Chapter Four

Broken Ties

(* means smut scene *)

Things between Luke and I were complicated. As time went on, I found out he could be very... manipulative. We're both stubborn, so that didn't help anything. The more I argued with Luke, the closer it seemed I got to Nick. I thought that since Luke and Nick were best friends they'd be more alike, but it turned out they couldn't be more different. Nick listened, better, that's for sure. He was quiet, observant... At times Nick got a bit...aggro, but all in all he seemed like a kind-hearted man.

I sighed as I stared over at Pete and Nick. They were arguing again about God knows what. As the days went on, Nick and Pete argued more frequently. Barbra would try to stop them, but it only heated the flame. "Fighting ain't gonna do you any good." I told Nick after the fight. He was sitting on a log, staring into the distance. "The fuck do you know?" Nick replied roughly. I sat down beside him, crossing my arms. "I know that being a dick to your Uncle isn't good. Pushing people away is fucking good either."

"You know nothing about me." Nick hissed. "Just leave me the fuck alone."

"I've tried to get to know you! You have a fucking wall up that even I can't break down! You're afraid of getting hurt, I get that..." My voice became softer as I put my hand over his, causing his body to stiffen. "But you can't push people away- and you sure as hell can't push me away. Because I'm not going anywhere."

Nick wouldn't look at me, but slowly his fingers wrapped around mine in a light hold. I smiled, leaning my forehead against his shoulder. "See? You can let me in... I won't hurt you, Nick." I lifted my head from his shoulder, looking down at our hands. I looked up only to find Nick was staring back at me.

"Tasha? I've been looking everywhere for you!" Luke's voice came from behind us. I quickly let go of Nick's hand, blinking a few times before looking up at Luke. "I've been busy." I mumbled, still angry at him from our earlier fight. Luke folded his arms over his chest. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" His voice was softer, but I could hear the annoyance in his tone. I nodded slowly, giving Nick a small smile before walking away with Luke. Things were easier with Nick. I understood where he was coming from. Luke, however... He was more complicated. He seemed to always find something to complain about.

"What the fuck was that?" Luke asked after we got back to my tent. I shrugged as I began cleaning up my clothes that were tossed about my room. "What was what?" I asked, not fully understanding his question. Luke grabbed my arm, causing me to drop the clothes to the floor. "Why were ya holding Nicks' hand?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. Nick and Pete got into another fight, so I went to comfort him. Am I not allowed to comfort YOUR best friend?" Luke slowly let go of my arm, allowing me to pick up the clothes again and place them in my bag. "No- I just..." Luke sighed, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling my body tight against his. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm just on edge."

I frowned, holding his hands gently as he rocked us back and forth. "Do you wanna talk about it?" I knew Carver didn't take kindly to Luke. It put pressure on Luke knowing that our "leader", didn't nessacarily like him. Most of our group was more in favor of following Luke than Carver, though no one would say it directly. Like understood most of us better, while Carver... Well, I couldn't say. I had hardly seen Carver in the past month, it was hard to get to know him when he was always on runs or doing his "job."

I felt Luke shake his head. "I'd rather do this." Like kissed my cheek, causing me to giggle. "And this." He began to kiss down my neck, causing me to moan softly. Luke grinned against my neck, slowly running his tongue across my bare skin. "I just want to focus on you..."

I smiled, pulling away to stare at him. It always amazed me how fast Luke's moods could change. One minute he'd be upset, the next he'd be over it. I wished I could be like that... Always moving, never stopping to dwell on the darkness... But the longer I spent with him, the harder it was to keep it away. Luke and I always fought, and it began to tear us apart and I could feel it- whatever we were, crumbling beneath our feet.

I let out a loud moan as Luke slowly pushed himself into me, letting out a quiet groan himself. I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck, running my fingers through his messy, brown hair. As he began going harder, my moans grew louder. Luke kissed me hard, silencing any further moans from me. It didn't take long for both of us to climax, and Luke collapsed on top of me before rolling off and laying beside me.

I slowly laid my head on his chest, listening to his faint heart beat. I was exhausted, yet I couldn't sleep. An hour passed and Luke was long since asleep, but I was still wide awake. Luke was too controlling- he had to realize I was in control of my own decisions. Never ONCE did Ben make me feel this way... This miserable to want to be happy. The only time Luke opened up to me anymore was when we had sex, but even that barely happened anymore. He wouldn't show me any public affection whatsoever... What was the point of having feelings for someone if the only time you could show them was when you're alone?

Luke didn't have feelings for me. Sure, he cared about my well being, but in the end I was just a friend to him- someone he could sleep with so he wasn't alone at night... Maybe he wasn't like this before everything happened... Maybe we would've gotten married and had a nice house with a white picket fence... But that wasn't reality. The reality was, we just were fuck buddies, and I wasn't okay with that. HE KNEW... He had to know how I felt about him, and yet he still used me for sex... It tore me apart. I knew this wasn't what I deserved... I didn't deserve to feel so empty, not after losing so much.

I woke up the next morning, realizing Luke was still asleep beside me. I frowned, slowing pulling my clothes back on, trying desperately not to wake him. I didn't work though, and he began to pull his clothes on too, faster as he realized how late it was. It only made the anger grow inside me as I stood, crossing my arms across my chest as I stood and brushed out his hair. "What, afraid people might see you leaving my tent and get the "wrong impression"?"

Luke sighed, turning to stare at me. "We've talked about this-" "No!" I yelled, walking towards him. "YOU'VE TALKED! You never once asked how I felt about any of this- what am I to you, Luke? Just a nice girl, right? That's all I am to you?"

"Tasha-"

"No! Stop trying to patronize me!" I screamed, running my fingers through my tousled hair. "Am I just some girl you think you can control? Just a slut or something? Well I'm not Luke, and I sure as hell don't deserve to be treated like one."

Luke was silent, looking away from me. I shook my head in disbelief, unable to understand how he could be silent at a time like this.

"Fine..." I said icily as I stared at him. "Forget everything. Forget you, forget me... Because it's over. Whatever THIS was, it's over."

"Tasha-" Luke's eyes pleaded with mine, but I merely stared at him, holding back the tears in my eyes.

"Get out." Luke stepped towards me, causing me to push him away. "I SAID GET OUT!" I screamed, not caring who heard me. Luke staggered back a few feet before nodding, leaving me alone in my small tent. I couldn't remember the last time I felt like this... It had been so long since I had my heart hurt so terribly... But I knew deep down, it was for the best. Luke and I were too alike- we were both stubborn and controlling... Natural leaders. I fell to my knees as I began to sob, staring down at my shaking hands. I was naive to trust him... Especially that quickly.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Leave a review if you did c: if you want me to include anything in the next chapter, just let me know! I really appreciate all your support and reviews! You guys rock! xoxo!

Guest chapter 3 . 18h ago : Don't worry xD Luke will have some sensed slapped into him eventually. Smut with Nick will be coming soon mostly for now it's fluff because they're kinda flirting and taking their time because they're both afraid of being rejected and getting hurt c: but don't worry, the smut is coming! XD

PetrovaDoppelganger02 - For now, let's assume Luke "used" her. But he does care about her a lot. They didn't use protection, but no she isn't going to get pregnant, not yet anyways. Ill definitely check out your story! It sounds awesome c: I loved TVD and TWD!

jozze: Thanks c: Yeah, I kinda had to make Luke a dick in the beginning, eventually I'm sure they'll be friends again. Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing how all of you guys like Nick x Tasha.