She threw up her hands exasperated. “Fine.” She said defeated and stalked off towards the house.
“You have something you want to say to me, Leah?” Luke asked calmly as he crossed his arms against his chest and waited for her to reply.
She shook her head. “I think I pretty much summed it up, no?” She cocked her head to the side as she looked at him. “Did I miss something?”
“Cara is right; you don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said evenly.
“Keep telling yourself that, but I see everything clear as day.” She pointed towards him. “You’re the one with foggy glasses.”
“Leah I told you, Jake asked me to look out for her.”
“You’re obsessed with her!” She yelled back and dropped her head to her hands frustrated. “You don’t even see it.” She looked up at him regret clear in her gaze. “I thought it was grief and that maybe I didn’t understand the closeness all of you shared.” She shook her head. “I was wrong.”
“Careful Leah, you’re treading dangerously.” Luke said warningly.
She laughed in his face. “Oh, there is nothing to tread dangerously too. I’m done. I deserve better than standing on the sidelines watching you run around with your tail between your legs over your late brother’s fiancée.” She reached for her purse, slinging it across her shoulder. “You’re the one treading dangerously, Luke. Good Luck with that.” She didn’t even look in his direction before she stormed out of the yard; apparently that was the mantra for the evening.
Luke watched the gate close behind her and he ran his hands through his hair as he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. He heard the kitchen door open and close and he shut his eyes.
“Is what she said true?” Sam asked, unable to help herself she had been eavesdropping.
Luke felt like throwing himself in the pool. He didn’t sign up for the trifecta of women in his life ripping him a new asshole. He turned around and reluctantly faced his sister.
“Luke, is what Leah said true?” She asked again, firmly.
“I don’t know, okay.” He shouted, and watched her eyes widen at his confession, or maybe it was the fact that he honestly didn’t know whether he was coming or going for the first time in his life. Either way, the look in his sister’s eyes was too much for him to bear, too much truth for one night. He walked passed her without another word, he stepped into the house, he was done talking.
Chapter Seventeen
The ride to drop off Cara was painfully silent. Nick tried to coax her into telling him what happened, but it was as if Cara had just shut down. When they arrived at her apartment she jumped out of the car so quickly, that Nick hadn’t had a chance to even say goodbye, or tell her she could call him if she needed him. He made his way back to his apartment trying to get a hold of Luke, by calling him countless times, none of which he bothered to answer.
Nick threw his keys on the kitchen counter before rummaging through his fridge for a drink. He popped open the can of soda and took a sip before setting it down on the counter. He let his mind wander for a moment, trying to figure what had been happening to Luke. In all the years they had been friends, Nick had never seen him so unhinged. Even in the worst of scenarios that had come Luke’s way, he always managed to be in control. Now, whatever had been nipping at him, had him completely spiraling out of control.
A loud knock sounded on his door, shaking his thoughts away. He glanced over at the door, and hoped it was his friend. He opened the door to be pleasantly surprised when he saw Sam standing at the threshold. Nick studied her face and noticed she looked as if she had been crying.
“Can I come in?” She asked softly.
He instantly felt like an ass as he stepped aside and she walked into his apartment. He should’ve pulled her into his arms like he wanted to do instead of gawking at her as she stood in front of him.
“What’s up, are you okay?” He asked, knowing very well she couldn’t be by the look in her eyes. She turned around and those sad blue eyes lit with hope when they found his.
He closed the door behind him, his eyes never leaving hers. “Did something happen, with Luke? Because I’ve been trying to call him since I dropped Cara off.”
Sam shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on with Luke. To be honest, I don’t think he even knows.”