Authors: MJ Fields
Luke laughed,
“This may come as a shock but I miss the talking.”
Tessa laughed and opened her eyes,
“If you let go of my hand I may be able to actually relax,” she said, he pulled it up and kissed it and let go, “So what shall we talk about my friend,” she said emphasizing friend.
“
Where were you all day?” Luke asked.
“
Avoiding conflict, avoiding seeing you, basically avoiding a break down, this morning was awful,” she said and laughed.
“
I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“
Hey it’s going to take some getting used to,” Tessa said trying to make the situation seem less significant.
“
I am so pissed that I didn’t meet you before all that happened,” Luke said.
“
Things happen for a reason,” she said taking a deep breath trying to convince herself.
“
Can we talk about something else please?” she looked at him and her eyes mirrored the sadness in her voice.
“
Sure, what can we talk about baby?” he asked and grabbed her hand.
“
How about what is acceptable between friends when they are of the opposite sex,” she said and smiled.
“
Okay that’ll be interesting, I have to be honest with you I have never had a female friend,” he said.
“
Why does that not surprise me?” Tessa laughed.
“
Let me have the rules,” he said and smiled.
“
Let’s start with appropriate touch. Hugging, a quick hug when you’re excited or happy, and a longer one when someone needs comfort. Kisses, a quick one like the ones you give me on the head are sweet and show that you’re there and being supportive. A kiss on the cheek in a situation like a death or congratulations, but not on the mouth. Hand holding is for support as well but not an everyday happening,” Tessa said sounding sad.
“
Well what about when someone seems sad, what should I do then baby, when you look sad?” Luke asked softly.
She ignored him,
“Now let’s talk about nicknames. Baby is for people who love each other for more than friends and FYI I used to love it but it kind of stings now. So maybe use a last name or something fun.”
“
How about TT?” he asked. She laughed, “Tessa the Terrible, Tessa the Temptress, Tessa the Terrific” he said and looked down at her chest.” Tessa with the terrific tasty t…”
“
What are you guys talking about?” Alex asked just in time.
“
Male and Female friendship appropriateness,” Tessa said laughing “Any advice?”
“
Respect,” Alex said.
“
Alright then, that’s a lot to comprehend. I will try,” Luke said and smiled at Tessa.
“
Alright then,” she said and stood up, his jaw opened slightly as he looked at her, “Goodnight.”
~
She dressed in a tank top and underwear for bed, she fell asleep thinking about her friend.
Tessa woke up screaming, she sat up and Luke was walking into her room in his pajama pants and he grabbed her and picked her up and hugged her, he sat on her bed and kissed her gently on the head over and over again.
“Tessa you okay?” he whispered.
Tessa shook her head and held tightly to his neck and her face was against his bare chest, she was shaking. Luke grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her. He took turns kissing her head and lightly caressing her hair. She finally stopped crying.
Tessa smiled and raised her face to his, he looked confused. “Kiss me please Lucas,” she asked and he did gently and moved to her neck. And back to her lips. He pulled away and looked at her, the moonlight from the windows shined on her, “You look so good,” he said, and he wiped away her tears. “Did you have a bad dream baby?” he asked.
“
There was an accident of some kind and there were four people and people died, I don’t know who, but I know I loved them. Lucas you have to promise me you’ll be careful please?” he shook his head yes, “No say it, promise me you’ll be careful.”
“
I promise Tessa, but it was just a dream, okay?” he said and kissed her again.
“
Please stay with me tonight,” Tessa asked.
“
Tessa you really don’t want that, you’re just upset right now, bab.,.” he said and she kissed him and lay down. He followed her down. Her kisses were deep and full of passion, he was very aware of where his hands were.
“
I Love you, Luke, please be careful, please I love you,” she said and kissed him, she pulled away, “Did you hear me?” she asked and scowled at him.
“
Yes Baby,” Luke started to say.
“
Then why didn’t you answer me?” she asked and started to tear up again.
He took her face,
“You didn’t give me a chance Tessa, I promise I will be careful.”
“
Good,” she said and laid down and wrapped his arms around her. She fell asleep on his chest.
He opened his eyes and she was still wrapped around him, she looked beautiful. He kissed her and she slowly woke up.
“Good morning baby,” Luke said quietly.
“
How did you get in here?” she whispered looking over at Kendall.
“
A magnet. You had a bad dream, we can talk about it later,” he said, “I need to sneak out of here before your Dad or Alex gets up, I love you Tessa Ross,” he said and he bent to kiss her, her eyes widened.
He kissed her head.
Chapter 22
The day was pretty much the same;
Tessa took her lunch and ate it on the way to the library. They were leaving early for the State Championship. She met the team in the locker room. She was so happy to be hanging out with her girls. She had been avoiding people for two days now. They got ready and headed to the bus, when they walked outside the football team was standing there with a banner that read “Go Lady Blue’s,” and they were cheering for them. Tommy and Alex hugged and kissed Jade and Phoebe. Luke looked at her searching her eyes to see what she needed from him, she smiled and he walked up to her, he hugged her and kissed her head, “Kick Ass tonight baby, I love you,” he said as he rubbed her back, he pulled back and looked down at her, “See you soon. If you win I have a surprise for you,” he winked, she gasped and turned around and he smacked her ass, “Go get ‘em Tessa!” Luke yelled. She grinned as she walked away. She saw Sadi glaring at her from the field as she got on the bus and Tessa just looked away.
