Page 55 of Summoning my Grumpy Demon Boss

Mia

Luke goes quiet when I mention going home. I know I’ve upset him and I can’t think of a single thing to say that will make it better. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back to Kraken Cove. I’ve already taken almost all my annual leave for this year and all my flex days.

The fact is, I need money. My parents might be wealthy, but any money they’ve given me is tied up in the apartment. They don’t believe in giving anyone a free ride. Not even me. They’ve always wanted me to work hard, to learn what it’s like. Up until now, I always appreciated that, even if it meant it gave them more control over my life.

Luke parksin the driveway and gets out to open my door for me.

“Thanks.”

“For what?” I get out of the truck, and he shuts the door behind me.

“For being there for me. For having my back even when I thought I didn’t need it. I did.” I fumble for my keys in my handbag so I don’t have to look at him. My vision is blurry from the tears I’m not going to shed over Oliver.

His hand gently tilts my chin so I have to look. “Hey, I will always be here for you. Always. No matter what.”

I bury my face in his chest and his big arms hug me tight. “Why is he being such a jerk about this? I thought I knew him. I thought our history would mean something.” I sniff and tell myself to stop crying. I can’t though.

Luke strokes my hair. “Maybe it just hit him what he’s lost. ’Cause I can tell you he’ll never find anyone better.”

“That’s not true.”

“It’s true, and he’s a fucking idiot for not seeing it sooner. For not telling you every bloody day. He didn’t deserve you.”

I wipe my eyes and look up into Luke’s handsome face. “I wish I didn’t have to go. I wish I could stay here forever and never deal with any of this.”

He nods. His jaw is tight, but his tone is soft. “I wish you could stay, too, but I get it. There’s one thing, though.”

I frown. “What?”

“I’m coming with you.”

My mouth drops open. “Oh! You don’t have to do that.”

He shakes his head. “I do and I am. You won’t convince me otherwise. I can get a motel, and you don’t have to see me if it’stoo much, but I want you to know that I’m right there if you need me.”

“Oh, Luke!” I’m crying again. Just when I thought I’d got a hold of myself. He holds me and acts like I’m not being a massive drama queen. He leans back against the truck and lets me cry it out until I’m finished.

What on Earth did I do to deserve a guy like this? It makes me wonder how I ever thought Oliver could be the one.

“Come on. Let’s get you inside and get you a cup of tea and something to eat. You didn’t eat at Coral Breeze, did you?” Luke keeps his arm around me as we walk to the front door and I let us in. There’s not much to pack, really. A couple of things I had with me and some dirty clothes. Somehow it doesn’t feel like going home, though. It feels just the opposite.

I’m glad Luke’s coming with me. I don’t want to go back to the apartment Oliver and I share, and I can’t face staying with Mum and Dad either. Not until I’ve sorted out what I’m going to tell them. Which I have to do. Oh, God. It feels like dealing with another break up all over again when I think about how they’ll react to me ending things with Oliver. It has to be done, though. I’m so glad Luke is in my corner. There’s only one other person in the world who has my back like that.

By the time Luke’s made me a cup of tea and I’ve shoved my things in a bag, I’ve decided what to do. Picking up my phone, I call Tegan.

“Hey Teegs.”

“Hey!” Her tone is too bright, like she somehow knows I’ve just been crying and she’s already trying to cheer me up.

“I’m heading back to Sydney today.”

“You’re not going back to him!” My best friend practically shouts this and I have to hold the phone away from my ear for a moment.

“No, I’m not. So I need somewhere to stay, and I don’t want to stay with Mum and Dad.”

“Say no more. My spare room is all yours. You know you don’t even have to ask, right?”

I smile. “Yeah. I know. But I thought I’d better check this time, because... I’m bringing someone with me.”

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