Page 24 of Sweet Harmony

“Yeah, well,maybe I finally grew up. Make sure you lock the door when youleave.” She picked up her purse from the table and walked out ofthe kitchen before Gideon could grill her further.

* * *

“Connor?There’s a man here to see you.” Keisha popped her head into thebreak room.

“Who is it?” heasked.

“He wouldn’ttell me his name.” The receptionist shrugged before studying hernails.

He sighed andstuffed his lunch bag back into the fridge before following Keishadown the hall toward reception. His eyes widened and a smile brokeout across his face.

“Lucas!”

He pushed pastthe reception desk and grabbed his best friend in a hard hug. Lucashugged him in return, pounding him on the back before steppingbackward and looking him over. “You’re looking good for an oldman.”

Connor laughed.“What are you doing here?’

“I came downfor the weekend. Ma is throwing a yard sale and threatened to sellall of my childhood stuff if I didn’t come down and sort throughit. Figured I’d stop in and see you before I went home. You gottime for lunch?”

“I do. Give mefive minutes.”

* * *

Lucas took abite of his burger, chewing and swallowing before saying, “Thisburger’s not half bad for a Falls burger. It’s not as good asTed’s, but it’ll do.”

Connor laughed.“Don’t let Nan hear you say that. She’ll kick you out so fast yourhead will spin.”

“Shit, do youmean the infamous Nan that Ted’s been fighting with for the lastthirty years?”

Connor noddedand Lucas shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re eating at Ted’smortal enemy’s diner. If he finds out, you’ll be banned from hisdiner.”

“Nan’s food isso good, I’ll risk it,” Connor said.

“You even goback to Willington anymore?” Lucas asked.

Connor popped afry into his mouth. “What have you heard?”

Lucas grinned.“The shit I’ve heard, buddy… you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Try me,”Connor said.

“My favouriteone is the rumour that you go back every weekend and sit outside ofLisa’s place, playing emo music and crying.”

Connor groanedand Lucas laughed. “It’s better than the one that circulated a fewweeks ago.”

“I’m almostafraid to ask.”

“You should be.That one had you going crazy at work and yanking out some poordude’s teeth without any provocation. You got fired and are nowliving in your mother’s basement in shame.”

“You’re fuckingkidding me.” Connor pushed his plate of food away. “What the hellis wrong with people in Willington?”

Lucas ateanother fry. “They’re bored. Besides, you’re the tragedy that justkeeps giving. You were the town’s golden boy, about to become thebiggest name in Willington since… ever. And then poof… you blowyour knee and lose your baseball career and the girl.”

“I didn’t losethe girl right away.” Connor could hear the edge in his voice. “Shestuck around for another few years.”

“Yeah, well,she was a right bitch to do that. She should never have dragged itout like that, buddy. She made your life miserable.”

“It wasn’t likethat,” Connor said.

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