Luca’s shoulders drop in what looks like relief, and Hunter clears his throat. “I’m making grilled cheese, Luc. You want some?”
“Sure, but don’t tell Austin I cheated on his.” He pulls out a chair and sits down at the table. “God, I haven’t been here in forever. How’s your mom?”
Hunter starts pulling out more bread and cheese. “She’s good. She’s at her book club right now. She’s really enjoyin’ that.”
Luca hums. “Deb is doing that too. She really likes it. Told me she wanted to put my book in the lineup when it’s done. That’s not happening.”
“Why not?” I ask, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from him.
Drumming his fingers on the table, Luca smirks. “One of my notes before I started writing was literally ‘everyone gets big dicks in fiction.’” Hunter and I both start laughing, and Luca nods. “See. Not something I want the town moms to be reading.”
“I’d imagine it’s not,” Hunter says.
“So, how are things?” Luca asks, directing his attention to me.
My stomach flips nervously. “They’re okay now. Was rough there for a second.”
He nods sympathetically. The only information he’s gotten was that I was in town and staying for a while. He doesn’t knowabout my depression or my eviction or my inability to keep a job. I’m not super thrilled about telling him, but I know I need to.
He literally showed up here just to talk to me. That means something.
“I’ve had a rough few years, but especially a rough couple of months.”
Hunter turns, placing a plate in front of me and then one in front of Luca. “Enjoy. I’m gonna go eat in my room.”
“No, hey,” I say, shaking my head. “You don’t have to do that. It’s okay.”
“I just wanna give you privacy to get through your talk. If you need me, I’ll be right here.” He glances at Luca. “You’re in good hands, though.”
I probably should have this talk without him. I want Luca to be free to share what’s on his mind, and if Hunter’s here, he might not feel like he can.
He starts to walk past me, and I catch his arm, stopping him. When he looks down at me, I tilt my head back and purse my lips. His eyebrows draw together, but then understanding lights up his features, and he leans over to kiss me.
It’s grounding, and it reminds me that I’m not alone. That he’s here for me. It’s also a pretty good reminder that he’s in this with me, considering Luca is right there and he didn’t even hesitate.
It’s not a long kiss, just a quick peck, but when he pulls back and leaves the room, Luca’s staring at me with his jaw on the floor.
“Whoa. I missed a few things.” I nearly laugh. A lot, actually. But that stops now. “How did you two get…there?”
He’s smirking now, and something warms in my chest. I wonder if this is what it’s like to have friends. People who care about you and who want to be updated on your life.
“It’s a long story,” I say, rubbing the side of my neck.
Luca’s eyes widen. “Oh my God, you’re blushing right now.”
Am I? I cover my cheeks with my hands, but that just makes Luca laugh. “Oh my God. This is so great.”
I can’t stop myself from smiling. Smiling used to be so hard for me. It doesn’t feel like that anymore. Not in the same way. “It is.”
I blow out a breath, and Luca sobers.
The grilled cheese doesn’t even look good anymore, and I push my plate away, not at all surprised when Luca does the same.
“So,” I start, “I have depression. I have for a very long time. It’s hard to say if it was during Damien or after, because when I was with him… Well, you know.”
Luca nods. “I do.”
“Anyway, it’s always been this roller coaster for me. I’ll be okay for a while, but it never lasts, and then I’m right back at the bottom. It’s exhausting. It’s hard to live or talk to people or, hell, even work.” I snort a humorless laugh.
