Lucas

I'm still pissed about Ted. Tom is too. His absence—this time—has taken more of a toll on Allie than the first time he disappeared.

Allie is closed off and nothing like she was for that brief moment on her birthday and before the fireworks. All I got was to touch her hand before Jadon decided he wanted to be in the middle of us and hold our hands himself. It was sweet, and it makes me happy to see he wants me in his life.

But I was that close...

Allie has moments where she lets herself be young and embrace what she wants, and then she falls back into this stunted guilt because her boyfriend has let her feel that way.

He's talked about making a commitment but never has. There is obviously something wrong with a guy that would do this to her. He clearly doesn't love her, but won't give her up. I thought, for sure, he was going to propose on the night of her birthday. Tom said he was hinting at it beforehand when he called, but then a guy that loves a girl doesn't pull shit like that.

In turn, Allie doesn't know what the hell to do. It's because there has been no closure or repair with Ted. That bastard ignored her, showed up on her birthday, and then dumped her ass on the street.

He hasn't called her in weeks and I know she's torn in two about this. I can't give her the "just dump him" speech without sounding like a hypocrite in a "relationship," but I need to be inside this with Kat for now. Allie will see that later.

Tom is not happy about my plan, but he gets it. He just doesn't think it will work and that I'm going to fuck things up with Allie and Jadon.

I'm going to fight like hell not to.

But for Allie's sake, I get that I played a part in Ted's "perfect boyfriend" malfunction, but I know she romanticized that whole ordeal because of a long history. Big fucking deal—not everyone needs to end up with their childhood crush. Besides, his face is one-hundred percent just plain douche.

The summer is coming to an end and school is about to start. I'm not one step closer to cornering Kat's dad. He's been out of town on business trips—conveniently. However, we are having dinner with Kat's parents soon, and I'm going to make my move then.

So until then, I'm dragging my feet around different stores, checking my phone more often than I should, waiting to see if Allie is responding to my text.

"...and my mom suddenly needs me to drive her around everywhere since my dad is gone." Kat's been complaining about having to help her mom out with simple tasks lately.

What the hell did I ever see in her?

I think I just wasn't paying attention to the important things before.

It's how I ended up here.

Kat may say she finds enjoyment in things like "window shopping," but she doesn't know the meaning of it. She sees things in windows and immediately makes a purchase. She does not understand the concept of not spending money constantly on frivolity.

And she is a well-known patron here at Westgate Mall.

She pulls me toward one store with the effort of full steam ahead in a way she should redirect into her job search. But something catches my eye. Rather, someone.

Ted's blonde head is something of a standout to me these days.

And right now, he's standing out on some patio bistro with not-Allie over dumplings.

What the hell?

"Lucas, come on," Kat whines. "Let's go."

Ted doesn't see me, but I sure as hell see him, all right. The woman with red hair definitely doesn't look dressed for lunch with a friend.

But also, if he wasn't being dirty, he wouldn't have driven an hour away to have lunch, I'm sure.

Kat yanks my arm with the strength of a damn lion into the store. I couldn't say what it is, since my focus is on the guy playing footsies under the table.

Is he seriously on an actual date? He sure looks comfortable with her—ah, there it is. She's feeding him and giggling. He's smiling back at her and engaging in whatever conversation they're having.

Not that I want him to call Allie or have anything to do with Jadon, but this guy hasn't technically broken up with her. She's at home studying for some final exam and he's locking googly eyes with another woman.

For a second, I tear my gaze from the bistro to make sure Kat is doing what I suspect. Yep, she's got some part-timer following her around with a pile of clothes over her arms.

And I'm going to do it. I'm going to tell Allie.

Lucas: How's studying?

Subtle. I like it. But should I break it to her over a text? No... no. But I already sent it—

Allie: Fine. Do you need something?

Yeah, a time machine where I could go back to eighteen and do this right from the start. Not have to deal with this crap.

Lucas: Just shopping. I don't need anything. Do you?

God, I sound desperate. Be fucking cool, Lucas, you might hurt this girl's heart if you have to tell her.

Allie: I'm good.

Ever the conversationalist, Allie. Thanks for making things easy.

Lucas: You hear from Ted?

I glance over and he's got the girl's fingers in his hand. Oh, he's a charmer, isn't he? From what Allie has said, he can never seem to get off his damn phone with her because of "work."

She doesn't respond for a minute and I contemplate calling her before a text eventually pops up.

Allie: No. Tried calling again. No answer.

I'm so screwed up over this girl, I can't decide if I want to confront him out in the open or let him get caught.

I pull up my camera on my phone and snap a picture. It's not that great since he's far away, but it's obviously him.

