Page 53 of Tracing Holland

“Crap!It’s so late!”she laughs, jumping to her feet.She had put her top back on a while ago, and I rise to grab my own shirt off the floor.I’ve just slipped it over my head when she opens the door to reveal the last person I want to see at that moment.

“Hey, Wes.Did they finish the sound check?”

His eyes sear me from across the room, and I do my best to pretend not to notice.

“Yeah, they’re finished.Just checking to see if you wanted to grab something to eat quick from catering.”He stops, and this time I decide to face his hatred head-on.“But I guess you’re busy.”

Holland has to notice the tension, but chooses to let it go.“No, it’s fine.We’re finishing up.You want to get some food?”she asks, turning to me.I almost say yes just to annoy Wes, but I’m pretty sure I’d regret it once the satisfaction of the “up yours” wore off.

“Actually, I should get going and check in with the others.You go ahead,” I say, moving toward the door as if it’s not going to take every reserve of strength I have to pass within five feet of Wes without hitting him.

“You sure?”Holland seems disappointed, but I cast her a sincere smile.

“Yeah.We’ll catch up later, ok?”I assure her.We exchange a knowing look that I’m sure Wes doesn’t miss.

“Hey, man, sorry about your phone getting hacked,” he sneers as I move past him.“That’s gotta suck.Those girls were pretty hot, though.”

I glare at him, but manage to keep my fists from smashing his face as I move into the hallway.I guess the secret’s out.

I’ve putit off long enough.Now that I know the new false “truth” about the phone hack is public, I don’t really have a choice anyway.I have to come clean to Callie and Casey, and I send them a message to meet me at the bus.

I don’t have to wait long when they board with concerned looks on their faces.

“Luke, before you begin, please let us say something,” Callie blurts as she drops beside me on the lounge.“We’ve been trying to get you all day!We’re sorry, ok?Whatever happened in Charlotte doesn’t change anything.We should have been more supportive and understanding.”

Her sincerity cuts into me, and I’m filled with a mixture of warmth, regret, and fear.I guess we’ll see how sincere they are when they’re forced to confront my latest lie.

I swallow and brace myself.“Well, that’s why I called you here.I have to confess something about what happened in Charlotte.”I can tell they want to interrupt, but I don’t give them the chance.“I didn’t go out that night.I just walked around a bit and got some air.”I suck in a deep breath and finally meet their surprised gazes.“I leaked old photos because I didn’t want them talking about you anymore, Cal.”

I stop and allow the shock to settle.Even though they’re more accustomed to my infuriating, confusing love than anyone, they’re still struggling with this one.The silence seems to go on for hours, but I’m sure it’s only a few seconds before I’m being tackled against the backrest of the couch.

“What is wrong with you?”Callie cries, nestling into my shoulder.

I chuckle and shake my head.“God, I have no idea.You know that.”

She pulls back with a stern look, but the glisten in her eyes gives her away.“Ok, first of all.That was so stupid!You can’t do that, Luke!You have got to start worrying about yourself!Taking care of you!”She actually smacks my shoulder, and then sits back to take a breath.“And second of all…” she stops and hugs me again while Casey only shakes his head behind her.

“Are you fucking serious, man?”he mutters in disbelief.

I shrug.“We’re going to say my phone was hacked.”

“Hacked by its owner, the biggest idiot on this planet!You let us all shred you!”Casey curses again.

I look away.“Yeah, well, maybe it wasn’t the best plan.”

“It was a freaking idiotic plan!Dude, that is so messed up.Why didn’t you at least tell us?”

“I was afraid you’d be upset and try to interfere which would only make things worse.”

“Um, yeah, we would have, you dork!”Callie cries, swatting my arm.“What were you thinking?”

I laugh again at the ironic question.“I wasn’t, that’s the problem.I just…I don’t know.”

She moves onto the cushion beside me, turning my face to hers and staring me down.“Luke Craven, it’s Straight Talk Time.Don’t you ever,ever, do something like that again, got it?I mean, ever!”

I grin and shrink a bit.“I won’t.”

“You better not!”She crosses her arms and glares at the clock.“You’re lucky you need to go get ready for the show right now, but don’t get too comfortable.I’m not even close to done with you!”

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