Neither Luca nor Liam have looked at each other since their big talk. And for some reason, Jill keeps looking at me like I have something to do with it.
I sigh out loud as we finally arrive at the cabin, and I open the car door and suck in a much-needed breath of fresh air. It was way too tense in there.
Everyone else gets out too. Liam’s already walking quite well, despite the fact that he got shot mere days ago. He might be biting through the pain, though, judging from the way his body tenses with each step.
“So … what do you want to do?” Jill suddenly asks as she closes the car door.
“What do you mean?” I reply as she walks over to my side.
“Are you going to come home with us?” she asks.
I gaze at Liam, who hobbles to a small wooden chair just outside the house.
“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?” she adds.
A blush spreads across my cheeks.
“How long is this going to take?” Luca barks from the driver’s seat window.
Jill turns her head. “Maybe come outside so you can say bye too?”
Luca rolls his eyes but still opens the door and gets out. “Fine. Bye.”
“I meant to your brother,” Jill says.
Luca sighs out loud but still strides over to Liam and stands there a few feet away from him. “We’re leaving.”
“Okay,” Liam replies.
God, this is awkward.
“Look after Mom and Dad, will you,” Liam says.
Luca shrugs. “Sure.”
“How are they doing?” Liam asks.
“Just as insufferable as ever,” Luca replies.
Liam laughs. “Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that.”
“I mean, I told them you didn’t want to see them again, so feel free to ignore them forever.”
Jesus.
Liam looks up at him. “And you? Do you ever wanna see me again after this?”
Luca tucks his hands into his pockets. “If you’re even a tiny bit less unbearable … Maybe.”
Liam laughs and gets up from his chair. “Hold on.”
He goes inside the cabin and comes out with a pen and some paper, and he scribbles something down and hands it to Luca. “Call me when you get the repair bill for the car.”
Luca frowns and tries to hand him back the paper. “I don’t want your money. I can pay for it.”
Liam sighs. “All right, but if you’re ever curious or in the neighborhood, just call. Even if just to chat.”
Luca doesn’t look pleased, but he still shoves the note into his pocket. “Fine. Whatever.”