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Luke flung his lunch tray down on the table with more force than absolutely necessary.
“Hey!” Alex lifted his carton of milk before Luke’s tray sent it flying. “Some of us want to eat our shitty cafeteria food.”
“Sorry,” Luke mumbled as he sat down. He glared at the meatloaf covered in gravy in the exact same colour, which made it impossible to know where meat ended and gravy began. Like the deep broken ache in his heart bleeding into his soul. He took a bite.
“What’s wrong?” Willie asked him. “You’re not your usual bouncy self.”
‘What makes you think something’s wrong?” Luke gave him a smile so false he could actually taste the deception. It tasted a lot like the meatloaf, only darker.
“I’m an empath. I sense shit like this. Plus you practically threw your tray at Alex,” Willie said.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Alex’s blue eyes focussed on Luke’s over the edge of his milk carton. “What’s got your Canada goose?”
“You know we don’t say that.” Luke scowled at him. “And it’s got your goat. Not goose.”
“They have Canada goats?” Alex asked, then smirked.
Willie gave Alex a quelling glance. “So, what’s wrong?”
Luke couldn’t help but look across the cafeteria to where Julie and Reggie, his girlfriend and boyfriend, were sitting. Their heads were bent together, their beautiful mouths curved up as they talked. Every once in a while, their eyes would meet his then dance away. And they’d giggle.
Their happy laughter was ripping a hole through Luke’s heart.
“Reggie and Julie are going to break up with me,” Luke said.
Alex immediately started choking on his milk. Willie pounded on his back while Alex coughed and wheezed, face going red and his eyes watering. “What—” Alex started, then broke off with another coughing fit. “—Makes you say that?”
Willie’s pounding had turned to gentle rubbing and Alex leaned against him. “Break up with you?” Willie said. “But, you guys have been together since September! Why would they break up with you?”
“And it’s almost Valentine’s Day,” Alex added. His eyes slid to Willie’s for a moment. “It’d be pretty shitty for them to break up with you now.”
Luke’s mouth thinned with the reminder. He’d been so excited to celebrate his first Valentine’s Day with his partners. He’d been composing a song and everything. “Yeah, well. It’s not like it’s not obvious.” He gestured towards where Reggie and Julie were now gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.
“They’re eating lunch together,“ Alex said slowly. “How does that mean they want to break up with you?”
“It’s not just that! It’s the pizza night they had together that I wasn’t invited to. Or the date night they cancelled, only their SnapMaps showed they were together! They want to break up with me.” Luke poked at his meatloaf, appetite totally gone.
Alex licked his lips. “I get why you might be concerned, but none of that means they want to break up with you.”
Luke scowled at him. “Can you think of a better reason? Because I can’t.”
“Maybe they’re planning something fun?” Alex said. “It’s possible!” he insisted at Luke’s continued scowl.
“They’re not planning anything. Except our breakup.” Luke frowned.
Willie shook his head. “No. There’s no way they want to break up with you. The three of you are the love story of the school! There has to be something else going on. Like Alex said.”
“There’s nothing else going on,” Luke said, resignation lacing his words. “They’re done with me. It’s obvious.”
Alex put up his hands as if he was physically stopping Luke’s words. “Hey, let’s not be hasty. There could be lots of reasons—“
Luke shook his head, stopping Alex’s speech. He toyed with the food on his plate so he didn’t have to meet his eyes. “It’s okay. I’ll get over it.”
“Whoa. You’re totally acting like this break up is a done deal. Maybe you should ask them what’s going on, instead of assuming the worst?”
Luke contemplated Willie’s words. Alex’s boyfriend made a lot of sense, as per usual. Maybe he should just ask? Luke looked over to where Reggie and Julie were again, only their seats were empty. They’d left the cafeteria without even saying goodbye. It was everything Luke needed to know.
“I think it’s pretty clear,” Luke said grimly. He stabbed his fork straight into the meatloaf. It stayed standing, like a flag.
“No, it’s not,” Willie said, insistent. “Luke, they love you. You know that.”
It had definitely seemed like they'd loved him over the last five months. He remembered cuddling with Julie and Reggie in Julie’s studio; writing music and stealing kisses; Reggie falling asleep on his shoulder during yet another Star Wars marathon. The way Julie’s eyes would light up when she looked at him, the way Reggie’s lips would curve into that beautiful smile… He couldn’t believe he was losing all of that forever. “I thought I did.”
