Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) (10 page)

           
Luke
didn’t say a word. He listened and even when she said something he didn’t
necessarily want to hear, he still listened. He knew it was pertinent that she
get it all out and he wasn’t about to stand in her way.

           
“I
want you to know I would take it all back if I could. Every horrible thing I
would erase.” She said and wiped away at the tear that slid down her cheek.
When more fell from her eyes, he reached out to her and brushed them away with
his thumb. He didn’t know if he should touch her, yet he didn’t think twice.

           
Ms.
Snyder offered them a box of tissues and Luke took them from her and handed
them off to Cara. She placed the box of tissues in her lap and wiped away her
tears, sniffling into the tissue before she composed herself.

           
“Living
amends means that I am changing the negative behavior in my life and replacing
it with positive behavior and opening up my life to new possibilities and a
chance at redemption. I promise you, Luke, that from this day forward I’m going
to strive to be the best person I can be.”

           
Luke
blew out a breath as he stared at her in awe. He knew that right there, on the
patio of the rehab center she was in, with the counselor as their audience,
Cara owned a small piece of his heart. He turned and looked at Ms. Snyder. “Can
I hug her?” He asked hoarsely.

           
Ms.
Snyder simply nodded and that was all the permission Luke needed. He stood up
and leaned down and brought Cara into his arms. She cried against his shoulder
and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

           
“Thank
you for being there for me even when I didn’t deserve it.”
 
She said through her tears.

           
“I’ll
always be here for you.” He whispered into her hair. “I promise.” They latched
onto one another for a few moments before she pulled back and her eyes that had
turned green stared up into his brown ones. He marveled at their color, seeing
the flecks of green and knowing that she was completely sober. He smiled at her
for a moment before he sat back in his seat. He tore his eyes from her and
looked back at the counselor.

           
“You
did wonderful Cara. I’m very proud of you as you should be of yourself.”

           
Cara
smiled at her. “Thank you.” She let out a deep breath and couldn’t describe how
amazing it felt to have that off her chest.

           
“It
was nice to meet you, Luke.” Ms. Snyder said as she stood to her full height.

           
Luke
glanced back and forth between the two women. “We’re done?” He asked.

           
“That
concludes our session. Thank you for coming and for supporting Cara in her
recovery.”

           
Luke
and Cara stood in unison. “It was nice to meet you too, Ms. Snyder.” He said
and shook her hand.

           
“I’ll
see you tomorrow.” Cara said to her counselor and led Luke to the office. Once
they were outside, they turned to one another, sharing an awkward silence.

           
“So…”
She whispered.

           
“So…”
He repeated.

           
“Do
you want to go for a walk by the lake before you head home? If you have to
leave it’s fine. I understand. I know you have a long drive ahead of you…”

           
“Cara…”

           
“I’m
rambling.”

           
“Yeah.”
He smiled. “I have time for a walk, but you should probably grab a jacket or
something. The weather is changing.”

           
“Okay.
Stay right here. I’ll be right back and we’ll head out through those doors.”
She motioned behind him at the glass doors.

           
“Okay.”
He said and leaned against the wall, watching as she jogged down the hallway to
what he assumed was the direction of her room. This place was huge. If he
closed his eyes and someone spun him around, he’d be lost. It didn’t take her
long and when she came back to him she was wearing the sweatshirt he gave her
when she first arrived at Lakeview. He took in her appearance and couldn’t help
the smile.

           
“Nice
shirt.” He commented and bit back the laugh when she rolled up the sleeves that
were too long.

           
“Thanks.
This guy I know gave it to me.” She bit her lip and looked around to make sure
they were alone in the hallway and no one could hear her. “Can you keep a
secret?”

           
He
looked at her skeptically. “I think we both know I can keep a secret.” She hit
his arm playfully and rolled her eyes.

           
“So,
this guy that gave me the shirt?”

           
“What
about him?” He asked playing along.

           
“He
doesn’t know it yet, but he’s not getting his shirt back.” She grinned wickedly
and started towards the doors. She looked over her shoulder and brought her
finger to her lips. “Shh! Don’t tell him.”

           
Luke
laughed. “My lips are sealed.” He said and followed her out the doors to walk
along the lake. The crisp air hit them as soon as they stepped onto the grass.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Luke took in the
serenity of the center and how calm and peaceful everything was there.

           
“How
is everyone at home?” She asked beside him.

           
He
took a moment to think and then shrugged his shoulders. “The same really, I
told you Nick has a fetish for romance novels?”

           
She
grinned. “Yes, you told me you walked in on him reading Fifty Shades of Grey.”
He shook his head at the memory and she laughed. “How’s Sam? Is she showing
yet?”

           
“She
swears she is but if you ask me she isn’t. She and my father had an argument
about that the other day. He came downstairs with a magnifying glass and a tape
measure.”

           
Cara
laughed out loud. “I can completely picture him doing that.”

           
Luke
shook his head. “I thought my mother was going to strangle him with the tape
measure.”

