My stomach turned over as I fought to figure out a way to broach the subject. How do you start a conversation about feelings? I mean, is there anything more gut-wrenching stupid than talking about that kind of stuff.
The last two years had not exactly lent itself to discussing feelings. I’d never learned the art.
Amy smiled sadly at me, I swear the girl could read my mind. Was she thinking the same thing? Maybe she wanted to put this behind us.
That silence between us continued to grow. Each moment an agony until I turned onto her street.
Almost there, I thought. What then?
“I hope taking me home isn’t going to make you late,” she said.
I frowned as I tried to figure out what she was talking about. Then it hit me, the whole ‘Stuff’ excuse I had used to get her alone.
Shaking my head, I said, “There isn’t anything. I just wanted to take you home without Jenny there.” As the words left my mouth, I felt my stomach clench as I held my breath.
She frowned for a moment then said, “Why?”
God, the woman could be relentless. She was going to make me actually say the words.
I pulled to stop in front of her McMansion of a house and said, “Because we need to talk.”
She blanched for a second before quickly glancing at her house and then back at me. For a moment she looked like a trapped fox, desperately searching for a way out. Then she took a deep breath and I saw her relax as she twisted in her seat and looked at me.
“Yes, we probably should,” she said.
I sighed internally as I turned the truck off and twisted to face her. The loss of the dashboard lights put us in a darker, more intimate space. A distant streetlight cast just enough light to see her reactions, but not enough to expose every thought and fear.
She looked at me expectantly. Obviously waiting for me to start.
My heart raced as I desperately fought to find the words. Just blurt it out, I thought. What was the worst thing that could happen? Even if she laughed at me. It wouldn’t be the first time my life was ruined.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “Amy …”
I paused as I tried to figure out what I was actually trying to say.
“Yes,” she said when I didn’t continue. Her eyes searched mine. Obviously wondering who this idiot was sitting next to her.
This was too hard, I thought for a moment as I came very close to dismissing the whole thing and going on with my life as if Amy wasn’t there. As if these feeling churning inside of me could be ignored.
“I like you,” I said before my mind could stop me. There, it was said. Out there in the open.
My heart stopped beating as I held my breath, waiting.
She froze for a second, her eyes growing big as the color drained from her face then returned immediately to a full pink as our eyes locked. She swallowed hard then looked down at her hands, unable to hold my stare.
Taking a deep breath, I started to try and find a way to dismiss my words. A way to pretend I hadn’t said them. Just as I thought I could stand it no longer, she looked up and smiled sweetly at me.
“I like you too Luke. A lot.”
I swallowed as the world fell into place, sounds and sights returned and my heart began to beat again. God, she had the most beautiful smile. The kind of smile that made angels sing.
“But, …” she continued.
Here it comes, I thought. The dozen reasons why this would never work. Jenny, her father, my history, her future. Everything.
“But?” I asked.
She smiled sadly and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t understand. You could have almost any girl in school. You’re big, handsome, heroic, with a hint of danger. Why me?”
It was as if someone had hit me upside of the head with a sledgehammer. The idea that Amy didn’t see herself as the most perfect person in the world was an unbelievable shock. How was this possible?
And the fact that Jenny had not been her first concern sent a bolt of happiness through me. It told me we had a chance.
Once again, our eyes locked as I took her hand and gently pulled her to me.
“This is why,” I said as I leaned down and kissed her. Our lips met and it was as if we entered a new universe together. Our own, unique, special part of the world that no one could ever enter except us, together.
She sank into me, her lips hungrily taking mine as her hand reached around my neck, pulling me in closer. The two of us locked in each other’s world.
We continued to share and explore as my heart raced and my soul rejoiced. This was why. There was no longer any doubt. Our joy in each other could not be denied. The heat between us continued to build. Sending thoughts and needs flashing through my mind.
This is Amy, I reminded myself. This is someone special. DO NOT RUIN IT, I thought as I forced my hands to not go where they wanted. Instead, I cradled her in my arms and focused on making it the best kiss she would ever have in her life.
She moaned softly in the back of her throat and I rejoiced inside. We continued to kiss until her hands came to my chest and she slowly pushed herself away.
I pulled back so that I could see her face, she slowly opened her eyes and stared into mine. It was there, in her eyes, that acknowledgment of just how special it was, this feeling between us.
“Oh Luke,” she said as she lay her head against my chest and hugged me as if she were afraid I was going to float away.
“Well, I guess that answers that question,” I said with a bit of a laugh. Unable to believe what had just happened.
She pulled back and stared up at me. “What are we going to do? Jenny is going to hate me forever.”
I swallowed hard, as a cold feeling of dread crawled down my spine. She was right. Jenny was going to be majorly pissed off. But I also knew that I wasn’t going to waste this chance. Amy was the person I was supposed to be with. I knew it the very depths of my soul.
“I don’t know,” I said as I brought her head back to my chest. “But we will figure it out. All I know is that I’m not letting anything get between us. Never.”
.o0o.
