Lucas

Did this girl do track? I've never seen someone run as fast as she did down the stairs and out the front door to get away from me.

She shoved past her dad without a word and ran straight for her car without shoes on. I made it to the bottom of the stairs with enough time to realize she didn't even grab her keys. She can't go anywhere.

She's just sitting there.

Why? What the hell did I do? I thought she wanted this.

"Lucas?" Tom comes up from behind me and shuts the door, closing me off from her. "I see you took my advice and threw it in the trash."

"Huh?" I need to talk to her. I don't have time for whatever this is.

He puts a hand to my chest, stopping me. "Lucas, I realize you're not used to dealing with smart women or ones with a slight sense of morality, but judging by the way she ran outside without shoes on or any coherent thought, you screwed up."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I know he's my boss and her father, but even he said he wouldn't be against this.

"I told you to get yourself together before you end up screwing things up again. In the last twenty-four hours did you get rid of your pest problem?"

It takes a minute to realize he means Kat. "No."

"And did she and her longtime friend-turned-boyfriend break up?"

I don't have an answer for him.

"Be her friend first, Lucas. If you're serious, she'll see that. Clean up your house and be there for her. If things don't work out with Ted, make your move. Just don't take twenty years to ask her out."

"I'm supposed to wait for her to leave Ted?"

"At this point, he's the safer option, Lucas. You can't play for both teams and expect to win either way. Make your choice and stick to it. If you're hanging on to that spoiled brat, Allie won't bite. I told you this already."

Yes, Tom is right, but it's just bothering me why he takes issue with Katrina. I'm not entirely sure how they know one another. "Why, exactly, do you hate Kat's family?"

Tom's face changes color before my eyes. "Because that man thinks he can get away with whatever the hell he wants. He and that wife of his look down on everybody like they're the king and queen of this town, and that rotten little child of theirs is following that same sense of entitlement."

I never had that experience with them. Her parents are snobby, but they've always been fine with me. "Are you sure about that, Tom? I know Katrina is spoiled, but—"

"That man can veer off the highway, for all I care. You won't change my mind. I would have thought you either had more sense than to associate with the likes of that family or be able to influence the brat, but you've successfully buried your head in the sand. I understand you and the daughter are whatever you are, but my daughter is nothing like her. Make your choice and stick to it."

But I did. It's Allie. I thought that was what was happening upstairs. "I need to go. Jadon's asleep in his bed." I slip my shirt back on and grab my keys by the door. Tom doesn't say anything when I walk out the door, but I know he's watching. His eyes feel like knives in my back right now.

She's sitting inside of her car talking on the phone when I tap on the window. "Shit!" She jumps and sees me while her hand clutches her chest. "Charity, I'll call you back."

She takes deep breaths with her eyes closed and opens the door. "Lucas, I can't talk right now. I need a minute. That was wrong and we should—"

"I'm leaving Kat."

She freezes and her eyes widen. "What?"

"I'm not going to stay with her. I understand you're with Ted, but I'm here. Whenever you decide what you want, I'll be waiting. Until then, I'd like to be your friend."

Her mouth drops open and I hold up a finger when she moves to speak. "I won't push you. I'll settle for friendship if that's all you want." Bullshit. I will outdo anything Ted does. "I mean, I want to be your friend if that's okay with you." I'll be a better friend than Ted ever was.

What a stupid name. Ted. What's that short for, anyway? Teddy?

"Lucas," she shakes her head with exasperation, "I can't do this right now. I just need—"

"To figure it out. I understand. I'm just going to take a step back," I physically take slow steps back and toward my truck. I have no idea what I'm doing, but it seems to work since her shoulders are visibly relaxing.

I've never had to pursue a girl before, so I'm winging this right now. "See? We'll figure it out, okay?" It's going to work, I just don't know how, exactly.

She glowers at me, but it's cute. "Lucas."

I flash her a confident smile. "Have a good night, Allie. I'll talk to you soon. As friends," I overemphasize the word for her benefit.

She watches my every move until I make it in my truck.

She needs a grand gesture. Something to prove to her that I'm serious. I know it's right, and I knew it before we kissed and I got close enough to have her again.

Damn, I was that close.

Thanks for coming home, Tom.

First things first. I need to get rid of Kat. Fuck, that's going to be a headache and a half. She's not going to just accept it.

God, and my parents are over. I might need law enforcement—wait. I pull over and dial my friend Joel.

"Hey Lucas, I'm in the middle of my shift right now—"

"I need you to look into something for me. Can you look into a closed case for me?" Is that how this works? Is it closed?

"Uh, Lucas," his voice gets quiet, "I can't just open up case files. Is there something relevant to—"

"Are you at the station? It's about my son." I could be there in five minutes.

"You have a son?"

I sigh and pinch the bridge on my nose. I need smarter friends that can focus. "Yes. It's a new development and I'll explain later. I'll text you the information, so can you just grab whatever you can?"

He skeptically agrees and tells me he'll look into it.

It's not the gesture she needs, but I know it needs to be solved.

I'm going to find out who hit Allie and drove off.