Page 3 of Promise You Forever
All I need to do is stay focused on my grandpa and helping him in whatever way he needs. I know my grandparents have had all their funeral arrangements made since I was a kid. I remember my parents talking about it over dinner once, so I shouldn’t have to help much with anything along those lines.
The flight attendant comes out once to offer us drinks and food, but all I ask for is a bottle of water. Amber gets coffee and pulls out her laptop.
“Do you want to talk, or do you just want to relax and think about something else?”
“Relax.” I smile up at the flight attendant and thank her when she hands me the water. “If you need to work, feel free. I have a couple books on my kindle I can read to distract myself.”
“Or we can binge watch some old episodes of Real Housewives.” She wiggles her brows.
“Okay, yeah.” I take a sip of water. “Do you have old seasons of New York?”
She sets her laptop up on the table and grabs us both some blankets. The show works to distract me just enough to not obsess over the loss of my grandma and the fear of seeing Luke. If it weren’t for Grandpa, I’d ask Janey if I could stay with her. But I’m going to have to put on my big girl pants and be opento seeing and cooperating with him on anything I need to help with.
At least I won’t see him until tomorrow. I’m sure I can find ways to avoid him. Having Amber around as a buffer should help, too. It’s been three years, it’ll be fine.
I look out into the night as I follow Amber down the steps of the jet and onto the tarmac. Headlights cut across the darkness as the gate opens, and an SUV drives toward us. I can’t see if it’s Sam or Janey yet. I told them we could rent a car, but they wouldn’t hear of it.
My heart falls to my feet when the driver’s door opens and Luke steps out into the cool night air. I hate how good he looks, better than I remembered. Even more than that, I loathe the fact that I noticed at all. His hat is turned backwards, and he stuffs his hands in his jeans pockets as he approaches us. His long, confident stride is at odds with the uncertainty swirling in his eyes as he never looks away from me.
“Oh fuck,” Amber mumbles beneath her breath. “I thought Janey or Sam were picking us up?”
“Me too.” Charlie’s tail thumps happily against my leg as she sees who it is.
Traitor.
He comes to a stop in front of us, his eyes drinking me in just as mine do him. Even in the dim light, I see the shadows beneath his eyes and the way his jaw tightens. There’s so much to say but no words at the same time.
“Hi Luke,” Amber finally breaks the tense silence. “We thought Janey or Sam were picking us up.”
“Coop spiked a fever right as Sam was walking out the door. I volunteered to come instead. It’s the first time he’s been sick, and they were both worried about it.”
“Is he okay?” Concern for Cooper momentarily suspends the awkward atmosphere between us.
“Probably.” He shrugs and crouches down to pet Charlie. “Hey girl.” He smiles as she licks his cheek and excitedly bounces around him. “Missed you.” He says it to her but looks at me.
“We should get going.” Amber hits her hip against mine, breaking me from the trance.
“I’ll get your bags.” He stands and reaches for my suitcase handle.
“I’ve got it.” I pull them out of his reach and walk hurriedly to the back of the SUV. “Charlie probably needs to potty before we go,” I call over my shoulder.
“Are you okay?” Amber asks as we open the liftgate.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
She gives me a look that calls me on my bullshit. “Hmmm, let me think. Maybe because your ex surprised us by picking us up and looking fucking scrumptious.”
“He’s not my ex.” I slide the last suitcase in the back and close the door. “We were just a summer fling. Nothing serious.” I wipe the dirt and gravel road dust on my black slacks.
“Oh, okay. That’s how we’re going to play it.” Her voice drips with sarcasm. “Delusional isn’t your best look, babe.”
I walk around the side of the SUV and open the back passenger door. She’s obviously right, which is why I’m making her sit in the front seat beside him. Keeping as much space between us is all I can do for now. The further our proximity, the easier to ignore him.
He opens the back door for Charlie, and his eyes land on me. His lips part as he holds my gaze, but any words he wanted tosay die on his lips when my phone rings. I pull it out of my purse, the diamond on my finger flashing in the interior light of the car.
Luke flinches as if I slapped him. His jaw tightens, the muscles twitching in an all too familiar scowl. He closes the door as I accept the call.
“Care to explain why your location says Crested Butte?” Brandon’s voice booms through the line. “What the fuck are you doing there?”