Amy
My soul soared to unbelievable heights when he said that. Yes, Jenny might hate me, my father was going to freak, and I, for the first time in years, had no idea what to expect tomorrow. But I could not deny that Luke was the most important thing in my life. I couldn’t imagine not having this feeling of specialness.
Closing my eyes, I listened to his heart beat as I savored his strong arms around me, and let the world be perfect.
Luke had changed me. That one kiss and I was a different person. My priorities in life had shifted. School, Dad, my mom, Jenny, the future. Everything had changed. I knew that things would settle out over the next few days. But I also knew that I would do anything to make sure Luke remained a part of whatever happened.
Soaking up his scent of sandalwood and leather I hugged him again then leaned away. Feeling a slight loss as I pulled out of his arms.
He stared down at me and smiled. I reached up and took his lips with mine and once again became lost.
The two of us tasted and took. Exploring this new emotion. As we kissed, the world fell away and became just the two of us.
Us, such a beautiful word.
Slowly, Luke pulled back and shook his head. “I need to get you into your house before I do something you are going to regret.”
I frowned as I tried to work out what he meant then saw the hunger in his eyes and understood. We were very close to taking things further, much further, much faster.
Luke Prescott wanted me. A feminine pride washed over me. Sending a warmth through me to my very core.
“What makes you think I would regret them?” I asked him, surprised as the words left my mouth.
He pulled back, his eyes opening in shock for a moment then he smiled.
“Amy, we are parked outside your front door. Your dad is probably inside cleaning his shotgun right now. Oh, and by the way, you
are my sister’s best friend. And you are driving me crazy. It is taking every ounce of self-control to keep my hands where they belong.”
I smiled up at him as my heart soared with happiness. The great Luke Prescott was flustered by me. Amy Jensen. It was enough to make a girl want to squeal with delight.
I was tempted to push him. Tempted to find out just how far he would go. My body craved his touch. Every part of me desired to know more. To have this man as mine. But he was right. Now was not the time.
Swallowing, I nodded as my cheeks suddenly erupted with heat. I was sitting in the dark with Luke Prescott talking about how much each of us wanted the other. I looked up at him and realized just what he was thinking, just what he wanted.
I shivered as I realized how much I wanted the same thing. But luckily, he had pulled back. Stopped it before things went too far too soon.
Nodding sadly, I pulled away from him and opened my door. He jumped out and ran around to help me down and onto my crutches.
For a moment, we stopped and stared into each other’s eyes, then both of us simultaneously pulled back before we attacked each other again.
Luke smiled as he took a deep breath and walked me to the front door. When we reached the porch he held back, letting me work my way up the three steps. When I reached the top, I turned to see him staring up at me.
“Don’t say anything to Jenny,” I said as a sadness washed through me at how upset she was going to be. “Not yet.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. I felt a slight release of tension. One problem put off for a while.
“Thank you,” I said. “For tonight.”
Again, he smiled up at me and my heart melted.
The two of us stood there for a long moment when the door behind me opened and my dad glared at the two of us.
Luke’s eyes grew big for a split second before the familiar Luke Prescott coolness returned. He nodded at my father and my dad nodded back.
A flash of anger at my father filled me for a moment. What if I had been kissing Luke goodnight? My father would have ruined everything.
“Go back inside,” I hissed at my father. He stepped back in surprise as if I’d slapped him across the face. Then, gathering himself, he shot Luke another look before he turned and went back into the house.
Luke glanced at the door, then at me, and laughed.
“Told you,” he said, nodding to the door.
My heart sank, he was leaving me. My dad had ruined everything.
“I’ll see you on Monday, Amy,” he said with that knowing smirk of his. “And I won’t say anything to Jenny. But this isn’t over. We need to figure out what we are going to do when she finds out.”
I slumped onto my crutches. He was right, this was going to be so bad. My life had just taken on a ton of new problems.
But then, I watched as Luke walked back to his truck. Those jean-clad hips drew me in like a magic elixir. The boy was a walking advertisement for everything great about being male. And he liked me. Me!
He turned and indicated I should go inside. He wouldn’t leave until he knew I was safe. My heart melted into a pool of mush. The man was a born hero.
Smiling at him, I forced myself to go inside, each step regretting what might have been and yet, looking forward to what would come.
Chapter Fourteen
Amy
Sunday turned out to be the longest day of my life. I woke up feeling special, treasured, wanted. But that feeling quickly turned to worry and fear.
Had the night before been real? Did Luke really feel something for me? How was that possible?
Over and over again I relived the events and words of the night before. Especially that kiss, no girl had ever been kissed like that. I was sure of it.
It all seemed impossible. Yet, it had felt so real. So perfect. How could it not be real?
Pacing in the kitchen, I looked at my cell phone sitting on the counter. Should I call him? What if he had changed his mind? No, I couldn’t call him, I’d look desperate. Besides, I didn’t even have his cell number and I couldn’t exactly call Jenny and ask for it.
“Hey,” Dad said as he stepped into the kitchen, shooting me a worried look. I still wasn’t talking to him because of the whole interrupting us fiasco last night.
