Page 5 of The Drummer

His expression droops again when he realizes what that sounds like to me. She’s there, even though he’s made no room for me in his life.

“I’m sorry things went down the way they did, Case. Truly. And trust me, the diner situation is not something I asked for or saw coming.”

“The diner situation?”

“The thing with Callie. We have breakfast together.”

“You have breakfast together,” I say dryly. “And what?”

He shrugs. “And nothing. That’s it. We have breakfast together. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we don’t.”

I nod because I have no other response.

Jealousy simmers inside me again, and I force it away. I could be angry about it. I could be bitter that he let some stranger into his life while rejecting me. But I love him too much to not be grateful to this person for shining even the smallest light into his shadow.

There’s something special about this girl. I already know itfrom the way his eyes change when he talks about her. And I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this story. Something heavy. Something epic I can’t begin to understand.

But now isn’t the time for that conversation. Luke is struggling just to stay in the moment. I get the sense he’d rather be left alone, and I don’t think I could bear that after finding him again.

“You staying over tonight, Case?” he asks, draining his glass.

Surprised, I glance at him to get a read on the offer. Is that sarcasm? There’s no humor in his expression. Not much of anything, really, just exhaustion. Yes, that’s it. He looks flat-out depleted.

“Sure, if that’s okay.”

He shrugs. “We can grab breakfast tomorrow before you go.”

“With your new girlfriend?”

I regret my joke the second it comes out. His gaze lowers, zero hint of a smile.

“It’s not like that, man. I told you.”

“I know. Sorry.”

“Callie is… special. She sees you, ya know?”

So he’s said. Still, seems like a stretch. I get that he’s grasping, but some random chick in a diner?

“And the fact that you’re Luke Craven of Night Shifts Black has nothing to do with her interest?” Someone has to say it, and even if I’m not the best man for the job, I’m the only one, apparently.

“That’s just it. She had no clue.”

“Really?” I try to keep my skepticism out of the equation. I’ve pushed him pretty far already.

“I’m telling you, dude. She’s different. Even when she found out who I was, it didn’t change anything. I’m still just Luke, and she’s just Callie.”

“Huh.”

Okay, maybe I’m a little more than intrigued. Still not sure Itrust this girl, but she’s accomplished in a few breakfasts what the rest of us couldn’t do in months.

Even more telling, Luke’s eyes change when he talks about her. The light flickers on for the briefest of seconds, giving a glimpse of what he could be. It disappears just as quickly, but it’s enough to make me think a breakfast to check things out is probably a good idea. Last thing we need is some opportunist taking advantage of his vulnerable state.

“She’s a pistol too. You wouldn’t guess it at first. She’s so sweet and genuine, but then bam, she’ll smack you with a one-liner that just rips the rug out.”

I smile to myself. Sounds more like my type than his.

“You’ll love her, Case. She could definitely handle you.”

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