I sighed and gave him another handful. “My whole life is out of the ordinary right now. But nothing scary or threatening. I had a wrong-number call earlier, that’s it,” I added after swallowing a mouthful of cookie goodness.
“Just be aware. Let me or Cade know if anything freaks you out. Even if you think it’s your imagination” Cade nodded his agreement.
“Okay, Dad.” The power of the Oreos started to wear off as I worried that I hadn’t imagined the light in the backyard.
Chapter 7
Luke
After texting Lily, I set my phone down with my heart soaring. All I needed was a real chance and it looked like I had one. I picked the phone back up when my text notification went off.
Rose:Are you coming tonight?
Luke:Meet you there.
Rose and I had always been close; she’d been my best friend growing up, just like Lily. But there had never been anything romantic between us, ever. I used to wonder how I could find Lily so sexy and irresistible and Rose so... not. Rose wasn’t even like a sister to me. I had always imagined her more like what a brother would be. She was always in my face with a joke, we teased each other, and watched football together. But as an only child, I could never know for sure.
She was the first of her family to visit me when Igot back to town, full of suspicion but willing to listen. Sometimes I took Rocky and met her at the Sweetbriar High School track for a run. I parked my truck next to her VW Bug and got out, Rocky bounding out behind me. He loved Rose, but he loved running the track even more.
“Did you text her like I said?” she asked without preamble.
“Hello, Rose,” I deadpanned.
She rolled her eyes and bent to pet Rocky. “Yeah, yeah, hi. So, did you?” she demanded. “You’re the best boy, yes you are.” She baby-talked him and scratched behind his ears. Then she sat down and let him crawl over her and lick her face.
I had to ask, even though it made me feel like we were back in high school. “Did she talk about me at dinner?” At least our location was appropriate.
“Of course she did. But I can’t tell you anything about that. Me and you are besties, but as my identical twin, she outranks you. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her anything about you either.” She mimed turning a lock over her lips and smirked. “Did you text her?”
“Yes, I’m meeting her tomorrow morning at Violet’s.”
“Ouch, you’ll have to wake up early for that.”
“Worth it. All right, let’s go.” She got up and we took off, the evening breeze cool against my face as we ran. As always, Rocky had a hard time staying by my side. He wanted to go faster than I was able to. I was supposed to keep my pace at a light jog due to my injured back and he wanted to sprint.
“She’s having a hard time. Obviously.” Rose huffed as we rounded the track for the second time. I was appreciative for the information, but I already knew she would be struggling.
“Yeah. I know how she is. Or how she used to be, anyway.” Lily had always been a worrier and an over-analyzer. I used to be the one to unwind her and help her relax. I hated that I was now one of the sources of her stress.
“Oh, she’s totally the same. You should have seen her at Mom’s snack platters. And how areyoudoing? Spill.” As kids,Rose had never been the type of friend to push for information, but that had changed during the time I was gone. She was up in my face to talk to her every time we got together. I didn’t mind it though. I was happy she cared enough to pry, and it felt good to get things off my chest with someone who I had known forever.
“I don’t know how to feel like this anymore. It’s been a long time” I wasn’t trying to be cryptic. Being cryptic around Rose got her curiosity piqued. I sped up, as if I could outrun my answer to her question so she wouldn’t press for more details.
“Feel like what?Gah!Slow down, you’re running too fast. My legs are too short to keep up with you, damn it.”
I stopped short, earning myself a look from Rocky. “Sorry. Uh, well, I hadn’t been home in so long. Everything is so different now. My dad isn’t around anymore to give me shit. The house is different... I feel different about everything.”
She caught up and stopped next to me, huffing and puffing as she rested her hands on her knees. “Good. Your dad was a dick. Fuck him. I mean, I’m sorry he’s dead and all that, but he was a total asshole to you after your mom died.”
Her familiar words shot right into my heart, reminding me of when we were kids and she and Lily would comfort me after one of my dad’s ranting outbursts about how much I disappointed him. It was always Lily with hugs and soft words, and Rose making jokes to make me laugh while she cursed him. I turned away, not ready to feel this vulnerable. I had spent years burying my feelings; being back home was driving them all to the surface and sometimes it was too much.
“Hey, it’s okay, Luke.” She took my hand. I squeezed it gently, grateful for her support. “I’m done with running, let’s get tacos at the food trucks.”
I glanced at her, grateful for lightening the mood. “This is why I like running with you. Liam never wants to quit for tacos.” We started back toward the parking lot.
“Dude, he is so ripped, it’s crazy. I can’t live like that. I need tacos—they’re necessary for stress relief. Nobody realizes how hard being a kindergarten teacher really is. It’s not all coloring and sing-a-longs. I’ve seen some shit, Luke.”
“I believe it. I saw how much energy Dylan had when they were at my place.”
