, pouring a small amount of the wine into her own glass. "True. At least I'll have my girls to help me get through it this time, though."

Raven and I nodded in agreement, before I paused. Raven hadn't caught on, but I had. At least, I think. I hoped, really, really hoped that I had it right.

She said this time. Which could possibly mean...

My widened eyes rose to her, and Raven caught up to it, too, this time.

Kimberly's smile said it all.

Shock riddled me senseless. "No way."

"No fucking way." Raven added, nearly smacking Levi as she lunged forward to look at Kimberly.

"Way," Kade confirmed with a chuckle, stroking the lining of her arm.

She turned her grin to him for a second before returning to us. She nodded, once.

"You're moving back?" I tried not to scream, but with the excitement, it was impossible. "Like for good?"

"I am." Kimberly nodded eagerly, the happiness shining along her face. "Kade and I found an apartment not too far from the university I'm transferring to."

"But...but..." Raven stammered over herself, attempting to grasp her sloshing wine, as well as the situation. "How?"

She shrugged, a loose smile hanging. "Since I'll lose credits if I transfer in the middle of a school year, I changed all of my classes to online for the summer. Kade's gonna drive me up there for my exams, or when I need a meeting with my advisor, and things like that. Then, when the summer is over, I'm going to transfer to a university down here to finish up. Either way..." she glanced between all five of us with a soft smile. "I'm home, now."

Raven and I's mouths were hanging in shock. A seconds later, we were both rising from our chairs to get to her. I sunk into the hug, having to cramp my tears back into place the longer we held each other.

Raven looked to Kade, sweeping at her eyes with a strained chuckle. "If you had something to do with this, I might hug you, too."

He chuckled. "Don't look at me; I just follow whatever she wants. I told her to do what she wanted, and I'd support it no matter what. As soon as she made her decision to come back, we started looking for our apartment."

Kimberly nodded, beaming at us. "I've just missed everyone so much. I've been wanting to move back for a while now."

Levi turned to Kade with a shit-eating grin. Luke did the same.

Kade joined them in a glare of warning. "Don't—"

"We've got you back, now," Levi announced, thumping Kade so hard in the shoulder, it would have knocked the average person through the restaurant wall.

Luke chuckled, nodding. "You're stuck with us, again, Ryder."

Kade crossed his arms, leaning back into the chair with a grunt. "Don't remind me." Past his cool demeanor, I did see the happiness, though.

I understood it, and I felt the same for myself, as well as Luke. I was happy that he had both of his friends, his family, really, too. It was an ecstatic feeling for all of us.

We all pulled back, and somehow returned to our seats. The energy in the room had definitely changed to a more cheerful one, despite it already being full of laughs and good times.

Luke bumped shoulders with me to catch my attention. "What kind of dessert are you thinking?"

A smile found a home along my face. "Guess."

"Mhm," he hummed, nibbling on his cheek in thought. When he had it, he tipped his head up to me with a grin. "Chocolate molten cake with chocolate ice cream?"

I nodded with a laugh. He had said my exact order. "Hell yeah, and you already know we're splitting it." I never finished it on my own, so we'd grown into this silent routine of me complaining about an unforeseen stomach ache, and Luke taking the plate, then finishing it off for me.

He laughed, the sound like a melody in my ears. "Sounds like a plan, Norris."

I matched his smile, attempting to find the strength to end the connection my own self. It only happened when I heard Raven.

"I can't believe we all get to have our movie nights, again," she gushed. "Remember how Jax used to make the best caramel popcorn?" In awe, she slumped into her seat with a satisfied smile. "I can't wait."

Kimberly looked at me. "How is Jax, anyway? We texted him our landing time, but I think he said he had to work."

Raven nodded in agreement. "I honestly don't know how to act without hearing you two argue. You both would have probably turned into MMA fighters by now."

My stomach sunk at their questions. It felt nearly routine to give a response, but I couldn't. Not a truthful one.

I gave a false smile. "He's fine. Just working hisself to death, really."

Kimberly frowned with a light sigh. "Well, hopefully we get to see him later on tonight." Her lips lifted at me. "I can't wait to finally see your apartment for myself."

My stomach rolled at that.

This was getting bad. It was getting so bad. Lie after lie was stacking up on the other, and I was gradually trying to climb the tower long enough to buy myself more time.

I was running out of time.

Fuck.

Luckily, the conversation returned to normal just enough for me to adjust.

I felt a squeeze from my hand. My eyes fell, but Luke was too enticed in his phone to note anything else.

Just as I looked up, I felt my own buzz from my pocket. Luke bumped my knee, letting his expression remain natural as I pulled my phone out.

Luke: You okay?

I glanced to him with a warming chest. Even in a group of people, he was the one to catch my changing mood before all else.

I nodded to soothe his worries. He caught it, nodding once in understanding.

