“She’s going to eavesdrop, isn’t she?” Luke watched her until she disappeared at the top of the stairway.
“Yup, for sure,” she agreed, but then, in true Aly form, she froze. Why was he here? And what was she supposed to say to him? The awkward uncomfortableness that she’d struggled with her whole life settled over her. It was the way she always felt around the Evanses.
“Will told me to butt out, but I have a problem.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “I don’t fucking listen.”
Aly couldn’t fight the smile that flooded her face.
“I had to come see you because I have this pain.” He rubbed at the center of his chest. “I didn’t sleep last night because it wouldn’t stop aching.”
Uh. What? No. She’d already dealt with one emergency this week. She couldn’t do another.
“I don’t know anything about medicine.” She shook her head. “But chest pain is one of those call nine-one-one things.”
Luke chuckled again. “You’re adorable. It’s the perfect light to his broody.”
“So, ambulance?”
Luke flopped onto the sofa. “No. It’s echo pain. Will and I have had it our whole lives. He hurts; I hurt.”
Oh. That made sense. She hadn’t been feeling great today either. Aly studied the new flooring at her feet, unable to look at him. She didn’t know what to say to that, but she had to come up with something.
“Will deserves better than me.”
When Luke didn’t respond, she looked up.
He was staring across the room, but he nodded. “Will didn’t deserve to be hurt by you.”
She knew that too. She knew they all agreed—he deserved better than her.
“Buthe deserves to be happy, and the only time he’s really been truly happy since our parents died was when he was with you. If I thought it would help, I’d throw you in the back of my Jeep and drag you back to PA with me. You two were good together.”
That threw her. She couldn’t hide the frown she wore when she regarded him, taking in his admission.
“Why does that surprise you?” he asked. “The first time my brother talked about Andy, I knew he’d end up with you.”
“What?” Will and Andy had spent over a month together before she even came back to town.
Luke leveled a glare she had never seen him use before. “If you tell anyone this, and that includes Will, I will call you ten times a liar. But I’ve watched your show for years.” He gave her a sheepish smile and swung one leg that dangled off the sofa. “You’re damn good at what you do, and you teach well. I’ve learned a lot from watching you.” The glare came back. “But if anyone asks, I’ll deny watching that girlie show.” He pointed a finger at her to drive home his point.
She put both hands in the air. “I won’t tell a soul.” But her heart warmed at his admission. He thought she was talented, and that boosted her confidence a smidgen.
“I know you’re quiet or…” He trailed off.
“Awkward and never know what to say?” she corrected.
Luke nodded. “Apart from when I watch the show, this is the most I’ve ever heard you say.” He stuck his hands in his pocket and affected a serious expression. “But in case you didn’t notice, there is never a shortage of conversation in our family. A good listener’s a positive addition to our group.”
True, the conversation always flowed, and in some ways, the Evans family made things easy on her. They didn’t ask for much from her, but she always worried that they expected her to say more. And that made her uncomfortable.
“I can speak for everyone when I say we were happy to see you with Will. We would never want you to feel like we didn’t want you around,” Luke added.
She couldn’t leave that hanging out there, because the assumption that they’d upset her was so untrue. Her own insecurities had made her feel unwanted. “You didn’t. This is just what I was saying. He deserves better than me.”
He nodded. “But I knew exactly who you were when Will first mentioned you. You’re his perfect match, and I knew that as soon as he realized it, we’d be ring shopping.” He grinned. “Stop looking shocked.”