Without You

I smiled and began leading her over. I pulled her into my arms and gently kissed her lips as “Still Fallin’” by Hunter Hayes began playing. I brought her in closer to me and held her as we danced.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and looked into my eyes. “I love you, Will.”

My heart slammed against my chest as I looked into her beautiful blue eyes. “I love you, too, Lex, more than you will ever know.”

Lex buried her face in my chest as we finished out the song. I looked over and saw Libby dancing with Jason. I quickly looked around, and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Luke. He was away from everyone, and he was holding Claire up against a tree as she had her legs wrapped around him. They were going to town, making out. I looked back toward my sister, and she was talking to Jason. I hated what was happening with everyone. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer that Libby wouldn’t look over there.

“What do you think happened between Lib and Luke?” I asked Lex.

She pulled back, and her eyes filled with sadness. “I think two friends fell in love with each other, and one of them is terrified of his feelings.”

Lex looked around and must have seen Luke. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Lex, I want to make love to you so damn bad. Please, can we leave?”

She looked at me and smiled. “Where are we going?”

I grinned and said, “It’s a surprise.”

“Let’s go,” she whispered. She turned and began walking away.

I glanced over toward Libby. She was staring at Luke and Claire.

Shit.

She turned and said something to Jason, and they began walking to his truck.

What in the hell does she think she’s doing?

I followed Lex to my truck, but I never took my eyes off my sister. Libby leaned against Jason’s truck, and he began kissing her.

That motherfucker.

His hands started moving all over her body.

“Lex, hold on.”

Lex turned and glanced over to where I was looking. “Will, no. She is a grown woman, and you can’t keep interfering in what she is doing.”

I looked back at Lex. “He’s got his paws all over my sister.”

Lex put her hands on her hips. “Will, let her be. She knows what she is doing and what she wants. Y’all don’t have to keep jumping in every time. It’s no wonder no one asks Taylor and Lauren out. Other boys are scared to death of you, Luke, and Colt.”

I smiled. “Good. They should be.” I turned back to see my sister was making out with Jason. My fists balled up, and I let out a sigh. “Lex, she’s only doing it because she saw Luke. She doesn’t want this.”

I started to walk over there.

Lex grabbed my arm. “William Hayes, stop right now.”

I turned back to see where Luke was. He was staring at Libby and Jason as he downed a beer. Things were not going to turn out good.

“Lex, I think we should take Luke home.”

Lex stepped in front of me and followed my eyes to where I was looking. “Oh shit. Will, go get him before he goes after Jason.”

I quickly began walking toward Luke. I looked over toward my sister, who was still kissing Jason. I stepped in front of Luke and smiled. “Dude, I think you’ve been drinking way too much. You don’t want to stay here, so let me drive your truck home, and Lex will follow me.”

Luke never took his eyes off Libby. “Claire wanted me to fuck her. I couldn’t do it, Will. I have no desire to be with her—none.”

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Good. Dude, you don’t need to be with someone like Claire. She’s slept with half the guys in my class. Come on, let’s get you home.”

Luke looked me in the eyes, and I couldn’t believe how sad he looked.

“Yeah. This party sucks.”

He started walking over to his truck, which unfortunately was parked next to Jason’s. As he got closer, I began walking in between Luke and Jason and Libby.

Right before Luke got into his truck, he turned and looked at Libby and Jason. They were now just talking.

“Have fun tonight, Libby,” Luke called out before he got in and slammed the hell out of his truck door.

I turned and looked at Libby and then Jason. As much as I wanted to go over there and threaten that bastard, I followed Lex’s advice. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Lib.”

Libby just stared at me. She stepped away from Jason, said something to him, and began walking over to where Grace and Lauren were sitting.

I let out the breath I had been holding and glanced over to Lex. She smiled weakly, and we both got into the trucks and headed to Luke’s house.