Chapter 69

Which was something he felt way too uneasy to do.

* * * *

Aaron was waiting when Luca’s final class got dismissed. “You calmed down yet?” he asked.

“Maybe,” Luca said ruefully, shoving his books into his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. “Lockers for my kit, then let’s blow this joint.”

“That just sounds wrong in your accent.”

“Hey, fuck you, too.”

“You are feeling better,” Aaron observed. “You still pissed at Tav?”

“Yeah, but not as much,” Luca said. “I mean, I get it, I get he’s worried, but he needs to not treat me like some prissy girl who swoons all over the place, too, you know.”

“Pride,” Aaron said.

“Shut up, it’s not just―”

“It’s pride,” Aaron repeated, then shifted. “But I kind of agree with you, too, you know. I mean, not about Jack, but about Tav respecting your decisions, like. He shouldn’t just order you around.”