Without You

I had gone to a party in Fredericksburg with Maegan, and I’d ended up drinking. I’d called my father, and my parents had come to pick me up. I’d gotten a nice long lecture the next day, but they always told us that we could call anytime with no punishments. If we didn’t call and we got caught, then the wrath of my father would fall upon us. Neither Colt nor I would want that.

“Watch Lauren and Taylor if they go, okay? They’re younger.”

I nodded my head as I leaned up and kissed my father on the cheek. Then, the doorbell rang. I smiled as I bolted to the door and threw it open. Will was standing there, looking hot as hell in his Wranglers, boots, and light-blue T-shirt. His hair was peeking out from under his cowboy hat before he took it off. I was instantly turned-on. We hadn’t been together again since our first night. I was hoping he would take care of that tonight.

Will walked in and shook my father’s hand. Then, he said, “Hello,” to my mother.

“Don’t keep her out too late, Will. If y’all decide to stay, you call me, Alex.”

“Yes, sir. Night, Mama! I love you.”

“I love you, too. Will, please be careful driving.”

Will placed his hat back on his head and nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Always.”

Will grabbed my hand, and we made our way to his truck. He opened the passenger door and held my hand until I sat down.

He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. “I love you.”

I smiled and placed my hand on his face. “I love you, too.”

“I’m going to take you again tonight, Lex.”

My mouth barely opened, and I instantly felt the wetness between my legs. I whispered, “Will…”

He gave me another look that had me sucking in a breath of air before he stepped away and shut the door. He walked around the front of the truck and then jumped in.

“Do we have to go to the party?” I asked when he shut the door.

He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes! This is our last summer before we head to college.”

I sighed. “We’ll be home every summer, and I’m sure Claire will throw a party each summer. Besides, I don’t even like Claire.”

Will looked over at me, shocked. “What? Since when?”

I shook my head and thought back to a few days ago when Libby, Grace, Lauren, and I had all gone for a ride at Lauren’s place.

Grace brought her horse alongside Libby’s. Grace had told me something had happened between Libby and Luke the night Will and I slept together. Luke had been pouting since Libby left with Will.

“Libby, spill it. You got upset with Luke the other night when Alex and Will came back. What gives? Y’all seemed to be having fun at the party, and then the next thing I knew, Luke was in the corner, feeling up Claire Montgomery,” Grace said.

Libby looked at Grace, who stared straight ahead. “I guess I was just upset to see Luke and Will fighting. I hate when they fight. You know that, Grace.”

I glanced over to Lauren, and she was frowning.

Grace was not about to let it go. “Bullshit, Libby. You and my brother used to be so damn close. Then, he pulled the whole kissing-you shit before he left for college, and things haven’t been the same. The other night, y’all seemed to be back to your old selves, having fun and dancing. How did Claire come into the picture?”

Libby turned away from us, and I could tell she was upset. I stopped my horse, and Lauren and Grace stopped as well. Libby turned her horse around to face us. When I saw the tear moving down her face, my heart broke.

“Oh, Lib, what did my asshole brother do to you? I’m going to kick his ass,” Grace said.

Libby attempted to laugh but failed. “He didn’t do anything. That’s the problem, Grace. We were having fun, dancing and all. He even asked if I wanted to go to the diner for something to eat. Then, a slow song came on, and he pulled me closer to him as we danced. I really thought…”

A sob escaped her throat, and Lauren sniffled. I glanced over and looked at Lauren. I saw she was attempting to hold back her tears. We all knew how much Libby liked Luke. With Maegan always talking about wanting to sleep with him and Luke’s player ways, we knew it bothered Libby to even be around him.

Grace jumped off her horse and walked over to Libby as she began getting down. Lauren and I quickly followed.

“You really thought what, Lib?” Grace asked.

Libby swallowed hard. “I thought he might have feelings for me. He looked like he wanted to kiss me, so I figured I’d just go for it.”

I put my hand up to my mouth and let out a gasp.