Having to explain it to him right now wasn't ideal. I didn't think there was any way I could start the conversation up without possibly offending or hurting him.

I nearly cried with relief as our waiter returned to our table. It took a minute to get all of our food on the table, but due to its size, there was more than enough room.

The others dove into their plates more urgently than Luke and I. We'd already eaten for breakfast, but I could still make room, now. The food smelled delicious.

I patted Luke's knee for his attention, giving him a portion of my rib tips. He returned the action, cutting off some of his steak to give to me. We placed it on the other's plate.

As soon as I tried it, my eyes nearly rolled to the back of my head in satisfaction. Luke nodded appreciatively at his bite.

"Good, right?" I emphasized.

He bobbed his head. "Fuck yeah," he chuckled, motioning to our plates. "Let's switch some more."

I nodded in agreement. He matched me, sweeping more of my tips to his plate. I did the same, nearly taking his entire streak.

I didn't even realize we were being watched until the silence crept through the table so eerily, I felt it crawl along my skin until finally ending in a pinch.

Luke and I glanced up at the same time. Four sets of eyes were watching us, all in between shock and confusion.

Well.

Slowly, I placed my fork down, eyeing them in return. "What?"

"You two..." Kimberly blinked out of her shock, scanning me over. "You two were just..." she blinked, again, shaking her head. "Nevermind."

I hadn't thought about how intimate it'd appear. I didn't even think much of it, really.

Luke and I usually did it when we eat together. We order something, then swap some of our foods to taste the others. We always eat off of the others' plate, as well.

There was nothing sensual to it. At least, I didn't think.

Raven swapped glances with Kimberly, a grin following. As soon as she caught my stare, she shook it off.

We all continued to eat, and converse amongst the other. Soon, we were finished with our entrees and waiting for dessert.

Kade pulled out his card despite the arguments from Luke and Levi. Even though they'd joked around in the car, they ended up bickering about who would pay since they all wanted to. Kade finally won the argument after a cursing match between the three.

By the time dessert was here, the argument had settled enough to stop the waiters from eyeing us, particularly the boys, in fear.

"So..." Kimberly started up, taking the fork that Kade offered her with a smile of appreciation. She motioned to me with it. "How have you been about the whole Xander and Quinn thing?"

Luke snorted around his bite of our cake, but remained quiet.

"I've been fine." I smiled. "I've barely even thought about them, honestly." 

A certain blonde, 6'4" boy who was toying with the butterflies in my stomach made sure of that.

Kimberly gave a sigh of relief, attention returning to her brownie. "I still can't believe Quinn did that to you."

"I can. I tell you, it's always a crash when we try to make friends outside of our circle," Raven snorted, taking one of Levi's cinnamon bites. She motioned to me. "You know, the fact that both of our boyfriends fucked our best friends is...comedic even."

She wasn't wrong. I laughed into my next response, but just as I did, Luke beat me to the punch with something that had my words ceasing.

"Ex boyfriend," he corrected in a mumble that was more of a statement than anything else with the rumble of his tone.

Everyone paused in their action, including myself. I threw a look of confusion at him.

"Obviously," Levi retorted, raising a brow at his friend.

Luke chuckled, taking the container of sugar from Kimberly with a nod of thanks. "I just wanted to clarify."

I eyed him carefully, before returning to the group. They'd definitely caught his tone just as well as I did.

Just as I took a bite of my food for a distraction, I heard Kimberly say, "You know, there was this guy in Pennsylvania who was real sweet and funny—"

Kade nearly choked on his piece of the brownie, immediately shifting in his chair to face her. "What guy?"

She bumped into his side, shushing him. Just as her lips parted, he added, "Sweetheart, unless you plan on finishing that shit with my name, and only my name, then—"

She pecked his cheek, rolled her eyes, then moved her attention back to me. Her cheeks were already flustered from Kade. "Anyway. There was this guy who saw you at the Christmas lights. He was right behind us with his friends, actually. He goes to the same university, and keeps asking me about you, even now."

"Was that the brunette you were telling me about?" Raven questioned her over Levi, who was now biting back his laughter. Kade was doing the same, chuckling around his food as he looked to Luke.

I didn't know what was so funny, but whatever they caught on Luke's face only seemed to increase their smirks.

Kimberly nodded, looking to me. "Mhm. When I go back for another meeting with my advisor, I can give him your number, if you want—"

"She doesn't."

My eyes snapped up to Luke, who was glaring down at his plate as if it were venomous. A cool glare had claimed his face, one that couldn't be cracked into. I blinked at him.

Slowly, I moved back to my friends, who were just as puzzled.

"Wasn't his name Payton?" Raven asked Kimberly.

"It was," Kimberly confirmed, nodding at me. "He kept bringing you up in our comp. class, and..." she trailed off as she looked to Luke.

"How you feeling over there, Vaudest?" Levi's smirk roared volumes as he glanced to Kade, who matched it.

