Page 38 of Jacob Michaels is Trouble

Lucas stared warily at me.

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember everything that led up to me going into the cellar when we were sixteen and why. And don’t tell me thinking about not knowing me when I came back out doesn’t break your heart now that you have those memories. We loved each other, then and we love each other now. Those ten years away from each other were the worst ten years of my life. I want to leave this town—again—and never look back. Fuck Oma. Fuck the house. Fuck Jason and Andrew and werewolves and Kobolds and Oracles—”

“Oracles?”

“Fuck magic.” I finished. “I want to leave. But I don’t want to leave without you. I don’t want to do that again.”

“Rob—”

“I don’t know what is up with you and knowing how to use magic and all of that.” I shook my head. “I don’t care why werewolf bites don’t affect you, okay? I don’t care if I know your family history or any of that. Because…if we leave here…together…it won’t matter. We’ll just be Rob and Lucas—well, I’ll be Jacob Michaels again—but we’ll be together. Living a normal life. Well, kind of normal. Don’t you want that, babe? Don’t you want to forget about all of the weird things that happen here and having to deal with them just so we can be together? We can ditch all of that shit and just have the being together part. Isn’t that what you want, Lucas?”

“Rob—”

“Please.” I pleaded, a single tear dropping from my eye. “Please, please, please Lucas. Don’t tell me, ‘no.’ Okay? I can’t hear ‘no.’ When I decided this, there was something inside of me telling me it was okay because I knew you would go with me if I asked.”

Lucas looked as though he was going to cry as well.

“Of all things I know—the one I know the strongest is that I’m meant for you and you’re meant for me.” I shook my head, refusing to think of any alternative. “And I know that will work even better in California. I promise.”

“I have a job here, Rob,” Lucas said gently. “Two jobs. I’m a substitute English teacher, and I sling hardware for grandpa. What would I do in Los Angeles, Rob?”

“Nothing,” I answered quickly. “Or anything you wanted. I have money. I’ll work, babe. I’ll do whatever it does to make you happy or nothing at all. Whatever you want. Anything you wish is my command, Lucas. I swear.”

Lucas stared into my eyes.

“Wishes got us into this, babe.” He answered softly.

“Don’t.” I slowly shook my head, both eyes leaking now. “Please don’t blame me for all of this.”

“I’m not.”

“I know it’s all my fault. Okay?” I was on the verge of sobbing. “All I can think of is…shit…how we got here. I can’t even have a coherent thought about most of it because it’s all too much. I couldn’t explain it if I wanted to. And I know it’s my fault. I get that. I thought I was doing the right thing, babe.”

“The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, Rob.” Lucas sighed.

I swallowed hard, willing myself to accept that Lucas had made up his mind about me. He had made a decision. The blame for everything was squarely on me in his mind…and California was the last thing he would choose. I sniffled, hoping that I could save some of my dignity.

“But I don’t blame you.” He looked up at me. “I know it’s not your fault. What happened.”

Hope filled my mind and my heart as I looked at my boyfriend cautiously, wondering if he was being honest.

“This whole town is full of secrets, Rob.” He whispered. “Everything here is…fucked. No kid should have had to make the decision you were forced to make. You found an alternative. I don’t blame you—because that’s not your fault at all.”

My eyes were freely leaking now.

“You did what had to be done when other people just ran away, babe.” He shook his head in disgust. “And it worked. Maybe not great, but it worked. How can I blame you for that?”

I gave a wet laugh.

“And you came back.” He smiled gently. “Just like you said you would. You brought me back, too. If you want to make a new wish for the future, I will be by your side for that one, too.”

“Are you saying…”

“I’ll go to California.” He gave a firm nod, though he looked nervous.

A heavy, relieved exhale poured from my throat as I pulled Lucas forward so that I could hold him against me. He chuckled as our bodies pushed against each other’s once again.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do in Los Angeles.” He grumbled. “I mean…the people. The lights, cars…it’s pretty…uh…busy, right?”