A memory still lingered.
It was a place held in time.
Why did you stay away for so long? Lucas wanted to ask. You loved it here so much, but as soon as you got with Jake, you turned your back on it all. And then eventually, you turned your back on Honey Springs altogether. Why did you end up leaving a place that meant so much to you?
The most important question burned deeper, right at the pit of his gut. It was one that he had tried to dampen for so long but had been ignited recently.
Why did you leave me?
But his questions remained unsaid, lodged in his throat like sharp little bullets that would never go away. He could try and swallow them down, but they would still leave a scar as they tugged at his skin.
‘It’s smaller than I remember, but of course that’s because we are so much taller.’ Willow pulled on his arm, forcing him out of his reverie. ‘Let’s sit and eat there. For old times’ sake.’
‘Sure,’ Lucas said, following her.
‘It’s pretty damp,’ Willow said sniffing. ‘The rain must get through. We might be better sitting outside.’
They clambered on a branch, which groaned a little under their weight. Lucas was no longer the skinny kid that used to sit here easily, and his muscles were causing a bit of pressure. He pulled back.
‘I don’t want to break it,’ he said, unsure.
‘Oh, it’ll be fine. Come on.’ Willow had already sprung up. She was so light and agile. Her brown waves bounced on her shoulders as she moved around in a desperate attempt to encourage him. ‘I’ll help you.’
Lucas eased himself up, with Willow gently pulling on his arm. Her touch was instant warmth. The branch groaned again and dropped dramatically towards the ground as if in surrender. Willow laughed.
‘We certainly aren’t as little as we used to be.’
‘Are you weight shaming me?’ Lucas asked, his eyes gleaming. ‘Because I’m sure that’s a reason to be canceled nowadays.’
‘Not at all.’ Her fingers briefly skimmed his arm, touching the firmness there. He tried to ignore the fizz in his skin as she did this. ‘There’s nothing wrong with your weight.’
‘Really?’ He grinned; he couldn’t help himself.
She blushed immediately and looked away, her fingers springing away from him. ‘I mean … well, you know … I didn’t mean …’
Lucas couldn’t deny he had felt something stir when she touched him. He swallowed hard. He had to distract himself. This was dangerous. ‘Shall we eat?’ he asked, desperate to change the subject.
‘Oreos?’ she suggested.
‘Stop teasing,’ he said, trying to keep his tone casual. ‘Open up your bag and show me what my nutty sister has packed.’
Willow did as she was told. Mia had plainly raided his fridge while his back was turned. There were chips. A selection of cheeses. His apple pie that he’d saved from The Diner and some fruit.
‘We need to save something for Mia,’ Willow said. ‘She’ll probably be back soon and that walk will have tired her out.’
‘Probably. If she doesn’t get lost.’
‘She won’t get lost. She knows her way around, doesn’t she?’
Lucas shrugged. ‘She’s been in New York for years. She’s gotten used to the city. A bit like someone else I know.’
‘Coming back though, I feel like I’ve slipped into my old town ways again.’ Willow laughed. She bit into an apple and wiped her lips. ‘In Seattle, I really thought I didn’t miss this stuff. I thought it was dull, boring. But now …’
‘Now?’ He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
‘Now, I feel like I’m truly me again.’ She stretched out, tipped her chin towards the sky. Her curls danced against her back. ‘I guess I feel freer.’
‘That sounds like something you would read in one of those silly self-help books that Rachel is always reading,’ Lucas grumbled. ‘It doesn’t sound real.’
