Last Chance - L. P. Dover Page 0,10

gave me away.

Sighing, she looked at me like I was an idiot. “Dammit, Lara, you know you shouldn’t have done that. What’s going to happen when he throws you away like he does the other girls?”

“I don’t know, okay? We connected last night. I have to have faith in him at this point.”

“I hope you’re right. The last thing I want is to see you get hurt.”

I walked past her to my room and shut the door. After the night Luke and I had, I wasn’t so sure he could just throw me to the side.

Any small inklings of happiness I felt the night I shared with Luke, soon disappeared when he didn’t contact me again. I’d checked my phone numerous times that first day, thinking for sure he’d send a text . . . but there was nothing. Was I wrong for believing he could change? I wasn’t like the other girls. He couldn’t just have sex with me and walk away like he did with everyone else. At least, that was what I wanted to believe.

“Hey, Lara!” Summer called.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I shut off the TV, my mood less than stellar. For two days, I’d waited around for Luke to make a move, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to. I was an idiot.

“Want to go to the grocery store with me? I’m in the mood for some Ben & Jerry’s.”

“Sure. I could use a pint, or twelve.”

She circled around the couch. “He still hasn’t called?”

“Nope, and it’s looking like he’s not going to. Go ahead and say it, I’m stupid. That’s what you’re thinking, right?” I held back the tears, but I felt so cheap, and I’d done it to myself; I’d known better.

Summer kneeled down in front of me, her gaze sad. “You’re not stupid, Lara. You put faith in a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

“No shit. I know not to do that again.” Getting up, I grabbed my purse and waited by the door.

Summer slowly approached and put her arms around me. “I know you’re hurting, but the pain will pass.”

I nodded. “I know. I just wish it was now.”

Together, we walked out the door to the garage and hopped in her car. Ice cream could make anything better. When we got to the store, I picked out five different pints and so did Summer.

“I think we’re good for a while,” she laughed. We were walking out to the car when all of a sudden, she froze.

“Whoa, you okay?”

Summer jerked around and stood in my way. “Yeah, I’m fine. I lost my balance there for a second.” She stayed in front of me, like she was shielding my view.

“Okay,” I said, stretching out the word. “Why are you being weird? Let’s go.” Again, she tried to block my path and that was when I realized what she was doing. “I’m sorry, Lara. I didn’t want you to see.”

My breath caught and I could feel the burn behind my eyes, lighting them up like fire. Across the parking lot was a restaurant, and standing right out front was Luke, flirting with another woman, with his hand on her waist as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “That son of a bitch.”

His gaze caught mine and he froze, my name escaping his lips before he looked at the girl and then to me. I wanted to tell myself that it didn’t matter, that our night together was just a night that didn’t mean anything. However, my heart thought otherwise; it felt betrayed. Luke said something to the girl and then stepped out into the road, heading toward me. I stumbled back and held up my hand, my body trembling in rage.

“Lara, wait!” he shouted.

“Summer, let’s go.” Without another glance, I rushed into the car and we sped out of the parking lot. I was done with Luke Collins. I was stupid to think someone like him could change.

Summer reached for my hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”

Closing my eyes, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. No matter what happened, I was never going to let Luke Collins back into my life. Ever.

One Week Later

Luke: Please call me back.

Luke: I need to talk to you.

There were text messages after text messages, missed calls, and random drop-by’s at my house. I didn’t want to see, talk, or get anywhere near Luke Collins. If it had been all his fault, I could have broken down and let my anger out. But it wasn’t. It was half