Libby and I just stood there stunned. Finally, Libby spoke. “I’m not pregnant, Grace.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me to wrap my stick? I wrap my damn stick!”
Grace took a step back. “Oh. Sorry.” Turning on her heels, she headed into the living room and then up the stairs. I turned to Libby. “Shit, all these people talking about you being pregnant is starting to freak me out!”
Libby laughed. “You know I’m on the pill, Luke, so stop freaking out.”
Turning, I looked at her. For one brief moment, I wanted to sink my dick inside her and feel what she would feel like without a condom on. Raising her eyebrow she looked at me with a knowing look.
“Wrap the stick, baby,” she said with a wicked grin.
I was about to suggest the one thing I swore I would never do, when Grace screamed out. “Luke! You son-of-a-bitch!”
Libby’s hands went up to her mouth as I smiled bigger. “I guess Grace had to go potty!”
WALKING OUT OF the library, I stopped dead in my tracks. Libby was standing there talking to Zach. The smile on her face as she talked to him caused knots in my stomach. Why the fuck is she talking to him? Had he contacted her again?
Libby and I both had classes in the science building and would meet here every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before going to lunch. I began walking toward them. As I got closer, Libby threw her head back and laughed. I balled my fist and tried to stay calm, even though I wanted to pound Zach’s face into the ground.
Libby looked up and smiled bigger when she saw me walking up. I attempted to smile, but I was sure it came across as fake. Her smile lessened some as I came up and stopped. Glancing over to Zach, I looked at him and then back to Libby. “What’s going on?”
Libby shook her head slightly. She obviously could tell I was pissed. “Um, nothing I ran into Zach and he was telling me about his hunting trip with his father last weekend. Their Jeep got stuck in the mud and …”
I turned and looked at Zach. If this asshole thought he had any chance with Libby ever again, he had another thing coming. “You do realize she’s with me, right?”
I felt the heat move through my body. I wasn’t even sure why I was feeling jealous. I trusted Libby. I just didn’t trust the little bastard standing here smirking at me.
Zach’s smile faded and was then replaced with a smirk. “You feel threatened by me, Luke? That doesn’t say a lot about your relationship with Libby.”
Libby sucked in a breath. “Zach!” She then turned and looked at me. “Luke, stop this. We ran into each other and were catching up.”
“I don’t feel threatened by you, I just don’t trust you.”
Libby stepped in front of me. “Stop this. Zach is a friend and that’s all.” I could feel the hurt wash through my body. Why would she continue a friendship with him? The man who stole what was mine.
Looking at her I frowned. “I see, why lose a friendship that holds so many memories. Is that it, Lib?” Turning around, I began walking off. I heard Libby suck in a breath and I knew it was a shit move on my part. Seeing Zach reminded me that he took Libby’s virginity, not me. He had her first. He had what should have been mine.
By the time I got back to the house, I was pissed more at myself than anything. I let jealousy get the best of me and I hurt Libby. After I promised her I wouldn’t hurt her. Taking out my phone, I saw I had text from her.
Libby: I’m sorry it hurt you to see me talking to Zach. I was only trying to be polite when he walked up and said hello to me. I’m leaving class early.
I saw I had another text. This one was from my buddy, Roy. He had been my best friend my freshman year of college. He liked to party and was what I had needed to drown out memories—and feelings.
Roy: Whippets this afternoon. Don’t say no. One beer, Luke. Just come and hang out and have one beer.
The last thing I wanted to do was go out, but I needed to get out for a bit and clear my head. I looked back at Libby’s text. I sent Libby a text and then another to Roy.
Me: I didn’t mean what I said. I’m sorry, Lib. I need to clear my head. Going to Whippets to meet Roy for a beer. I’ll be home later.
Me: Hey Roy. I’m on my way but I’m only staying for one beer.
I quickly changed clothes and headed back down the stairs and to my truck when my phone beeped. I looked to see Libby had sent me a text back.
Libby: Luke we need to talk.
I instantly panicked. My fear of Libby leaving me slowly invaded my mind. I attempted to push my fears aside. I wasn’t sure where this fear was coming from, Libby saying she wanted to talk to me only caused me to think the worst.
THE MOMENT I walked in and saw Roy and Gus, I smiled. I walked to the table and held out my hand to Roy. “Long time,” I said as Roy and Gus stood up and shook my hand. I sat and smiled at the waitress as she brought over a Blue Moon and set it in front of me. Glancing up, I smiled at her. “You read minds?”
She laughed and said, “Nah, your buddy told me when you got here that’s what your flavor was.”
She turned and walked away. “And she is my flavor. I’ve been working on tapping that for the last few weeks,” Roy said as his eyes followed the waitress while she walked back to the bar.
Shaking my head, I laughed and tipped the beer back, taking a drink. Looking around I saw a few people I knew. Gus slapped me on the back. “So what in the hell have you been up to, Luke? We haven’t seen you around the last year.”
I shrugged. “Trying to focus on school. Taking extra credit hours to finish up early so I can get to work.”
Roy nodded his head. “Who’s the blonde you’ve got on your arm all the time?”
My heart dropped slightly. Knowing I acted like a dick again to Libby had me pissed off at myself and wishing I hadn’t headed over to the bar. One beer and I was out of here and back to my girl. Smiling, I said, “Libby. My girlfriend.”
“Dude, she’s fucking hot,” Gus said as I snapped my head over to him. He threw up his hands. “Not that I’m looking.”
“We’re having a party this weekend. Why don’t y’all stop by?” Roy said as he looked over at Gus. Glancing back and forth between the two of them.
“I think I’ll pass. We have plans this weekend.” Looking over Roy’s shoulder I saw Karen. A guy with dark-brown hair had his arms wrapped around her. She looked my way and when she saw me she smiled. We each gave a wave. I stood and looked down at Roy. “I’m going to go say hi to Karen.”