thirty-three

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Rushing up the stairs for what feels like the hundredth time, I shoot Grams a suspicious look.

She insisted we call Luke, insisted. And yet... here I am, an hour later, still searching for any remaining towels to mop up the mess on the floor, while Luke struggles under the sink.

For all the good he's done, I could've just Googled how to fix the damn thing myself.

Pulling the last of our beach towels from the linen closet, I rush back downstairs, just in time to overhear Grams thanking Luke, again, for his troubles.

Is he finally finished?

When I enter the kitchen, the fire hose spray from the faucet has stopped, at least. Luke stands and adjusts his baseball cap, the rest of his clothing completely soaked from lying across the flooded floor.

His white cotton tee sticks to the hard muscles of his chest, clinging to the sharp edges of his abs.

I swallow the lump that's mysteriously formed in my throat, his promise of showing me a good time ricocheting around my mind more than I'd care to admit. Peeling my eyes away from the view, I drop a couple of towels to the floor and thrust one in Luke's hands, keeping my eyes downcast.

"Thanks, Dyl."

"Mhm." I mutter, focusing incredibly hard on the remaining puddles across the tile.

"Thank you again, Luke." Grams reaches up to pat his shoulder and I scrub at the floor even harder. "You always do such a good job."

"Obviously not." I chuckle humorlessly, raising my brows at the mess. "If he did, it wouldn't have happened again, now would it?"

"Well, I'm no plumber." Luke answers easily, shrugging off my comment before Grams can scold me. "Remember to call Paul, June. I'm serious, this won't hold forever."

"Great." I sigh, making a mental note to call Paul, the plumber, before Grams "forgets" and allows Luke to come save the day again. "I'll do that. Thanks."

"Why don't you stay for supper?" Grams asks over me. As I shoot my head up to refuse, Luke politely declines, admitting he has to take Finn out for ice cream. "Well, then..." Grams murmurs. "How can we thank you enough?"

Tossing the last soggy towel into the laundry basket I brought down, I catch Luke give me a heart-stopping, perfectly dimpled grin.

"I'm sure Dylan will think of something to make it up to me."

I bite my tongue, ignoring the dark undertones in his voice, preferring to say nothing instead of hear Grams disapproval.

"I'll walk you out," I mutter instead, forcing a tight lipped grin that I hope will satisfy my grandmother.

"Nonsense!" Grams shouts. I raise my brows and she gestures to Luke's wet clothing, once again forcing my attention to his body. My throat tightens as I wait for her to finish. "Go grab him something dry to wear, Dylan."

"We don't have anything that would fit him." I sigh, running my hand over my own damp ponytail. "Unless you want to try one of my dresses."

My sarcastic smirk doesn't last long.

"Take something from Casey's room." Grams instructs simply, as if it's obvious, and settles herself down at the dining table.

I can't even form words, my mind almost completely unable to comprehend what she's suggesting.

Give... Luke, of all people, something of Casey's to wear?

"That's really not necessary, June." Luke insists quickly, giving me a knowing look, and for once, not pushing me. "It's a quick ride home to change."

Grams ignores him, giving me a stern look instead, and I feel my pulse racing faster, my fingers trembling against the fabric of my jeans.

"Fine." I finally give in under Grams stare, my voice weak as I shakily take a step towards the stairs, slowly, as if waiting for her to change her mind.

When she doesn't, I reluctantly make my ascent to the hallway, each step drawing me closer to everything I've been avoiding for years.

Luke stays downstairs and by the time I reach Casey's door, adorned with faded sports posters, I hear Grams laughing with him.

I flinch when my fingers find the doorknob, my heart pounding in my ears as I twist and the door pops open, squeaking on the hinges the way it always used to.

Squeezing my eyes shut, so tightly that I see stars, like it'll keep me safe, protected from what lays just beyond the threshold, I force myself to take a step inside.

Thanks for reading loves!
What do we think: is grams too harsh or is it just tough love?
And how much do we wish we could see Luke in his wet t-shirt?!
remember to vote if you're liking the story so far! ❤️

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net