“Our friendships are so important. I hope nothing ever gets in the way of that. We have to make sure nothing gets in the way of our friendships with each other,” Will said as he turned and looked at me. “You’re going off to college and all, ya know what I mean?”
My heart dropped in my stomach. What did I just do? I was so confused by the feelings that flooded my body after Libby and I kissed. Is Libby just as confused? Did she regret the kiss? I turned back and looked at Libby. I just kissed my best friend. Shit. I swallowed hard and looked at Will.
He was now staring at the girls. I pushed off the truck and opened it. “I’m heading off. Tell the girls I’ll miss them.”
“You’re not going to say good-bye?” Will asked as he looked at me with a confused look.
I shook my head. “I did, earlier. It’s best if I leave now. I’ve got to get up early.” I jumped in my truck and began backing up. As I started to pull out, I looked back to Libby. She was standing there with a confused look on her face. I quickly looked away and pushed down the sick feeling I had in my stomach. I couldn’t risk our friendship.
IT WAS MY second day at school and I had already been invited to a party. I glanced down at my phone and saw Libby’s text.
Lib: Why didn’t you say good-bye? Please call me.
Me: Been really busy trying to get used to all this. I’ll call you soon.
Closing my eyes, I pushed my phone into my pocket and looked around. I had met Manny in fishcamp, Texas A&M’s version of freshman orientation, a few weeks back. He was a sophomore, and he and his older brother lived in a house off campus. As soon as I walked through the door, Manny pushed a beer in my hand and then showed me which bedrooms were open if I was interested in hooking up with anyone.
Looking around, I checked everyone out. I was pretty sure I was the only freshman at this party. I took a drink of my beer when I caught her staring at me. I watched as she ran her tongue along her top teeth and smiled. Her wavy blonde hair fell just above her shoulders. She had on a tight, black dress that barely covered what it needed to cover. I gazed down her body to her long tan legs and bright-red fuck-me shoes and then back up till our eyes met. I nodded my head and smiled letting her know the attraction was mutual. She looked at her friend and said something before turning and making her way over to me. She couldn’t hold a candle to Libby.
Libby. I needed to push Libby and the kiss far from my mind. Will’s words replayed in my head about all of our friendships. Did I ruin my friendship with Libby by kissing her? I had such strong, crazy feelings for Libby. If I moved forward with my feelings for her, and if it didn’t work, our friendship would be forever ruined. I’d rather have Libby in my life than risk losing her because of my feelings.
The blonde walked up and stopped right in front of me. “Hey,” she said with an almost purr to her voice. “I’m Karen. And you are?”
“Luke. Luke Johnson.”
Her eyebrows rose up. “Country boy. I think I just fell a little bit more for you.” I laughed as I took another drink of beer. “Want to have some fun?”
Looking her body up and down, I shrugged. “Depends on what kind of fun you’re talking about.”
She glanced over to the stairs that led to the bedroom. “The kind of fun that has you taking off your clothes and me getting to know you better.”
The entire time I followed Karen up the stairs, I rationalized that I was moving on. The kiss between Libby and me had been a mistake. I couldn’t risk our friendship.
It all seemed like a blur. I was lying next to Karen staring up at the ceiling as she traced a pattern over and over on my chest. “I think you and I are going to have lots of fun together, Mr. Johnson.”
I smiled as I pulled her closer to me and closed my eyes.
Libby. I’m so sorry, Libby.
OPENING MY EYES, I shook my head, trying to erase the memory of the night I betrayed Libby. I put my truck in reverse and pulled out of the driveway. Putting it into drive, I pushed the gas and sped away as I looked in the rearview mirror at Libby walking down her driveway. I’d never before had my hea
rt physically feel like it was hurting.
Libby.
“LIBBY? ARE YOU going to peel the potato or just stand there and hold it?”
I looked over at my mother and tried to smile. She looked so adorable. She had her hair in low pigtails and she was wearing black Capri pants with a light-purple shirt. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
She looked at me and gave me a smile. “About?”
“School.”
“How’s school going?”
I smiled. “Great.”
“You getting used to everything? The dorm? The food? Are you making sure you’re always walking with someone at all times?”