Without You (Love Wanted in Texas #1)(43)

He ran his hand up and down my back. “I know it doesn’t. I’m not taking classes on Fridays, so I can always drive to Austin for the weekends. I won’t even be two hours away from you, Lex.”

I pulled back and looked into his heavenly blue eyes. “Promise me.”

“I swear to you, I’ll come visit you at least twice a month.”

I threw my arms around him and began kissing him. If I thought I could, I’d strip down naked and have him make love to me.

My father cleared his throat, and Will pulled back.

“Will, how are you today?”

Will stood up and winked at me before turning to shake Daddy’s hand. “I’m doing fine, sir. How are you?”

“I’ve been better. Not too sure I’m ready to send my girl off to college.”

I smiled as Will let out a small chuckle.

“You all packed and ready to go, son?”

Will nodded his head. “Yes, sir, I am.”

“Good to hear. You have any regrets about not playing football?”

I rolled my eyes. Daddy couldn’t understand how football was not a huge part of Luke’s and Will’s lives. They liked playing, and both had played in high school, but they each had turned down the chance to play in college. Colt, on the other hand, had every intention of playing football for A&M.

“No, sir. My goal is to focus on studying and possibly graduate early.”

Daddy raised his eyebrow and nodded. “You want on this ranch that bad, huh?”

Will chortled. “Yes, sir, I do. I believe Luke and I will be valued assets to both the cattle side of the business and the breeding side as well.”

Daddy hit Will on the back and shook his hand again. “I know you will. Y’all have already made Jeff and me proud as hell.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I smiled as I watched my father and the love of my life share a moment together.

Daddy glanced at me and winked. “I’ll let y’all visit for a while. You taking Alex out tonight, Will?”

“Yes, sir. We are all going to dinner and then back to my place to watch a movie.”

“Sounds low-key. I like it.” Daddy turned and walked out of my room.

I slowly stood up and walked over to my suitcase. I was finished packing, but I couldn’t bring myself to close and zip it up. I laid Emma on top and turned to face Will.

“You’re bringing Emma?”

I felt my cheeks heat as I slowly nodded. “Yeah. If I thought I could bring Banjo, he would be ready to go in the trailer.”

Will walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. He leaned down and kissed my lips tenderly. “You ready for dinner? I’m sure everyone is probably almost there by now.”

I nodded my head and reached for his hand.



The entire way to the restaurant, neither of us spoke. It was as if we were simply enjoying the presence of each other.

Will pulled up and put his truck in park. He took a deep breath, sighed, and got out before walking to my side. I began to wonder why he’d sighed.

What is he thinking about?

He’d seemed so distracted over the last week, like something had been weighing on his mind, and he couldn’t share it.

He reached for my hand and smiled the smile that melted my panties every single time.

When we walked into the restaurant, I saw everyone sitting at a giant round table. Colt and Luke were lost in conversation. Maegan and Lauren were laughing while looking at something on Lauren’s phone. Grace, who seemed like a new person, was talking to Libby and Taylor.

Our little group…

We were only friends because our parents were all best friends, and somehow, we’d managed to become a tight group. My mother had said that we might even be tighter than their group. I had laughed because all our parents were tight, very tight. They never fought with each other—at least, not that I knew of. They loved each other unconditionally, and I’d seen my mother leave in the dead of night just to be with one of them.

Yeah, our little group is just the same. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for any of them, and I knew they felt the same way.

Will started walking toward the table, and Luke looked up and smiled. He and Colt both stood up. I loved how my brother, Luke, and Will always stood up when a girl either walked up to a table or got up to leave. They had for sure been raised the right way.

“Alex, you look beautiful,” Luke said with a smile.

I grinned. “Liar.”

He chuckled and kissed me on the cheek. Then, he whispered, “It will be okay, darlin’, I promise.”

I looked at him as tears filled my eyes. “I know.”

Will pulled out my chair, and I sat down. Colt, Luke, and Will followed and took their seats.

Grace got me caught up on the Mike scandal. Apparently, he’d talked his father into letting him take a year off to travel around Europe. After Grace had broken up with him, he’d claimed to be having a breakdown, and he needed to find himself.

“What a class-act jerk.” I took a bite of pasta.

Grace nodded. “Tell me about it. I’m so glad to be rid of him. I feel free.”

“Maybe you’ll meet someone at UT,” Lauren said.

Grace laughed. “No, I’m not interested, and I won’t be looking either. I’m focusing on school, and that’s it. No men.”