Chapter 150

As I waited for Lucas and James to notice me standing in the hallway, I bit my lip as I watched them. They held their heads close together as they seemed to be talking about something serious.

Did Lucas tell James everything that had happened with his father?

I knew that when it came to Kendrick, James would be on my side. He hated the control that Kendrick had over Lucas as much as I did. I hoped that his best friend would be able to give him some advice that I couldn't offer.

When the two of them finally noticed me, James plastered a smile on his face.

He stopped in front of me. "Hey, Shana Banana."

I raised an eyebrow. "Shana Banana?" That was a first.

"I just came up with it." James shrugged. "It kinda fits you."

"How so?"

James only smiled at me and turned to Lucas to give him an enthusiastic clap on the back. "Alright, bro. I gotta run but don't forget what we talked about. If you need anything just text me, okay?"

"Sure, thanks," Lucas and James gave each other the odd handshake that men give one another.

James looked at me before he left, giving me a final glance of curiosity and surprise in his wide-eyed expression.

It left me slightly puzzled, and I wanted to ask him what it meant. But before I could say anything else to James, he turned and walked off.

My gaze shifted to Lucas who was avoiding eye contact with me, yet again.

"Let's go," he said, not waiting for me as he turned to walk outside to the school's parking lot.

I huffed out a breath as I followed behind him silently like a child who was in trouble. It was ridiculous, really. If anyone should be upset here, it should be me.

Not only did Lucas lie to me about going to see his father, but he was just falling back into his same old pattern. Hadn't he ever heard the expression: Leave the past in the past?

The journey to my car was tense as the quiet hung heavily in the air between us. Once we were finally inside of my car, Lucas took the wheel without a word.

His shoulders seemed stiff as he reversed the car out of its spot and began the drive to Grandma Jo's house.

I noticed how tight his grip was on the steering wheel as we stopped at a light.

When he finally spoke, his voice made me jump.

"I'm going to pack my things and head to my father's tonight," Lucas declared, his voice heavy with finality.

I remained silent for a moment, my mind whirling as I processed everything. "So soon?"

"I have to," he cleared his throat. "I promised him."

There are so many things you promised me that you haven't kept, I thought.

Even though we talked about this in the morning, I felt like there was still so much more that he was keeping from me. I could feel it.

"Lucas, enough of this. I need you to tell me what's really going on." My voice carried a weight of uncertainty. "You're moving back to your father's, quitting hockey, leaving Grandma Jo's, and you want us to take a step back in our relationship. I'm so confused. I don't understand any of this."

Lucas sighed deeply, the sound carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Look, this morning I didn't handle that conversation the right way."

"Neither did I," I said, instantly needing to apologize for what I said. "I'm sorry for what I said about you... I didn't mean that."

"No," Lucas shook his head. "You did. But it's okay because you're partially right."

I stilled, turning to face him. The light turned green, and he put his foot on the gas pedal. "I'm right?"

"Yes," he cracked his neck and licked his lips. "Shana... it's complicated."

"You can tell me," I said, hoping I could get through to him. "I'm your girlfriend. I'm here for you as much as you're here for me, remember?"

"I know I can tell you, but it's just hard to admit."

"Just try. Please, Lucas?"

He was silent for a moment as he tried to muster the strength to say whatever he needed to. I reached a hand over the console to squeeze his thigh, offering a sense of reassurance. I was here for him, and I wouldn't let anything happen.

"My father—Kendrick—is willing to settle all of your debt," Lucas said, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead of us.

"What?" I gasped in surprise. "Really?"

"Only if I agree to all of his terms," Lucas continued and my heart sank. Of course, there was a catch.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

"His terms?" I probed, a gnawing sense of unease growing within me. "You mean, he wants you to do all of those things I listed in order to pay off my debt?"

Lucas hesitated as he clenched his jaw. "Yes. I have to do all of those things. I have to move back home and work for the family business... And there's one more condition."

My heart raced with anticipation as I waited for him to reveal the final condition. My mind kept thinking of the worst case scenario. What was it that Kendrick really wanted?

Well, he wanted full control of Lucas... and it seemed like he was getting that again. But what else besides that?

My mind continued to conjure up the worst things with each passing second.

"He wants us to keep our relationship a secret," Lucas confessed, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned to look at me.

"How did he even know we were together?" I asked, even though it was a silly question. The feelings Lucas and I had for each other were obvious, and it was only a matter of time before Kendrick found out that the two of us were officially dating.

"He has eyes and ears everywhere," Lucas explained. "He knew the moment we got together, and now he was us to end things."

My mind reeled at the revelation. Was this really worth it? Guilt filled me at the realization of what Lucas had done for me.

"Lucas, no." I squeezed his thigh harder. "I don't want you to do this for me. You're giving up everything for nothing—"

"It's not for nothing, Shana," Lucas said as he placed a hand over mine. "This is the only way I can help you right now. And once your debt is paid, I promise that I'll remove myself from his life again."

As much as I wanted to believe Lucas, I wasn't sure if I could. Once he was back in that world, would it be that easy for him to get out again?

"Why would your father want all of this?" I questioned as my thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion. "Why would he ask for so much?"

"I don't know. This is how he operates." Lucas's shoulders slumped. "It's like he's testing my loyalty. But don't worry, I have my own conditions in this deal with my father."

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly curious as to what else Lucas promised his father in exchange for my financial freedom.