Page 75 of Don't Leave
A few times during the drive, I find myself turning and studying Luke. With his short blond hair and his blue-gray hazel eyes, he’s handsome. He stands over six feet tall and is broad in the shoulders.
Without a doubt, the guy is crushworthy. And I’d be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit that I find him attractive. That attraction, coupled with the connection we’ve already forged, seems to intensify everything I feel for him.
But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to take that next step with him.
Since I haven’t heard from Cole since our disastrous lunch, I’m guessing that whatever we had is over with. At this point, I don’t know if I want to get tangled up in another relationship. Iremember my hesitancy about getting involved with Cole in the beginning. It’s probably smarter to focus on my classes and take a break from boys.
Lost in the tangle of my thoughts, I don’t realize that I’ve spaced out and am staring at Luke until he turns his head and meets my gaze. Heat creeps into my cheeks as I yank my attention away from him and stare out the window.
“What are you thinking about?”
I force myself to glance at him and say honestly, “That it’s probably best for me to focus on classes and not get caught up in all the social stuff.”
He nods as if agreeing before his gaze resettles on the road stretched out in front of him. Mine do the same. “You mean a relationship?”
“Yeah.”
He nods as his hand slips around mine. Startled by the connection, my heartbeat hitches as I stare down at our entwined fingers. His thumb rubs soft circles across my flesh.
Unease fills me as I glance over my shoulder at Brooklyn, only to find her sacked out with earbuds in.
“She fell asleep about fifteen minutes ago,” he says as if he can read my mind.
“Oh.” My mouth turns cottony as I search my brain for something to say.
Whatever is unfolding between us in the front seat of his truck feels dangerous. I’m not sure if I’m ready for our relationship to progress past friendship. When it comes down to it, I’m still hung up on Cole.
His gaze flickers in my direction. “Are you okay with this?” He squeezes my fingers. “I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for.”
The last guy to hold my hand was Cole. I’m not sure if I’m ready to feel someone else touching me so intimately. At the same time, I can’t deny that it feels kind of nice.
“Cassidy?” he prompts softly. His gaze darts to mine as we continue driving down the highway toward home.
I suck in a deep breath and realize that I don’t want him to let go. Just as he begins to remove his fingers, the word shoots out of my mouth. “No.”
His movements still. Questions swirl through his eyes. “No?”
“Don’t let go,” I whisper thickly.
Whether he realizes it or not, this is a big deal for me. I don’t allow many people in. Cole was my first real relationship. Even though Luke is only holding my hand, it’s a big step for me.
He must realize it as well. For the remainder of the ride, he does nothing more than clasp my hand in his larger one as if allowing me time to get used to the feel of him.
The miles slip by quickly after that shared moment between us. Brooklyn sleeps the entire way, making it feel as if Luke and I are alone. Almost from the beginning, my friendship with Luke has been an easy one. Even though we’re holding hands, it doesn’t necessarily feel like anything has changed.
By the time we roll up to Brooklyn’s house, which is next to mine, she’s woken with a stretch and Luke is no longer holding my hand.
When he exits the truck to grab her bag, she leans forward and whispers, “Now that was a rather interesting turn of events.”
With a wink, she jumps out of the truck and thanks Luke for the ride. Just as I’m about to open my door and get out, Luke slides in beside me.
“I’ll drive you over. It’s not a problem.”
Less than thirty seconds later, he’s pulling into my driveway. My gaze locks on the house I grew up in and my mind tumblesback to when Cole and I snuck in two months ago to retrieve my hockey equipment.
The memory of how angry my father had been when he’d caught us slices through me. My muscles tense as I continue to stare. It’s the feel of Luke’s hand squeezing mine that knocks me from the strange paralysis.
“Cassidy? Are you all right?”
