Page 134 of A Sky Full Of Stars

When I arrive at Luke’s that night, I slam the door as I walk in, wanting him to know that I’m pissed off. But when it doesn’t create the desired effect, I open it again and slam it with more force, smiling when the crash vibrates through the house.

“What the fuck?” Luke yells from the living room. “Lainey, is that you?”

“Of course it’s me,” I yell back. “Who else would it be—one of your disgruntled one-night stands?”

“What?” Something hits the floor with a bang, and Luke curses before he appears in the hallway, confusion marking his features. “What’s your problem?” he snaps, and the second I see his face, the rage I’ve been trying to mask forces its way to the surface.

“You.” I race forward, pointing a finger at his chest. “You’re my problem.”

“What?” he scoffs, rolling his eyes. “I haven’t—”

“You didn’t think I should know?” I cut him off, not letting him get the upper hand. “Or maybe you didn’t think I’d find out.”

“What are you…” he trails off, and then his eyes widen before he barks out a laugh. “Oh shiiit.”

His response further pisses me off, but I try not to completely lose my cool. Luke knew. For six years, he knew about me and Thomas and said nothing.

“Yeah. Oh shiiit,” I mock, leaning away from him with my hands locked tightly on my hips, trying hard not to punch him.

“Okay, so you heard I know about Thomas,” he says with his signature cocky grin, like it’s no big deal, and I really struggle not to hurt him.

“I did. Question is…why didn’t I hear it fromyou?”

“You were gone.” He throws his hands into the air. “What good would it have done?”

“I deserved to know.”

“You were happy. Youarehappy. Things might have played out differently if I’d told you.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. You’d have asked about him when you called. Begged me to tell you about his life. You wouldn’t have moved on.”

My lips purse as I take in a long, slow breath before releasing it, willing myself to calm down.

“You don’t know that,” I say, my tone significantly lighter. “But even so, I’m back now. Why not mention it when you found out I was working with Summer?”

I’m angry, sure, but deep down, I’m hurt more than anything else.

Luke sighs, and for the first time, I think I see a hint of regret in his features. “I thought it would be better to just let it play out naturally. I mean, you took the job knowing he was moving back so—”

“He’s what?” We didn’t coverthatin our heated conversation.

“He’s moving here. Why do you look shocked right now? I assumed you knew but you didn’t want to mention him to me.”

Jesus. Nope, I had no freaking idea. “Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why is he moving here?”

Luke’s jaw drops, and his brow furrows in genuine confusion. “Have you been living under a rock?”

“Luke, I’ve only been home for a month. Believe it or not, I don’t have tabs on Thomas and his life.”

Luke laughs, but there’s a sadness to it. “That actually surprises me. After all, you’ve had a crush on him since high school.”

I flinch, and my body heats so much I fear it’s going to burn me. “You knew?”Has he ever been honest with me about anything?

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