:Four:
"Hey."
Luke untangled himself, proffering a hand."You must be Nate."
"That's Nathan to you."
"Okay."
"What are you doing here?"
"Playing a little ball." Lucas brushed clinging earth from the knees of his jeans.
"Oh. So you're into basketball?"
"A little."
"Any good?"
"I'm up for some one on one."
"Maybe later." Nathan casually took in his blond cousin's appearance, not missing a single detail.
"So your dad's a drunk. That why you're staying with us?"
"No."
"I heard otherwise." A small smile crept over the other boy's face.
"Well, I guess you heard wrong." Lucas turned his head, just slightly, to the point Nate was fixing his gaze upon. He made out Dan's shape within the shadow filled garage.
"Dan aside, maybe we can get to know each other."
Nathan swept the ball from Lucas' grasp. "Meaning?"
Luke's eyes were friendly, but wary. A slight frown marked his forehead.
"You give me a chance here."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really. Then you weren't aware the only reason your dad took me in was out of revenge?"
"That's crap." Nathan tossed the ball from hand to hand, trying to appear bored, and failing.
"You're really not very good at this." Luke shook his head, a low chuckle escaping his lips.
"Whatever. I can kick your ."
"Nate, let's try and make the best of this. Who knows, we might actually be good for each other."
"Ya, and what could you bring to the table? I mean, it's not like you've ever been anywhere."
"There's lots of things I could show you."
"Right. What'd you do on Friday nights, throw rocks at cars?"
"Actually, we'd usually take a spin. I can start anything. Three minutes flat."
"So you stole rich people's cars for joyrides?"
"Not exactly."
"I don't think I'd be that interested in your life of crime. But thanks, anyways."
Luke laughed. "I'll talk to you later."
Nathan didn't bother returning the goodbye, muttering instead,"Don't count on it."
X
Dan watched his son ambling aimlessly toward the house, waiting until he'd disappeared inside. He approached Lucas silently, just as the blond was pulling a sweatshirt over his head.
"Well, well."
Luke struggled to get his arms through the twisted sleeves.
"Been poking around, I see. You're truly a son of Keith's."
The color in his nephew's face wasn't all from exertion. Lucas pulled the shirt down, something hard sparkling amidst the innocent blue of his eyes.
Dan grew irritated just looking at him. It was difficult to tease and insult some one who rarely answered back. What he didn't realize was a single child growing up around one drunken parent didn't have much opportunity for gab. There really wasn't any one to talk to.
"So you left the table to eavesdrop."
"That wasn't my intention."
"And yet you stick to the morals routine."
"I'm sorry I overhead Deb; I didn't mean to insult her. But I'm glad I found out how you feel toward me. I should have guessed."
"Trying to believe there's always some good with the bad?"
"I don't know if that's entirely possible." The blond tilted his head, avoiding the worst of the falling sun's glare.
"You may be right, for once."
"I hope I'm not."
This kid was unreal. The look he tendered Dan was guarded, yet tentative.
There were weak spots in that indifferent facade. So, things might very well work out after all.
"I took you in, Luke, but not out of pity. You'll give me a means to certain things I want. I'm not, as you said, a particularly generous sort of man."
"Maybe I was wrong."
Dan shifted impatiently. He was growing increasingly uncomfortable, the hopeful light on his nephew's face sticking.
"Get inside. Deb wants to talk to to you."
Something about that nephew got under his skin.
Just like kicking a dog that didn't bite back. Where was the fun in that?
The older Scott studied his brother's son heading toward the house. An easy walk-sure of himself. Luke hesitated, casting a small smile back before ducking out of sight.
X
The rooms were cool, silent save the various creaks and ticking clocks. A grandfather donged the evening hour, startling Lucas from his reverie. He paused to trace the slender golden hands with a finger. It looked antique. There wasn't any date on the hand painted face.
"You like that?"
Deb.
Startled, but not embarrassed. His aunt wouldn't use the opportunity to mock his less than affluent upbringing.
