Page 84 of Don't Leave
After a couple of hours, Luke slips my hand into his. I stare down at the connection, trying to decide if moving in this new direction with Luke feels right. When my gaze collides with his, something jolts insides me. His lips tilt up at the corners and I can’t help but return the expression with a hesitant smile of my own.
He leans toward me so I can hear him over the pulsing beat of the music. “Do you want something to drink?”
My usual MO is to stick with water. Occasionally, I’ll have a beer. The remnants of last year and the trouble I got myself into are never very far from my mind. Plus, I’ve discovered that I like being in control of myself and my surroundings. It’s hard to be in control when you’re totally wasted.
I shake my head. “No, I’m good.”
Understanding floods his blue-gray eyes and I’m reminded that Luke knows everything—all the ugly little details of last year and still accepts me for who I am.
For the rest of the night, we dance, laugh and have a good time. By the end of the evening, it’s evident how well-liked Luke is among his friends. Brooklyn also seems to have fun. She’s been off dancing with a couple of different guys.
It’s the reason I do a doubletake when Austin walks through the front door. For a moment, I can’t figure out what he’s doing here. My gaze narrows suspiciously on Brooklyn.
She doesn’t look surprised in the least to see him.
As I make my way over to them, Austin rips his attention away from her to long enough to meet my gaze.
“Hey, Cassidy. How’s it going?”
“Pretty good.” I raise my brows. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
His glances at the tall blonde before shrugging. “I’m giving Brooklyn a ride home.”
I can’t resist needling the pair because their relationship has seriously moved beyond ridiculous. Clearly, this is more than just a booty call or friends-with-benefits situation or whatever the heck they’re now trying to call it.
“Oh, you live close by?” I give him a wide-eyed look because I know damn well that he doesn’t.
A dull flush creeps into Austin’s cheeks as he clears his throat. “Not that far. About an hour or so.”
Liar. More like two and a half. I take pity on him, because he really must care for her, and decide not to call him out.
Brooklyn studiously avoids my searching gaze.
“That was nice of you to drive all the way over here to take Brook home,” I say.
That remark is met with deafening silence.
Brooklyn must decide that she’s had enough of my comments and shoots me a well-honed death glare.
As soon as Luke joins our trio, the air shifts, making it feel charged and uncomfortable. Even though Austin and Luke are teammates, the strain between them is palpable. The issue between Cole and Luke has obviously bled over.
Austin gives him a stiff chin lift. “What’s up, Wellington.”
Luke causally drapes an arm around my shoulders, making it clear that we’re together. “Not much. How about you?”
A hard glint enters Austin’s eyes as he takes in how close Luke and I are standing. “Brook called, so I’m going to take her home.” His narrowed gaze shifts to me. “You need a lift home, Cassidy?” He nods his head toward Brooklyn. “Since you’re next door, we can drop you off.”
Unease blooms in the pit of my belly as I shift, wanting to defuse the thick, suffocating waves of tension that has fallen over the group.
From beneath my lashes, I glance at Luke. At this point, we’re just friends but I’m sure Austin assumes differently. My heart trips, wondering if he’ll mention it to Cole.
Just as quickly, I wonder if it matters.
My guess is that it doesn’t.
“I’ll take her home,” Luke replies before tugging me a bit closer.
It feels as if I’m in the middle of a pissing match between these two, which is ridiculous. Austin has no reason to be angry with Luke. Cole and I aren’t together anymore. If the wide variety of girls I’ve seen him walking around campus with is any indication, then Cole has moved on with his life.
