Without You (Love Wanted in Texas #1)(44)

Luke glanced at Grace and smiled. “Good, but if I have to drive to Austin every damn weekend to check up on you, I will, baby sister.”

She rolled her eyes and gave Luke the finger.

He gasped. “Why, sister, that hurts me so that you don’t love me.”

Grace moaned.

“I just care about you. I want to protect you from all harm and evil.”

“That’s why you put the scorpion in my bathroom sink last night?”

“Yes. I want to make sure you stay on guard. Be prepared for anything and everything.”

“Fuck off, Luke.”

Everyone started laughing, and my heart grew heavier. I glanced around to each of my friends. Grace and I would be at UT. Libby, Luke, and Will would be at A&M. Maegan was heading off to Baylor all by herself. My heart hurt for her, but she seemed happy.

Then, there were those who were staying behind in Mason. Lauren, sweet Lauren, had feelings for Colt, but she refused to admit it. Taylor, innocent Taylor, was a wild child deep down inside, just waiting to burst out. Colt, my baby brother…I’d hardly spent any time with him this summer. Between him working on the ranch with Daddy, football camp and practice, and that stupid girlfriend of his, he was never home. I was always with Will though.

Colt looked at me and smiled. He mouthed, I love you, Alex.

I felt a tear slip from my eye and make its way down my cheek. Colt quickly looked away.

Luke was my crazy cousin, who—

Oh my God. What is he wearing?

My mouth dropped open as I read his T-shirt.

Fur trade is not cool. Shave your beaver.

I looked at Luke as he was talking to Will about some program at A&M.

“Luke, are you really wearing that T-shirt?” I asked.

Luke stopped talking as he looked down at his shirt and then back up at me. “No, Alex. I’m actually sitting here naked, but I’ve put a force field around me to make y’all think I’m dressed.”

He looked over at Libby, who quickly blushed and looked away. Luke seemed surprised by Libby’s reaction.

“You’re such an ass. I can’t believe Aunt Ari would let you wear that,” I said.

Luke let out a gruff laugh. “Please. My mommy doesn’t tell me what I can and can’t wear.” Leaning his chair back, he folded his arms behind him and rested his head against his hands.

Colt looked to the right and started laughing.

“Luke Drew Johnson…”

Luke looked over to Aunt Ari, who was standing there with Uncle Jeff. He was attempting to hold in his laughter, but he was doing a terrible job of it.

Luke lost his balance and fell backward.

Libby jumped up and ran over to him. “Are you okay?”

Luke looked at her and frowned. “Yes.”

Libby went to help him up, but he pulled away from her.

“I’m fine, Lib,” he said as he jumped up on his own.

Her face fell as she got up and sat back down. My heart broke for her. She hadn’t been acting right ever since our last field party, and it was driving both Will and me crazy that she wouldn’t tell us what had happened.

“Good Lord, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I swear. Jeff, take off your T-shirt and give it to Luke.”

“What?” Luke and Uncle Jeff said at the same time.

Aunt Ari gave Luke a look, and he quickly went to the men’s bathroom with Uncle Jeff following him.

When he came back out, Colt busted out laughing as he shook his head.

Luke smacked Colt on the back of the head. “Shut up, you little bastard, or I’ll kick your ass.”

Aunt Ari walked up and smacked Luke on the back of the head. “Knock it off.” She turned and smiled. “Y’all have fun tonight, but don’t stay out too late.”

We all said good-bye to Aunt Ari and Uncle Jeff. After dinner, we decided to head on over to Will and Libby’s.

Taylor rode with us, and she told Will and me all about the trip she was planning to take to Italy next summer. She had been taking Italian for three years, and she had rapidly picked it up.

I was going to miss her so much. I was going to miss everyone so much. I looked at Will as he smiled and asked Taylor another question about Italy.

I had to quickly look away. I can’t do this. I can’t leave him.

I began to think back to orientation week at UT.



Grace smiled at me as we both sat down and looked around. “I can’t believe how freakin’ huge this campus is. I really wish I was going to A&M.”

My mouth dropped open as I stared at her. “Now, you want to go to A&M? Grace, if you had said that months ago, my dad would have probably let me go!”

Grace rolled her eyes. “Please, Alex, we both know our dads wanted us here at UT, but I already hate it.”

I glanced around again, and I had to admit, I hated it already, too.

My eyes stopped on the dark-haired hot guy who had opened the door for Grace and me. When he’d said hello to us, Grace had said his voice sounded like a Greek god. He was helping with the tour, and he’d mentioned he was a sophomore at UT.

He smiled when he saw me staring at him. I smiled back and then quickly looked away.

What in the hell, Alex? You have a boyfriend whom you love more than anything. Why are you staring at this guy?

I peeked back over to the Greek god, and he was watching me. My father’s voice popped into my head.