Grams tries to stand and I rush forward to keep her in her armchair. Stubborn as a mule, my grandmother seemed to have passed down her hardheadedness to me. Even still, she doesn't like to be doted on. Concussion or not, she wants people to know she'll be fine on her own.

"Hey, Grams." I bend to embrace her small body in the plush cushions. For a minute, I forget that Luke is standing in the corner of the room, watching the entire thing.

"Hey, June." His voice reminds me of his presence and my body stiffens in response. I look over my shoulder to see him wave cheerfully at Grams.

Turning back to Grams, I notice the soft smile on her face as she takes him in. I feel my brows furrow as annoyance grows within me. She should hate Luke, too, never mind like him. The idea that she's betraying us somehow tears me in two.

"Luke, honey. Thanks for making sure Dylan got in okay." Grams pats my hand as I settle in a stool beside her chair.

"Excuse me?" I mutter, brows raised. I bite my tongue about the solo trek I've just endured to get here.

At the same time, Luke claps his hands together. "It was no problem, June." He winks when I shoot him a dirty look. He pushes his tall frame from the wall and touches his fingers to the clasp of his baseball cap, just at his hairline.

"I'll see you ladies around." Luke smirks a cheeky half-grin at me when Grams isn't looking. I clench the fist not holding her dainty hand and roll my eyes to the ceiling.

"Not likely."

Grams head shoots up then, her dark eyes focused behind her glasses. "And why the hell not?"

Luke bursts into laughter - deep and throaty, a sound that reminds me of sea fishing and bonfires in the sand - and I find the corners of my lips turning up slightly at the familiarity. When he meets my eyes, though, the moment is gone and my resentment resolves deep in my chest.

Grams points at Luke with a crooked finger, "And you don't go anywhere yet."

"Because," I sigh at Grams. "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to help you," I kiss her forehead and grab the empty water glass beside her. "Maybe get a part time job for some cash. And then I'll be back home for the fall once you're better,"

I trail into the kitchen with her empty glass and Luke follows. I pretend he doesn't, adding ice cubes and filtered water before returning to the living room. Luke is right behind me and my skin tingles wherever his eyes wander. The idea that he's checking me out makes me itch simultaneously. That ship sailed a long time ago.

Grams is giving me a stern look when I finally meet her gaze - one that would've send me hiding when I was little. Now, after a couple of days of travel, it just makes me tired. I stifle a yawn with my hand.

"Luke isn't a new friend." Grams shakes her head at me, accepting the water with a grateful smile despite our disagreement. The cubes clang against the glass as her hand shakes and I frown at the sight.

"He isn't a friend at all." I shrug finally, as if Luke isn't in the same room.

He winces as though he's been wounded and Grams smacks at my hand. "Manners, Dylan Grace."

I bite my lip to stop my eye roll and catch Luke smirking at me above Grams' head. He knows how much the full name thing annoys me. He also knows that it used to have the complete opposite effect when it was him saying it, but that illusion is gone now, too.

"Well, I still consider you a friend anyway." Luke chuckles, tapping his knuckles against the counter top. "June, do you have a list ready for me?" I raise my brows at him and he explains. "I've been getting her groceries and things from the shop,"

"I can get her groceries myself, Luke." I snap. I run a hand through my dark tangles, irritated with myself, too. A simple 'thank you' probably would have sufficed. 

He puts his palms up in surrender, giving in as Grams intervenes. "Alright, enough of this. We can resume in the morning but it's past my bedtime."

Grateful for the intrusion, I return to Grams side. "Okay, I'll walk you upstairs." I put my shoulder close to hers and wrap my arm around her thin torso as she stands to her feet.

"Oh, I don't need all this." Grams grumbles. The way Luke hovers tells me that she does. I don't fight him as he trails us up the stairs, hands extended in case of any accidents.

Luke stays in the hall as I say goodnight to Grams. She's exhausted, having stayed up far later than normal to greet me, but the excitement wore her down quickly. I stay with her for a moment as she drifts to sleep with a promise to wake for tea in the morning.

Quietly, I creep back into the hall to find Luke peering into my childhood room. Mom and Dad's house was only up the street, but Grams always had a place for Casey and me, in case we wanted to stay. Of course, we always did.

"Hey," I shove Luke from the doorway and close the door quickly.

"I think that's where you're staying," He smirks, eyes twinkling. "I hope you still like boy bands and stuffed animals."

"Shut it, Luke." I mutter, placing my hands on his chest to back him down the hallway. We reach the top of the stairs and I stop,  crossing my arms defiantly over my chest. "Thanks for everything. But go, now. I've got it from here."

"I'm glad to help." Luke says, his smile fading into a serious expression. "Alright, just let me know if you need anything. You know where I live,"

He chuckles but turns on his heel and trots down the stairs. With a final look over his shoulder, he throws me one last famous Luke Henson smile.

"It really was good to see you again, Dyl."

My chin lifts stubbornly as I push off the banister. "I wish I could say the same, Luke."