Page 22 of Don't Leave
I suck the corner of my lower lip into my mouth before chewing it as questions swim around inside my head.
What if he’s still upstairs with Jackie?
What if they’re working things out?
Is she telling him how much she still loves him?
Or begging for his forgiveness?
Even though my mind shies away from the idea, I can’t help but wonder if they’re doing more than that.
No. I can’t go back in there right now.
I clear my throat and glance away. “I’m going to head back to the dorms. It’s a little too crazy in there for me.”
“All right, my truck is parked down the street. I’ll give you a ride back. You shouldn’t be walking around here alone at night.”
I know he’s right.
Maybe I should just go inside and find Cole. Even though I know my phone hasn’t vibrated, I slide it from my pocket before checking for new messages.
There aren’t any.
I stare at the slim device, willing it to ring. What I need most is to hear the sound of his voice. After a handful of seconds tick by, I realize that it won’t.
“Okay.”
Luke slips his arm around my shoulders as we walk down the sidewalk. A slight shiver works its way through my body at thecontact. My proximity to Luke feels different than being close to Cole. I can’t help but silently catalogue the subtle contrasts.
With a frown, he glances down at me. “Cold?”
Since I can’t tell him the truth, I lie. “A little bit.”
The temperature has dropped since we left the dorms earlier tonight. If I’m being honest with myself, that’s not the reason for the tremor that slides through me. Luke tugs me closer as we continue walking so that the heat of his body can warm mine. It only takes a few minutes before we reach his dark SUV. He clicks the lock and opens the door for me. I slip inside before settling onto the leather seat before he closes me inside the space. He jogs around the hood before sliding next to me and starting the engine.
“Are you hungry?” His gaze flicks toward mine before returning to the ribbon of road beyond the windshield. “Do you want to grab something to eat before I drop you off?”
All I can think about is Cole disappearing up the stairs with his ex-girlfriend. “I don’t think so.” That twenty seconds plays on a continuous loop inside my head and I can’t make it stop.
“It seems like something is bothering you. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down and talk?” His voice dips, taking on a serious tone. “I’m a good listener.”
Surprised he can read me so easily, I glance at him.
His gaze pins me in place before he says, “We both saw Cole head upstairs with that girl.”
Air clogs my throat as tears prick my eyes. When he reaches over and lays his hand over mine, all the emotion I’m trying to keep locked deep inside comes pouring out in a torrent.
CHAPTER 8
COLE
Exactly how long does it take for two girls to use the bathroom?
It’s been at least twenty minutes since Cassidy and Brooklyn took off. During that time, at least a hundred more people have piled their way through the front door of the house. This party was already jam packed when we arrived.
I’m torn between staying here she left me or heading toward the bathroom to see if they’re caught up in a line. I contemplate my options for a couple of seconds before heading down the hallway. Long blonde hair catches the corner of my eye and my head swivels in that direction before landing on Brooklyn.
Relief rushes through me. She’s standing with a tall, buff dude. I recognize him from around campus but have no idea who he is. It takes a moment to realize that Cassidy isn’t with them.
