I followed him about half a mile down the beach. When we reached the area, I looked around. It was a cove with large boulders around one side, forming a small wall. There were a few sailboats in the water, but overall, there wasn’t anyone else around.
“If you climb those rocks over there, you’ll be able to get some great pictures looking out into the ocean,” Luke said.
I smiled as we walked over to the area. Luke climbed up first and then held his hand out to me. “I don’t want you to fall. These rocks are tricky, and you could slip.”
I took his warm, strong hand, and he helped me up onto the rock; then we climbed a couple more until we were at the top. Luke was right; this was a beautiful place to take pictures. I took my camera and began clicking. Luke was staring out into the water as I turned towards him and took his picture.
“I think I took enough pictures from this spot.”
Luke took my hand as we carefully stepped down onto each rock. Only when we reached the sand, did he let go.
“This is a quiet spot,” I said as I sat down.
“I come here when I need to think.”
“Think about what?” I asked.
“Life,” he replied as he stared out at the water. “There’s something that I want to ask you,” he said nervously.
I suddenly became nervous, and I had a sick feeling in my stomach. “Ok, ask away.”
“Why did you lie to me about your mom and sister being deceased?” he asked.
I felt a knot in my throat, so I closed my eyes. Did I owe him an explanation? Was I obligated to tell him everything? I stood up and grabbed my camera. “They’re dead to me,” I said as I walked away from him. He instantly jumped up and followed me.
“Lily, wait!” he called out to me.
He caught up with me and lightly grabbed my arm. “Please, don’t walk away from me.”
I sighed and stood there. Luke let go of my arm, and as I stared into his brown eyes, and he stared back into mine. I shook my head and pursed my lips. The last thing I wanted to do was dredge up the past, but I don’t think I had much of a choice.
“My mother and sister did horrible things, and as far as I’m concerned, they’re dead to me.”
“I read the article about you and your ex-fiancé. I’m sorry that happened.”
I took in a deep breath as I looked down. “Hunter’s an a**hole, and my sister’s a whore. My mother knew they were f**king behind my back for a long time, but she didn’t say a word to me about it. She was going to let me marry that cheating bastard and ruin my life. Just because she stayed in a marriage where her husband did nothing but cheat on her, doesn’t mean everyone else wants that life. I hate them for what they did!”
Tears started to fall down my face. Luke stepped closer, and before I knew it, his arms were around me, embracing me, and letting me know everything was alright. My heart started racing. His arms were so strong. I wanted to push him away, but I couldn’t muster up the strength to try. My head was telling me to run, but my heart was saying it was ok.
“I had no idea that your mom knew. I’m sorry, Lily.”
I broke our embrace and looked at him. “Thank you, Luke. I moved here to start a new life and to forget about them as well as everything that happened. I’ll tell you more sometime over several drinks.” I laughed.
Luke laughed and put his arm around me. “Come on; let’s head back to the gang. They’re probably starting rumors about us.”
12
LUKE
As we walked back to the part of the beach where everyone had been playing volleyball, I couldn’t stop thinking about holding Lily. It felt right, and it scared me to think of us being more than just friends. My feelings were growing for her, and holding her the way I did to comfort her, intensified those feelings. Her warm skin against mine felt incredible, and it stirred up emotions that I haven’t had in a long time. We reached our friends as the volleyball game was ending; I saw Sam walk over to Gretchen and kiss her on the lips.
“Break it up, you two, or go get a room.” I smiled.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Matthews and Miss Gilmore. Where did the two of you go off to?” Sam asked with a smirk on his face.
“I showed Lily the cove. She wanted to take some pictures,” I replied.
Sam gave me a strange look, and I knew why; he was surprised because that cove was where I practically lived after the accident. I shrugged my shoulders and walked away. It felt right taking Lily there. I wanted her to get some great pictures.
“Let’s cook some lunch!” I yelled to everyone.
I started the grill, and Sam got out the hot dogs and hamburgers. I put them on and stood there, watching them cook.
“I’m proud of you, man,” Sam said.
“No big deal, bro. Leave it alone.”
He patted me on the back and smiled; then Lucky came walking over and stood next to me while I grilled the food.
“Dude, don’t forget about our gig tonight.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“What gig?” Lily asked as she walked up.
Lucky put his arm around her. “Lukey boy didn’t tell you that we have a band, and that we occasionally play at Bernie’s?”
“No, he didn’t tell me,” she replied as she shot me a look.
“To be honest, I really didn’t think about it,” I said in my defense.
“Tell me you’ll be joining us tonight and listening to the lovely Luke sing his heart out?” Lucky smirked.
“You sing?” Lily asked.
Shit, I wanted to kill Lucky. “A little.” I smiled.
“We’ll have to talk about this later; I see Giselle coming,” Lily said as she walked away.
