Page 38 of Anyone But Her

Chapter Eight

Taylor

I've been able to avoid Luke all week. He's been here at the house a few times but I stayed in my room and waited until he was gone. I haven't seen him since that day we talked in the living room.

My dad's been taking Luke and Cal to different golf courses all week and they spend the whole day there. My dad invited me to go with them but my mom really wanted me to do stuff with her. Plus, I wasn't sure I wanted to spend an entire day golfing with my dad, brother, and Luke.

After golfing the three of them have been going out for dinner and then Luke goes back to his hotel. I'm not sure why Luke isn't staying with us. Is it because I'm here? Did he think it'd be awkward to stay at the house because of me?

I'm still trying to figure out how he feels about me and I'm hoping I'll find out today. It's Saturday, my last day at home before heading back to college, and this morning I'm going golfing with Cal and Luke. My dad is running errands with my mom, and then later, we'll all get together for dinner.

"Hey, Taylor," Luke says as Cal and I meet up with him at the clubhouse. We're playing at a private course today. My dad is a member and got us a tee time. It's very exclusive so it's never very crowded, which is why we picked it. Luke will have time to help me with my swing and I can help him with his putting, although I doubt any of that will happen.

"Hi, Luke."

"I'm gonna take my stuff to the locker room," Cal says, leaving me alone with Luke.

"What have you been up to all week?" Luke asks.

I shrug. "Just hanging out with my mom."

"Why didn't you come golfing with us?"

"My mom had all this mother-daughter stuff planned. I didn't want to tell her no."

"So you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I have a morning flight."

"That's too bad. I was hoping we could hang out."

"Why?" I ask, anxiously awaiting the answer. If he tells me we're just friends, this will be a much more relaxing round of golf.

"Because I—"

"Let's get out there," Cal says, heading to the door that leads to the course.

Stupid Cal. He interrupted Luke when I really needed to hear what he was going to say! Now I'll have to wait for another opportunity.

We play the first six holes and Luke treats me like he treats Cal. Like a friend. Nothing more. I act the same.

On the seventh hole, Cal has to use the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

He takes the golf cart because the bathroom is too far away to walk.

"Let's work on your swing while he's gone," Luke says, handing me a club.

Again, he's treating me like a friend. If he liked me as more than that, now would be the time to tell me, while my brother is gone.

"Let's just forget it," I say. "Cal will be back soon."

"We have time. Go ahead and line up your shot."

He stands back and watches as I take a swing.

"Do it again," Luke says.

I adjust my grip on the club, then swing.

---