Without You (11 page)

I couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Daddy, why don’t you like Will?”

He snapped his head over and looked at me. “What? I love Will like a son. I just don’t like the idea of him dating my daughter.”

“I would think you’d like it better than some strange guy I might meet at UT. Will loves me, Daddy, and he treats me so good, like how you treat Mom.”

Daddy smiled and nodded his head. “I don’t doubt that, sweetheart.” He let out a sigh. “Alex, it’s just that the two of you only know each other and your close circle of friends. You’ve always been a part of the ranch and Mason. I want you both to have the chance to explore other things, other ideas. I know you say you want to come back and live on the ranch with Will, but you haven’t even begun to experience life outside of Mason, Alex.”

I looked down and frowned. “Daddy, why is it so hard for you to believe that I want to have a life like you and Mom? I love the ranch just as much as you, Mom, Colt, Will, and Luke. It just seems unfair.”

He nodded his head and looked ahead. “Alex, you’re going to college, and things will be so different. I know you love the ranch, sweetheart. I just want you to keep an open mind. You might go to Austin and decide that you love Austin. I want you to be happy, Alex. I never want you to settle. I want you to have every opportunity possible, and I don’t want this relationship with Will to cloud any of that.”

I bit down on my lower lip. We stayed silent as our horses walked along for a bit more.

“Daddy, I love Will. I can’t see my future without him.”

“Alex, I’m not doubting your love for him. Just know that it is possible that you will meet someone else in college who will—”

I looked at him. “Who will what?”

He stopped his horse, and I brought Banjo to a stop.

“Who will make you doubt your feelings for Will.”

My mouth dropped open. I looked down at my promise ring and then back into my father’s eyes. “That will never happen—
ever.
”

He gave me a weak smile and nodded his head. “Come on, let’s see what Banjo has against Apache. Let’s race down to the river.”

I giggled as I kicked Banjo, and we took off racing toward the water.

I ran down the stairs as soon as Will had sent me a text saying he was pulling down the driveway.

“Stop!”

I turned and looked at my father.

“Where are y’all going?”

My mother walked into the living room and smiled.

Colt came down the stairs and walked right past me. “Later.”

My mouth dropped open as he walked right out the door without my parents saying a word to him.

I used my hands and gestured toward where Colt had just left. “Um…hello? He just walked right by, and you didn’t ask him where he was going! I’m older and out of high school, and you’re going to stop and ask me?”

My father gave me a smirk that just made me all the madder. Ever since our ride the other day, he’d kept planting it in my head that I should take a break from Will when I headed to college. He’d said that if our love was true and strong, it shouldn’t matter.

My father walked toward me. “Your brother already told us he was going to a party down on the river at Claire Montgomery’s place.”

I slowly shook my head. “Daddy, surely you know I’m going to the same party.”

He chuckled. “I figured. Will there be alcohol, Alex?”

I raised my eyebrow at him and tilted my head. “Really, Dad? We’re in the country. There is nothing else to do but have river parties, field parties, and barn dances.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, does it?”

I never lied to my father—well, with the exception of the night when I’d bought the condoms.

“Yes, Daddy. There will be alcohol. Yes, I will watch everyone. No, I won’t let Will or Colt drink since they are driving. There is a plan already set up. Whoever drove and ends up drinking will stay the night at Claire’s. Plus, her brother, Duke, is home from college, and he will be keeping an eye on things, too.”

My father nodded his head. My parents weren’t very strict, but then again, they were. As long as we were always truthful with them, they would be okay with things. Colt and I always knew we could call our parents if needed.

I had gone to a party in Fredericksburg with Maegan, and I’d ended up drinking. I’d called my father, and my parents had come to pick me up. I’d gotten a nice long lecture the next day, but they always told us that we could call anytime with no punishments. If we didn’t call and we got caught, then the wrath of my father would fall upon us. Neither Colt nor I would want that.

“Watch Lauren and Taylor if they go, okay? They’re younger.”

I nodded my head as I leaned up and kissed my father on the cheek. Then, the doorbell rang. I smiled as I bolted to the door and threw it open. Will was standing there, looking hot as hell in his Wranglers, boots, and light-blue T-shirt. His hair was peeking out from under his cowboy hat before he took it off. I was instantly turned-on. We hadn’t been together again since our first night. I was hoping he would take care of that tonight.

Will walked in and shook my father’s hand. Then, he said, “Hello,” to my mother.

“Don’t keep her out too late, Will. If y’all decide to stay, you call me, Alex.”

“Yes, sir. Night, Mama! I love you.”

“I love you, too. Will, please be careful driving.”

Will placed his hat back on his head and nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Always.”

Will grabbed my hand, and we made our way to his truck. He opened the passenger door and held my hand until I sat down.

He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. “I love you.”

I smiled and placed my hand on his face. “I love you, too.”

“I’m going to take you again tonight, Lex.”

My mouth barely opened, and I instantly felt the wetness between my legs. I whispered, “Will…”

He gave me another look that had me sucking in a breath of air before he stepped away and shut the door. He walked around the front of the truck and then jumped in.

“Do we have to go to the party?” I asked when he shut the door.

He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes! This is our last summer before we head to college.”

I sighed. “We’ll be home every summer, and I’m sure Claire will throw a party each summer. Besides, I don’t even like Claire.”

Will looked over at me, shocked. “What? Since when?”

I shook my head and thought back to a few days ago when Libby, Grace, Lauren, and I had all gone for a ride at Lauren’s place.

Grace brought her horse alongside Libby’s. Grace had told me something had happened between Libby and Luke the night Will and I slept together. Luke had been pouting since Libby left with Will.

