Saving You (Love Wanted In Texas Book 2) (11 page)

I smiled as I looked back toward Noah. “So are you here for a few days?” Noah asked.

“Um, yeah. Staying with our folks, we, um, we have a house down here,” Grace said as she fumbled over her own words.

I smiled as I took it in. I’d never seen Grace not one-hundred percent in control. She was totally taken with Noah.

“What about you?” Grace asked, looking over Noah’s shoulder at the four other guys standing there watching the whole scene play out.

Noah’s smile turned somewhat wicked. As if an idea came to mind. “I’m staying at my folks place, but Mom and Dad stayed behind for this trip. It’s just me, my brother and his two friends.”

“Really?” Grace said with a bit of seduction to her voice. I slowly looked at Grace, thinking back to her saying she just wanted to hook-up with someone this week.

I looked between the two of them as they both just stared at each other. I cleared my throat before talking. “Grace, we’re gonna be late for lunch.”

Grace was pulled from her trance as she looked at me. “Oh yeah, right.” Looking back at Noah she smiled. “It was nice running into you again.”

They both chuckled and we began to walk off, but not before Noah grabbed Grace’s wrist. “Grace, may I give you my number? Maybe we can meet up later or something.”

Biting down hard on her lip, Grace nodded her head. “I’ll text you it, what’s your number?”

I looked away smiling, knowing Grace wanted to have Noah’s number as well.

“512-555-2424,” Noah said as he watched Grace type it in her phone. A few seconds later, Noah’s phone beeped. He pulled it out of his pocket and smiled when he saw Grace’s text.

“Now you have my number. I’ll um, talk to you later then?” Grace asked as she began taking a few steps backward.

Noah nodded his head and winked at her. “Most definitely.”

Turning around, Grace and I began walking back to the houses. “Oh my gosh, Grace Johnson. Who is he and why have I never heard about this Noah?”

Grace chuckled and brushed me off with her hand. “Honestly, I never thought I would lay eyes on him again. I ran into him as I was running after Alex, he knocked me down, helped me up and we exchanged names. That was it.”

“Well he certainly remembered you.” I turned to look over my shoulder. “And he is staring at your ass as you walk away.”

Grace threw her head back and laughed. “Thank God I did some squats last week.”

Grace’s phone buzzed and she began reading a text message. The smile that spread across her face had been the first real smile I’d seen in the last few months. She looked over at me and winked. “Looks like I’ll be getting laid after all.”

My mouth dropped open. “Grace, I thought you were just saying that. Are you sure about this? You said yourself you don’t really know this guy.”

Grace looked behind her and I followed her gaze. Noah was now walking to his truck that was parked on the beach.

“Oh, I’m sure. I’m very sure,” Grace said as she turned back around and walked with a smile on her face.

SITTING AT THE
table, I glanced over to Grace. She had hooked up with Noah last night. When she got back, I could tell something was off. What I couldn’t tell was if that something was bad or good. Her face was flush as she leaned against the door like she had just had the most amazing time of her life. She reached her fingers up to her lips and closed her eyes. She quickly changed and crawled into bed. I had tried to talk to her, but she said she was exhausted and we would talk the next day. She avoided talking to me about it all day. I was hoping she had talked to Alex at least.

Staring back down at my espresso-soaked brownie sundae, I began to pick at it. This was the first time in the last five years that Luke and I didn’t share this sundae. I peeked up and saw him staring at me. I smiled weakly and his eyes lit up before he looked away from me. My heart dropped and I closed my eyes. I hated how my body reacted to him. I hated that the more I tried to push him out of my heart, the stronger he held onto it.

Alex sat next to me and bumped my shoulder. I smiled and looked back at my sundae.

Taking a bite, I looked back up, only to find Luke looking at me again as he began to talk. “I say we camp on the beach tonight. Throw up two tents and build a fire.”

Lauren began to hop up and down. “Oh my gosh, yes!”

Meg smiled and said, “Totally sounds like a good time.”

Colt talked about making s’mores as I watched Alex and Will exchange looks.

Turning to Taylor, Colt asked if she was in on camping.

She nodded her head and said, “I’m in. Sounds like fun.”

Luke looked back at me. “Lib? You down for some camping?”

My stomach dropped as I thought how much I wanted to be with Luke. Zach’s voice popped into my head. I smiled weakly and nodded. “Why not. Sounds like fun.”

Luke’s eyes lit up before he turned and gently hit Grace on the side of her arm. “Grace? You down?”

