We settle in to watch an episode, finishing our food in relative silence. We’re halfway through an episode when he starts getting fidgety, shifting back and forth, tapping his fingers on his thighs, and moving his toes under the blankets.
I pause the show and catch his attention. “What’s up, Luc?”
He nibbles on his bottom lip before sighing. “I want to go back outside. To the woods. I think I need to… Fuck. I just—I don’t know. I need to see it during the day, I think. Convince myself it’s just trees and dirt. Not Damien.”
I think that makes sense. “Want some company?”
Luca snaps his attention to me. “Really?”
“Why not?” I shrug. Plus, I really don’t want a repeat of last night. “I could use some fresh air.”
He gives me a single resolute nod, then tosses the blankets off himself. He still doesn’t have a jacket yet, and dammit, I need to get on that, but for now, he can use mine. I grab a hoodie off the floor and pull it over my head, then go get my jacket and hold it out to him.
“I don’t want to take your jacket,” he says, shaking his head.
I lift his arm and drape the jacket over it. “You need it. I’m fine. But we do need to go get you one soon.”
“Fine.” He sighs but puts the jacket on without further protest, then we step out the front door together. “I really need a job. I can’t have you buying stuff for me forever.”
I hum. “Remember that summer you convinced Ma it wasn’t fair to ground me since it was basically grounding you, so she took my allowance for the whole summer instead?”
“Yeah?” Luca says, voice lilting in confusion.
“You paid for my ice cream and all my candy that entire summer. I think I owe you one. Get a job because you’re ready and you want one. Not because you think it’s some burden for me to buy you a jacket. I really don’t mind.”
He grumbles under his breath, then follows me out the front door. It’s unseasonably cold for this time of year, but it’s pretty—the sun shining and the birds singing.
We walk across the yard in silence. Luca’s steps become more hesitant as we approach the tree line, but he takes a deep breath and keeps pushing. This’ll be good for him, I think. Being able to confront his fears safely. Being able to prove to himself that Damien won’t be able to find him here.
Slipping into the trees, we continue walking side by side. It’s quiet today. Just birds and the crunch of our feet over the leaves. Peaceful. I haven’t done as much exploring here as I probably should, but then again, I’ve had no reason to.
“He’s not here,” Luca says, stopping and looking around.
“No,” I agree. “He’s not here.”
He kicks at the dirt with the toe of his shoe. “I don’t know why I thought he was.”
I bump his shoulder with mine. “It’s probably normal. Your mind playing tricks on you.”
“Yeah.” Luca sighs. “Well, it’s cold, so we can go back.”
I nod, gesturing for him to lead the way. When we step into the clearing, Luca turns his head, his gaze falling on the gazebo. “When we first got here, I thought that might be a cool place to write.”
I smile at that. I love the idea of him writing again. “That would be nice.”
He snorts a humorless laugh. “I’m pretty sure Damien killed all the creativity in me.”
“You’ll get it back, Luca,” I whisper.
It’s only been a couple of weeks. I think he needs to get out of the house more. Explore the town. Reacquaint himself with his roots. I don’t think Damien stole his creativity from him. I don’t think that fucker has enough power to do that. “You should come with me to dinner at my parents’ on Sunday. I know they’d love it.”
Luca hesitates for a second but finally nods. “Yeah, that would be nice.”
Chapter 12
Luca
Walkinginthefrontdoor of Deb and Art’s house feels like coming home. It’s always smelled like cinnamon and apples, and today is no exception. The dimly lit living room hasn’t changed at all. Same worn-out couch, same well-loved recliner in front of the TV. That’s gotten an upgrade, though. The last time I was here, it was still a big box TV. I guess Art finally decided to join the land of technology and upgrade.