Do I tell her now or later?

My phone vibrates again.

Allie: I'm really not in a mood to talk about Ted. I'd rather just focus on other things until he's ready to talk things over.

He's such an asshole, and I'm going to keep making my moves. He's not intent on keeping her obviously. If he were, he would be around.

Lucas: Have you used your present yet?

By the time I look back up, Ted and his date are gone. But he's not important anymore. If anything, he shouldn't be coming back at all. I wouldn't mind him just disappearing for my own gain, but she seems to want closure.

Until she's completely over the guilt and Ted, I'll just try to make her smile.

"Lucas!"

Shit. I press the screen of my phone to my lap to find Kat standing there with two identical dresses in hand. "Which one?"

I'm not sure how to respond. "What's it for?" They look exactly the same to me, so I don't know what to say.

She rolls her eyes. "For that booster dinner thing we have to go to for your job?"

Oh, right. Forgot about that.

"The left one."

She holds up her left side and nods. Wasn't the one I meant, but whatever. She glides through the store like it's a runway and disappears into the dressing room. I pull my phone back up to messages from Allie.

Allie: No, and you really shouldn't ask about that thing.

Allie: It's weird.

I bite down the smile.

Lucas: Why?

Allie: Because it's personal and we agreed to be friends and because it's weird.

We did not agree. She said she was going to talk to Ted because she "owed" him as much. Not from where I'm sitting.

Lucas: I told you I would get rid of it, just use it once.

Allie: Don't make things weird, Lucas freaking Kennedy.

Oh, please, we had sex in a car at a party where anyone could have seen us. We can talk about this. She already admitted to wanting me.

Lucas: It's not weird. I think about it constantly.

Not even a lie.

Lucas: You want me to show you how it works? I can come over and help you.

Allie: Lucas!

It's cute, really. She's kind of got this innocent nature about her, but it's just a defense mechanism of some sort.

Lucas: Better watch out. I hear those things bite. Might need someone there to make sure you're okay.

Allie: You're something else.

No, it is her that is something else.

Ted is an idiot and she better not take him back or whatever they are. On a break? I stand with Ross on the issue. They're on a break, so just as he's freely dating, so should she. If she happens to date a little battery-operated toy, she's well within her rights.

If she happens to see the father of her child... Ted can take a fucking hike.

But damn, the thought of corrupting her right now is something else.

Allie: I would never ever ever ever ever ever tell you if I used it. Not even if it meant saving the entire planet from imminent destruction by aliens.

Lucas: Is that your fantasy, Allie? Aliens?

Allie: Don't be gross, Lucas.

Lucas: You need to try it at least once.

Allie: No!

Lucas: Yes. Just try it once. If you don't like it, I'll toss it for you.

Allie: I will not tell you if I do or not. I'll just tell you when to come pick it up.

I feel like a kid again laughing over her antics. Kat is rushing through the store, harassing the poor girl following behind her.

That reminds me.

Lucas: Are you going to that booster thing?

Allie: I go every year.

Lucas: Jadon coming?

Allie: No, Charity is going to watch him. I usually go as dad's arm candy but he's got a date this year.

Oh, I know all about Tom's date. I pushed him into Belinda myself when he came with me to get Jadon at daycare one day. She just started working at the facility and is recently divorced. Call me Cupid.

Lucas: She's pretty hot.

Allie: I guess? She's nice and seems to make him happy.

Yeah, because she feeds him meat and your dad is simple to please.

Lucas: So are you going with anyone?

Allie: No. just a single piece of bread, here. I'll be seeking out all the hot single dads because I enjoy pushing a little conflict of interest. Coach's daughter who works for the school seducing local men for money to go towards the athletic department. It's what I live for.

Lucas: Maybe they'll show you how to use the vibe, then.

My phone suddenly rings and it's her.

She doesn't even wait for me to say anything before she lays in on me. "I knew telling you was a mistake! You can't just bring that up and throw it in my face like this! I didn't ask for it, she just sent it to me, Lucas."

"Relax, Allie." I glance over at Kat who is still harassing the poor girl just trying to make her happy. She's far from done here, so I step outside the store. "It was a joke. I was just trying to joke with you about it not make fun of you."

She breathes heavily on the other side. "I can't even believe I'm not even going into my closet anymore because of it."

God, I hope she never changes.

"I'll bet if you used it, you would find yourself enjoying it more than you'd think. Just try it. I promise you'll like it."

"You're disgusting."

The line goes dead and I giggle. No, I chuckle. I don't giggle. That's something Ted would do.

Now what the fuck to do about this damn picture...

"Lucas!"

Two weeks. Two weeks and I'm done with this bullshit.