“They totally love you.” Alex nodded. “I can guarantee it.”
Luke frowned at him. “How would you know that?”
Alex blinked. He looked at Willie, clearly at a loss for words. “Because… uh.”
Luke rolled his eyes.
“Ask them!” Willie said, spreading his hands. “Luke, you guys have a really good thing. You can’t just let it go without a fight.”
“Um, fight?” Alex said, voice too high. “Willie, I don’t think Luke has to fight—”
“'Fight'?” Luke interrupted. Willie was right. They did have a good thing going, even if Reggie and Julie didn’t seem to remember it. But maybe he could make them remember. He sat up straighter. “I could do that.”
“That’s the spirit!” Willie leaned over to clap Luke on the shoulder. “Now go ask them what’s going on.”
“Ask them?" Luke scoffed, "No. You have to be sneaky if you’re going to win a war.”
“'Sneaky'? 'War'?” Alex repeated, eyes wide. “Wait, what?”
“Um. I’m not sure ‘war’ is the right metaphor,” Willie said.
“Yeah it is!” Luke said. “I’m waging a war to win back their hearts.” His eyes drifted over the cafeteria until they landed on Bobby Shaw-Wilson. He was eating by himself as usual, book in his hand and perennial scowl on his handsome face. He was the winningest member of the Los Feliz swim team and the undisputed hottest boy in Junior year. “And I know exactly what the first battle’s going to be.”
Everything was falling into place.
Luke smiled grimly as he saw Julie and Reggie camped out by Julie’s locker. Normally he’d have run over to join them, then kissed both his lovers to celebrate the end of a long day.
But these were not normal times.
Bobby was at his locker, putting his books away. He had his earphones in and looked as annoyed as he ever did. Luke shuddered at the idea of even talking to him, let alone what he was planning. But needs must, and he’d never have a better opportunity.
He squared his shoulders and sauntered over, sliding up to Bobby and putting his hand on Bobby’s locker. He plastered on his most flirtatious smile. “Crissement que t'es beau,” he said in French, hoping it’d work as well with Bobby as it had with Julie and Reggie. Speaking of, he glanced up, hoping they’d noticed what he was doing.
They had not.
He just managed to contain his grimace before turning back to Bobby. He gave his eyes an extra flutter, just to be sure Bobby knew he was flirting.
Bobby took out his earphones with deliberate slowness, then looked flatly at him. “The fuck you say to me?”
Luke swallowed down the thrill of sheer terror that went through him. “I called you cute?”
Bobby’s eyes narrowed. “You called me cute.”
“Yes! In French?” Luke gulped.
Bobby’s gorgeous eyes were pinning Luke in place. “Why?”
“Why in French?” Luke hedged. He stole a glance towards his lovers, but they still weren’t looking. He probably should leave before Bobby killed him. “I should go—”
“Why are you calling me cute?” Bobby interrupted him. “You’re going out with Reggie and Julie.”
Bobby knew him, Reggie and Julie were together? “They want to break up with me,” Luke blurted, too surprised to come up with a better excuse.
Bobby’s frown deepened. “So you’re trying to do what? Flirt with me to make them jealous?”
That was exactly what Luke was doing, but admitting it to Bobby was probably going to shorten his lifespan. “No?” he squeaked.
“That’s exactly what you’re doing.” Bobby’s tone was dangerous. “Did it ever occur to you to, I don’t know, talk to them?”
“And what? Have them tell me they want to break up with me to my face?” Luke said bitterly, too upset to remember to be terrified. “No. Flirting with you is better.”
“Why?” Bobby asked again. “How is using me better than just being honest?”
“Because at least this way I’ll know why they broke up with me!” Luke snapped. “I won’t have to guess, or hear the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’, speech! This is better.”
Bobby’s whole demeanour softened. “Jeez Luke, you got issues.”
“Never said I didn’t.” Luke rubbed the back of his neck, face heating. “Look, just forget I ever came over here, okay? I’ll go hit on… Flynn or something.”
“Don’t. She’s dating my sister and Carrie will kill you.”
“Noted.” Luke sighed. His eyes went to Reggie and Julie again. “Oh, now they’re looking,” Luke said sourly. Why didn’t anything ever work the way he wanted?