His grip around his fork tightened. "Perfect," he replied with a tone that said everything but that.

I risked a glance at him. His jaw was locked down as he listened on.

Carefully, I looked away, again. I cleared my throat, managing a weak smile to Kimberly. "He sounds cool, but I'm—"

Before I could offer my rejection, Luke had said in that same tone as before, "Have another fucker in our house, and we'll see how I'm feeling then, Norris."

Shit. Shit. Shit—

My eyes widened so much, it hurt. I nearly dropped my fork to the ground, but settled on the plate, instead. It clattered, only furthering the wreckage of a mess I carried.

He just told them that we lived together.

"Our?" Kimberly repeated, raising a brow. Raven did the same. "Wait...you two live together? Like in the same house? The same space? Without killing each other?"

Kade chuckled, shaking his head as he halved the brownie for him and Kimberly. "Of course they do. For the past couple of months, I think."

Kimberly whipped her head at him in shock. "You knew?"

"I thought everyone did." He shrugged. "It wasn't too hard to figure out."

Raven's widened eyes jumped up to me. "Is that true?"

"I'm way too high for this shit right now," Levi mumbled, gazing at everyone around this table as if we had grown two heads. "I can't handle too much."

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

At my lack of response, Luke took it for me, leaning up from his seat. "We do. Only because it makes it easier to finish my building and my car, though."

Even though it was a good lie, I knew they wouldn't fall for it. The moment the girls and I were alone, I knew they'd be relentless. 

"For how long?" Kimberly asked, darting her widened eyes between the both of us.

My voice was barely above a whisper as I responded, "A few months, now."

Kade chuckled again, casual as he bit into his food. "Told you."

Levi choked, quite literally chocked on his cinnamon bite in shock. His coughs sounded out until Kade started to clap him on the back.

Kimberly and Raven were just staring at me in shock, their eyes widened to the size of saucers.

I avoided their eyes, standing so quickly, I nearly tripped. "I-I need to use the ladies room." I could feel Lukes' eyes on me, but I refrained from meeting them, instead hurrying off.

By the time I made it, I was barely even functional.

I grasped the cool vanity with trembling hands. My stare came in the form of a glare as I looked into my reflection.

All I saw were lies.

That was all I was capable of doing. Hiding, twisting, and controlling truths and realities in order to fit my own. I'd never confronted it until it came to the people I cared about.

I pained my warm face. A headache was beginning to set in the longer I thought on all of it.

Luke told them that we live together. They knew that I moved out with Jax, someone who they knew I'd never leave without a reason. That reason would come to light the moment they asked Jax about it, since he knew the very thing that weighed me down before all else.

Fuck. Fuck—

"Norris."

I jerked around. Luke was approaching me, his expression neutral.

"What are you doing?" I asked, glancing over the bathroom. "You're not supposed to be in here."

"I wasn't leaving you alone while you were upset."

Despite it, I had to roll my shoulders back to help hold my emotions under me. I narrowed my eyes at him, taking a step back as he took one forward. Immediately, he stopped.

My frustration sounded out through my words, "What were you thinking, Luke?"

He tilted his head at me in confusion. "What—"

"You just told them that we live together, Luke! Without even asking me about it first."

An eyebrow raised at me. "I didn't think that it was such a big deal to you."

"Did you ever stop to think that they'll be able to piece everything together from there?"

"They won't," he responded calmly. "There's no way in hell they will, okay? They were going to find out sooner than later, anyway."

I shook my head. "You don't know that."

"I do," he argued, stepping toward me. His expression softened. "Maggie, they're your friends. They care about you—"

I stepped back from him with a glare. "That isn't what this is about. It's about you completely ignoring my wishes, and telling them without even asking me first."

His brows drew in tight with frustration. "How the fuck was I supposed to know that you wouldn't be okay with it? I thought—"

"Yeah, well you thought wrong." The ache in my throat built. "And, now..." My head fell with a tired sigh.

I was tired. I was so tired. Of the lies. Of my father. Of me.

"Just...go Luke," I whispered out, glaring down at the tiles. "I'll be in the car. Tell them that I got sick or something."

"Maggie—"

I shook my head. "Just do it, okay? Please. "

"Maggie," he sighed out, his face falling. "I don't—"

"Go, Luke," I strengthened my weak voice over. "Just go."

A defeated look crossed his expression. It remained, as did he, until finally, he sighed. Without another word, he turned, and left the bathroom.

I sunk against the wall, fighting back the edge of the tears as they began. They weren't going away just as something else wasn't, either. It was going to get out, and I was going to have to confront it.

My lies.

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Hiya!!

All of my babies are BACKKK!!! I had so much fun writing this chapter!

Okay so, I was gonna wait till Wednesday to post the next chapter, but I can't help myself.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, as well as the next!!🤍😁