Summary: JJ. Long buried secrets and memories are awakened during this game of Truth. Slowly but surely, the relationship between Luke and Lorelai deepens. This story is based on the book, The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen.
Disclaimer: Don't own a thing - This fan fiction is based on the book The Truth About Forever, by Sarah Dessen. I'm not taking full credit for all of the dialogue and plot of this story, seeing as some of it belongs to one of my all-time favorite authors. Keep in mind most of it is written by me, so I'm not just copying the book. Okay, having said that, hope you like it and please leave a review!
Author's Note: I'm kind of nervous about this chapter; don't know if you'll like it. Please, tell me what you think.
Leah- Yeah, Wes in The Truth About Forever definitely reminds me of Jess too. I'm just more into the Java Junkies so I don't write that much about Jess. The character would definitely have fit him though.
LLfreak8285- Yep, that's exactly how it goes. Thanks for the review!
flirtswithdisaster- I can always depend on you to leave a great review ;) And I love that you take the time to talk about your favorite parts. Thanks a bunch!
A Game of Truth
Chapter Five: He's An Interference
He lifted his head as soon as he heard me walk into the diner, "Hey."
"Hey." I shot him a small smile.
"Are you... okay?"
"Are you referring to my meltdown last night?"
"It wasn't a meltdown."
"Well, whatever it was, I'm okay. Thanks to my knight in shining armor." He smiled, but it was a shy one. I couldn't help but smirk.
"Thanks, Luke."
"For what?"
"Just... for being there, I guess." Yeah, for being there. Just like you always are.
"No problem." He gave me a quick but soft pat on the shoulder. I slid on the stool and dropped my purse next to me. "So, Luke... have you thought any more about-"
"No, I haven't." Oh, he was good.
"Do you know how long it will be until-"
"No."
"Well, maybe you could-"
"Lorelai, I told you. I'm thinking of a hard question. I'm not gunna let you win that easily."
"This is killing me, Luke. You know, you are completely shutting down our game of Truth."
"I'm not shutting it down, it's just on hold. Now, change this subject before I do shut down the coffee maker."
"Fine." I narrowed my eyes at him.
About ten minutes had passed, I found that I wasn't that hungry. Probably because of everything that was on my mind. I was playing around with my french fries when I finally brought the 'main' subject up. "So..." I took a deep breath, "Max called me back."
"Oh, yeah?" I could hear the uneasiness in his voice, I wasn't sure why it was there.
"Yeah, he's taking me to some coffee shop in Hartford tomorrow." I flung a french fry to the side of my plate.
"Are you two..." He hesitated, suddenly fascinated by his pad of paper.
"Are we what?"
"I dunno... getting back together?"
"Oh. Oh, I don't know..."
"You... don't know."
"I mean, probably not. It's just the fact that I haven't seen him for weeks that's kind of... freaking me out. I mean, when I do see him, I just don't know how I'm gunna take it."
"Yeah, that uh - that makes sense." He dropped his paper and pen and was about to speak, but then he stopped.
"Something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine... I'm gunna go uh - get something in the back."
"Oh, okay." He quickly disappeared into the storage room.
I walked to the door as the bell rang, and felt my stomach flip as I saw Max standing there. I wasn't entirely prepared for him to kiss me on the cheek, but I smiled anyway, "Max... hi."
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm ready."
- - -
We walked into the coffee shop and already I was making excuses to avoid him. "I just have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right out." He nodded and I quickly walked into the bathroom, setting my purse on the counter and staring at myself in the mirror.
What was I doing? Why was I there, with Max? It was over between us. I didn't have to feel obligated to meet him in Hartford. There was someone back home who I needed to talk to. After standing in the bathroom, contemplating various ways to get through the tiny window I was staring at, I walked out the door to find Max at a nearby table.
"I took the liberty of getting you a coffee."
"Oh, thank you." I took a seat and a sip of my coffee.
"So, how have you been, Lorelai Gilmore?"
"Um, fine, fine. I've been... fine." I was making a fool of myself. Why the hell was I so nervous?
He chuckled, "Good, I'm glad."
"How about you? You doing okay? You look... okay."
"Yeah, I'm doing alright."
"That's good. I'm glad you're... doing good."
The next five minutes were awkward between us. I felt so out of place. I mean, he was sitting there... all positive and perfect. Just, being Max. And I couldn't help but feel guilty about everything that happened between us. I didn't understand why he was acting so nice to me, after everything I did to him. It was incredibley uncomfortable.
I managed to strike conversation, "So, I haven't seen you in a while. What's new, anything?"
"Yeah. I've uh - well actually I was thinking of moving out to California."