“Wait, Reggie and Julie are looking over?” Bobby asked.
Luke nodded miserably. “Not that it matters because—Bobby?”
Bobby had stepped deep into Luke’s space, he angled his body so Luke’s back was against the lockers, one muscular leg between Luke’s thighs, and his hand resting on Luke’s waist. His bent arm was by the side of Luke’s head so Luke was effectively pinned in place. It was both intimidating and really hot. Luke swallowed. “Bobby?”
“Hey, if they’re going to break up with you, might as well make it worth your while, right?” Bobby murmured into his ear. “Let me know if I’m coming on too strong.”
It was way too strong. Being this close to Bobby’s warm and taut body was giving Luke all kind of feels—and he already felt guilty—but Reggie and Julie were going to leave him anyway. Maybe he could just enjoy this while it lasted? “No,” he said, voice high and breathy. “It’s fine.”
“Liar,” Bobby smirked, his lips barely brushing Luke’s ear. “All you’re thinking about is Julie and Reggie.”
It was true. Luke closed his eyes, wishing he were stronger. “I love them,” he whimpered.
Bobby chuckled, puffing warm air against Luke’s overheated skin. “You should tell them that. And tell them why you pulled this stupid stunt while you’re at it.” Luke nodded frantically. “Good boy,” Bobby said. “And by the way? I’m straight and monogamous. We wouldn’t’ve worked at all.” He stepped aside and gently shoved Luke towards Julie’s locker.
“Hey Julie! Reggie!” he shouted above the crowd of students, making just about everyone turn towards them. “You need to get your Canadian under control.” Luke’s face flamed.
Julie crossed her arms. “No kidding.”
There was an unfamiliar emotion churning in Reggie’s stomach.
It felt hot and ugly and he had no idea what it was. It didn’t feel like anger because he’d felt that before, and it wasn’t sadness, because he’d felt that way far too often. This emotion was new. It'd started when he’d seen Bobby leaning over Luke like Luke was a… stack of pancakes and Bobby was really hungry.
Luke’s mouth did taste like maple syrup, so the metaphor made sense. But Reggie really didn’t want anyone else but him and Julie to taste it.
“Fuck me,” he whispered, suddenly realizing what it was. “I’m jealous!”
“Yeah, me too.” Julie’s mouth was tight. They both watched as Bobby nuzzled against Luke’s ear, his hand on Luke’s waist as Luke’s face went an interesting shade of red. “What the fuck is Luke trying to prove?”
Alex and Willie ran up at just that moment! “Guys! Guys! Luke’s going to war!” Alex shouted. Then he saw where Reggie and Julie were looking. “Oh. Never mind.”
Willie’s jaw dropped. “Is he making out with Bobby?”
“He sure is,” Julie forced between her gritted teeth.
Their boyfriend slunk over, his face red and his eyes downcast. “Um.”
Julie shoved his shoulders. “What the fuck were you trying to prove?”
“I was angry, okay?” Luke said. “I was trying to make you jealous.”
“Well it fucking worked!” Reggie shouted at him. There were still students watching the drama unfold in the hallway, but Reggie was too mad to care. Luke had let Bobby touch him! He’d never been so angry in his life.
“Is that who you want? Bobby?” Julie snarled at him. “You want to throw away five months with us for… for a swim god?”
“Bobby’s straight,” Luke said.
“Oh well, guess it doesn’t matter that you guys were practically having sex in the hallway!” Reggie spat.
“We weren’t… ” Luke started, then seemed to realize how angry they were. “I’m sorry?”
“Sorry?” Julie repeated. “I don’t think that’s good enough, Luke!”
Reggie’s pulse was pounding in his ears, his whole body hot with his anger. You’re actually hurt, a little voice inside him chimed in, but he ignored it. Anger was way easier. No wonder his dad was angry all the time. “You wanted to cheat on us!”
Luke’s eyes were pained. “No! I didn’t want to cheat! I’d never do that!”
“Tell that to the way Bobby was touching you!” Reggie was still shouting. “No one gets to touch you like that!”
“Well, what about you and Julie!” Luke went on the offensive. “You’ve been avoiding me for days! Maybe I’m not the one cheating!”
That pulled Reggie up short. He looked at Julie, not understanding. “Me and Julie? What?”
