Without You

My mind was taken back to the days when we’d all played football. I looked at each of my friends. Because of our parents’ bond with each other, our bond had grown over the years. There wasn’t anything any of us wouldn’t do for the other.



Grace screamed, “Hayes! Get down here. Your damn sister is kicking our ass!”



I was snapped out of my daydream. I laughed and started jogging. I ran up and picked Libby up before throwing her over my shoulder as she screamed.



“Put our star player down!” Luke yelled as he took off after me.



Yep, this is going to be the best week ever.



“Have you had a chance to talk to Luke?” I asked Libby as we walked along the beach.



Libby let out a sigh. “No. He is treating me like his best friend again. I mean, we went running on the beach together last night, and I tried so many different times to talk to him.”



“Did he seem like he wanted to talk to you?”



Libby stopped and looked at me. “I think so. He started to say something, but then he ended up laughing. He brought up a time when we were in high school and pulled a stupid prank.”



I giggled and shook my head. “Why is he so afraid?”



She looked down and slowly shook her head. She looked back up and into my eyes. “I told him that I can’t wait any longer.”



“What? Wait, Libby. You love him.”



“Alex, I walked away from Zack.”



“Did you love Zack?” I asked.



Libby looked away before turning back at me. “I cared about him—a lot.”



I nodded my head. “Do you love Luke?”



Libby was about to answer me when we heard Colt calling out for us.



“Libby! Alex! Come on, we’re all waiting on y’all.”



Libby gave me a weak smile. “I tried, Alex. I really tried. How long am I supposed to wait? If Luke truly cared about me, he wouldn’t be doing this to me.” She quickly spun around and began walking toward Colt.



“Libby?”



She held up her hand as if she didn’t want to talk anymore. I let out a sigh and began following her.



As we made our way back into the beach house, Luke and Grace were arguing about where to eat.



Libby walked by and headed upstairs. “I need a minute to grab my cell phone.”



“I don’t want Moby Dick’s. We always go to Moby Dick’s, Luke,” Grace said.



Luke let out a gruff laugh. “Well, princess, I’m sick of Seafood and Spaghetti Works.”



“I vote for clubbing in Corpus Christi, so I can feel a nice firm ass in my hands while I dance slow with a handsome guy.”



Everyone looked at Maegan.



“You’re such a slut,” Grace said with a laugh.



Maegan winked. “I try.”



Colt stood up and clapped his hands together. “Clubbing it is.”



Libby walked into the living room.



Grace jumped up, grabbed her hand, and pulled her back toward the stairs. “We’re changing. It’s time to put our club clothes on.”



Lauren, Taylor, and Maegan all let out a small scream and followed Grace and Libby.



I watched as Luke walked out the back door and headed to the pool house. I wanted to follow him, but when I felt Will’s arms around my waist, I froze in place.



Will’s lips moved gently against my neck, leaving a trail of fire where his lips had just touched. “I’m going to make mad, passionate love to you tonight.”



“Mmm…” I lost myself in his touch.



“Do you like the sound of that, Lex?”



“Very much.”



“I’m going to get you so turned-on tonight that by the time we get back here, all you will need is my touch to make you come.”



I let out a small moan and attempted to talk. The clenching feeling in the pit of my stomach had me wanting to slip my own hand down my panties.



I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Can we skip clubbing? I just want to stay here with you.”



Will raised his eyebrows and seemed to be thinking hard about staying home and not going out.



Someone cleared her throat, and Will and I both looked over to see Grace standing there.



“Hell no. You are not skipping out on us tonight. This whole trip was all about us hanging together. And that’s what we’re doing. You two can do your thing later! Alex, get your ass upstairs. I’m going to make you up, so Will won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you all night.”



I giggled as I looked at Will. “I guess the anticipation will just build all night.” I kissed him, and then I spun around and walked toward Grace.