Saving You (Love Wanted In Texas Book 2)(52)

Karen jumped off the seat and made her way back through the crowd. I looked up at Luke. “I have no idea why she came up and invited us like that, Lib. I swear I haven’t talked to her since that day at Whippets.”

I placed my hand on the side of Luke’s face. “Stop. Luke, I trust you and I know you’d never do anything to hurt me.”

He leaned down and brushed his lips across mine. Everyone started screaming as Luke and I looked down at the field. Colt was also a punt returner and he was taking off toward the goal line—again. Seconds later, I was kissing Luke again to celebrate the touchdown.



MY PHONE BEEPED as I reached into my riding boot and took it out. Grace, Alex, Meg, and I were all out riding. It was Christmas break and I was so glad we all got to hang out together.

I rolled my eyes when I saw Karen’s name. Ugh. I was quickly beginning to hate her.

“If looks could kill, whoever sent that text should be dead right about now,” Maegan said with a laugh.

I let out a grunt. “It’s Luke’s ex, Karen. She all of sudden wants to be my best friend. I can’t stand to even look at her at this point. All she does is remind me of the fact that she had Luke before me.”

Grace groaned. “Tell her to back off, Libby. I mean, she’s getting married, so I don’t think she is a threat.”

“I know she’s not a threat and I know she really wants to be friends. I’m going to have to explain to her why it’s hard for me to be friends with her,” I said as I shoved my phone back into my boot.

We continued on the path toward the river. Maegan let out a sigh and said, “I just love it here.”

We all came to an abrupt stop. We watched as Maegan’s horse kept walking on. She finally stopped and turned around. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“You said you loved it here. Are you feeling okay?” Alex asked.

Meg laughed as she shrugged her shoulders. “I just—wish I was home.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I hate school. I hate everything about school.”

Grace, Alex, and I all slipped off our horses. Alex reached Maegan first. Maegan jumped off her horse and began crying as Alex took her in her arms. Grace and l looked at each other. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Maegan cry in my entire life. Alex ran her hand up and down Maegan’s back gently. “Maegan, what’s wrong? Please talk to us.”

Maegan pulled back and wiped her tears away. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry I broke down like that. It’s been a rough year.” She turned and sat on a fallen tree. It was the first time I noticed how tired Maegan looked. More like she looked defeated.

Alex bent down in front of her and pushed Maegan’s red hair behind her ear. “Meg, talk to us.”

Grace and I each took a seat next to Maegan on the tree. Swallowing hard, Maegan started talking. “My whole life, my father has done nothing but compare me to Taylor. I don’t think he even knows he does it. He always tells me I can do better. Make better grades, be a better example to Taylor, make them prouder. I feel like I can’t make any mistakes and then there is—”

Maegan stopped talking and tears began rolling down her face. Putting my arm around her I asked, “There’s what, Maegan?”

Maegan let out a small laugh. “I guess when you leave high school you think you leave all the mean girls behind.” She shook her head. “That’s not the case. I’ve got these four girls that hate me. I don’t know why. They don’t stop, ever. I can be walking to class with someone and they will do whatever they can to make my life miserable. They would bump into me and knock everything out of my hands. Spreading rumors about how I’ll give guys blowjobs at frat parties or in my dorm room. I haven’t even been to a single party this year for fear of some guy coming on to me.” A sob escaped her lips. “Last year I had guys walking up to me asking me to make arrangements to give them head! I finally stopped leaving my dorm room unless it was to go to class.”

Grace cursed. “Maegan, why don’t you knock the f*ck out of those girls?”

Maegan laughed. “At one party, I ended up beating the shit out of a girl who called me a redheaded whore. The only thing it did was bring me more grief. My parents asked if I was doing drugs, and oh man, I wasn’t setting a good example for Taylor. It isn’t worth it. So I try to ignore it.”

Alex grabbed Maegan’s hands. “Meg, you have to talk to your parents about this.”

She nodded her head. “I know I do. I was hoping this year would be better. The bullying happens less often. I feel like I’ve lost myself though. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m chasing after that girl I used to know and she might not be there anymore.”

Alex wiped a tear away. “I still think you need to talk to your parents. At least get it out in the open with your dad.”

Nodding her head, Maegan leaned over and kissed Alex’s forehead. “I promise I will. Come on let’s ride. The only happy time I have is with you girls and I don’t want this to turn into a sad sappy afternoon.”



LUKE AND I walked hand in hand as I pulled my sweater tighter around me. “Are you cold, Lib?”

“I’m chilly, but I’m okay,” I said as I watched Luke search my face. He pulled off his sweatshirt and pushed it over my head. I laughed as I pulled it on. My senses were overtaken by his scent. My libido instantly kicked in. “I miss you,” I said as I gave him a seductive smile.