The Sixth Catch

Chapter 19: Machination

Luke was surprised he had made it back home without his mother seeing. It had been a close one though. He was sure his dad had seen. But Luke was quick enough to get out of view right before Lucy turned to see what Patrick was staring at. Thankfully, he'd made it back home before Lucy did. But perhaps he was just the distraction needed in order to make it back on time. With his dad seeing. Patrick most likely managed to find a way to make Lucy stick around a little longer. So Luke could get home without her finding out he'd snuck out.

He let out a small sigh making his way inside the door. Made it. Closing the door just as footsteps were heard coming from around the corner. Which made Luke somewhat afraid. Maybe Lucy caught on to what Patrick was doing, stalling. And realized Luke snuck out of the house while she was gone. ""Oh, good your back." Luke let out another sigh of relief, hearing Jewels's voice, seeing her appear around the corner from the kitchen. He could hear in her tone of voice she was worried as well.

"Yeah, barely.." He mumbled. Leaning back against the door. Jewel raised an eye. Noticing that Luke had something on his mind. "Everything alright?" She asked. Luke could see some concern in her eyes. He debated whether or not to tell her what was discovered on his trip this afternoon. But with her having been friends with Lucy. Or maybe she still is. Even though Jewel was now working for her. Could Luke trust her with this type of information? She had kept him from making the mistake of leaving the house too soon before Lucy left. But would she tell Lucy that she'd helped him sneak out? Out of fear of Lucy finding out? "Yeah.. I just wasn't sure if I was going to make it back on time. I sort of lost track. I found some stores that had some interesting trinkets to look at." Luke explained. "And I lost track of time."

He felt bad lying to Jewel. After all, she helped him escape the house. So he could at least get some time away. Get some fresh air. Jewel nodded. Glancing at the clock. "Unless the meeting goes over time. I am sure she will be back soon. Did you get anything to eat while you were downtown?" Luke had been a bit out of it, mostly because he was trying to figure out why his mom and dad were meeting each other at Starbucks. And on top of that, there was Garrett he met up with. What if Garrett ended up paying Lucy a visit and telling him that Luke had been misbehaving and sneaking out when she was away. Then he'd really be grounded and not get to go anywhere again. Luke was aware Jewel sensed something was off. But couldn't tell her quite yet. So for now, he only told her he was worried of the fact he was almost caught. Though Luke wasn't sure if Jewel believed him.

Luke glanced at the clock. It was twelve thirty right now. Which meant the meeting is probably done. Unless Patrick took Lucy somewhere to stall and make sure Luke got back safely. Otherwise, he had a feeling his mother would be back already by now, and most likely would've beat him home. Then he would've been in really big trouble.

"If you give her a chance, she really isn't as bad as you think." Jewel's voice suddenly came pulling Luke out of his thoughts. If he hadn't been so lost in what he was thinking. Luke would've noticed Jewel's nervous shifting. As if she was almost debating whether to tell him this hint or not. Luke stood there a moment trying to grasp what Jewel told him. "What?" He asked. Jewel's eyes furrowed in concern. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked.

Luke cleared his throat. Now realizing the words Jewel said. "Yes, I am fine." Luke went quiet a moment as a thought came to his head. "Why did you decide to work for her?" Luke was aware that Jewel and Lucy were friends way before she and his dad met. And in fact, Jewel and her then boyfriend had tried setting them up. After the four of them got together. And Patrick thought he'd been interested in Lucy. Jewel had somehow found a way to get Lucy to meet up with him on a blind date. Knowing that if she knew who he was. Lucy would most likely not give him a chance at all. Given their social statuses were very different. Lucy's parents had not liked at all of the fact when they learned Lucy was seeing Patrick. Her parents were what someone might call grade A class snobs.