He grabbed the coffee pot and poured himself another cup. I’d been fighting with him to get a Keurig for ages but he said he liked it to sit in a pot for a couple of hours. He’d learned to drink it that way during thirty-six-hour shifts in med-school.
“So, still not talking to me?” He said as he took a sip.
I gave him my meanest glare.
He laughed and shook his head. “Listen, Amy,” he began, “I’m your father, get used to it. I’m sure I’ll upset you more than once over the next two years.”
“A year and a half,” I corrected him.
He laughed, “Already counting down the days. Man, I must really have screwed up.”
I just glared at him. Suddenly, I realized how many questions I had and wished Mom was there. Maybe I could have talked to her. How does a girl know if a guy really likes her? What does she do to make sure he keeps likening her?
And of course, what did I do about the whole Jenny question?
Mom would have known. Dad would just roll his eyes and tell me to forget the whole issue and focus on my school work. That none of this would matter in my future.
But he was wrong. So wrong. Nothing could ever matter more than what I felt just then. Nothing would ever have this significance in my life.
The vibrating buzz of my cell made me jump. Picking it up, I saw Jenny’s number and froze. Had she learned about us? Had Luke told her?
More questions. Always more questions.
It had to be serious if she wanted to talk. Normally it would be a hundred text messages back and forth. Swallowing hard, I took a deep breath and pushed answer as I turned my back on my dad. Luckily, he got the message and left me alone.
Bringing the phone to my ear, my heart raced as I said, “Hey, girl.”
Jenny said, “Hey,” back and I could tell she didn’t know about Luke and me. The happiness in her voice was too obvious. He had kept his promise.
My shoulders slumped with relief. “So, Chip?”
She paused on the other end for a second then started in on providing me every detail. I just mummed and grunted, encouraging her to tell me everything. She spoke of the awkward ride home, -I knew the feeling well-. The fact that they had sat in his car for a few minutes and talked, -been there, done that-.
“And then,” she said before providing a dramatic pause. “At the door, he kissed me goodnight.”
“What!” I said, all the while my stomach was tearing a hole inside of me with guilt. I so wanted to tell her about Luke and me, but I couldn’t share that. Here she was providing me the most secret details of her life and I was holding back mine.
Obviously, I was a terrible friend. To top it off, the whole time she was relaying her perfect night. I was frantically trying to think of some way to ask about Luke.
“Yes,” she continued, “And …”
“And?” I asked.
“And … it was good. Real good.”
I laughed. “So, what does this mean? About you and Chip?”
There was a long pause on the line then she said, “I don’t know? Not really. I mean I had fun last night. Even with Luke there. And it was nice, being kissed. Even a bit more than just nice. If you know what I mean. But I don’t know what happens next. How do I know if he really likes me? This is Chip Huntington we’re talking about.”
My stomach clenched up. You’ve come to the wrong person to ask, I wanted to tell her. Instead, I slipped into best friend mode.
“Of course he likes you. You’re fantastic. Pretty, smart …”
“Not at his level of smart,” She interjected.
“No one is at his level. At least no one we know.” I told her reassuringly. “Besides, he’s not on your level of pretty so you
balance out.”
“I think he’s very cute,” she snapped. Almost affronted, as if I had crossed an unmarked line.
I cringed. Wow, I hadn’t anticipated that. He was okay looking, not in the drop-dead gorgeous looks of her brother. But okay.
“No, you are right,” I told her as I scrambled to find some safety. “I just meant that you are very pretty. And you know how guys are into that sort of thing. Believe me, Jenny, you have nothing to worry about.”
“What should I wear to school on Monday?” she asked. “I mean, he saw me in a dress last night. What if that is what he likes. Do I wear a dress?”
I sighed internally, we were going to be okay. My screw up about Chip’s looks had been forgotten. Jenny was already onto the next crisis of the moment. I let her ramble on as I tried to reassure her that everything would be fine.
As she talked, my mind wandered to Luke. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he thinking about me?
“… And then there is the whole Luke issue.”
“Luke?” I asked as my heart began to race.
“Yeah, he’s acting all weird. First, he desperately needed to do something after he dropped you off but he wouldn’t tell me what.”
My stomach clenched. I knew the truth and couldn’t tell her. Not yet.
“Then,” she continued, “after he came home, he spent half the night out on the porch staring up at the stars. I swear he’s becoming weirder all the time. Even Nellie was looking at him like he’d lost his mind.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said. “Maybe it’s his way of adjusting. I know he doesn’t like being cooped up. Maybe he just wanted to be outside.”
“Did he say anything to you?” she asked. “Mom’s really worried. She keeps looking at him as if she expects him to do something to get thrown back in jail.”
I held my breath for a second as I fought to figure out what to say. This was Jenny. I couldn’t lie to her. She would be so hurt. But I couldn’t tell her about Luke and me. Not yet. Not until I knew what it all meant. Not until I knew for sure that it was real.
My Best Friend's Brother (Hometown Heroes Book 3) Page 9