Incognito

Ch. 8 "Pickles Is Just My Nickname"

Chapter 8

I didn't end up meeting Luke last night. Apparently he was sleeping, so Kyle just went inside his house to get his car keys. They're pretty close, considering Kyle has a house key for Luke's house.

Kyle didn't say much after the hug, which I expected since he closes off so easily. I'm just glad that he opened up at all. I knew I was right when I thought there was something more to him, turns out there was a lot more.

And I really want to know how much more there is.

But today I finally meet Luke Hart, manager of this boy that I can't get off my mind. Over phone, he seems to lively and what not, which is the opposite of Kyle.

"Cassie, I'm hungry!" Frankie whined and holds his stomach like he hasn't eaten in years.

"Should've thought about that before you ate the ice cream Sunday for breakfast," I say as I clean off one of the booths in the diner.

Frankie pouts his lip and crosses his arms over his chest. "Trent told me I could."

"Now, why would he do such a thing like that?" I patronize, speaking to Trent rather than my little brother.

Trent holds his hands up in a defensive stance. "Hey, hey, he used the puppy eyes."

"Did not!" Frankie yells and runs over to weakly hit Trent's thigh with his fist.

"Ow, dude, you're so strong," Trent groans in pain, dramatically collapsing on the floor as my little brother continues to beat him up.

The bell chimes, signaling someone new just walked in. I look up and see a very attractive blonde-haired boy dressed in just a t-shirt and basketball shorts. It's possible that it's Luke, but this guy looks too young to be Kyle Blackburn's manager. The man walks over to the counter on the opposite side that Laura and I stand.

He looks me up and down before speaking, "pickles."

"Cucumbers," I respond with a smile.

A large and goofy smile spreads across Luke's face as he claps his hands together. I laugh with him, staring into his bright blue eyes.

"What the fu-"

"Hey," Laura cuts off Trent and points to Frankie, who has already cowered behind Trent due to the stranger.

Trent sighs, "sorry, ma."

Laura nods curtly, turning back to look from Luke to me. "Now, what the hell are you two on?"

"Nothing, ma'am. Pickles is just my nickname for Cassie," Luke informs and smiles at me.

"And cucumbers is my nickname for Luke," I go along with the lie.

Laura looks at me with raised eyebrows, but doesn't push on the topic. Instead, she walks away shaking her head to a booth filled with people that have yet to order. "Teenagers" is all I hear her mutter.

Trent still stands by my side, staring at Luke with furrowed eyebrows. Frankie is clutching to his side and looking up at Luke as well.

"Hello," Luke greets and waves at both of them. "I'm Luke, but not Skywalker, sorry to disappoint."

Frankie just looks up at him, getting shy like he usually does around strangers.

"I'm Trent," he responds and shakes Luke's hand. "This is Frankie."

"Nice to meet you. You too, Frankie," he says and winks at my little brother.

Frankie doesn't like talking to strangers. He's as loud as they come when with me, my dad, Trent, and Laura though. He's not even that comfortable around Braden and Emerson yet.