Page 92 of Don't Leave
“I think what you’re trying to say is that you drove two and a half hours to get laid.” This doesn’t surprise me at all. I think Austin would drive five hours one way to be with that girl. He’s got it bad.
“I’ll have you know that it was way more than a hookup. I spent the night on her couch and met the fam in the morning. Ate a tasty stack of pancakes with Janie and Richard.” A shiteating grin slides across his face. “They love me, by the way.”
A chuckle escapes from me. “I guess that’s progress. Good job.”
“Exactly,” he agrees, “Slow but surely. That’s what I’m all about.”
I’m still waiting to hear where this Cassidy-sighting occurred. “I’m guessing you saw Cassidy at this party.”
His smile dims. “Yeah, she was there all right.”
My gut clenches as I wait for the next bomb he’s about to drop. From the pinched expression on his face, I can feel it coming.
“With Wellington.” He shakes his head in disgust. “That guy is such a tool.”
Even though I shouldn’t be surprised by this information, I am. After all, I practically gave her my blessing before shoving her in his direction. If there’s a tool around here, it’s probably me.
“Oh, yeah?” It takes effort to keep my voice level.
“Yeah. I offered to take her home, but Wellington was quick to shoot that down idea. I guess he picked them up earlier. The party was at one of his high school buddy’s house or something like that.” Austin pauses before adding, “I wanted to give you a heads up.”
At least I can count on Austin to have my back.
Luke Wellington…not so much.
My gaze slides to his before I lift my chin. “I appreciate it.”
“Later, dude.” He jerks his head to the left where the science building is located. “I’ll catch you at practice.”
“Yup.”
Even though I miss Cassidy like crazy, I feel like the lessons I learned from my relationship with Jackie have been pounded into my brain. The last thing I’m looking to do is get my heart stomped on for a second time. Maybe the connection I have with Cassidy isn’t not enough. Maybe what she feels for Luke is deeper.
If she spent her break with him, then he must be the guy she wants to be with. As painful as that realization is, it’s better to figure it out now rather than later when I’m in even deeper.
With my head so full of the dark-haired girl, I’m startled when she materializes before my eyes. As our gazes collide, I lift my hand in tentative greeting. The edges of her lips lift as shestops and waits for me to catch up with her. Even though I want to play it cool, it feels like I’m starving for the sight of this girl.
When she unleashes a smile, my heart beats into overdrive, and I realize that I’m in so deep that I’m practically drowning.
“Hi,” she says.
I might be mentally beating myself up for letting her go, but I flash her a smile in return because it feels so damn good to see her. I have to resist the urge to yank her into my arms and kiss her.
I’ve missed her so damn much.
I’ve missed the way her soft body feels stretched out beneath mine.
I miss being inside her tight heat.
And I miss the breathy little sounds she makes when she comes.
Those memories are enough to have me stiffening right up.
I clear my throat and attempt to refocus my thoughts. “Hey, it’s good to see you. How was your break?”
We fall into line and continue walking to class.
She glances at me from beneath the dark fringe of her lashes.
