Page 57 of Anyone But Her

Chapter Eleven

Luke

I want to talk to Taylor but don't know if I should. Opening up to her will make me feel closer to her and make it harder to keep my distance from her. I've done a good job of that so far. When we picked her up at college I wanted to give her a hug, but instead I just told her hi then looked at my phone as if seeing her wasn't a big deal. But it was a huge deal. Seeing her again brought back all the feelings I've been trying to push away since the day she told me to stop calling.

Then later, when we were all golfing, her ball went in the trees and I was tempted to hit my ball the same way so we'd have to go find them together like we did last March. But I didn't let it happen because I knew it was a bad idea. Her dad made it crystal clear that I am not to date his daughter or even show interest in her that way. If I do, I'm no longer allowed to live here. I'll be homeless. So I can't get involved with Taylor, at least not while I'm staying in the guest house. But I still want to be friends with her. I miss the talks we used to have. She's the only person besides Albert that I've ever felt I could open up to.

"Albert was the greatest man I've ever met," I say. "The kindest. The most generous. I wouldn't be where I'm at today if it weren't for him. He made me who I am."

"I wish I could've met him."

"I wish you could've too. He was a good person and a really good golfer. His game started to suffer when his arthritis got bad but he still beat out other guys his age."

"How long did you know him?"

"As long as I can remember. I met him when we moved in next door. He was the first adult I'd ever met that didn't tell me to be quiet or go away. He liked it when I went over to see him. He wanted to spend time with me and I liked hanging out with him. He was lonely and I was desperate to be around someone who actually cared about me. Albert and I needed each other. Neither one of us would've ever admitted that but it's true."

"And now he's gone," Taylor says softly.

"Yeah." I look down at the floor. "He's gone."

I don't like saying that. Saying it makes me angry. How could Albert leave me? How could he go when I need him? He's all I had in life. The only person who gave a shit about me. And now he's gone.

"Luke." I feel Taylor's hand on my arm. "He's not the only one who cares."

It's like she knew what I was thinking. How did she know?

"Cal. My dad. My mom." She pauses. "Me. We all care about you and what happens to you. I know it hurts to lose Albert. I can't imagine what you're going through, but you're not alone. I need you to know that."

Looking up at her I see those beautiful eyes and that beautiful face that hooked me from day one, back when I was just a kid and had a crush on a beautiful girl. But she's more than beautiful. She's caring and good and kind and...a girl I could fall in love with. Part of me already has. I've fallen in love with her spirit. Her kindness. Her ability to laugh at herself when she does something embarrassing like trip over me on her way to the couch.

I take her hand from my arm and hold it in mine. "You're amazing."

She looks confused. "I don't understand. I didn't do anything. I just—"

"You don't have to do anything." I smile. "You're just amazing on your own."

She nervously laughs. "You're weird."

"So are you."

She huffs. "I'm not weird."

"You have to count to eight before teeing off."

"That's not weird. It's for good luck. A lot of athletes have rituals for good luck."

"It's superstitious." I smile. "And weird."

She takes her hand back and folds her arms over her chest. "Like you don't do anything for luck before a round of golf?"

"Nope. Nothing."

"No lucky socks? Lucky hat?"

"No. Why? Do you have lucky socks and hats?"

She chews on her lip and glances away.

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