“Hot damn! Another hottie coming my way. Later, man,” Lucky said as went to check out Giselle.
I rolled my eyes and continued to grill the food. Moments later, Lily came up beside me with a plate in her hand. “I thought you might need this,” she said.
“Thanks,” I said as I took it from her and put the hot dogs and hamburgers on it. We walked over to the picnic table, and as I set the plate down next to the other food, the gang started lining up, so I walked back to grill some more. Lily followed me.
“Go eat,” I said.
“I will. I want to wait for you.” She smiled. “I want to know more about this band you have.”
“It’s no big deal. Bernie’s is the bar Maddie works at. I play guitar and sing a couple of songs every once in a while. Sam plays on the keyboard, and Lucky’s the drummer.”
“That’s cool. I’m surprised you never mentioned it.”
“I guess I didn’t think about it,” I said.
“What’s your band’s name?” Lily asked.
I froze because I didn’t want to explain it. I wasn’t ready to open that door and walk down that road with her.
“Well?”
I took in a deep breath. “The band’s called ‘Love In Between’.”
“Cool name. How did you come up with it?”
“You know what, Lily; you really should go eat. Don’t wait for me.”
“Oh, ok,” she said before walking away.
I could tell by the look on her face that I had hurt her feelings, so I turned around and watched her walk back to the table. Now, I felt like shit. Damn it. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but I just can’t talk about anything to do with Callie. It still hurts too much.
I finished grilling the second round of hamburgers and hot dogs then walked over to the table. I sat down and stared at Lily as she sat in the sand across from my friend, Jasper, who was playing guitar. They were talking, and then he handed her his guitar. I watched her as she strummed each chord. She looked amazing with a guitar. As I sat there, watching her, Gretchen came over, grabbed a hot dog and sat down next to me.
“She’s pretty amazing with the guitar. She gets it from her father,” Gretchen said.
“I’ve only heard her play a couple of times.”
“Well, I’ll ask her to play later. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m saying it anyway. Sam told me about the accident and Callie, and I’m really sorry for your loss. I was there with Lily when she found out about Hunter and Brynn. I saw the look of pain and betrayal on her face, and I was there the whole night, holding her and telling her that everything’s going to be ok. I’ve never seen someone so hurt in my life, that is, until I met you.”
I turned and looked at her. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“It means that the first time I saw you, I saw the same look on your face that I see on Lily’s every day. She puts up a good front, but deep inside, she’s dying, and not only because of what Hunter did, but because of her family, including her father. I see that in you.”
I turned away. I didn’t want to hear anymore, and I wasn’t in the mood to get lectured. I get enough of that from my mom and Maddie. Gretchen got up and left the table. I looked over to where Lily was sitting, but she was gone, so I got up and walked over to where Sam was standing.
“Hey, bro, have you seen Lily?”
“Yeah, she’s over there in the water.” Sam pointed.
“Thanks, man.”
I walked to the shoreline and into the water, and she looked at me. “Want some company?!” I yelled out to her.
“Sure!” she shouted back.
I swam over to where she was. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Don’t be.”
“No, I was an a**hole. It’s just that I don’t want to talk about certain things.”
“I get it, Luke. I’m the queen of not wanting to talk about things, so please, don’t worry about it.”
I smiled at her. Every time I saw her, I found myself smiling.
“I want you to come to the bar tonight,” I blurted out.
“I’d love to. Thank you for inviting me.”
We swam back to the shore, and Lily looked at me.
“I think I’m going to ask Giselle to drive me home.”
“If you’re ready to leave, I’ll take you.”
“No, you stay and enjoy yourself.”
“I’m taking you home, Lily. End of discussion.”
She shook her head at me and grabbed her bag.
13
Lily
I climbed onto the back of Luke’s bike and wrapped my arms him, making sure to close my eyes as he took off out of the parking lot. It was getting easier to ride with him, and I didn’t feel as scared anymore. He told me that I’d be safe with him, and that’s how he made me feel.
We reached the building, Luke parked his bike, and we both climbed off.
“Aren’t you going back to the beach?” I asked as I handed him his helmet.
“Nah, I think I’m going to practice some songs for tonight.”
As we walked to our apartments and inserted our keys into the lock, we both turned and looked at each other.
“See you later,” he said.
“Yeah, see you later.” I smiled.
I walked into my apartment and threw my keys onto the counter; then I went into the bathroom and started the shower. I looked at myself in the mirror; my hair was a hot mess, not only from the water, but from Luke’s motorcycle helmet. I stepped into the shower and washed the salt and sand off my body. After spending a ridiculous amount of time in there, I turned the shower off and stepped out only to hear my phone chiming. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me as I walked over to my bag to get my phone. There was a text message from Giselle.