Part 9 (2/2)

Colt lifted the corner of his mouth. ”What's the matter, Lauren? You afraid your dad is going to like one of my ideas?”

Lauren stood and walked to Colt. She pointed her finger at him and began poking him in the chest as she spoke. ”If you think for one second I'm going to take a step back while you wiggle your way into my family's breeding business, you've got another thing coming, Colt Mathews. Stick with cattle, and leave the horses to me.”

Colt's mouth dropped open and then he started laughing. ”You're threatened by me? Why Lauren? What did your daddy say? Maybe that you couldn't handle it all on your own?” His eyebrow rose as if he knew something Lauren didn't, which caused her to ball up her fists.

Luke cleared his throat. ”Who wants to go grab an early dinner?”

Maegan, Taylor, and I all shouted out, ”Me!” Everyone could see the fight that was brewing between Colt and Lauren.

”You won't win, Colt,” Lauren hissed through her teeth.

Colt smirked. ”I didn't realize we had a contest going on, Lauren.”

Lauren placed her hands on Colt's chest and pushed him. ”f.u.c.k you, Colt Mathews.”

Colt grabbed her wrists, ”You wish you could, Lauren.”

Luke placed his hand on Colt's shoulder, ”Alright, that's enough. Both of y'all just back the h.e.l.l off each other. You're both in college and there is plenty of time to sort all this out. Let's get some dinner y'all.” Luke pulled Colt back some and began to lead him out the door. He glanced at me and our eyes met. We both smiled weakly.

Luke mouthed, After dinner? I nodded my head. Luke had asked to talk to me earlier today, but I had been avoiding him all day. I was scared to talk to him. Not knowing what he was planning on saying to me. I walked up to Lauren and laced my arm with her arm.

”Come on, let's go get something to eat.” Taylor walked on the other side of Lauren and took her arm in hers.

Swallowing hard, Lauren whispered, ”I hate him.”

Taylor and I both looked at her, as Taylor said, ”No, Lauren, honey. I think you're fighting your feelings for him.”

Lauren turned and looked at Taylor and then to me. She shook her head and whispered, ”How can you love someone you hate so much?”

I stopped and took Lauren into my arms as she began to cry. Luke looked over his shoulder back at us as I motioned for him to keep going.

Maegan wrapped up Lauren and me in her arms. ”We should have all signed in our blood not to fall for each other.”

I looked into Maegan's eyes as she winked at me and then mouthed, Talk to him, Libby. Nodding my head I mouthed back, I will.

I STOOD UNDER the pier and looked out over the dark blue waters. The sun had already begun to sink beneath the horizon.

I slowly inhaled the sea air through my nose and then blew it out. I loved it down here. Something about the wind and the sound of the waves. .h.i.tting the sh.o.r.e calmed my nerves and helped me forget.

Dinner had been interesting. Colt and Lauren retreated to their corners. Then we all pretended everything was okay and back to normal. We were getting good at pretending.

I knew the moment he walked up behind me. I could feel his energy. I closed my eyes.

I can't do this anymore.

I'd never love anyone like I loved Luke, but my heart couldn't take the pain any longer.

He stepped closer, and my breathing increased. I longed for his touch, for his lips to softly brush against mine, and for him to whisper he loved me.

”Hey, Lib.”

His voice made my heart drop and my stomach flip.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him. ”Hey, Luke.”

His smile was forced. Something was on his mind, like something was on mine.

I started walking along the beach, and Luke followed. My phone beeped in my pocket, and I pulled it out. It was Zach.

Luke let out a laugh, and I looked over at him. He was walking next to me but looking straight ahead.

”Do you remember the time we put salt in your mom's sugar container and Alex put three huge scoops in her oatmeal?”

Luke somehow always talked me into doing his crazy pranks with him.

Smiling, I nodded my head as I said, ”Yeah, I remember.”

Luke started talking about how he'd gotten grounded for that prank as I opened up Zach's text.

Zach: Libby, I'm so glad you texted me back. Baby, I understand you were confused, but I'm here. I'm waiting for you if you want to make this work.

I quickly hit the Home b.u.t.ton on my phone and pushed it back into my back pocket. My heart was pounding.

s.h.i.+t. I shouldn't have responded back to Zach.

No, I did the right thing. Didn't I?

My head was spinning, and Luke was talking about d.a.m.n pranks.

I stopped walking and turned to him. I shook my head. ”I really need to be alone right now, Luke. I have to think, and I can't think with you living in the past.”

His smile dropped, and he nodded his head. I turned and started walking away from him.

”Libby, wait. Please.”

The moment his hand touched my arm, I felt the most amazing rush sweep through my body. I almost wanted to whimper with the way his touch affected me. Zach's touch never did this to me.

I looked into Luke's eyes. He had the most beautiful green eyes. I could see why women melted when he looked at them. I quickly looked away.

I can't do this anymore. I can't.

My eyes burned with the tears I fought to hold back. ”Luke, I can't stand here and pretend like nothing is wrong. Everything is wrong, and I ... I need to move on with my life, and I can't with-”

He held up his hand and shook his head. I stopped talking. His eyes searched my face and then moved to my lips. I instinctively licked them, and he snapped his eyes back up to mine where he searched them intently.

I held my breath and waited for what he was about to say.

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