Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 37

Skyler's POV

Natalie and Calum had just left, followed by Ash and Sylvana and then surprisingly Michael who apparently had a date. I put the kettle on the stove and turn the heat on.  I grab a mug and place the tea bag in it before settling down on the couch. 

I sigh turning on Netflix to watch Castle.  It was the season finale and to say I was a bit excited was an understatement. I put my feet up on the coffee table and mouth along with the words to the opening title sequence. The kettle whistles and I stretch out beginning to stand up. 

"Why didn't you tell me Castle was on?" Luke asks me moving towards the kitchen and taking the kettle off for me.  "I didn't know it was the season finale" I argue siting back down Luke chuckles filling up the mug. "A season finale?!  Skyler move your ass over!" I roll my eyes shuffling over on the couch a grin on my face. 

Luke sits down and places my mug next to my feet, "Thank y-" "Shh it's starting!" he interrupts putting his hand to my mouth I smile swatting his hand away. "Wait what's that name of this episode?" I press the pause button on the remote. "Uh... always," I read.  "They are so going to fuck!" Luke smirks "Luke!" I squeal covering my ears. 

"Sorry, sorry," he laughs. "Make love," he fixes doing air quotations. "You are such a boy!" "Excuse me I'm a man now." "Yeah well you're still an idiot." "You're stupid" "You're stupid." I stick my tongue out at him and he does the same back. I put my hand out to cover his face.  "Hush" I say pressing play again, we watch most of the episode in silence and I sip at my tea as Castle and Alexis have one of there signature heart to hearts. 

Luke shouts at the TV when Beckett put herself in danger again and I can't help but watch how into it he gets he nose crinkles like it used to when he tried to hit certain notes. As the episode nears an end, Beckett sits on a swing outside in the rain and Luke mumbles "I was so right" under his breath when Castle ignores her call. Luke reaches for my hand and interlocks our fingers, but I'm way to into the episode to think clearly obviously because I give his hand a squeeze back. 

"What do you want to Kate?" Castle asks I squeal lifting our hands higher. "You." she replies backing him against a wall both Luke and I jump cheering happily. "Yes!" "Finally!" "Oh my god, yes!" Luke giggles "Sky are you crying?" "I don't want to talk about it…" I say wiping my eyes with the corner of my t-shirt. 

Luke bite his lip swiping my cheek with his thumb, our eyes lock and I cough to break the tension pulling away. "I'm sorry." Luke whispers and I gulp shaking my head. "No, it's fine." This isn't awkward. "So did Liz get on her flight ok?" "Yup, she called me from home with dad." 

I nod. "Should we uh talk about this?" he asks motioning between us.  I gulp staying silent. "I don't want you to think that I don't love you... I care about you." "I know," I assure him. "We just don't have that spark anymore" I tell him my gaze dropping. "But I literally can't imagine my life without you," he tells me. "Maybe that's our problem…." I reply biting my lip. "So we've broken up then?" Luke asks me and I chew on the corner of my lip "we're on a break" I correct. 

"Hello!" Michael yells walking in the front door with someone. "Wazzup player?" I say attempting to be gangster. Michael groans, "I told you this was a bad idea," he tells someone.  Luke and I look at each other.  'Is he with a girl?' I mouth and Luke's eyes widen and we both scramble up into the kitchen trying to look busy.  We both decide on the sink and begin to pretend to wash dishes. 

"I know your lazy asses aren't doing dishes!" Michael calls walking into  the kitchen. "Plus we heard the water start" Luke and I look at each other and start to laugh silently and I blow some of the bubbles on my hand onto his shirt.