Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls #1) - Elizabeth Kelly Page 0,103

told you, Kira and I are over.”

Lucas stirred the soup in the pot on the stove. He tasted it and added some more salt before stirring it again. “Tell me again why you did the stupidest thing in the world and broke up with Kira? I love hearing how you’re a goddamn idiot. Truly. It warms my cold, black heart.”

“I’m glad this is all a joke to you,” Connor said.

Lucas sat down across from him. “It’s not a fucking joke to me, Connor. I hate seeing you this way, but also… you need to grow a fucking pair. You push Kira away, a lovely girl who for whatever reason thinks you’re amazing, just because that bitch Lisa convinced you that you ruined her life.”

“I did.”

“You didn’t,” Lucas snapped. “Listen, your parents and Lisa did a real fucking number on you and truthfully, I kind of hate them for it. You didn’t ruin anyone’s life, including your own, and you have got to stop being such a sad sack of shit and move the fuck on.”

“Your pep talks are the fucking worst,” Connor said.

“Yeah, I know.” Lucas stood and returned to the stove to stir the soup again. “But you need someone to hit you with the truth hammer. Was punching that smarmy firefighter in the face a stupid idea? Yeah, maybe, but it happened and now you have to deal with it. Maybe you’ve fucked your hand, and maybe you haven’t, but either way, you gotta man the fuck up and live with your actions. Call Kira, tell her you’re an idiot, and ask for her forgiveness. You need her, Connor. She’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“What do I have to offer her?” Connor said. “I make mistake after mistake after mistake. I’ve most likely ended my career. I’m a disappointment to my parents, hell, an entire fucking town, and I suck at relationships. How many times did Lisa call me cold? How many times did she beg me to open up to her, and I never would? I’m not meant to be with someone, Lucas.”

“Oh, boo fucking hoo,” Lucas said. “You think you’re the only one with baggage? Everyone has it. The trick is finding the right person who can put up with your particular baggage. Maybe that’s Kira or maybe it isn’t, but you won’t know if you don’t give this thing a fucking chance.”

“She called me a coward.”

“You’re not but you sure as hell are acting like one,” Lucas said. “So, you’re not good at expressing your feelings, that doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of a relationship. Maybe you didn’t open up to Lisa because you knew deep down that she was a stone-cold bitch. Christ, dude, get over yourself. This emo shit you got going on is not a good look for you.”

“Again – your pep talks are the worst,” Connor said.

“Call Kira and apologize,” Lucas said. “Ask her for a second chance.”

“It’s too late for apologies.” He stood and headed for the doorway.

“Where are you going? It’s almost lunch.” Lucas said.

“I’m not hungry. I’m gonna lie down for a while.”

* * *

Grace stared worriedly at Kira. The last time she’d seen her best friend looking so pale and sad was in the weeks after her parents died. Fear trickled into her belly and she leaned forward and took Kira’s hand. “Honey? You’re taking your meds, right?”

Kira sighed and stared out the living room window. “I am. Stop worrying, Gracie. I’m not depressed, I’m just… sad and angry and… I miss him.”

“I know, honey.”

“I’m worried about him. He can’t use his right hand at all. How is he showering or cooking or driving? He’s trapped in his little apartment and he doesn’t have any close friends here.”

“He’s okay,” Grace said. “He took an Uber to the clinic on Friday. He didn’t look or smell all that great, but I heard him telling Grant that he had a friend coming down for the weekend to help him.”

“What did Grant say? Do you know?” Kira asked. “Is he angry with Connor?”

Grace shook her head. “No, he isn’t angry. All things considered, he’s being remarkably level-headed about it. He’s bringing in a friend of his – some semi-retired dentist - to cover Connor’s work while he heals.”

“That’s good,” Kira said with relief. She stared out the window again as Grace studied her. Despite what Kira said, fear still gnawed at her belly. Maybe she should call Gideon. She didn’t want to call Gideon, not when