Page 45 of Broken Promises

After our shower, which took much longer than expected, we returned to my mom’s house. Before we left for whatever Lukehad planned, I wanted to make sure she was fine, and that Ed could check in on her in case she needed anything. And I needed something other than a white top and jean shorts to wear.

As Luke’s truck approached my childhood home, my gaze was instantly drawn to an unfamiliar car. My heart dropped to my stomach, and the worst possible scenarios roamed in my mind right away. Did something happen to my mom?

God, I’ll never forgive myself if she got hurt again and I wasn’t there,I frantically thought.

“Luce…” Luke called out, but his voice was a silent echo. He had barely pulled his truck up, and I had already hopped out of the door and ran towards the front porch. My heart raced wildly in my chest, threatening to shatter into a million pieces at any point.

Please, be okay,I silently pleaded. Things had just started looking up, and I couldn’t handle even just the thought of everything falling apart again. My eyes started to well up as I slowed down, only for my gaze to set on a familiar figure.

“Jason?” I called out, just to make sure. It couldn’t be him. What kind of a fever dream would I have to be trapped in for him to actually come to Port-Cartier?

When he turned around, my worst suspicions had been brought to life. He was dressed in his usual attire—sweatpants and a white T-shirt, though his hair and stubble were long overdue for some trimming.

“Luce…” He exhaled in relief. Behind me, Luke had caught up with my steps and was now standing by my side. My mom was fine, thankfully, but I was about to have a very uncomfortable encounter.

“What the hell are you doing here?” The words slipped from my lips before I could think them through. I couldn’t believe his audacity. Not only had he cheated, but he also had the balls toshow up here for whatever ridiculous reason he had scrambled up in his mind. “Did Sarah come to visit, too?”

Jason’s eyes darted between Luke and me. I figured he was wondering who Luke was—if it was the same guy he heard over the phone. I decided it was none of his damn business.

“Sarah and I broke up. That’s why I’m here. I fucked up. Massively. I know it. But that mistake made me realize how much I care about you. How much I need you in my life. Nothing has been the same since you left…and now I see what I lost. So, I’ve come here to fix my mistakes and beg you to come back home to me.”

“You’re in for a rough awakening, buddy,” Luke said beside me. I appreciated that he didn’t try to intervene—too much, at least. “She’s not coming back home to you.”

“Who the fuck are you? This is between Luce and me,” Jason challenged him, stepping forward. The way his testosterone could rise in a matter of seconds was one of his most unattractive flaws. A few words were all it took for him to try to start a fight. Luke remained calm beside me.

“I’m Lucy’s boyfriend,” he said coldly. His hand rested on my back. “And I suggest you get in your car and leave before things get ugly.”

Jason laughed, but it was the manic kind in the most unstable way, prompting me to take a step back. I was thankful Luke was by my side if things took a turn for the worse.

“She wouldn’t move on from me so quickly. We have a life together—an apartment. And we were happy. This was just a bump on the road, but I’m here to fix all of it.” Now, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m not letting you go. I can’t. I love you. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Months ago, I would’ve given anything to hear those words from him. Now, they didn’t affect me in any way, shape or form.I just wanted him gone so I could go on with my life. “We had a life together. But you messed it up and?—”

“Because you were distant! Because that’s what you do. You get distant when things get real!”

My expression scrunched in confusion. I thought he would’ve gotten more rise out of me. If Sailor had been here, she likely would’ve punched him. But I was…oddly calm.

“Jason,” I said, my tone more serious now. “Really, I appreciate you coming all the way out here, but I’m not interested in working things out with you. I’m happy with my life as it is.” The heartbreak on his face deepened with each word that left my mouth. “I’m not coming back. I don’t love you anymore.” I wasn’t sure I ever did. Not in the way I loved Luke.

“But you got my flowers…and my note. I explained myself in the note,” he insisted. “Haven’t you seen it? It all makes sense…”

“I never read the note. There wasn’t any need to because my mind was made. I’m not going back. What’s done is done. And really, I wish you all the best…as long as it’s far away from me.” I could honestly tell him that. After so much pain and hurt, I was healed and genuinely wanted him to live the best life possible. Life finally felt good, and I wasn’t about to jeopardize that in any way. Luke lowered his hand, and I gently let my fingers find his. None of this healing would’ve been possible without him.

Jason scoffed, shaking his head. “I see now it was a mistake to come here…to think you’d actually want to fix something once in your life. You’re the cold, distant bi?—”

Before he could finish the words, Luke released my hand and took a few threatening steps forward. He towered over Jason, his posture tense.

“You better fucking think twice about finishing that sentence,” he warned Jason. Luke didn’t swear often, so his words carried additional weight. Not that Jason knew it. “I won’t tolerate you speaking that way about her. I suggest you leave.”

Jason didn’t budge. Instead, he continued to stare at Luke with that same daring look. “You think you know her, but I promise you, you don’t.” Jason finally stepped back. “She’s only going to fuck you up. But, by the time you realize it, it will be too late. So, good luck to you, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Jason pushed past Luke, heading straight to his sports car. He started the engine with a roar and then sped down the street. Just like that, he was out of my life…hopefully, for good. I watched the empty street for a moment longer, still trying to comprehend what just happened before I finally turned to Luke.

When I did, something was different in his eyes. I couldn’t figure out what it was, but it terrified me.

“Luke?” I questioned softly, looking for an explanation for his demeanor change.

“Flowers and notes, Luce? And you didn’t think to tell me about any of it?” His voice radiated hurt that I wanted to soothe more than anything else. The flowers and the note had been so damn irrelevant that I didn’t give them a second thought, but I could see how it may come across to Luke.

---