Without A Trace(Luke Hemmings FF)

Nineteen

Zoey's POV:
"I see you're back now," he points out the obvious. I fake a smile and nervously run my fingers through my hair. He looks great compared to the last time I saw him.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm back."

"I'm sober now, if you couldn't tell," he smiles.

"I could, yeah. Congratulations. You look great."

"Great enough for you to give me a chance?" he asks. Oh..

"I'm sorry, Brad, but no," I sigh.

"Why? I'm sober now. I went back to finish school. I'm on the right track. Am I still too fucked up for you to date? Do you think that you're better than me?" he's upset. That's for sure.

"No, I don't think that I'm better than you, Brad. I'm seeing someone," I say honestly. I don't think I'd date him even if I were single. He's a scary guy.

"Who?"

"Luke Hemmings," I reply.

"Luke?! You're going to date Luke after what his father did to you? How do you know he's not working for Mark, huh?" I don't like his tone.

"Excuse me? Luke is the one who saved me! Luke is nothing like his father just because they share the same DNA, okay?! So, how about you leave me alone and butt out of my love life!" I snap. He looks angry. His fists are clenched and his nostrils are flared and I can't help but prepare myself for a beating. It's what I'm used to. I talk back to a man, he gets upset and hits me.

"Good luck, bitch," he growls and storms off. I take a deep breath and exhale as I see Luke's car approach. I open the passenger door and get inside.

"How was school?" Luke asks. I see him looking at Brad who is leaning against the tree smoking a cigarette. I can tell he's dying to ask me what Brad and I were talking about.

"It was fine. I had to take a placement test," I explain, buckling my seatbelt as Luke drives off.

"Oh, yeah? How'd you do?" he asks.

"I don't know yet. I'll know tomorrow," I tell him. I look back at Alice. She's asleep against the window.

"How was shopping?" I ask, a hint of mockery in my voice.

"We got to Macy's and she asked if we could do it another day. Maybe she'd be more comfortable if you took her," he sets his hand down on my knee. I nod. I hear my phone ring. It's Mali.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey, girl! You free for lunch?" she asks.

"I'm not. I'm sorry. I just got out of school and Alice really needs me," I explain.

"Alice? Who's Alice?" she wonders. I'd assumed she knew.

"A girl I met while I was kidnapped the second time. She's staying with Luke," I explain.

"Ah! Well, bring her with. My treat," she offers.

"Uh," I exhale and look at Luke.

"Mali wants to take Alice and I to lunch," I tell him.

"Then, go to lunch," he shrugs. I put the phone back to my mouth.

"Okay, I'll have Luke drop us off after we go home and change. Just text me where you want us to meet you," I tell her.

"Okay. See you later, girl," she says and I hang up.

"Do you need me to run you by your house to get clothes? I think you're out of clean ones at mine," he asks. I smile and nod.