“Hey,” Lucas greeted as he walked through my front door.
“Hey,” I replied, caught off guard that he was at my going away barbeque. “I heard you were in town.”
He nodded. “I’ve been here a few weeks.”
“And yet this is the first time I’m seeing you,” I snidely stated, regretting it immediately. “That’s not fair.”
“I can take it.”
I softly smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “The boys are out back.”
“And Cole?” he asked, a little too harshly.
“Yes.”
“Right…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head. “Not a damn thing, Alex.”
My eyebrows lowered, causing my face to frown. “Doesn’t sound like it.”
“Has he enjoyed you?” he blurted out of nowhere.
I jerked back. “What?”
He chuckled, trying to cover up his abrasiveness. “I just meant have you guys had a great summer? From what I’ve seen it’s been a lot of new things for you. Going to all sorts of places you used to go with me.”
I didn’t understand what he implied. “We’re the same we’ve always been,” I explained.
“Is that right?” he mocked in a condescending tone. “I guess I need to get my eyes checked then.”
“Lucas, what are you—”
“Darlin’, the burgers are ready,” Cole announced, walking in from the back porch. “Lucas,” he groaned. “Nice of you to finally show up.”
“I didn’t get an invitation,” Lucas clarified, only looking at me.
Cole stood next to me with his hands placed in his pockets. “Since when is an invitation needed among friends,” he added.
“Cole—”
“Alexandra leaves tomorrow with me,” he interrupted.
I shut my eyes shaking my head for a few seconds. “And my parents,” I explained.
“Is that right?” Lucas drawled out, again.
“Her apartment is actually really nice, Lucas, it’s not far from mine. Maybe you can come sometime to visit. I’m sure Alex would love to show you the places I plan to show her.”
I glared at him and he innocently smiled, showing off those dimples that I usually loved but wanted to knock off his face at the moment.
“What, darlin’? I’m just being friendly. Isn’t that what you want?”
“I don’t give a fuck if you’re friendly or not, Cole, doesn’t change the fact that I don’t fucking like you.”
“Lucas!” I scolded, looking at him with wide eyes.
“Oh,” he breathed out with a cocked head and an arched eyebrow. “For Cole you give a shit, my how things have changed.”
I took a deep breath and glanced at Cole. “Can you give us a minute?”
“Of course.” He kissed the top of my head and nodded at Lucas. “Always a pleasure.”
“What’s your problem?” I asked when I heard the door shut.
He shrugged. “Nothing, Darlin’.”
“Bo, you know the phone works both ways. I haven’t heard from you all summer. You show up to my graduation and barely talk to me through dinner and then you leave the next day. You expect me to invite you to my going away party? Are you for real?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I hope you’ve had a nice summer and everything you expected from your first…” he hesitated, much to my confusion.
“From your first day in California,” he muttered, but I knew that’s not what he meant to say.
“Where have you been? The boys said they’ve barely seen you.”
“Around.”
“Lily says—”
“Maybe it’s time you stop talking to my baby sister about me.”
“What’s your problem?” I argued. “Why are you talking to me like this?”
“I’m just saying, Alex, you’re going away to college. Big city. New experiences, some you’ve probably already experienced here.”
“Lucas, what are you implying?”
“This isn’t the time or the place.”
“Oh, now it’s not? I always have to march in line with you, don’t I? You push me aside when you want, but I’m here when you need me. I’m like your own personal play toy.”
“Better mine than his.”
I gasped.
“Fuck,” he roared. “I’m sorry.” He stepped toward me and I stepped back.
“I didn’t… I didn’t mean that.” He reached out for me, making me step back further.
“Is this why you came here, Lucas, to hurt me? You haven’t hurt me enough? I’m your own personal punching bag, too?”
“Half-Pint…”
“No!” I stopped him with my hand out in front of me. “You do not get to call me that. Just leave, Lucas. Just leave now. It’s what you do best anyways.”
Now it was his turn to step back from me. “That what you want?” he tested as if he knew I didn’t mean it and I hated him more because of it.
“Yes.”
He nodded, backing away. “Have a great time at school.”
I barely gave him a chance to finish his sentence before I turned around.
And left.