"That was my father's clock."
"It looks like it's seen a lot."
"It has. Too much, I'm afraid." Deb caught the subtle shift in her nephew's manner.
"I'm sorry for the things Dan was saying. I know you didn't mean to be rude."
"It's just-" Luke stared into space, trying to collect himself.
"It's been so strange, you know? Everything happened so quick. I didn't even know Dan existed until yesterday, and now I'm living under the same roof."
"I understand, it's difficult. That's why I wasn't concerned about the dinner. I figured you could use some time alone."
"Thanks." Lucas awkwardly shuffled his feet.
Deb held out her arms, pulling the blond's stiff body toward her. The arms that encircled him hugged Lucas gently. In a way he'd never been held before.
"That's probably how mom's feel," he thought silently.
Deb laughed, pushing him at arm's length. "Luke-there's something that really reminds me of - I don't know. You just -well, forget it.. It's what women do, dissect their relatives. I'm sure you have a lot of Karen in you."
"I don't mind." Lucas' lips curved upward. "I've never been dissected before."
"Well, you'll get your share. Nate just loves me fussing over him."
Luke privately wondered how anyone could find it irritating.
"Mom."
Nathan's voice. Dressed in a rumpled polo shirt, slab of cake in one hand. He eyed the two of them sharply, moving by with a careless shrug of his shoulders.
"I'd be careful around him. I don't like it when guys talk about you that way."
"What way?"
"You know, just saying you're hot and stuff." Nate innocently took a taste of frosting.
"What?" Deb shot Luke a look that sent the blood rushing to his cheeks. She stepped backward, against the clock.
"I didn't-" the right words wouldn't come. Lucas wasn't sure how to act around mother's, much less irate ones.
"You were talking about my mom." Nathan rolled his eyes. "She was really good looking for her age. I didn't think it was a big deal, but I don't want you all over her. You just got here, man. We don't even know you."
Luke clenched his fingers into fists, nails digging through his palms. He barely felt it.
"You're lying."
"Five minutes ago. I-"
"No, wait-it's my fault." Deb cut her son short with a gesture.
"I was foolish enough to think you were a nice boy, coming from your background. I guess I was wrong."
"But I didn't-" Lucas' voice sounded strange.
"You can drop the act. It won't work twice."
"I didn't say any of that, I swear."
The dark haired cousin licked his thumb. "Leave her alone, alright? You've done enough."
He stepped in front of Luke, almost touching. An exasperated smile, blandly eating cake.
Lucas shoved him, but his cousin reciprocated just as easily.
"Stay away from my mom."
"You tell her you're a liar."
"You're really sad, you know that?"
"To think I ever thought we'd be real cousins. Friends."
The boys were both shoving against each other, silently struggling for an invisible line. Muscles around Lucas' jaw twitched, gaze turning brittle.
"I told you to shut up. Your problem, man." Sweat stood out on the Nathan's brow. A smile plastered his skin like marble.
"Break it up. Now!"
Deb took Nate's shoulder, dragging him off Lucas. Her nephew jerked his arm away, still breathing heavily.
"Go to your room."
Luke just stood there, unmoving. His temper sent heat flaring through his veins with every pulse.
Suddenly Deb's hand flashed, sharp impact across his cheek. The sound startled Nate, his dessert rolling across the floor.
"Go-to-your room."
Deb controlled her breathing, angrily tucking a stray light hair behind her ear. She wasn't sure what Lucas' reaction would be, but he didn't even bother to protest. Just turned and headed slowly for the stairway, not meeting her eyes.
Almost as if he was resigned.
"I shouldn't have done that." She never struck Nathan. Never.
"He had it coming. Besides, he's probably used to it, mom. Dad said Uncle Keith's nothing but a drunk."
"I don't know." Deb's expression grew clouded.
"Nate, I wan't you to be there for him. Even if it's hard sometimes."
The last piece of white cake was completely flattened. Lucas had stepped on it.
"You know I will."
X