Page 13 of Hothead

Well, eating isn’t technically an activity, and she’d proved this morning that she could definitely eat.

“Sure, let me get changed and I’ll come up.”

***

Libby was sweet. Shewasn’t an activity person either, so they bonded over that straight away. Libby’s idea of a good time was a quiet night in. Bella totally got it. If she had a man who was looking at her the way Zach was looking at Libby, there’s no way in hell she’d want to leave the house either.

Zach seemed like a nice guy too. Relaxed. Friendly. Open. Not at all like Luke. Bella even had trouble imagining them as friends. They were total opposites.

Stop thinking about Luke.

Right. Easier said than done. Especially when the people she was currently breaking bread with at the Evans’ dining table were eyeing her with the same curiosity and suspicion Luke had. They were doing it a lot more subtly though. Way more politely. But it didn’t change the fact that the reason she was there was the big elephant in the room.

“Okay, I’m gonna ask,” Libby announced, leaving Wade and Zach to shake their heads in disapproval. Figures that she was the only one with balls in the room. “Other than to let Luke know about his brother passing ... what else brings you here? I mean, what are your plans now that you’ve told him?”

Bella swallowed down another sip of her diet soda before she answered, feeling rather uncomfortable under the spotlight as all eyes turned to her.

“Well, Luke’s brother, Marco ... he was my best friend. My only friend, really.”Did you really have to tell them that? Way to sound like a loser.“Anyway, so, as his best friend, it’s kind of my duty to carry out his final wishes, right? Right. So one of those wishes was that I stay on in Woodvalley for a bit after speaking with his brother. So that’s what I’m doing.” She shrugged. “I guess he wanted me to have a vacation.”

That was mostly the truth. Minus the whole promise to keep an eye on Luke and make sure he was okay before leaving. Although, the way everyone was looking at her, you’d think she was trying to convince them all that the Pope wasn’t catholic.

“A vacation?” Zach’s head tilted with the question.

“Yep.”

Libby’s mouth opened as if she was about to ask something else, but she was silenced by the sound of dirt being kicked up outside.

Everyone’s attention whipped to the window, including hers. The car wasn’t very interesting, but the man who stepped out of it managed to quicken her pulse. Luke. A pissed-off-looking Luke.

She was up and out the backdoor before she knew what she was doing. As soon as her boots hit gravel, Luke’s neck twisted her way.

He didn’t look surprised. Or any less pissed.

“Why now?” he shouted, distress marring every wrinkle on his face. “Why wait untilnow?”

She hadn’t realized the others had followed her outside until she heard Wade clear his throat behind her.

“Reign it in, Luke,” Wade warned.

She turned to her host and offered him a placating smile. “It’s okay. Do you mind giving us a minute?”

Wade looked back at Luke and took a moment to consider before eventually nodding. But he didn’t look happy. Zach and Libby didn’t look any happier as they followed suit and left Bella and Luke alone.

Bella’s attention was back on the man in question as soon as the door slammed closed. Rage and despair had morphed into one.

This is why you’re here, remember? You can do this.

Trying not to spook him, she slowly edged forward. When she was confident that he wouldn’t protest, she grabbed his hand and tugged.

“Come on, I think I can help.” Leading him to her car, she opened the passenger side and gestured him in. Shockingly, he didn’t put up a fight.

Slumped into the leather seat, it was only when they were driving through the valley that he actually spoke again. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“I’m pissed.” He felt the need to clarify.

“I noticed.”

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