           
She
stood silent for a moment. “I miss them.”

           
He
glanced over at her. “They miss you too. Deb’s planning a big dinner when you
get home and Joe’s counting down the days because he hasn’t had a proper cup of
espresso.”

           
Cara
didn’t say anything she just looked out towards the lake.

           
“Hey…
what’s wrong?” He asked softly.

           
She
kept her eyes on the lake. “I’m afraid of hurting them. Your parents associate
me with Jake. I just don’t want to cause them anymore heartache. I don’t want
to be a constant reminder to them of what they lost.”

           
She
had him there. Even he felt that his family automatically associated Cara with
Jake. It would be a hurdle they would have to get over and maybe Luke could be
the one to help his parent’s bridge that gap.

           
“They
love you.” That was a fact. “And they’re going to have to learn you are your
own person. It won’t change your relationship with them if anything, it will
make it stronger.”

           
She
turned around and faced him. “You really think so?”

           
He
nodded. “Yes.” He hoped she saw the sincerity in his eyes. They remained quiet
for the rest of their stroll along the lake. On the way back to the center,
they made small talk about Ava and about Sam and Nick’s upcoming wedding. She
admitted that she was looking forward to the wedding and they discussed how
long they would stay and agreed that they would spend New Year’s Eve in Mexico.

           
When
it was time for Luke to leave, they hugged and she told him she would call him
the next day. She thanked him again for coming and for the flowers. He drove
back to Riverdale reeling from the day he had spent with her. He was so proud
of the woman he spent just a few hours with.

           
By
the time he had reached his destination the sun was beginning to go down and he
knew he wouldn’t have much time. He climbed the steep grassy hill that was
covered with fallen leaves. Luke couldn’t explain why, but he needed to come
here. He needed to ask the one question that he kept asking himself over and
over. He reached the top of the hill and searched the row of tombstones until
he found his brothers.

           
He
gasped at first when he saw his brother’s name carved into the stone. He really
was gone. Luke drew in a deep breath. It wasn’t as if he was in denial. He knew
Jake was gone, he watched with his own eyes as he drew his last breath. Yet,
seeing his name engraved into a headstone brought back the reality of the
situation. He had lost his only brother. He ran his fingers along his name.

           
“Damn
it Jake, what the hell were you thinking making me promise to look after her?”
He whispered hoarsely.
 
Luke lifted his
face up to the darkening sky as a warm breeze blew over him.
 

Dear
Jake,

I’m
starting to get the hang of this making amends thing. I think I may even like
the idea of having a second chance at having a friendship with Luke. You know without
all the nagging, he’s actually pretty cool to have in your corner. But you
probably already know that being as you are his brother.

He
came up to visit me and I was able to complete one of the steps of my program.
He listened to me, and accepted my vow to make things right between us. It’s
almost as if I can erase all the crap I gave him after you passed away. I’m
only allowed to call one person from home while I recover. I chose him.

I
don’t know why. What is even stranger is that I don’t know why I like talking
to him. If you would’ve said to me a month ago that I would look forward to
hearing Luke’s voice, I’d say you were off your rocker. But now? It’s become
something I look forward to.

I’m
pretty tired, so I’m going to sleep. I hope you visit me in my dreams like you
sometimes do.

Love
always and forever,

Cara

Dear
Jake,

I’m
sitting by the lake, thinking about you. I wonder if wherever you are, you are
at peace. I wish heaven had a phone. I’d call you just to hear your voice one
last time.

Today
was a rough day for me. I think it’s because the leaves are turning and it’s
feeling more like the start of Autumn. The fall was always a favorite season of
ours. Do you remember that time we went apple picking? You took a wrong turn
and instead of finding the orchard we went to a supermarket and bought a bag
full of apples. We came home and told everyone in your family, we climbed trees
to get them.

Deb
fried a turkey that year and after dinner we baked an apple pie together from
scratch.

I’m
learning to live with the memories of you. I’m learning to embrace them as a
great part of my life, that it’s okay to miss you. While we may never make new
memories together, I can cherish the ones we had. It doesn’t have to hurt to
remember.

I
miss you

Love
always and forever,

Cara

Dear
Jake,

My
thirty days are almost up. I won’t lie, I’m nervous to go home. What if I can
only stay clean and sober as long as I’m locked away from the world I know? My counselors
have assured me that I am stronger than my addiction. They have even set me up
with support groups in Riverdale.

Luke
has been great too. He wants to help me out, and honestly, I don’t find the
idea suffocating. I like the idea of us being friends. I think I can even be a
friend to him. He needs to get out more, I think. Do you remember Black Cherry?
You know Leah? Well, I kind of messed that up for Luke. She thought he had
feelings for me and wound up ending things between them. Maybe that will be my
hobby when I break out of here. Do you think I can find Luke a mate?

He’d
probably hate anyone I tried to set him up with. This might be fun. Anyway,
Luke is springing me from this joint. I’m going to be going home in just a few
days. Wish me luck.

Love
always and forever,

Cara