when to let go | l.h.

thirty six

we continued on going through the lower level of the house before heading upstairs and going through each room as well. their house was exactly what i hoped my future house would be like; you step foot inside and it just feels like home. once we finished, she took me back down and out to the back yard where there was a pool, small patio area with some outdoor furniture, and a large open area. it truly was beautiful. it wasn't long before luke finally stepped outside with jessie following behind.

"hey, there you are." the blonde smiled, walking up beside me and wrapping his arm around my waist.

"your mum just finished showing me around. you have a lovely home." i hummed, leaning into his side.

"she's a good one lucas." liz smiled warmly at me and patted luke's shoulder as she headed inside. "better be treating her right."

"only the best." he grinned down at me, but before i had a chance to respond, jessie gagged.

"ew when did you turn into such a sap hemmings?" she joked.

"you know i've always been a sap." he responded turning his attention the red headed girl.

"i guess you're right. it's what i loved most about you." i could've sworn she glanced at me before her gaze was back on luke.

"i know it was." he laughed back. i squeezed his side gently and leaned my head on his chest while they talked.

"you tired baby?"

"a little, but i'm okay." i hum in response to which he took my hand and lead me over to a small bench swing that i hadn't noticed before and sat us down. he replaced his arm back around my shoulder and gently placed my head so i was leaning on him.

"we can head to bed soon if you're tired, just say the word." he mumbled softly and pressed a kiss to my head, to which i nodded. i couldn't help but notice the way jessie followed behind and took a seat on one of the outdoor chairs near us.

"are you staying the night jess?" luke asked turning his gaze to her.

the girl shrugged. "oh i don't know, i wouldn't want to interrupt and be a bother with laila being here and all."

"oh don't worry about it." he chuckled. "i can go set up the guest room for you and laila can stay in my room yeah?" he looked down at me and i nodded.

"course lu." 

"great, i'll be back." he pressed his lips to my head once more before standing up and heading inside.

"you know, if luke never left australia we'd probably still be together." jessie said the second the door closed behind luke.

i furrowed my eyebrows and shrugged. "okay? but he didn't so i don't know why you're saying this to me."

"you're just a distraction until he can get back with me."

i scoffed. "excuse me?"

"you heard me. we were getting pretty close too until you showed up."

i opened my mouth to respond, but was cut off by the door opening again. "alright ladies, your rooms are ready." luke chuckled making his way back over beside me.

"thank you baby." i hum and press my lips to his cheek. "i think i'm gonna go get ready for bed. i'm exhausted."

he nodded and smiled down at me before quickly pecking my lips. "i'll be up soon."

with that i stood up, shooting a glare at jessie before making my way inside the house. i didn't want to believe a word she was saying; i trusted luke, but my past with daniel did weigh on my shoulders at the reminder of being cheated on multiple times and i couldn't help but have that same feeling in the pit of my stomach again.

i made my way up to luke's room, quickly changing into something more comfortable before heading into his bathroom to get ready for bed. when i finished i glanced at myself in the mirror, seeing just how exhausted i looked before walking out with a sigh. i made my way over to the wall and glanced out the window to see jessie was now sitting beside luke in the swing and they were laughing about something. i ignored the feeling in my stomach and sighed before heading over to luke's bed and crawling under the covers. it hadn't taken long for me to fall asleep.

i wasn't sure how long it had been when i finally felt the bed dip beside me and luke snake his arm around my waist, but i curled into his side half asleep.

"goodnight baby, i love you." he whispered quietly, probably thinking i was asleep, but his words caused a smile to grace my lips. i slowly opened my eyes and looked at the blonde boy over my shoulder.

"shit, you heard that." he chuckled, but leaned up on his elbow cupping my cheek as he looked down at me. i nodded and pulled my lower lip between my teeth to hold back my smile.

"that is not how i planned on telling you." he gave me a goofy smile and i swear i could see his cheeks turning a shade of red even in the dark room.

"i love you too lu." i chuckled, looking up into his bright blue eyes that only seemed to light up at my words. it didn't take long for the boy to press his lips to mine causing every thought in my brain to dissipate. all of my focus was on him.

"god i love you." he mumbled against my lips causing me to giggle.

"and i love you."

{author's note}
i have a love/hate relationship with this chapter, but they finally said ily!
how do we feel about jessie?
thank you guys so much for 7k reads! i never expected this ever and it means so much to me when you all comment and leave your thoughts!
thank you all for sticking around, even with my slow updates.
love you all.
(unedited)