“Yeah! You and Julie!” Luke yelled. “Sitting in the cafeteria, hanging out after school, meeting in the studio on the weekends! All without me. Without me! So, you tell me, who’s cheating?”
“There’s another explanation,” Alex said. Everyone ignored him.
If looks could kill, Julie’s glare would have Luke dead on the floor. “We spend a couple days without you, and cheating’s your best guess?”
Luke stuck out his jaw. “It’s not a guess if I’m right.”
“You’re not right!” Julie snapped at him. “You’re completely wrong!”
“We’re not cheating on you. Not like you and… swim god over there!” Reggie gestured towards Bobby, who was watching the drama along with the rest of the hallway. “I can’t believe you’d think that!”
“We’ve been going out for five months, and that’s how little you think of us.” Julie continued to glare dangerously at Luke.
“There’s another explanation!” Alex said desperately. “Guys, just tell him!”
“Yeah, why don’t you tell me?” Luke crossed his arms. “Tell me you want to break up with me to my face!”
“Because we don’t want to break up with you!’ Reggie shouted. “We never did!”
Some of the hurt faded from Luke’s eyes. “You don’t?”
“That’s what we were trying to tell you in the caf,” Willie said. No one listened to him, either.
“Of course not!” Julie frowned at him. “How could you ever think that?”
“Because… because you were doing all this stuff without me,” Luke said. His arms were still crossed, but now it looked like he was hugging himself. “And why would you want me around if you could have each other?”
“Oh my God,” Julie said on a sigh. “Didn’t we deal with this when we first got together?”
Luke's obvious misery cooled the flames of Reggie’s anger. “How could you possibly think that was true?”
“I don’t know!” Luke flailed his arms. “I’m not good at this stuff!”
“Like I am?” Reggie flailed his arms back. “You and Julie are my firsts!”
Julie took each of their hands. “You guys are not my first, so whey I say you’re both great boyfriends, trust me.” Then she glared at Luke. “When you’re not pulling stunts like this.”
“I’m really sorry,” Luke said softly. “I’m always screwing up, aren’t I?”
“I think it’s your insecurity more than you,” Julie said. “But Luke, you really have to talk to us. You can’t just decide we want to break up with you like that. Not without asking.”
“And dude, we literally told you they didn’t want to break up with you,” Willie said.
Luke ignored Willie to pull Reggie and Julie into his arms.
Reggie clung to him, burying his face in Luke’s neck. “You made me so mad,” Reggie murmured.
“I’m sorry,” Luke said again. "I just... didn't want you to break my heart."
"We'd never do that," Julie said.
Reggie swallow. “But I really don’t like being mad. Or jealous! Please don’t ever do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise,” Luke said. “I’m just really stupid sometimes.”
Reggie could hear the smile in Julie’s voice. “Yeah, but we love you anyway.”
“So, what are you guys talking about?” Luke was bouncing like a puppy beside the couch in the studio.
“Who invited him?” Julie asked Reggie, pretending to ignore Luke’s eloquent pout. “Because I thought we weren’t inviting him.”
Luke’s pout got worse. “I was feeling left out.”
It was meant to be a joke, but Julie knew Luke’s hurt face when she saw it. Her heart melted and she patted the couch beside her. “Come here.”
Luke beamed and bounded over, then tossed himself onto the couch. He immediately lay across both Julie's and Reggie’s laps, looking up at them with his beautiful green eyes. "Salut, mes amours.”
“Hello to you, too.” Reggie bent over and kissed Luke’s mouth. Their angle was awkward, but Julie still appreciated the view.
“So, what are you talking about?” Luke asked again. “Is it about me?” He was joking, but Julie could hear the note of insecurity. He still didn’t really believe they loved him; Not deep down. It made Julie’s heart ache for him. One day she hoped he’d believe it.
“Yes, it’s about you.” Julie rubbed his chest, making him purr. She glanced at Reggie, checking with him before she spoke. Reggie nodded with a grin and Julie smiled back. “And what we’re going to do for you for Valentine’s Day.”
Luke sat up so fast he nearly hit Reggie in the nose. “What?”
“We’ve been planning something really cool!” Reggie enthused.
“Which is why we’ve been so secretive,” Julie said.
“And if you’d just asked, you would’ve known we didn’t want to break up with you,” Reggie reminded him pointedly.