~
They walked into the arena and her heart was beating so hard. They ran drills and went through plays.
The game was about to start and she saw her parents and Molly, Kendall, and Jake walk in, behind them were the boys. She smiled when she saw them. Luke winked at her, she grinned.
They played hard, but were behind by two in the second half. The first play of the second half Tessa made a goal and they were behind by one. In the fourth quarter Tessa was going in and was hit in the face with a stick knocking her down and slicing her forehead open. Tessa jumped up and ran to the sidelines. Luke watched her avoid her coach and grab the first aid kit and cover the gash. Coach V walked over to her and she stomped her foot and argued with him. Her bandage was already saturated when she went on the field. Tessa took off and got the ball and made a goal. She walked off and changed the bandage. She started to go back out and her coach grabbed her arm and shook his head no pointing to the bench. Luke saw her yell “FUCK” and Coach V glared at her and pointed to the bench again, she sat pouting. Becca had the ball and passed it to Phoebe who took it in. Only thirty seconds left and they lead by one. The other team was given a penalty shot and Jade stopped it, the clock ran out and they won by one. Luke got up and made his way to Tessa, her Mom was right behind him. She was on the field celebrating with her team and she started to throw up. Luke ran and he scooped her up in his arms and Maggie told Coach V that they were taking her to the hospital; she thought she had a concussion.
Luke drove and Maggie road with them. They were seen quickly. Tessa got three stitches in her hairline and she had a concussion. Tessa insisted on going back to the farm and Maggie asked that Luke make sure he checked on her every three hours. They dropped Maggie off and Tessa smiled.
“We won,” she said.
“
You kicked ass Tessa,” he said, “but seriously you need to be more careful, you play rough.”
She laughed loudly and he laughed to. He took her hand and kissed it
, he was a bit nervous as to how she would react but she allowed it. Luke asked her to open the glove box and she did, there was a box in it.
“Open It,” he said. Inside was a silver necklace with two hockey sticks crossing one another. “Read the back,” he smiled and she did. LYA Luke.
“
It’s beautiful,” she said, “thank you.”
“
Before you get freaked out it’s a friendly gesture, I do love you Tessa even if we can be just what we are….for now,” Luke said.
“
Thank you, you really should not have though,” she said.
~
That night they both slept in the living room, after John went to bed he snuggled up on the couch with her and she let him. Every three hours his alarm vibrated and he woke her up with a kiss. Each time she smiled and said, “I’m still alive.”
~
She didn’t avoid her friends on Wednesday and he sat at the same table at lunch, Sadi walked by and made snide remarks which Tessa graciously ignored. She touched her neck often to make sure her necklace was still on her and he noticed every time he was around her.
Tessa
’s head was hurting badly after lunch so she went to the nurse. She lay down and slept, the last bell woke her.
She walked out and went to her locker,
“Hey you feel okay?” Jade asked.
“
A little sore,” Tessa said.
“
We are going to stay and watch the guy’s practice do you feel up to it?” Jade asked.
“
No, I am pretty sure crazy would get a little anxious. Besides I am going to run to the mall,” she said.
They went to the boy
’s locker room and Tessa yelled in, “Hey Alex Ross I need the keys I need to run some errands.”
Luke walked out,
“Take mine TT,” he said and winked.
“
You sure,” she asked.
“
What are friends for,” he said. “Pick me up after practice?” he asked. She shook her head yes and walked out and got in the Black SUV. Sadi watched her drive out.
Tessa went to the mall and bought some new undies and bras at Victoria Secrets. She decided on front closure. She went to the Jewelers and got two sliver chains, one for Alex and one for Luke. She got both with helmets. She had Luke
’s engraved LYA and Alex’s said BLESSED.
~
Tessa pulled in just in time to pick up Luke. He walked out and jumped in. She saw Sadi start to walk towards them and pulled out.
“Let’s get Chinese,” he said. Tessa pulled over and ran in to order. She saw Luke on the phone arguing with someone, he hung up quickly. When she came out he was playing with the pink bag and grinning from ear to ear.
“
Really friend?” she said laughing.
“
Boy shorts Tessa, that is so hot, with matching bras front clasp no less,” Luke smiled, “Very naughty,” he said laughing.
“
Who were you fighting with on the phone?” she asked as she pulled out.
“
Her,” Luke said.
“
Oh, yes her,” Tessa said making a terrified face, “Sometimes I forget.”
“
Those are the times you smile,” Luke said deep in thought.
“
Not happy that I took your vehicle?” Tessa laughed.
“
No, happy isn’t the word I would use to describe it, but it’s none of her business,” Luke said trying to convince them both.
She reached over and squeezed his hand,
“It’s going to be okay, Luke. You’ve got this.”
He took a deep breath.
~
They all ate dinner together and in typical Tessa form a noodle ended up on her shirt, she quickly removed it,
“Lucky noodle,” he said quietly and she laughed.
Tessa took some pain meds before bed, her head hurt like hell and she was out like a light.
Tessa woke up again crying, it was the same dream and he was in her room again. Luke held her and lay with her till she fell asleep. He gently kissed her lips as she lay sleeping in his arms. She whimpered his name a few times and each time he kissed her she smiled and fell back to sleep. She woke in his arms again and watched him sleep. When he woke up she was getting dressed, she had on black boy shorts and she was clasping the matching black lacey bra. “That’s one heck of a sight to wake up to,” Luke said smiling. She jumped and turned around bending to pull up her skirt, “That’s just as good,” he said standing up.