Saving You (Love Wanted in Texas #2)(19)
Author: Kelly Elliott

Her eyes filled with tears. “Even with me drunk, you still don’t want me. Why?”

“I care about you, Libby. I don’t want to …”

Libby quickly pulled her T-shirt over her head the best she could in her drunken state. She stumbled forward and pushed me as hard as she could. “I hate you, Luke Johnson. I don’t want you to care about me! I want you to love me!” Libby shouted.

I grabbed onto her arms and looked into her eyes. “I love you more than you’ll ever know, Libby.” Libby sucked in a breath as I slowly let her go.

I pulled out my phone and called Will. “Hey, Will. It’s me, Luke. Can you come get Libby? She’s drunk out of her mind.”

Libby stood there and stared at me as tears rolled down her face. She slowly walked past me and out of the stall. She made her way to the end of the barn and sat down. She began crying as she said, “I hate you, Luke. I hate you …”

THE DOOR SHUT and I flew up. “Damn dude, did you fall asleep or something?” Will asked as he walked in. I glanced around and saw the three empty beer bottles sitting on the coffee table.

“Ah … yeah, I guess I did.” I dragged my hands down my face. “Shit. I’ve gotta meet Karen for dinner.” Glancing at the clock, I saw I only had thirty minutes to meet her.

“Karen? The girl you dated when you first came to A&M?” Will asked as I began sprinting up the stairs.

“Yeah!” I shouted back as I rushed into my bedroom and changed. Five minutes later I was back downstairs. I reached for my truck keys.

“Are y’all dating again?” Will asked as I grabbed a quick drink of water. I spun around and looked at him.

“What? No. She just said she wanted to meet up and talk. I have no idea what about. I haven’t seen her in months.”

Will nodded his head and smiled. “Have fun then.”

I grunted as I headed out the door while Will laughed. I had a bad feeling this night was going to be anything but fun.

ZACH AND I walked into Luigi’s and I instantly felt the hair on my arms stand. I glanced to my left and saw him.

Luke.

Then I noticed the blonde sitting across from him. Her wavy hair fell just below her shoulders. She had the sides pulled up and her bright-red lipstick stood out like a sore thumb. She smiled and Luke’s laugh moved through my body.

I felt Zach take my arm and begin leading me over to a table. I turned to him and smiled. “They have a jazz band here tonight,” Zach said with a smile. He loved jazz. I personally could pass on it.

I sat down and let out a groan. Straight ahead was Luke’s table. I looked away, but my eyes were drawn up again as I looked at the gorgeous girl sitting with him. Who was she? Were they dating? What about Abigail?

“Lib? Are you even listening to me?”

Zach’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I shook my head. “Sorry, I was lost in thought there for a second. Guess I have a lot on my mind.”

Zach reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I’m here, Lib. All you have to do is talk to me.”

Smiling, I nodded my head. I was constantly in awe of how Zach treated me. He was everything a girl could want in a boyfriend. Attentive, caring, an amazing kisser, and he’d do anything to make me happy.

He just wasn’t Luke.

The waitress came and took our order. As we ate, Zach began talking about plans for this summer. He wanted to come to Mason and see where I grew up. I laughed. “There isn’t anything really there. It’s a really small town.”

Zach gave me that panty-melting smile of his. “You grew up there; it’s a part of you. That makes me want to know more about it.”

My stomach dropped. I knew I was getting closer and closer to giving myself to Zach, completely. My eyes lifted and I saw Luke stand up and hold his hand out to the blonde. They made their way to the makeshift dance floor in the middle of the restaurant. I had somehow managed to keep my presence unknown to Luke. He began looking around once we sat down, but I hid behind my menu.

The band began playing “Let’s Fall in Love” as Luke pulled the blonde into his arms and they began dancing. She dropped her head back and laughed and my heart was hit with a tinge of jealousy. Glancing back to Zach, I smiled.

“Want to dance?” The moment the words slipped from my mouth, I regretted it. I knew the only reason I was doing it was to try and make Luke jealous. Clearly he was enjoying himself though, from the smile on his face.

Zach stood and extended his hand for mine. “I’d love to dance with you, sweetheart.” I gave him a weak smile. Shit. Shit. Shit. There were only two other couples on the dance floor. Zach walked up to the dance floor and spun me around and pulled me to him. I kept my eyes off of Luke and the blonde. I focused on Zach only. We danced in silence as he held me close to him.

I could feel Luke’s eyes on me. One peek showed I was right. Luke smiled slightly at me and I gave him a weak smile in return.

The band finished the song and made an announcement. “We’re taking a break, but please keep on dancing y’all. We’ve got some Frank for ya!”

Zach’s phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and said, “Shit, I have to take this call, Libby. I’ll be right back.” Zach looked over my shoulder. “Hey, your friend Luke is here. Y’all should dance together.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

My eyes widened in horror at the sound of Luke’s voice. I spun around and saw him standing there. I looked around for the blonde. “She excused herself for a phone call.”

My mouth dropped open slightly. I turned to say something to Zach, but he was already out the door. I felt Luke’s hand on my waist and my breathing stopped.

Turning back around, I gave him a smirk as he held open his arms. Frank Sinatra’s “It Had To Be You” began playing. Luke pulled me into his arms as we began to dance. I was terrified he would hear my heart pounding in my chest.

“How have you been, Libby?”

Taking in a deep breath, I was overcome with Luke’s musky smell. I closed my eyes and tried to keep myself from burying my face into his chest. I looked into his green eyes. I slowly licked my dry lips and reached deep down into my stomach to find my voice again. Something about being in Luke’s arms, with a stupid Frank Sinatra song playing, had me all weak in the knees.

“I’ve been um, fine. Busy with school and …” My voice trailed off.

“Zach?”