Screwed this up at first.. sorry about that.. Please review
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to fact the facts
It's not easy facin' up when you whole world is black
Surrounded by her, he woke. Her hair flowing on his chest, her arms curled around him, the smell of her lingering in his nose, he fought the daylight, just wanting more. More time with her and away from the world. He was almost scared to breathe, that it would shatter the moment.
Sadly he realized that the day would come whether he wanted it to or not. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was still early. Well early in Peytonville, he thought with a smirk, She would be out for another hour at least.
He heard his cell phone ringing forcing him to face the day. Reluctantly pulling himself from her embrace, he walked over to the desk and picked up the cell phone. Looking at the caller id it read "out of area" he wondered who it could be, but before he could answer it quit ringing.
"Huh" he shrugged and dropped it in his pocket. He turned back to look at her sleeping form. She had had another bad dream last night. Her muffled cries woke him, wrenching his heart as she sobbed into his chest.
Eventually it subsided and she fell back into the serenity of sleep. He didn't think she even woke up.
He felt he needed to do something more for her, to make her feel better, make her smile again.
An idea stole his thoughts away from everything else. He knew what he wanted to do. Smiling he turned back to the desk and scribbled a quick note to her.
He walked over and placed it in the vacant spot where he had just lain. He grabbed his gym bag and walked out.
lplplplp
Standing in line at the grocery store, his cell phone began to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the caller id. "out of area" again, irritated he flipped the phone open and uttered "Hello?" the wonderment clear in his voice.
'Bout time you answered" was the response from the familiar voice on the other end.
A smile quickly came to his face, "Looser, How's the honeymoon?" He moved forward in the line and placed his items on the conveyor belt.
"Well it's raining all the time, what do you think" Nathan chuckled
"Okay?" he laughed "why do I think I don't want to know" He looked at the clerk who told him his total, pulling out his wallet he focused on the conversation again.
"You don't. Sorry for bringing it up" he heard the smile in his brother's voice as he paid for his things, grabbed the bag and walked toward the doors.
"So where is Hales?" he asked, walking down the sidewalk to his parked car. Opening the door, he tossed the bag onto the passenger seat.
"We went out and saw some sights this morning and got drowned, so she wanted to take a hot shower"
Jumping in to the car, Lucas nodded into the phone "Well I am glad ya'll are having a good time"
There were a few brief moments of silence. "Nate, did I loose you?" Lucas pulled the phone back to look at the display. He had plenty of bars, confirming a good signal.
Bringing the phone back to his ear just in time to hear "No, I just.." Nathan paused.
Curious, he questioned "Just what? You Okay?"
Sitting in the car, he glanced around to see if anyone needed his parking spot. Satisfied that no one was waiting on him, he settled back in to the seat.
He heard Nathan draw a deep breath and he waited patiently to see what was going on. "Okay, not to get all girly on you or anything, but" Nathan grumbled, bringing a fresh grin to Lucas' face "I'm worried about you" he rushed the last part out.
"Aww" Lucas mocked "you do love me"
"Shut up, Man" Nathan irritably sighed, and continued "I am serious, are you ..okay?"
"Nathan, where is this coming from" He questioned with a laugh.
"Well ever since the rehearsal dinner, I have had this feeling.." he paused "that maybe you need someone to talk to and I know with Keith being gone…and well Dad being Dad...I mean you don't have anyone to"
"Nathan" Lucas interrupted "I really appreciate it, I do.. but you are on your honeymoon, Dude. Don't worry about me, I am fine, Seriously Have fun!"
Nathan laughed "Oh don't worry I am, but I just want you to know .. well that I am here for you if you need anything."
Lucas felt the sting of tears come to his eyes, He was so grateful to have his brother in his life. They had had their share of problems, like anyone, but now they were not only brothers, but friends.
"Thanks, Nathan, that means a lot, but don't get all gushy on me" he quipped trying to lighten the mood.
"Whatever, I can still whip you" Nathan retorted.
"Hey, heart condition here .. you big Bully!" he joked
Nathan's tone turned serious again "Still flawed?" he questioned.
flashback
"There's nothing wrong with my heart, Nate" he told him, knowing it was a lie.
"Yeah? That's what you said after you car accident" Nathan paused remembering the conversation "You told me you didn't wanna be afraid to live your life"
"That's right"
"Well I don't buy it, Luke. I think there's something in your heart you're running from"
Lucas looks away unable to hold his gaze "OK, what are you: psychic?"
"You can make jokes about it all you want" he paused to make the point "but you know there's a girl you had feelings for" Nathan said with conviction.
Unnerved, Lucas stumbled "Nathan.."
"Look me in the eye. Tell me I'm wrong."
Lucas looks at him, but can't say it
"See? Now you can be mad at me all you want; you can say your heart's fine… but till you tell this girl how you feel.." he shrugs "Your heart's gonna be flawed. You need to talk to her Luke."
End flashback
"Lucas?" Nathan called to him. "Yeah" he grunted, still lost in the memory.
"Lost you there for a minute"
"Trip down memory lane" was all he replied.
"Ahh. . see any broody blondes on the way?" Nathan quipped and Lucas could just picture the smirk on his face.
"Yeah, and don't say it" he snapped.
"Hey don't get mad at me, I am not the one who has been running all this time"
"I have not been…" Lucas stopped,
"Yes you have and you know it. Dude, listen if there is one thing I have learned, it is that you can't run forever. It catches up with you."
"What does?" Lucas asked confused.
"The Truth" Nathan said "and I think it has finally caught up with you, hasn't it?"
He glanced over at the grocery bag and drew a deep breath. "Nathan.." he grumbled, wanting to deny it.
"Don't Luke. I am just saying, you turned away from your feelings once, don't make the same mistake again"
"Okay Dr. Phil" he smirked
"Fine," Nathan conceded "I am done. I have to get off here anyway before Haley catches me not ready to go"
"And she'll tan your hide" Lucas quipped, grateful for the lighter tone in conversation.
"Yeah and I might like it" Nathan jeered with an evil laugh.
Groaning Lucas shut his eyes "Ewww, TMI Dude !"
"That is what you get man, okay well we will see you in a couple of days"
"Nathan" Lucas quickly continued "Thanks"
"No worries" he heard Nathan reply before the click that ended the conversation.
Looking out the window, he saw the cars passing by on the street. Nathan was right, he thought with a sigh, he had been running long enough.
It had started as a way of protecting himself, he didn't want to be hurt again. Didn't want to open his heart only to have it torn out again. But he was hurting anyway. And he knew he was hurting the people he cared about. It was time he faced it head on, time to stop living the lie.
With a decisive nod, He started the car and pulled away from the curb.