Page 66 of The Long Way Found

Luke tried to push the anxiety down. Jack had promised. He'd be there.

But that uneasy feeling wouldn't quite leave.

He told himself he was being ridiculous. Jack knew about the party. Had known for weeks. And it was just a work meeting. Jack could leave early, or skip it, or tell Hallicks he had a prior commitment.

Except Jack didn't do that. Jack didn't skip meetings, leave early, or put personal commitments above professional ones.

Luke knew that. Had always known that.

Amir bounded through the door, grinning. "Luke, my man! T-minus three days till the big 4-0 bash! Should be a good one, Mister!"

Luke forced a smile. "Yeah. Should be great."

His phone buzzed. Text from Dale: “Your party is shaping up to be quite the social event. You deserve it. XO”

Luke stared at his phone. Then, before he could talk himself out of it, before he could remember that he was supposed to be "cool" about this, he texted Jack:

“Still on for Friday?”

He regretted it immediately. Too needy. Too anxious. Exactly what Jack didn't want from him.

But Jack's reply came fast:

Then: “Something seems to be stirring with Hallicks, but I can handle it.”

Luke read the message three times.

I can handle it.

Not "don't worry" or "I'll be there no matter what." Just... I can handle it.

Luke wanted to believe him.

I can handle it.

That's what Jack always said.

Shortly after lunch Wednesday, Jack walked through the front door of The Ridge.

"Got your charger," Jack said, holding it up. His voice was clipped, professional, like they were colleagues conducting business. "Got a minute to talk about Friday?"

Luke's body tightened up. "Yeah. Come on back."

He led Jack to his office and closed the door.

Jack leaned against the door, standing like he was already halfway out of there. "I'll come by around 6:30. Won't stay too late."

"Jack—"

"I know it's your birthday. I know it's important. I just... there's a lot happening with this Hallicks thing, and I might need to bring him and some VIPs we're meeting Friday afternoon. Would that be okay?"

Luke blinked. "You want to bring your boss to my birthday party?"

"It's complicated. The meeting might run late, and if it does, I can transition straight to your party with them. It makes sense logistically."

"Logistically."

Jack's jaw tightened. "Luke, I'm trying to make this work."