Page 10 of Just Is Not Enough

I take one last glance over my shoulder, expecting to see the same hurt expression from minutes ago, when instead I see tenacity. He means what he said.

Without saying another word, I walk out of the stall.

Leaving the restroom, I quickly search for Lanie and Faith. I find them with Jackson and Dakota near one of the bars. I attempt to ignore the pain on my scalp from how tight a grasp Luke had on my hair.

“Hey, there you are! I was looking for you. We were about to send Dakota to hunt you down in the bathroom,” Lanie’s initial playful expression turns to concern when she looks closely at my face.

“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling well. I think I had too much to drink. I think I want to head out, it’s getting late anyway,” I add the last part when I see Luke approaching.

“Okay, yeah let’s get going,” Lanie’s voice sounds strained. I know she is worrying about me now and I hate it.

She says goodbye to Jackson while handing him her phone, exchanging numbers.

Faith and Dakota give each other awkward looks when she walks away to join me and whispers, “You alright, Kaden?”

I nod my response, avoiding the temptation to glance in Luke’s direction. We all give the casual ‘see you around’ wave goodbye. Turning to walk away, I cannot stop myself from getting one last look at Luke.

I instantly regret it. Luke’s determined gaze is aimed right at me, chin turned upwards in confidence.

This man is going to be trouble, I can feel it.

Messy.

“What the fuck happened in there?” Lanie demands as soon as we hit the pavement to wait for our Uber to show up.

“Nothing, why? I got sick in the bathroom.” She doesn’t need to know the sordid details of my little tryst.

Lanie stares with scrutinizing eyes. She hesitates asking any further questions.

Faith senses my unease and changes the subject. “You like Jackson, don’t you? He seemed cool to me.” She aims her questions at Lanie. I remind myself to thank her later.

“He is amazing, but a perfect gentleman, unfortunately. He didn’t even try to kiss me all night, but I guess that’s a good sign. Maybe?” Lanie asks, nose scrunched up begging for validation.

“It’s a good sign. He doesn’t seem like the typical douche-canoes we meet. Don’t act like you don’t see he is all Green Flag material. I mean, you exchanged numbers, you obviously want to see him again?” Typical Faith, no sugar coating.

“It still would have been nice to kiss him at least once, though,” Lanie pouts.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the Uber arrives and has third row seating. I can hide in the back away from any more prying questions.

On the way to Lanie and Faith’s apartment, they chatter about the music and club. They want to go back on regular nights. Thankfully, I don’t need to join in the conversation. My mind in scattered enough at the moment, lost in all things Luke.

Why did he have to be so nice and fun to hang out with? And saying he is sexy doesn’t do this man justice. Never mind that mammoth in his pants, I could barely wrap my lips around it. I can still taste him on my tongue.

You’re better off alone rather than helping some straight guy figure his shit out, again, only to get fucked over.

We arrive at their apartment in Ballantyne a few minutes after the chatter died down and Lanie rested her head on Faith’s shoulder. It’s about 2 a.m. and we are all exhausted at this point. Luckily, I live less than 10 minutes from them by The Bowl.

Faith shakes Lanie and helps her out of the car. Lanie sticks her head back in, “Goodnight, I love you, and our earlier conversation is not over, brother.” She gives me a knowing grin. She’s like a Chihuahua with a bone. No way is she going to let this go.

Fuck my life. We are going to get another lecture, aren’t we?

Yes, we definitely will be getting another lecture.

Chapter Ten

My Obsession Begins

Luke

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