Page 68 of To Love or to Lose
“Okay, everyone!” A chaperone’s voice comes over the loudspeaker. “We have officially arrived at our hotel. I am going to come around and hand out room keys, and you all are free to find your rooms from there.”
“No!” Logan bellows, making the people around us glance over. “It was just getting good.”
“Don’t worry, we can find something much more interesting on the TV tonight,” Jameson reassures him, making Winnie gasp.
“There is nothing better than rom-coms,” she protests.
“Winnifred, Genevieve.” We look up to see Ms. Geller holding a card out to us. “Here is your room key. Please don’t lose it.”
“We won't,” I answer, grabbing the card from her grasp and sliding it into my wallet.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask Winnie as I stand in the aisle.
“Yup,” Winnie chirps, collecting her things and following me quickly off the bus.
“Do you know where our room is?” She whispers as we enter the lobby.
“I’m sure we can figure it out,” I tell her, grabbing my bag from one of the luggage dollies. “Remember Winnie, we’re not helpless little birds. We’ve already learned how to fly.”
She grabs her suitcase off a different dolly before we make our way over to the elevator. We halt our steps when Luke Shepard steps in front of us, a frazzled look on his face as he blocks our path.
It’s immediately off putting, because for as long as I’ve known Luke, he’s never been one to panic, even in situations where it’s warranted. He’s always been a wall of serenity, quite like Logan, which is likely a product of growing up with three girl best friends.
“Luke,” I trail off. “What’s going on?”
His mop of blonde hair is a mess, and the way his grayish blue eyes scan around the room is a tell-tale sign something is bothering him.
“Gen,” he greets us, also nodding toward Winnie. “How are you?”
“I’m well,” I answer plainly.
“Good, good,” he sighs, looking at the ceiling. He’s acting awkward, so he must need something.
“Look, I have a somewhat odd request.” There it is.
“And what is that?” I ask, scratching the side of my face, then crossing my arms over my chest.
“Our rooms are across from each other,” he says. “Later tonight, there’s going to be a girl knocking on my door, I can almost guarantee it.”
I almost laugh. “I am not rescuing you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m not asking you to save me. All I’m asking is you open your door and tell her I’m not there.” He’s fidgetingwith the sleeves of his sweatshirt, making me wonder what he’s so worried about.Luke is usually not the type to look so uncomfortable at the idea of a girl being at his door, yet he seems overly nervous for this to be a random hookup crawling back to him.
“Who is she?” I ask out of curiosity.
“It doesn't matter.” He sighs, running his hands through his hair. Luke showing distinct signs of distress is more of a call for help than anything having to do with a hookup.
“Listen, I don’t particularly care about your sex life, or the girls you happen to hookup with, but I need you to tell me the bare minimum details before I go sending a random girl running away from your room,” I tell him sternly, pointing a finger in his direction. “Because so help me God, Luke, if I find out you got a girl pregnant and you’re trying to ignore her, I will castrate you myself.”
I’m not one to shame people for their sex lives, but I will cause bodily harm to men who don’t take responsibility for the result of their sex lives.
“What?” Luke asks, exasperated. “No, no. This has nothing to do with my sex life, and I’ve never gotten a girl pregnant!” He hisses through his teeth, trying to whisper despite his rising tone.
His obvious and overwhelming nerves are putting me on edge. I spin the bracelet on my wrist, fiddling with the charms.
“So, then what’s going on?” The question is continually startling him. “Tell me and I will consider helping you.”
“She’s a girl who has a giant crush on me.” His story doesn’t sound all that convincing. “Nothing bad, I just really don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
