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“What is it?”
“Luke is coming.”
Nerves explode inside me like confetti from a cannon.
His eyebrows pinch together. “I can tell him not to come.”
I take in a deep breath. This was inevitable, and no amount of preparation will make it easier. “It’s his bar. There’s no need for dramatics. I’ll be fine. It’s time we put this behind us, anyway.”
He fake punches my arm. “Atta girl. But if you change your mind, just say the word and he’s gone.”
Vera makes an obvious and much needed distraction by chatting me up about her latest work drama. I know it the second Luke arrives, because everyone around me falls silent. I take in a deep breath and turn around as Mark approaches. Luke is behind him and when our eyes lock, the oxygen rushes from my lungs.
He stops in front of me with a soft smile, his hands in his pockets. “Hi.”
A million feelings flood through me. I try to grab onto one, but they flow through my hands like smoke. “Hi.”
His eyes move over my body, and I swear it feels like a caress. “You look beautiful.”
“I like your beard.”
He grins and runs a hand over his thicker but well-groomed beard. “Thanks.”
Jackson, ever the subtle one, shoves a beer into Luke’s hands. “You’re right. This isn’t awkward at all.”
Luke glares at him and I laugh. Jackson glares right back at Luke and pulls me over to the bar. Everyone resumes their conversation. I was unaware we had an audience, but Luke always made the world disappear. I don’t beat myself up too much for my reaction to him. What we had was powerful. My body hasn’t gotten the memo that it doesn’t matter anymore, but it will go away. I’m sure of it. I just need to ignore it.
“You ok?” Jackson asks.
“Stop asking me. I’m fine.”
He sighs. “Fine. Take this.”
I take the shot he hands me and sip the water that Austin slides over to me. Mark taps my shoulder and I hug him. “I tried to stop him.”
“It’s ok. It’s time.”
He turns to the side, and a man steps forward. He seems younger, about mid- to late twenties, but his deep blue eyes are intelligent. His dark chocolate hair is long on top and shaved close on the sides, making him seem edgier.
“This is Fox. He’s been with Luke for a bit. He’s from Maddox.”
Fox appraises me for a moment, then a warm smile forms as he extends his hand. “The infamous Liv. It’s great to meet you.” He looks familiar, but I can’t place him.
I shake his hand. “Whatever he said about me, it’s true.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “He’s a fucking idiot.”
I laugh and sip my water. I like this guy. Vera gets everyone’s attention to gather us for a group photo. I stand in the center between Dylan and Garrett, and everyone scoots in around us. I notice Luke off to the side and I smile at him. “Get in here!”
His grin lights up the room and my heart squeezes. We’re not together, but I care about him. He kneels on the edge in front of Jackson, and Austin takes the photo with The Lone Boot sign in the background above us. He takes a few, yelling at Jackson to smile like a normal person.
We disperse and Vera snaps another million photos of everyone. Dylan grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor. I dance with everyone over the course of the next few hours. I’m dancing with Jordy when he lets go of my hand and I spin into Luke. He catches me and my body floods with electricity at his touch. I ignore it and straighten. “Shit, sorry,” I glare at Jordy, who only winks. Jerk.
The song turns to a slow two-step and Luke holds out his hand. “For old times’ sake?” I can’t avoid him forever, so I take his hand. He twirls me around and I shove the thought that it feels like home aside. Luke is no longer my home.
“Thanks for letting me come hang out. I’ve missed everyone,” he says.
He hasn’t seen the guys, either? “I was going to suggest to Mark that we do something like this. They’re your family too.”