I was a little surprised. "California, wow. So, you're still thinking about it or..."
"I don't know, something's... stopping me." I looked at him in confusion. "You're stopping me."
I furrowed my eyebrows, averting my gaze down to the table.
"I've missed you, Lorelai."
I continued to look down, feeling embarrassed.
"You, haven't missed me." He suggested.
"No, Max. I have missed you. This is just, weird for me."
"I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Lorelai. I want things to be like they used to-"
"Max..."
"I love you, Lorelai. I haven't stopped. We were engaged. We would be married by now. You don't feel the same way, that's obvious, but I'm okay with that. We can work at it. We can take things slow."
I shook my head slightly, sure to avoid eye contact with him.
"I miss talking to you, and being with you, Lorelai. I'm not - I'm not saying we should or have to be together. If you don't want that, that's fine. But maybe things will change." he paused, "Maybe we could give it a shot at being friends."
"Friends." I repeated, somehow not believing this.
"Yeah."
"I really... can't object to that."
"Well, I guess that's a good thing."
I smiled, nervous about the situation.
He parked in the front of my house, and once the engine was off, all that could be heard was the sound of rain hitting the car. He turned to face me, "It was nice seeing you today." I just smiled. "I really enjoyed it."
I sat there, nervously biting my lip. What happens now? Was I supposed to invite him inside? I figured that was the polite thing to do, "Max? Do you want to... come in?"
"Oh, that's alright. You probably-"
"Come in."
He let out a soft chuckle, "Alright."
We quickly opened the car doors and ran to the porch as we were getting soaked. I laughed hysterically as it took me three minutes to unlock the front door, while we were dripping wet. I managed to open it with such force that it banged on the wall as we rushed inside. I shut the door and leaned against it, still laughing.
I then looked up, catching my breath, only to see Max staring straight at me. It was an intensity that I wanted to avoid. I tried to avoid it, but before I could speak, his lips were capturing mine in a lingering kiss.
I turned my head, "Max..." He slid his hands down my arms, traveling to my waist. "Max... wait..."
He whispered, "What's wrong?"
"I can't do this." I was lightly pushing him away.
"Why?"
"Because, I just-" I was surprised to hear myself say it, the words just tumbled out of my mouth, "I like... someone else."
He pulled away and looked me in the eyes, and then turned, scoffing.
I was sorry for him, I didn't want to hurt him. "Max, don't be mad. We were apart. We're still apart."
"We were apart for two minutes! How could you possibly have found some one-"
"Max, we've been apart for weeks-"
"Yeah, well, we were engaged, Lorelai." He spoke in disgust, "Apparently, that means nothing to you."
"I can't... help it, Max." He looked up at me, "I love him. It's just taken me a while to realize it." He rolled his eyes. "Max, don't be like this... I know I've hurt you, and believe me, it wasn't intentional, but I just - I can't be with you."
"Yeah..." He spoke in the same tone.
"I meant it when I called everything off, Max. We're just-"
"I know, Lorelai! I heard you!"
"Max-"
"Don't - You just - You mysteriously leave your home the weekend we're supposed to be getting married, and then - and then you call me and tell me everything's off! The wedding... us!"
"I know, I was wrong for doing that-"
"And now I find out it's because of some other guy-"
"No, no, Max-"
"I don't want to hear it, Lorelai."
"I didn't have feelings for Luke back then. I-"
"Luke... of course."
My voice was beginning to shake, "Max, I know what this all sounds like, but you have to believe me. I would never-"
"You would never what, Lorelai?" I began to walk into the kitchen, I needed to get away from him. "You would never cheat? Lie? Tri-"
I spun around, "Stop it, Max! Just, stop it!" He looked up to see the tears brimming my eyes and his face softened as he walked closer.
"Look... I'm sorry. I-"
"I would never do anything like that! And you know it!"
"I know, I was out of lin-" He walked over and as he tried to hug me, I turned the other way, wiping my eyes. He stepped back. We both stood there, neither looking at the other.
He then turned to me, disappointment in his voice, "So, this is it for us."
"Yeah, I'd say so." I couldn't look in his direction.
"You and... you and Luke, are together?"
I hesitated before speaking, "No, not exactly."
"Not exactly?"
"It's complicated, Max."
"How is it complicated? You're either together or you're not."
"Look, I know you're mad, but you don't have to be a jerk."
"Sorry, I just don't really like the guy."
"Yeah, I've noticed."
"Lorelai-" He was interrupted by the door bell. I was going to ignore it, but when it rang a second time, I started walking to the foyer. I could hear Max following me, "Lorelai, wait." I have to admit, when I opened the door, I didn't expect to see Luke.
TBC
Oh, suspense.