Page 15 of The Drummer

She shrinks like I hit her.

Dread sinks through me that it’s already too late. Of course she’s fallen for him. They all do.

A sick feeling curdles in my stomach.

“I understand,” she says finally.

Any further response is cut off by Luke’s return. His expression is casual as he rounds the corner, still wiping excess water on his jeans.

“So did I miss anything good?” he asks.

His light tone is strained. His eyes hold the suspicion of someone who knows he was the topic of conversation.

“Nope. In fact we learned you know a lot more about yourself than we do, apparently,” Callie says.

Luke returns a polite smile that means nothing. “Well, since we’re sharing, I learned the third sink in the men’s room doesn’t work.”

An awkward silence falls over us, and we all seem grateful when the server approaches with our food. That exchange was going nowhere good.

Callie’s mouth quirks in a smile as she studies her French toast. The sight releases a vise from around my chest. Her light is freaking infectious.

“I like the powdered sugar. Nice touch,” I say, half-teasing, half-seeking her attention.

She rewards me with a mischievous smile like she knows. “It’s not too much, but just enough to add a hint of sweetness.”

“Exactly. With the syrup, it would have been too sweet if they used any more.”

“It’s incredible, huh, that powdered sugar,” Luke cuts in. “They must have invested a lot of hours perfecting this particular application. Do you think they commissioned a full research study or just went with the classic focus group?”

He crosses a knowing look between us, and a wry smile slips out. “You were talking about me, weren’t you. Of course you were.”

“We care about you,” I say.

“What did he tell you?” he asks Callie. It’s clear from his expression he thinks I betrayed him.

My stomach grinds with anger and resentment. I love the guy, but I’m not a saint. I have limits too. Feelings. A fucking shattered heart and life god knows I’m still piecing back together.

“C’mon, man. Nothing,” I defend.

Callie looks concerned. “Seriously, Luke. Nothing. You have a good friend here.”

“Right… You know, just once it would be nice if people stopped treating me like a mental patient,” Luke spits out.

“Then maybe you should stop acting like one,” I fire back.

Luke shoots me a glare.

“Yeah? Well, I don’t remember asking you to stop in and check up on me. I don’t want you guys dropping in on me because I don’t need a nurse.”

He can’t be serious.

“Check up on you?I’m not checking up on you! You’re my best friend,my brother!And I thought I was yours. Sorry if I’m supposed to be okay with you just disappearing from my life, but I’m not!”

“You know what? This was obviously a mistake.”

“What? Becoming human again for five minutes?”

My fists clench around the napkin in my lap, but it does nothing to temper the simmering anger starting to boil over. I shove it back down with a long breath.

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