“Libby, spill it. You got upset with Luke the other night when Alex and Will came back. What gives? Y’all seemed to be having fun at the party, and then the next thing I knew, Luke was in the corner, feeling up Claire Montgomery,” Grace said.

Libby looked at Grace, who stared straight ahead. “I guess I was just upset to see Luke and Will fighting. I hate when they fight. You know that, Grace.”

I glanced over to Lauren, and she was frowning.

Grace was not about to let it go. “Bullshit, Libby. You and my brother used to be so damn close. Then, he pulled the whole kissing-you shit before he left for college, and things haven’t been the same. The other night, y’all seemed to be back to your old selves, having fun and dancing. How did Claire come into the picture?”

Libby turned away from us, and I could tell she was upset. I stopped my horse, and Lauren and Grace stopped as well. Libby turned her horse around to face us. When I saw the tear moving down her face, my heart broke.

“Oh, Lib, what did my asshole brother do to you? I’m going to kick his ass,” Grace said.

Libby attempted to laugh but failed. “He didn’t do anything. That’s the problem, Grace. We were having fun, dancing and all. He even asked if I wanted to go to the diner for something to eat. Then, a slow song came on, and he pulled me closer to him as we danced. I really thought…”

A sob escaped her throat, and Lauren sniffled. I glanced over and looked at Lauren. I saw she was attempting to hold back her tears. We all knew how much Libby liked Luke. With Maegan always talking about wanting to sleep with him and Luke’s player ways, we knew it bothered Libby to even be around him.

Grace jumped off her horse and walked over to Libby as she began getting down. Lauren and I quickly followed.

“You really thought what, Lib?” Grace asked.

Libby swallowed hard. “I thought he might have feelings for me. He looked like he wanted to kiss me, so I figured I’d just go for it.”

I put my hand up to my mouth and let out a gasp.

“Did you kiss him?” Lauren asked.

Libby shook her head. “No. I told him that I missed him, I missed us, and I wanted him to kiss me again.”

“What did he say?” all three of us asked at once.

Libby’s eyes filled with tears. “He leaned down, and he was about to kiss me, but then he stopped right before our lips touched. He looked into my eyes and said…”

I noticed Grace’s hands balling into fists.

Libby sobbed. “He said…he said that kissing me was a mistake, and he never thought there was an us outside of being friends.”

I closed my eyes.

Grace whispered, “Bastard.”

“He stepped back, and I swear his eyes looked so sad, but he began looking around. Claire had been trying to flirt and dance with Luke from the moment he got there. He must have seen her. I don’t know. He looked back at me and smiled. Then, he thanked me for dancing with him. He told me we were all going back to his house to watch movies and that if I needed a ride, he’d take me. A few minutes later, I saw him with Claire.”

Lauren walked up to Libby and pulled her into her arms. “I’m so sorry, Libby. He’s just a stupid, scared ass.”

I looked at Grace.

She mouthed to me,
I’m going to kill him.

I nodded my head.

Libby began laughing and pulled away from Lauren. “It’s okay, really. I was stupid to think Luke ever really had any feelings for me. I mean, he probably wants to sleep with Maegan, and I’m just in the way.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Lauren said.

I wasn’t so sure about that. Maegan had a way of flirting with Luke, and I knew he had mentioned more than once to Colt that if Maegan kept pushing, he was going to give her what she wanted.

We all sat down and talked for a bit more.

“Lib, you’re going to A&M. Are you going to be able to go to the same school as Luke? What if you, you know, see him on dates?” Grace asked.

My heart sank at the idea of Will being at a different school than me, especially knowing he would be rooming with Luke. I didn’t think Luke was a man-whore, but I knew he had already slept with his fair share of girls.

Libby shook her head and stood up. “I’ll be fine. I guess it’s my fault for letting my feelings for Luke get in the way of our friendship. I’m going to be fine. I’ll meet someone at A&M and forget all about Luke Johnson.” She turned and climbed back onto her horse. She looked down at us and smiled. “You always forget about your first love after high school anyway, right?”

Grace laughed and nodded her head. We all started talking about Lauren’s last year of high school.

I couldn’t help myself, but I kept thinking of Libby’s comment.

You always forget about your first love…

“Lex? Hello? Are you still with me?” Will asked.

I smiled weakly. “Sorry, I was thinking about the other day. Libby told us that Claire and Luke were making out, and she was bothered by it. I just think Claire is out to get Luke before she heads off to college. I just don’t like her.”

Will gripped the steering wheel and shook his head. “I swear, if Luke hurts my sister again…”

I placed my hand on his arm, and he looked at me.

“Let’s just enjoy our evening, okay?”

He smiled and winked at me. “Deal.”

Will pulled up and parked next to Colt’s truck. I waited for Will to open my door, and we began walking down toward the river. I could already hear people screaming and laughing. I saw Colt talking to Rachel. She didn’t look happy at all. I knew he was breaking it off with her for good.

“Has Colt ever mentioned anything about Lauren to you?” I asked Will.

Will looked over toward Colt and then quickly back to me. “Um…well, um…”

I smiled and slowly nodded my head. “I won’t make you share a secret. Come on, let’s go find everyone.”

Will took my hand in his, and we made our way over to Grace and Libby.

“Hey, y’all!” Grace said as she jumped up. She hugged me and then Will.

Libby gave me a hug and then looked at Will. They exchanged looks, and Will smiled from ear to ear. I looked between them with a questioning look, but Will quickly kissed me before sitting down on the giant log and pulling me onto his lap.

“What was that about?” I asked with a smirk.