"Why do you think that?" I asked as I tried to understand the unspoken motives behind his words.It seemed as if this was coming out of nowhere and I couldn't wrap my head around it. What was he thinking?I couldn't help but be taken aback by his sudden shift in perspective on our relationship. Originally, it seemed like he wanted this more than me. He was the one who wanted to tell everyone, and I was the one who wasn't quite ready.It all happened so quickly, and now I wondered if that was what caused this. Did we move too fast and now he's realizing it was a mistake?Lucas's eyes remained fixed on the road like he was trying hard not to glance at me. His hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. "Things have gotten really complicated since then, Shana. Your father's situation, and now there's... more."More? More what?His cryptic words left me hanging and I struggled to unravel the mystery of what he meant. What else has happened that I'm unaware of?"Are yo
"Shana, I worked so hard to be involved in my father's business—ever since I shifted. That's what I was trained to become." Lucas looked at me, trying to get me to understand the words that he was saying.I almost couldn't believe that was coming out of his mouth. He seriously wanted Kendrick back in his life after everything.He was only going to hold Lucas back and I thought he had realized that. I thought we were over all this."Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief, still unable to believe it was true. This didn’t sound like him at all.Surely Kendrick was blackmailing him somehow. Lucas seemed so adamant about never wanting to be a part of his father's life again.Just last week, Lucas told me his father had followed him and asked him to rejoin the family business. When Lucas refused, Kendrick warned him that his cousin would take his place as heir.Lucas told me he didn't even care, and by the look on his face, I didn't think he cared either. He was free from the shackles of co
As I waited for Lucas and James to notice me standing in the hallway, I bit my lip as I watched them. They held their heads close together as they seemed to be talking about something serious.Did Lucas tell James everything that had happened with his father?I knew that when it came to Kendrick, James would be on my side. He hated the control that Kendrick had over Lucas as much as I did. I hoped that his best friend would be able to give him some advice that I couldn't offer.When the two of them finally noticed me, James plastered a smile on his face.He stopped in front of me. "Hey, Shana Banana."I raised an eyebrow. "Shana Banana?" That was a first."I just came up with it." James shrugged. "It kinda fits you.""How so?"James only smiled at me and turned to Lucas to give him an enthusiastic clap on the back. "Alright, bro. I gotta run but don't forget what we talked about. If you need anything just text me, okay?""Sure, thanks," Lucas and James gave each other the odd handshak
"My father knows you're the most important thing to me," Lucas explained as the car moved down the road quickly, "I needed to convince him that I was serious about wanting to return, and that it wasn't just for you."I furrowed my brow, the complexity of this situation making it difficult for me to see the full picture. "How are you going to be able to convince him of that?""That's exactly why I told him I wanted to move back home, so that he could keep a closer eye on me. That part was all my idea," Lucas said, a hint of determination in his voice.As we drove on, I couldn't help but try to view the situation through Kendrick's perspective. If he wanted to regain control over Lucas, he would need him close and free from any distractions, like Grandma Jo, me, or hockey.I couldn't lie, it sounded like a solid plan. Or at least, a solid start."Tell me your plan," I urged, needing to understand his reasoning more clearly."My father thinks I'll end our relationship, but we'll just kee
Lucas POVI was sitting in my old room, staring at the email notification from a popular university hockey team.This was probably the eighth email I had gotten from a college team ever since the championship game just a few days ago.As usual, the email started off the same way."Lucas, we attended the Dragon versus Titan championship game and were impressed with not only your sportsmanship, but your skill as a excellent hockey player..."The rest of the email detailed their interest in having me join their team. They continued on saying that they wanted to discuss the offer in person and potential scholarships this could give me.It was an incredible opportunity, one that I had always dreamed of. But I couldn't entertain it, not with my father's conditions hanging over my head.Even if a school was to offer me a full ride scholarship, my father wouldn't care because he can afford the tuition. Plus, my father only cared about Hawking University and ever since I saw their scout at the
The school days had blurred together into a frustrating, mundane rhythm.It had already been a week since Lucas had moved back in with Kendrick. It was a week filled with distance and silence.I hadn't seen much of Lucas since he was trying not to be seen with me at school if fear of his father finding out. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. The only time we talked anymore was over the phone, a few texts here and there.I wanted to call him last night, but he didn't want to risk his father hearing us. It was frustrating and annoying being unable to actually communicate with him. And even though Lucas was doing all of this for me, it felt like he was slowly slipping away.It felt like we were losing what we had just gained.It seemed as if the whole school had taken notice in our relationship shift as well. I couldn't help but feel that everyone at school had already assumed we'd broken up, and that irritated me to no end.They would still stare and whisper, but this time it w
I couldn't help but raise my brows in question as I stared at James's phone screen, my eyes locked on Victoria's name.It wouldn't have been weird if Victoria's name in James's phone was just plain, but there was a red heart emoji that followed her name.It was such an intimate display, one that friends typically didn't exchange.Did this mean what I thought it did?I always thought they didn’t realize that their arguing might mean something more than that. And they were just too afraid to admit it that they liked each other.But judging from the suspicious heart, I was probably wrong.I don't even think I had a heart in my phone for Lucas... and the two of us were actually dating!My curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn't resist prying."Why is Victoria calling you, James?" I asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide my surprise.James, on the other hand, jumped as if I'd given him an electric shock. He quickly tried to shield his phone screen from me, but it was too la
"No, Shana, you're the first person I've told." James shook his head at my question, his eyes filling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "We want to keep it under wraps for now. I don't even know if Victoria told Emily."Emily was Victoria's best friend who had also been at the beach house with us.Still, James's revelation left me feeling overly excited, and naturally, a whirlwind of questions filled my mind.I couldn't help but ask, my analytical nature got the better of me as I pressed James for details."So," I said. "Spill the beans. I want to know everything. How did it happen?""What?" James frowned. "The kiss?""Yes!" I exclaimed. "The kiss. I want to know every single detail. When did it happen? How was it? Did it happen more than once? Did—""Shana... slow down." James put a hand on either side of my shoulders, steadying me."I'm sorry, I'm just so excited for you! This is big news.""I know, and I'm so glad you're being a good supportive friend, but you're asking