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 t
hat 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.”
Roy spun around in his chair. “Tell her we said hey. Miss seeing her at the parties, too. Heard she was engaged.”
I looked down at Roy and then back up to Karen, “No shit?”
Nodding his head and turning back to the table he said, “No shit.”
Slapping Roy’s back I said, “I’ll be right back.”
Karen smiled bigger as I made my way over to her. Karen was the only other girl I had ever had feelings for. She never knew she had taken my virginity. I never told her because in my mind I had pretended that night I was with Libby.