Page 133 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

Before she could answer, Lucas’s voice cut through the silence. “What are you doing here?”

Juliette put her finger over her lips, shushing Seeley. She knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help it.

“Checking on you. I’m worried about you. What do you think I’m doing here?” Layla snapped. “You haven’t answered my texts in over a week, and you’re avoiding me at school. If you don’t like me anymore, and you don’t want to go to the dance, then tell me to my face.” Her voice escalated. “Don’t hide behind your stupid phone or pretend you don’t see me at the other end of the hall. You told me your heart was mine forever. If you didn’t mean it, that’s fine.”

Juliette grabbed Seeley’s arm, aching for them.

“But I meant it when I gave you mine,” Layla fumed. “If you’re pushing me away because you’re sick and you’re scared, don’t. I want to be with you whether you’re sick or not. If you only have a week or a month or a year, I want to spend it with you. So please just be honest. Look me in my eyes and tell me if you’re done with me, and I’ll give you your mom’s necklace back.” There was a beat of silence. “Here. Take it.”

“Holy shit,” Seeley whispered. “He gave her our necklace?”

Juliette shushed him again. She peeked around the corner and saw Layla holding out her hand with the necklace in her palm.

“I don’t want it back,” Lucas said angrily. “When a Whiskey gives his heart away, it’s forever.”

Seeley put his arm around Juliette, drawing her back against his chest, and kissed the top of her head.

“Then what do you want?” Layla asked a little softer.

“You,” Lucas snapped. “Us. The way we were. Without cancer, or a port in my chest. I just want to be a normal kid and hang out with you without worrying about if I’m going to feel too sick or too tired to hang out. You don’t need that shit in your life. You can have any guy you want. It’s not fair for you to be with someone like me.”

“My cousin was right. Boys are stupid,” Layla said exasperatedly. “You’re the only someone I want, Lucas. I get that having cancer sucks, but I’m not going anywhere. I read about what you have, and you’re going to get better. But if you get sicker along the way, you can rest your head in my lap, and if you’re tired, you can sleep and we’ll see each other when you’re not too tired. I’m made from hearty stock, whether I’m a Braden by blood or not. And if you think I’ll get bored or whatever, then know this. I’d rather have time to get bored with the boy I love than no time with him at all.”

She thrust her palm with the necklace in it toward him. “It’s your call. What’s it going to be?”

Juliette held her breath as Lucas looked at the necklace.

His brows slanted, his face a mask of pain. “It’s not even a question for me.” He took the necklace out of her hand, his head bowed, eyes downcast.

Layla’s shoulders sank, a pained sound falling from her lips.

Tears welled in Juliette’s eyes, and Seeley held her tighter.

“I’m sorry,” Lucas said quietly but emphatically, and finally met her gaze. “I never meant to hurt you.” He lifted the necklace between his finger and thumb, the charm dangling. He took the chain in both hands, ducking his head a little as he held it open wider, to put it on, but then he slipped it over Layla’s head and said, “Fair warning, I might lose my hair.”

She half laughed, half cried, and threw her arms around him. “You’ll still be the hottest boy in school.”

“Yay!” Juliette exclaimed, and the kids spun around, wide eyed. She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Ohmygod. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

“Yes, she did,” Seeley said at the same time Lucas said, “Yes you did.”

Layla laughed, and then embarrassment pinked up her cheeks. “I can’t believe you heard all of that. I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

“I’ve already forgotten it,” Juliette said, wiping her tears.

“I haven’t,” Seeley said. “It was beautiful, Layla. Lucas is a lucky guy.”

“I am lucky.” Lucas laced his fingers with Layla’s and said, “But she did call me stupid.”

“You were being stupid,” Layla insisted.

Seeley laughed. “That’s a rite of passage, buddy. All teenagers are stupid sometimes. Girls and boys.”

“It’s true,” Juliette said. “That’s why God makes teenagers cute, so when your egos get in the way, there’s a little something keeping your friends close.”

“Now that the romantic crisis is over, is anyone hungry?” Seeley asked.

“I am,” Lucas said. “Want to stay for dinner, Layla?”