“I’m really sorry,” Luke said again, but he was too excited to sound that contrite. “What are you planning?”
“Something cool. Like Reggie said.” Julie booped Luke on the nose.
“But what?” Luke whined. “Julie…!”
Julie laughed. “Oh, no. Don’t you dare give me those big green eyes. Reggie and I have been planning this for weeks! We’re not telling you anything.”
“Fine,” Luke whined. He flopped back down onto their laps, but then immediately sat up. “Oh shit! But what if my gift for you guys isn’t good enough?”
“Luke!” Julie admonished him. “We love you! It doesn’t matter what you give us, or even if you don’t have a gift at all! We love you! Can’t you get that through your thick skull?”
“We love you,” Reggie echoed. “Luke, you and Julie are the best fucking thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t care if the only thing you ever give me is… is a cold! I just love you, okay?”
Luke’s eyes widened. “Vous pensez vraiment ҫa. ”
Julie cupped Luke’s face in her hands. “If you’re asking if we mean it, yes we do.”
Luke shifted on the couch so he could kiss her. She kissed him back, her eyes fluttering closed, tasting the sweet flavour of his mouth. Reggie had said Luke tasted like maple syrup, and she thought he was probably right.
Luke broke the kiss with her to lean over and kiss Reggie, before resting his forehead against the other boy’s. “I love you guys so much,” he breathed. “And… I believe you. I really do. It’s just hard sometimes. You know?”
“Yeah,” Reggie said softly. “I get that.”
Julie’s heart broke listening to her boys. She hadn’t had the bad parenting they’d both experienced. She’d give anything to erase that pain. She hugged them both. “You’ll get there,” she said.
They stayed like that, the three of them with their arms around each other. Luke was the first to break the silence. “So, what you get me?” he asked, grinning wickedly.
“It’ll be nothing if you keep asking,” Julie warned, but she couldn’t help her smile.
Valentine’s Day was Monday, so Sunday was the day they’d decided to celebrate.
Reggie knocked on the door of the studio, one hand behind his back. He bounced on his toes in excitement.
Julie opened the door. She was wearing one of his flannels tied in a knot to show off her slender waist. he took a moment to admire how beautiful she looked. “You’re gorgeous.”
She smiled at him, showing the adorable gap between her teeth. “You’re gorgeous,” she said, and kissed him. Her mouth tasted faintly of chocolate.
He took his hand from behind his back, presenting her with the bouquet of dahlias.
She took them, her face brightening as she squealed in happiness. “My favourite!”
Reggie beamed at her, glad he could make her happy. “I love you,” he told her, delighting in the way it made her eyes sparkle. He kissed her again and then followed her inside.
“Bébé bird!” Luke shouted and bounded over, grabbing Reggie and kissing him senseless. “I love you,” he murmured against Reggie’s mouth.
“I love you, too,” Reggie murmured back. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Luke brightened even more. “Do I get my present?”
“Not yet.” Julie laughed. “But it’s coming, don’t worry.” She put the flowers on the coffee table beside an open box of expensive chocolates Reggie was sure Luke had gotten for her.
“Well, we have to go to it.” Reggie grinned at him.
Luke frowned for a moment, but then his bright smile was back. “I got you something!” He reached behind the couch and then shoved a box of chocolates into Reggie’s hands.
"For me?” Reggie bit his lip as he read the box. “Are these from Canada?”
“I ordered them special,” Luke said proudly. “Try them!”
Reggie didn’t need to be asked twice. He opened the box and picked one at random before shoving it into his mouth. His eyes widened. “These are delicious!” He held the box out to Luke. “Want one?”
Luke’s grin turned wicked. “Yep.” He kissed Reggie, licking purposefully into his mouth. “You’re right. They are delicious.”
Reggie’s face heated even as he beamed.
“Can I try it too?” Julie asked, then kissed him. “Oh, very nice.” She grinned.
Luke picked up his guitar and perched on one of the chairs. “Can I give you guys my other gift now?”
Julie clapped her hands in glee. “Did you write us a song?” She took Reggie’s hand and pulled him down to sit beside her on the couch.
“Of course,” Luke said smugly. He strummed a chord, then started to sing
Reggie’s jaw dropped. He knew Luke was a great musician; he’d been the lead singer and guitarist for their band for the last five months. But this was something else. Luke's voice was sweet and pure, ringing with emotion. The lyrics were simple, and conveyed the truth of loving someone so profoundly you didn’t even need to say it.
