Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(42)

“You can’t,” Evan answered.

I gasped and turned to see him waltzing toward us. “I didn’t know you were coming out here.”

“Lara told me where you were. I thought you might need some help.”

Luke slid off the tailgate and faced him. “Why can’t I go in there and tell her I’m sorry? She needs to hear it from me.”

“No, she doesn’t, because she won’t believe it. You need to do a lot more than tell her you’re sorry. And until you can do that, it’s best you stay away from her. It’ll only make things worse.”

“What if I go in there anyway?”

Evan huffed and closed his eyes. “You’ll have to go through me first. Lara doesn’t want to see you. She’s with someone else now.”

Groaning, I lowered my head to avoid Luke’s angry glare. “Is that true?” he growled at me.

I looked up at him and nodded. “I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want to see the look that’s now in your eyes.”

“Fuck that,” he shouted. “I’m going inside.” He tried to push past Evan, but Evan blocked him. They faced off with each other, the tension rising. I didn’t want them to fight; they were best friends.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped between them and lowered my voice. “Guys, this is stupid. You’re friends.”

Luke scoffed, backing away. “That’s where I beg to differ,” he said, glaring at Evan. “If our situations were reversed and it was Summer inside, I’d let you go to her. I would give you the benefit of the doubt and accept that you’ve changed. But you’re not going to do that, are you?”

Evan’s face softened and he sighed. “I would, brother, but this night is special for Summer and Lara. The last thing they need is you and Grayson battling it out. I have no doubt he’ll come after you if you go in there.”

Luke faltered. “So it’s Grayson? That’s who she’s with?”

“I’m sorry, Luke. After you left her, it just happened,” I whispered.

Luke peered down at me, determination in his smoldering green eyes. “You tell her it’s not over. I’m not going to give up.” With those words, he opened the door to his truck, got in, and slammed it shut. Evan and I watched as he sped out of the parking lot, his tires screeching.

“Why do men always realize what they want when it’s too late?” I asked.

Evan put his arm around me and sighed. “Because we can be stupid sometimes. I’m just lucky enough that I knew what I wanted long before you did.”

“Do you think Luke’s just talking shit, or do you think he’ll cause problems?”

“Knowing him, he’ll come back with a vengeance. Just make sure Lara and Grayson are fully prepared. Luke’s not only aggressive, but determined. He always gets what he wants.”

“But at what cost?”

Evan squeezed me and kissed the top of my head. “Let’s not worry about that tonight. Lara, Luke, and Grayson will have to figure all of that out on their own.” That thought scared the shit out of me, but he was right. Only they could figure it out.

We walked back inside, where the party had started to die down. It was getting late and everyone was ready to call it a night. I wasn’t looking forward to the cleaning-up part. Luckily, the football players stayed to help, along with Austin’s parents and Philip. When all was said and done, I said my goodbyes to Donna and Jerry, knowing I probably wouldn’t see them for another several months. I hated that I didn’t see them much, but our lives were different now. It had been a bittersweet reunion.

“It looks like the place is clearing out except for Dr. Hottie McHotpants over there. I think he and Evan had some words earlier tonight,” Lara confessed.

“What?” I gasped.

“Yeah, Evan was pissed. Has he not said anything to you about it?”

Evan looked over at me and his eyes narrowed at something over my shoulder. “I think I’m going to head out,” Philip announced behind me.

I quickly turned around and lost sight of Evan, but I could feel his hard stare. “Thank you for helping clean up,” I said, hugging him fast.

“Anytime. Maybe one day next week you can eat dinner with me?”

“Of course. Just come by and I’ll sit with you.” The tension in the room skyrocketed when Philip caught Evan’s stare. I was afraid to even attempt to look back. “What happened between you and Evan? It’s obvious something was said.”

Philip sighed and met my gaze. “I just told him that you’ve come a long way and I don’t want to see you get hurt again. It wasn’t easy bringing you back from where you were.”

“I see. So that’s why he’s upset.”

“I’m sorry if I’ve caused any problems, but I felt like it needed to be said. He can be mad all he wants. My concern is for you.”

“That means a lot, Philip. I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“Always.” He glanced around the room one more time and then exited through the door. I knew Evan was behind me without even having to turn around. “Don’t worry. He told me what he said.”

“Do you understand now that he has feelings for you? And I’m not talking about a professional relationship a doctor has with a patient.” Lara walked by at just the right time, and her eyes grew large. She mumbled “Yikes” under her breath before rushing away.