Luke

"I'm worried about her, Brooke. I've never seen her like that. What the hell could've happened?" I asked, pacing around in front of our cars in the parking lot.

Brooke shook her head slowly, her black hair swishing from side to side. "I don't know... the only time I've seen her that upset was after James..."

"I guess we should leave her alone until she's ready to talk... right?" I asked, looking to Brooke for answers. This was a social situation I'd never dealt with before.

"Right. She needs time to process – whatever it was that happened. She'll come to us when she's ready." Brooke reached out and put her hand on my cheek. "Let's go get something to eat. Okay?"

I nodded. "Fine." But I wasn't hungry. I was worried.

Ten minutes later, we were in a booth at Whataburger. We had ordered burgers and cheese fries to share, but neither of us ate much. We just picked at our food and stared at our phones, waiting for any word from Rachel or Miles.

Beep.

I snatched my phone from the table and read the message, holding the phone so Brooke could see too.

Hey Luke, where are you?

At Whataburger on Back Beach Rd. Where are you?

Coming that way. Don't move.

All right.

I looked up at Brooke. "They're coming here."

"Oh God," she said, tossing back her Dr. Pepper like it was a shot of liquor.

I had to laugh.

***

The bell on the door dinged as Rachel and Miles came through, Miles stopping at the counter and Rachel making her way to us, looking absolutely exhausted.

She slid into the booth next to me and smiled weakly. "He's getting me a milkshake," she said, gesturing toward Miles.

"Well, you deserve one after all that crying," I said, putting my arm on the back of the seat and shifting so I was facing her.

She fidgeted uncomfortably and refused to meet my eyes.

Miles walked up then, sitting next to Brooke and pushing the milkshake in Rachel's direction. She picked it up gratefully and immediately began to sip. We sat in silence for a few minutes until Brooke couldn't take it anymore.

"Will someone please say something!?" she blurted, making Miles jump out of his skin next to her.

"Damnit, Brooke..." he said, taking his baseball cap off and running his hand through his hair. I idly noticed that he hadn't even taken the time to change out of his uniform.

"Did you tell my mom and dad where I was?" Rachel asked.

I nodded. "I told them and my parents that we were going out to celebrate. They didn't ask any questions."

"Good. I don't want them to worry," Rachel said, continuing to sip on her milkshake.

Brooke clicked her tongue. "Well, I was more wanting some clarification regarding Rachel's meltdown at the field."

Rachel glared at her. "Shut up, Brooke."

Brooke reached over and took her hand. "I'm sorry, Rach. I was just kidding... you know... trying to lighten this incredibly heavy and awkward lunch we're having here."

Rachel smiled tightly. "I know. It's okay, Brookie." She took a deep breath. "But really... Miles and I discussed it, and we can't tell you, Luke. You need to talk to your dad."

My mouth dropped. "Wait a minute. You're telling me you told Miles about it, whatever it is, and now you can't tell me? Seriously?"

"Luke, stop. It was my decision, not hers. You need to go home and talk to your dad. Please," Miles said.

I was absolutely mystified. "Guys. What the hell is going on?"

Miles sat back and kept his lips closed. Rachel looked down at the table, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Fine," I said, nudging Rachel so I could get out of the booth. "I'm going." I looked at Miles as I stood next to the booth. "Miles?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you go with me?"

Miles glanced at Rachel and she nodded.

"Yeah... I'll go." He stood up, pulled Rachel to her feet and kissed her until it looked like her knees were going to buckle.

"Come on, Romeo," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Brooke, here are my keys. I'll ride with Miles," I said, placing them in her hand and kissing her forehead.

"Okay..." Brooke was as confused as I was, but when she smiled at me, I felt my insides melt just a little. Whatever this was, it couldn't be that bad if I still had her.

***

When we got home, I looked over at Miles as he put the Jeep in park. "Miles, can you give me any sort of hint of what's going on here? Can you prepare me at all?"

He shook his head. "I can't, Luke. It's not my place. Let's just go in, okay?"

I sighed. "Fine."

"Mom? Dad?" I called as we walked into the living room.

"On the deck!" I heard my dad call through the open window.

When we stepped out on the deck and I saw the look on my dad's face, I knew that he had been expecting me – and this talk we were about to have.

"Hey Luke, Miles," Dad said, gesturing toward the two open seats around the table.

"How was lunch?" Mom asked, averting her gaze from mine.

"Awkward, actually," I said, deciding to just jump right in. "Something happened at the baseball game. And I need to know what it was."

Mom and Dad exchanged glances. "How do you know about – "

Miles cut in. "Rachel overheard it... and panicked. Luke found her and she didn't want to tell him..."

Dad swallowed. "Did she tell you?"

Miles nodded, looking at his lap.

Dad sighed, a deep, desperate sound from deep within him. A whimper escaped Mom's throat. What the hell is going on?

"Luke," Dad began, turning toward me and taking one of my hands in his. "This is something we never, ever wanted to have to tell you. But I guess we should've known this day would eventually come."

"Dad, what is it? Are you sick? Mom?" My stomach flipped.

He shook his head. "No. No. It's not like that, I – we – "

Miles stood up. "I think I'm going to go inside," he said uncomfortably.

"No!" I exclaimed, grabbing his wrist. "Stay out here, please, Miles."

He sighed and sat down reluctantly, crossing his leg so his ankle rested on his knee.

Dad cleared his throat. "There is no easy way to say this."

"Just say it, Dad. Please."

"Luke, I'm not your father," Dad said.

No way. No fucking way. He has to be fucking kidding me. "Nice Star Wars joke, Dad, but seriously. What's going on?"

Miles sighed. "He's not kidding, Luke."

"He has to be. He has to be because if he isn't my father, who is?" I asked frantically.

"William is your father, Luke."

Bile rose in my throat. "No." I looked from Miles to Dad to Mom. They were serious.

"I'm so sorry, Lucas," Dad started, but I held up my hand.

"No. You don't get to say that to me, Adam," I seethed, knowing I was being cruel. But at the moment I didn't give two shits.

"Lucas, don't talk to your father that way," Mom said, and I laughed coldly.

"My father?" I looked around with exaggerated puzzlement. "I don't see William anywhere."

The tears that had been threatening to spill out of my mom's eyes poured over her cheeks.

"Luke, please don't do that," she begged.

I stood up, feeling the rage and misery rise within me. "Mom, how dare you? How could you sleep with William and cheat on Dad?" At the horrified look on her face, I continued. "Or are you going to tell me next that you're not my mother?"

She opened her mouth and closed it again, unable to speak.

"You don't understand, Luke," Dad started, but I shook my head.

"I don't want to understand. I don't want to hear it. Both of you have betrayed me. My entire fucking life has been a lie!" I shouted.

Miles stood up and put his hand on my shoulder. "Luke, you should stop before you say something you're going to regret."

I spun around and faced him. "Miles, whose side are you on?"

"Yours. But I know what it's like to say some hurtful shit you wish you could take back," he said pointedly. I took a deep breath. I knew he was right.

"Fine," I muttered, turning back to face my parents. "I'm done with this conversation right now."

Mom looked like she wanted to protest, but Dad put his hand on hers and nodded. "I understand, son."

Tears filled my eyes. "Don't call me that."

I stormed inside, Miles at my heels.