Page 45 of Coastal Runaway

When we got downstairs, there were people all around pregaming the party, apparently Nolan wasn’t as desperate for plans as he led us to believe. I followed Luke as we made our way to the kitchen island that was currently scattered with liquor bottles.

I didn’t know how to act. Luke and I were friends again… I thought. Sure, we had sex on my birthday in secret. He—very openly—flirted with me but he had also always done that. He kissed me upstairs and very casually mentioned that he didn't want me to flirt with other men. This was so confusing.

What did I even want from him?

I took a deep breath and let the thoughts go for now. We had time to figure it out, but at the moment, there was no fighting, no tension, and Luke kept staring at me like I should be his last meal.

A little after ten, we all piled into Ubers and headed towards the Sigma house. When we counted heads there was one extra person who would have to ride on a lap.

“Hop on, Tig.” Luke patted his knee and smirked.

I did as I was told and slid into the car right between his legs. He rested his hands on the tops of my thighs and stroked his thumb gently back and forth. My skin buzzed from the contact and I leaned back, settling into him.

He breathed in and placed a timid kiss on my shoulder. Maeve was blasting music in the front seat and having an animated conversation with Nolan and Aiden. No one was paying attention to what was happening between the two of us and it felt like we were in our own little world. I couldn't help but think about how good this felt. How much I could get used to this.

Sigma was the party frat, often under scrutiny for underage drinking and disgusting accusations, although I never had a bad experience there. There were a few guys from the football team in the fraternity so they generally looked out for us.

After we arrived, I stood off to the side of the dance floor with Maggie and Maeve as we sipped our warm drinks while we people watched.

“Oooo look over there, looks like Luke finally caught the eye of the CCU female population.” Maggie pointed to where the boys were sitting on a couch across the room. Nolan had his tongue down some girls throat—gross—and a petite brunette with a short skirt and boobs pushed up to her chin was sitting on Luke’s lap smiling at him.

While he didn’t look super intrigued by the girl, I couldn’t stop the red hot jealousy that coursed through my veins. The moment that she ran her hand through his hair and he whispered in her ear, I knew I was going to snap. I pushed off of the wall and stalked towards them, the girls hot on my heels.

When Luke saw me coming, the asshole smirked.

He. Smirked.

I tapped the girl on the shoulder and she looked over at me with a confused expression.

“Can you please move?” I asked as sweetly as I could while seeing red.

“Sorry, who are you?” She asked, still stroking Luke’s hair. She looked down at Luke for help, but his eyes were glued to me.

I froze. Who am I? Who are you bitch?

Everyone that surrounded the couch was looking at me with curiosity. As if I was going to cause a scene by pulling her hair and dragging her off of him. I looked around and realized how obvious I was being. I had no right to take her place on his lap. Everyone would see me, including Nolan. Our little secret would be out in the world and we wouldn’t be able to hide behind stolen moments and hidden kisses anymore.

Panicking from the sudden attention, I turned on my heels and brushed past Maeve as I ran further into the party. I dodged drunk kids dancing and making out in search of a dark place to hide.

I eventually found a dark hallway towards the back of the house and started pushing on doors until one opened. Peering inside, the room was dark but I could make out the shape of various treadmills and pressing benches.

Perfect.

I sat on one of the weight lifting benches and hugged my knees to my chest. When was I going to stop letting Luke pull out my insecurities? Just as I was starting to succumb to the thoughts, my phone dinged.

Luke

Where are you?

I left.

Go have fun with your girl.

I knew I sounded like such a brat.

Luke

Where the fuck are you, Keegan.