Night shifts black

Finally, he gives me a weak smile. “I know. I don’t take that lightly.” He quiets and stares off at nothing for a minute. “You know, a year ago I was pretty sure I’d be dead by now. Two months ago I knew it. I was hoping.” He glances at me again. “I’m not supposed to be here, Callie.”

My chest starts to burn at his words, the look in his eyes.

“Well, I need you here. So does Casey,” I reply, leaning against him. “You’re not allowed to leave us.”

I can feel his gentle laugh as he hugs me.

“Casey is a special person. One of a kind. What that kid has been through…” Luke shakes his head. “Anyway, I don’t deserve him.”

“You mean, with his dad?”

Luke nods, and I pull away so I can face him. “His father, his sister. He was one of my first friends after I moved here. My parents pretty much decided they were done being parents when I was fourteen and sent me from Joha

He laughs at the memory. “You would have loved it. Wish I had pictures with me. He was this scrawny little kid with a violin, dressed like a punk rocker. From the second I saw him I knew I had to figure out what was wrong with this dude.”

I laugh, not surprised for some reason.

He grows serious. “We both lived through hell. We needed each other and supported each other over the years more times than I can count.”

A light bulb goes on, and my eyes widen. “Is that where you found your music? Is that what ‘Argyle’ is about?”

Luke seems pleased that I put it all together and offers a sad smile. “Yes, exactly. The music started ten years ago when he was fifteen. His father was going after his younger sister one day and he jumped in. Took a hell of a beating for her, but didn’t back down once. It was the bravest thing I’d ever seen. Even I was too scared to do anything but get his sister out of the way. He stayed with me for a week afterwards to recover, and because he was scared to go home. That’s when we started writing. I had my guitar, he had his passion for music, and that was that.” He quiets, and I can see the pain in his eyes. “Elena, his big sister, found him an old beat-up drum set that my aunt let us set up in the basement. Casey came over almost every day to take out his frustrations and heartache on that kit.”

He clears his throat, and I don’t miss any of the significance of the gift he just gave me. I also have an overwhelming urge to hug Casey. Which reminds me…

“Where is Casey anyway?” I ask, suddenly concerned.

Luke furrows his brow, and I follow his gaze across the restaurant. Jana isn’t at her table either. My heart starts to constrict.

“You should go check on him,” Luke says.

I swallow and nod. “You don’t think…”

Luke almost seems a

I want to believe him. I know I should. Casey’s done nothing but prove over and over again that I should, and yet…all I can picture is Jana Furmali in her slinky little Bella Amberosi.

I give Luke an apologetic look. I hate to leave him right after finally opening up about his past, but if I know him at all, he probably wants to be alone for a few minutes to process what just happened anyway. And I need Casey.

I slide from the booth and make my way toward the restrooms. Sure enough, I’m not surprised when I peek into the alcove and see him tucked against the back wall, literally cornered by Jana.

I know I shouldn’t, but I have to know. I have to, and pull back into hiding so I can listen.

“I just don’t understand! What did I do wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong!” I can hear the exasperation in Casey’s voice and immediately relax. I feel guilty for even doubting him for a second.

“But we had such a good time!”

“Yeah, and that’s all it was. Look, I don’t want to be a dick, but I have to get back. To my friends. To my girlfriend.”

“Just give me one more chance! I’ll get you that meeting with Reese Aster!”

He lets out a bitter laugh. “Are you actually bribing me to go out with you? Come on, Jana. Don’t. You don’t need that. For the hundredth time, I’m seeing someone. You need to let go.”

“No, I don’t believe that! There’s no way you’re seriously dating that little country slut.”

“Don’t ever talk about her like that! You don’t know anything about her. Get out of my way.”

“Casey!”

“Let go of me! It’s not happening, Jana. Ever!”

I round the corner, and Casey freezes in alarm. I feel terrible at the petrified look on his face, the fear that I’m going to think he’s anything but the prince that he is.

“Callie…I…”

“I think he’s made himself pretty clear,” I direct to Jana. “Even a ‘country slut’ like me can understand his message,” I quip, and I see Casey visibly take a breath.

His relief only lasts a second. Jana’s glare turns violent as she spins and smacks him hard across the face.

I gasp, and would probably have hit her back if she doesn’t run from the scene while we stand paralyzed in shock. I quickly recover and rush toward Casey, touching the fresh red mark on his cheek. His jaw is clenched, fire in his eyes, but I can tell he’s trying to gain control of himself.

“Hey, are you ok?” I ask softly, trying to soothe the burn with my compassion.

He curses and closes his eyes. “Fine.”

“Casey…It’s definitely not you…it’s her,” I joke, and he cracks the slightest of smiles.

“Yeah, I know. I saw that coming after our third date. That’s why there were only three.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. “Well, I’m sorry if part of that was my fault. Ironically, I came to find you to give you this.”

His gaze shoots to mine in surprise, and I wrap my arms around him. He relaxes and pulls me close.

“Thanks, Callie. I needed that.”

“Me, too,” I whisper. His heart is still beating fast, but I don’t know if it’s from me or Jana. Probably both. “Let’s go home,” I say, even though it means I have to let go of him.

“Yeah. I’m definitely ready to get out of here.”

I squeeze again before letting go. “At least the food was good,” I offer, and am thrilled to get my grin back.

“Yeah. But definitely takeout next time.”

“Totally agree. Let’s go make sure Luke picks up the check.”

 

∞∞∞

 

Luke not only picks up the check, but has already taken care of it by the time we return. His intuition regarding the people he cares about never ceases to amaze me, and he hands Casey his jacket as we approach the booth.

“You ok?” Luke asks.

Casey mutters something, but doesn’t look over at the table across the room. I do, and notice it’s emptier than before.

“She stormed off,” Luke explains, reading our interest. “What happened?”

“She hit him,” I hiss, and Luke’s face darkens.

“No way. Seriously?” he asks, sca

Casey sighs and shakes his head. “Let’s just get out of here. Where’s Eli and Sweeny?”

Luke smiles. “They left, too,” he says.

Casey almost seems relieved. “Ok. Let’s go home.”

 

∞∞∞

 

The three of us crash on the couch when we return to the suite. Luke grabs a drink, but Casey and I pass. It’s then that I consider the reduced flow of alcohol into his system lately. Sure, there’s still a steady trickle, but it seems as though he’s cut back considerably.