Page 39 of The Destruction You Desire
Pushing from the chair, he stands before me, taking both of my hands in his despite the fact I try to fight him.
"We're going to Atlanta."
"No, Luc. You can't—"
"Watch me." Closing the space between us, he once again cups my cheek. "Let me be what you need, Peyton."
I open my mouth to tell him that what I need is for him to leave but I can't force the words out because as much as I might not want him to be here with me right now, I also don't want to be alone.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he guides me out of the building, successfully ignoring everyone who tried to engage him in conversation. It's the first time I've been around him on campus and it's my first insight into just how much of a celebrity he is.
I remember what it was like in high school always being in his shadow while he ruled the school, but here it's on an entirely different level. It is literally like he's God. I can understand why the pressure might be getting to him, especially after a less than successful season.
"In you go." I don't realize that we've made it to the parking lot until his words make me look up and I find his Audi in front of me.
"Uh… I have my own car. You don't need—"
"I said, get in."
He closes the space between us as if he's about to throw me inside if I don't do as he said.
"Luc, you don't need—"
"Let me do this, P. Please." His eyes plead with me, and as much as I want to say no, I know I'm not in any place right now to drive myself.
"But my car—"
"I'll get Leon and the guys to sort it out."
I nod, already too exhausted and too focused on just getting to Atlanta to care, I fold myself into the passenger seat and allow him to close the door behind me.
I watch him, feeling completely numb as he pulls his cell out and taps away on the screen for a few minutes.
I wait with my heart in my throat and my impatience growing with every second that passes.
By the time he pulls the door open, I've totally spaced out.
"There's a flight from Orlando in two hours. I managed to get us seats."
My eyes remain locked on a trash can across the parking lot, his words not really registering.
"Peyton," he says softly, reaching over and holding my hand that's resting on my lap. "Did you hear me? We're flying to Atlanta in two hours."
In a daze, I turn to him.
"T-two hours?"
"Yeah. I've booked us seats."
"You've… you're coming to Atlanta?"
He threads his fingers through mine and gently pulls me over the center console so he can press his lips to my forehead.
"Yeah, baby. I'm not letting you do this alone."
I nod, unable to find any words.
After another second, he releases me and starts the engine.