“Why don’t we move to Canada, and buy some things we don’t need?”
“Bring your mother’s dress, your paintbrush and some candy.”
“And when they talk about those people who up and leave?”
“That could be us. That could be you and me.”
“That could be you and me…”
Luke’s voice trailed off with the last notes of his guitar. He smiled at them, his eyes soft and his teeth denting his bottom lip. “Did you like it?”
Reggie swallowed, trying to hold in the emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. Julie was gripping his hand, clearly as deeply affected. Reggie cleared his throat, then cleared it again. “Yeah,” he said finally, voice cracking on the word and eyes wet. “Yeah, I did.”
“That was so beautiful,” Julie was holding back tears too. “I can’t believe… it was so beautiful!” She wiped her eyes.
Reggie used the edge of his shirt to daub his eyes. “I’ll move to Canada with you. If you want.”
“Me, too,” Julie said. “God, that was beautiful.”
“You really think so?” Luke said to her, then he blinked. “Wait. Did you guys just say you’d move to Canada?”
“If you want,” Reggie repeated. “I mean, we’ll have to finish high school first, and it might take a while to immigrate but—”
Luke put his guitar down and launched himself onto the couch between them. He kissed them one after the other, for all he was worth. “You guys,” he said. “Mes bébé birds. I love you so much. I can’t believe you’d move to Canada to be with me.”
“It was a really good song,” Julie said.
They’d booked time at an ice rink.
Luke was giddy with excitement. He hadn’t been living in LA that long, and even though he knew they had a hockey team, it’d never occurred to him you could actually go somewhere to skate.
He glided over the ice, easily falling into the familiar rhythm, the sound of his skate blades and the cool air against his face. He laughed out loud in joy.
”C'est fuck de genial!” he called as he flew by Julie and Reggie. They were both perched on the benches in one of the penalty boxes, watching him skate.
He’d had the best Valentine’s Day in his entire life, and that was even before he’d stepped onto the ice. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his future, or where he wanted to live, but just knowing Reggie and Julie would be willing to move countries for him…
The knowledge sat in his heart: light and happy and so full of love he felt like he could just float away.
He lapped the rink again and then skidded to a halt in front of lovers, spraying ice from his blades and grinning like a maniac. “Are you guys coming?”
Julie licked her lips. “I’ve never skated before?”
“Me, neither,” Reggie said. “The lessons were kind of expensive?”
Luke stilled at their words. “You… “ He had to clear his throat, overwhelmed by how much Julie and Reggie loved him. How could he have doubted it for a second? “You did this just for me?”
“Yeah,” Julie said with a small shrug. She grinned.
“All Canadians skate,” Reggie said with authority. “We figured you'd miss it, so we wanted to give this to you.” He smiled so happily Luke didn’t have the heart to correct him.
“Do you like it?” Julie asked, uncharacteristically shy. “I mean, I figured that’s what you shouted before, but—
“Luke bent over the short wall of the box and kissed her, then rested his forehead against hers. “I love it,” he said softly. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“We love you,” Reggie said, and Luke kissed him next. When he pulled back, Reggie swayed towards him like the kiss had made him dizzy. “Wow.”
“You’re wow,” Luke said, taking each of their hands. “You both are. How’d I get so lucky?”
“Mr. Covington thought you didn’t speak English.” Julie smirked.
Luke laughed. “That was the best! I didn’t have to do any schoolwork for a whole week!” He turned and looked at the rink, nearly empty except for a few adult skaters and the three of them. “Are you guys sure you don’t want to come out? I promise I won’t let you fall.”
“Maybe in a bit?” Julie said. “I just want to watch you fly over the ice.”
Luke looked at his boyfriend. “Reggie?”
“Not this time,” Reggie said. “I don’t want to break something and not get to eat the heart-shaped pizza Julie’s making.”
“We’d bring it to you in the hospital,” Luke said with mock seriousness. “Feed you bites while you were getting an X-ray—”
Reggie laughed and swatted him gently on the hip. “Go skate. We can only stay for an hour.”
“Okay, okay!” Luke grinned. “I’ll go skate.”
“We’ll be here,” Julie said.
Luke turned to smile at his lovers. “I know you will,” he said.
END