Chapter 17: Unspoken Words

It had been a couple of weeks since their quiet conversation, and though the air between them was still thick with an unspoken tension, things had settled into a comfortable routine. The kind that felt like a comfortable sweater—warm, familiar, but not without the slight itch of uncertainty at the edges. They spent their time together like always—driving around, hanging out at his place, teasing and bantering without ever really saying what was on their minds.

But today felt different.

Iris wasn't sure if it was the way the sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, or the way Luke had been unusually quiet, a faraway look in his eyes as he stirred his coffee. There was something about the way he was looking at her, as if he was trying to figure her out without actually asking the questions she was avoiding.

It was moments like this that made her nervous.

They had grown so close, and in some ways, it felt like they were teetering on the edge of something much deeper than friendship. But every time Iris thought about it, her mind immediately pulled her back to the reality she was trying so hard to keep hidden. There was no room for what-ifs and could-bes in a life that was on borrowed time. But the thought of pushing him away, of drawing that invisible line between them, felt wrong.

So, she kept things vague.

The conversation shifted, as it always did, back to something lighter. Iris found herself gratefully following the change in topic, not ready to dive into the things she kept hidden in the back of her mind.

"Are you sure about this?" Luke asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "You're not scared of the crowd, are you? I can always take you somewhere quieter if you'd prefer."

Iris raised an eyebrow, not sure if she should laugh or roll her eyes. "Scared of the crowd? I'm just fine with it. I think it's more about you trying to convince me to go see one of your band's live shows. The whole 'I'm a big deal' routine."

Luke grinned, the playful spark returning to his eyes. "Hey, I'm just trying to share my world with you. You never know, you might actually enjoy it."

Iris took a deep breath, hesitating for a moment as she looked at him. The last few weeks had been filled with new experiences—things that she never thought she would try. She had found herself being pulled into Luke's life more and more, whether it was attending practices with his band, eating meals with his family, or simply spending hours on the bike with him. But it still felt like something was missing, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," she said finally, giving him a soft smile. "Besides, it'll be nice to see you in action. I've only seen you in casual mode."

Luke laughed, the sound light and easy. "Oh, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. But I'll take care of you."

Her heart skipped at the words, but she quickly brushed it off, trying to focus on the lightness of the moment. "You're not that scary, Luke," she teased.

"Oh, trust me," he said with a smirk, "I'm a whole different beast when I'm on stage."

Iris shook her head, knowing that despite the teasing, he was being sincere. There was something captivating about how he could switch between being carefree and serious, how easily he could command a room, even without trying. It made her think about all the things she had been running from—the parts of herself she had buried for so long.

Luke's phone buzzed suddenly, and he glanced down, his expression shifting slightly. "Looks like the guys are getting ready. I should probably head out soon."

Iris nodded, trying to ignore the strange feeling that tugged at her chest. "You should go. Don't want to keep Apollo waiting."

He raised an eyebrow at her, clearly amused by the fact that she was finally getting his band's name right. "You sure you're okay with me leaving you here?"

"I'll be fine," Iris assured him, leaning back on the couch and picking up her phone to distract herself. "Go be a rock star or whatever it is you do."

Luke hesitated, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than usual. There was something in his eyes, some unspoken question, but before he could say anything, he stood up, grabbing his jacket.

"I'll be back soon," he said, his voice softer now. "You want me to bring you anything?"

Iris waved him off with a smile. "Nah, I'm good. Just go do your thing. I'll keep myself entertained."

Luke didn't leave immediately, though. He lingered by the door, his hand resting on the handle as if he was about to say something, but then he seemed to change his mind. Instead, he simply nodded, offering her a small smile.

"Alright. Take care, sunshine. I'll see you soon."

And with that, he was gone.

Iris sat there for a few moments, the silence settling over her like a heavy blanket. Her heart was still racing from the moment he'd looked at her, from the way his words had lingered in the air between them. It wasn't just that he cared, or that they were friends. It was the way he seemed to want to take care of her, to make sure she was always alright, even when she didn't have to say anything. That level of attention, of warmth, was something she wasn't used to.

Her fingers twitched against her phone screen, but she couldn't bring herself to focus on anything else. The quiet of the apartment felt stifling, like a reminder of how much she was hiding from him. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to tell him, but every time she opened her mouth, the words stuck.

Later that night, after Luke had finished with his practice and returned to the apartment, the mood was different. He was quieter, but his presence was still unmistakable. It wasn't the kind of silence that made Iris feel awkward, but one that felt comfortable, like they were both living in the same space without needing to fill it with anything.

Iris was sitting on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, scrolling through her phone. Luke was in the kitchen, making dinner, and for a while, neither of them spoke. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was just... them. In their own quiet world.

She didn't even realize how long she'd been staring at her phone until Luke's voice cut through the silence.

"You're awfully quiet tonight," he said, leaning against the doorframe with a raised eyebrow. "What's going on?"

Iris didn't look up, but she could feel the weight of his gaze. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?" he pressed, his voice gentle but curious.

She let out a soft sigh, setting her phone aside and glancing over at him. "About... everything."

Luke didn't push. He didn't have to. He just stood there, watching her, waiting for her to say more.

And for the first time in a long time, Iris felt herself on the verge of being honest. But she still wasn't ready. She couldn't be.

Instead, she simply smiled and said, "I'm just glad to be here."

Luke smiled back, his eyes soft and understanding. He didn't ask any more questions, letting the moment sit between them without pressing for more. There was something in his silence that spoke volumes, something in the way he respected her boundaries while still being there when she needed him.

And for Iris, that was enough—for now.