“Hell yes, I’m down for that!”

Glancing around the table at everyone, Luke smiled. “Then, it’s a plan. We’re camping on the beach tonight.” His eyes landed on mine and something happened. It was as if he was trying to tell me something but didn’t know how.

Swallowing hard, I stood and threw my sundae out as I made my way outside. I needed fresh air.

I leaned against the railing and took in a deep breath. If he wanted me … he’d take me.

Zach’s words came back to me again.

“I can’t wait to make you mine.”

I GRABBED A
few sticks and the bag of marshmallows and made my way over to the fire. I wanted to put this whole day behind me. The arguing with Libby, listening to her talking to Zach on the phone, and telling him how much she missed him still played through my memory.

Sitting next to Libby, I held out the sticks. “Grab a stick and roast some marshmallows, y’all.” I took a marshmallow out for me and then asked Libby if she wanted one. She nodded and stared straight into the fire.

I put a marshmallow on her stick and handed it to her. “How is school going? I don’t see much of you anymore.”

Swallowing hard, Libby said, “It’s fine. I hear you’re busy, with other things.”

I pulled my head back and looked at her.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I turned and focused on the conversations around the fire. We laughed and talked about everything from school to how much Maegan hated the country life. When I said I would lock Taylor away if she was my daughter, everyone laughed. I glanced over to look at Libby and what little happiness I felt was gone the moment I saw her smile at her phone. She must have gotten a text from Zach. I watched as she stood and made her way out to the water.

“God, I need to get laid, again.”

I jumped up and looked at my sister. “What? What the hell did you just say, Grace?”

Rolling her eyes at me, Grace said, “Please, don’t even go there. How many girls have you hooked up with during the last two days we’ve been here?”

I glanced back to where Libby was standing. “None,” I said as I turned back to Grace.

My sister shrugged. “Well, look at you. I’m impressed.”

Glaring at her as she walked by, I wanted to know who in the hell she hooked up with in the last two days. I was going to kick their fucking ass.

Alex, Colt, and Will were all talking, but I tuned them out. Libby was no longer on the phone. I barely whispered, “I’m, uh … going to say good night to Libby.”

Walking over to Libby, I stood next to her and looked out over the black ocean. “I miss you, Libby.”

I felt her turn and look at me. “What?”

Looking back at her, I smiled. “I miss talking to you. Hanging out with you.”

Libby quickly turned and looked back out over the ocean. “You miss hanging out as friends.” I was about to say something when she laughed. She shook her head and looked at me. “You changed all that the night you kissed me. The night you told me you wanted more, Luke. Then …” She shook her head and looked down before looking back at me. “Then you just acted as if nothing ever happened between us. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”

“Libby, I …”

She held up her hand. “No. I’m tired of arguing with you, of wondering why I was never good enough for you. I’ve found someone who does want to be with me. Someone who wants more than—friendship. Just like you found with Abigail.”

I stood there stunned. “Abigail? What the hell does she have anything to do with this?”

Libby let out a nervous laugh. “Please, Luke. Don’t play stupid. I’m tired of this. I’m done.”

Turning on her heels, Libby headed back toward the tent. I so desperately wanted to go after her. I started after her before I stopped myself. She deserved someone who would never hurt her.

“I found someone who wants more than friendship.”

I WALKED ACROSS
campus in a daze. Every time I saw Libby with Zach, I felt sick to my stomach. This morning had been no different. Seeing the two of them walking together holding hands caused me to turn in the opposite direction and walk further than I needed to go. Thank God there were only a few more days left and the semester would be over.

Walking in, I shut the door and called out for Will.

I threw my backpack down on the sofa. Walking to the kitchen, I ran my hand through my hair and let out a sigh. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. I had a text message from my old girlfriend, Karen.

Karen
: Hey there stranger. You up for pizza tonight?

Me
: Sure. Where at?

Karen
: Luigis? They’ve got live Jazz tonight.

Me
: Meet you there at six.

Karen
: Looking forward to it.

I opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. Twisting the cap off, I tossed it onto the counter and made my way into the living room. I wasn’t sure why Karen wanted to meet for pizza, other than to catch up. We had kept in touch and spoke once or twice every few months. Reaching down and grabbing my backpack, I threw it on the floor. I sunk down into the cushions and turned on the television.

I downed my beer and set it on the coffee table and leaned back. Closing my eyes, I thought back to the last night of Christmas break, when Libby and I ended up alone together in my barn.