AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lucas glanced over toward the bar, not seeing Ella anywhere.
A heavy hand landed on his shoulder. “Dude, you listening?”
He swung his attention back to Taven. “Hmm?”
“Next week. You up to stopping by with Wade or Elijah? There’s a tractor out there and I don’t know if it’s a pile of junk or if it’s worth any money. I was gonna take it to the scrap yard, but if we can get something for it, that would be better.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll see if Wade can come.” Lucas shot another glance toward the bar. Where had Ella gone? Was she already out on the balcony? He could only hope. There was a chance she might have left. Based on how she looked at him when he’d asked her to get them some drinks, it was within the realm of possibility. No one hated Taven more than Ella.
“You’re looking for Ella again, aren’t you?”
“She’s my date, Taven. I’m not going to just leave her hanging. Are we set then? Catch up later?”
For a moment it looked like Taven wasn’t sure if he was hearing Lucas right. The confusion was written so clearly on his face that it would have been comical if Lucas wasn’t feeling the lasting effects of the uncertainty his friend had instilled in him. Taven clearly expected Lucas to ditch his date and spend the rest of the evening with him.
Lucas forced a smile. “You know me. I have a reputation to uphold. I can’t let even one of my dates end badly.”
Understanding filled Taven’s eyes and he nodded. “Right. I wouldn’t want you to get a bad name for yourself—especially not when it comes to going on a date with Ella. You’re going to have to tell me how it goes and if whatever you’re planning works.”
“What I’m planning?”
Taven nudged him. “Yeah. You’re doing this for a reason, right?” He slugged Lucas’s shoulder. “I get it now. You’re trying to show everyone you’re well-rounded. I bet you’re trying to hit all the demographics so no one can say you’re prejudiced. It makes total sense now. I knew you weren’t on a date with her because you actually like her.”
Lucas nearly argued with him on that statement. He did like Ella.
More than like—he was pretty sure she was the one he wanted to be with for the long haul.
Unless Taven was right.
Could his interest in Ella be fueled by guilt? As much as he wanted to believe his intentions were pure, he couldn’t be certain anymore.
His friend caught sight of someone across the room. “Hey, look, we’ll catch up like you said. And don’t forget to stop by next week so we can look at some of the equipment. I’ve got a couple people I want to chat up before I head out for the night.” He slipped into the crowd, leaving Lucas feeling more than a little off balance.
The doubts were coming at him with a vengeance. He’d never thought of himself as someone who manipulated those around him in order to feel better. Nor had he thought he was capable of doing something just so others respected him more. But the more these ideas filtered through his mind, the less sure he became. He could very well fall under that sort of personality.
Hadn’t his family worked their tails off just so the town would view them in a better light? Then the full weight of the situation he was in hit him like a boulder. He’d volunteered to help with the historical building so he could get a date. He’d stayed out of stubborn pride, and now he was on a date with the mayor’s daughter.
What if, deep down, he thought he knew what he wanted, but he was only doing what he logically knew would improve his odds in Copper Creek?
Lucas’s stomach churned and the blood drained from his face. He didn’t want to be that person. He despised people who were fake—only now, he was seeing a clear correlation to being part of that crowd.
Someone bumped into him, jolting him from his spiraling thoughts. His eyes searched the room, the bar, and the doors leading out to the balcony. He was going to prove to himself and everyone else that he wasn’t someone who used people. He liked Ella.
He’d fought to get her to go out with him. There had to be something redeeming about his feelings for her. Otherwise, all this work and effort was for nothing.
Lucas strode toward the balcony doors and headed out into the cool evening. He didn’t see her immediately, but after a few couples moved past him to head inside after taking their own break in the fresh air, he saw her leaning against the railing. Her eyes were focused on the vast property that surrounded the country club. She appeared to be just as lost in thought as he had been a moment ago, only her expression was a little darker than his own.
When he got closer, she glanced up. There were no drinks in her hands, and he couldn’t be entirely certain that she hadn’t simply gotten something for herself and finished it already. He’d lost track of time while he’d been chatting with Taven.
Her gaze darted behind him, a flicker of concern in her eyes before they rested on him once more. “Where’s yourbuddy?”
Lucas flinched at her sharp tone. “He’s visiting with his friends.”
Ella pushed away from the railing, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t get you.”
“What’s not to get?” he said quietly.
She didn’t answer his question right away. Instead, she moved toward him, then around him. Lucas spun around, following her movements. Strange how it felt like he was being stalked by a predator at this moment. Ella placed her hands on her hips. “I thought you were different.”
