Coastal Runaway (Coast to Coast #1)

Thirteen

thirteen

Luke

My mind was still reeling from the other night at the beach. I wasn’t quite sure how Keegan would react when Nolan and I got home while she was lounging out on the couch in her own little world.

It was Nolan’s bright idea to invite the girls that we met on the beach back to the house. He kept pushing for me to get out and meet women, but ever since I moved here there’s only been one girl who could keep my attention.

And she wanted nothing to do with me.

Since our truce Keegan was cordial but distant. She hadn’t bit my head off, yet, but she wasn’t jumping at the chance to hangout either. It was torturous knowing that only a wall separated us, but she still felt so far away.

Spending time around her, in her orbit, made me more confused than ever. Even my social media pages were plastered with her face now that she unblocked me.

My body wanted her near but my heart knew that she left without any regard to my feelings. I couldn’t trust her with all of me, but maybe I’d get lucky and she’d let me trust her with … certain body parts.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter doing my stats homework when my phone pinged with a message.

Nolan

Alright boys, girls are going out tonight. What’s the plan?

Nolan changed the name of the chat to “If I Was A Boy, and Luke”

Do you ever spend a night at home?

Nolan

Not if I can help it.

Aiden

It’s been a hell of a few days. Trojan?

Fine.

Nolan

Let’s gooooo. I love when we all get along.

middle finger emoji

Nolan

Rude.

We ordered an Uber to Trojan which was packed with college students. This bar was a staple at CCU because of their lack of vigilance towards fake IDs and insanely cheap drink specials. Nolan pulled a bar stool out for me and ordered a pitcher for the three of us to share.

He glanced around, assessing the crowd, “See anything you like?” He asked me, raising a brow.

“Not really.” I shrugged.

“Come on bro, I thought you were over the breakup.”

“I am,” I laughed. I was over the actual breakup with Kiara very quickly, what I wasn’t over was the feeling that I’d never get what I really wanted.

“Then why won’t you hook up with any of the girls I have been throwing at you?” He crossed his arms and pinned me with a stare that said no bullshit .

“Don’t know, I just haven’t been into them, I guess.”

“Please tell me this isn’t about that girl from years ago.” He dropped his hands and lightly banged his forehead to the table melodramatically, “one hook up at a party and you act like she was the love of your life.”

“It just felt different” I shrugged my shoulders and looked to Aiden for help.

He sighed, “not everyone wants to stick their dick into something new every weekend, Nol.” He nodded at me as I took a deep breath.

“Okay, I get that, but it also isn’t my fault that Keegan disappearing made his date leave too. It was an awkward morning and you could’ve called her.”

“I didn’t have her number.”

It was all lies. Nolan had no idea that he was talking about his own sister. He thought I shared a night with a total stranger who stood me up back then. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the girl who actually stood me up shared his birthday.

“Well that’s your fault.” Aiden chimed in.

Traitor .

“Can we talk about something else now? How’s football going?” I pointed at Nolan.

“Fine, but we’re circling back to your fear of women.”

“Yeah, we’ll do that when we confront your fear of attachment to women.”

“Touché.”

Nolan filled us in on the latest with the football team and we listened intently, sneaking in occasional jokes and generally just having a good time. I felt relaxed, a feeling that was rare for me over the past few years. Suddenly, a familiar laugh rose above the sound of the crowd, causing me to turn my head.

“Oh it looks like girls night ended at the bar.” Aiden nudged my shoulder and gestured towards the middle of the dance floor.

Keegan and Maeve were grinding on Maggie as a bunch of guys surrounded them, clearly hoping for a chance. Keegan looked so free as she got lost in the music and didn’t pay attention to any of the guys who ogled her. It was really amazing how she drew people in but remained completely oblivious to her power.

“I don’t think they see us over here.” Nolan remarked, sipping his beer. He was right. With the way the Trojan was shaped, it was hard to see the whole bar from the dance floor, but my vantage point had an unobstructed view.

“Let them have their girls night in peace.” Aiden grabbed Nolan’s hand and yanked it down when he tried to wave over to the girls.

“You’re no fun.” Nolan humphed.

“I don’t know if anyone fits your description of fun.” Aiden shook his head.

The brothers returned to their conversation, but my eyes stayed on the pretty blonde who shined like a light in the dark grimy bar. The girls never saw us there so I got a free view of Keegan being wild and free with no walls up. Thankfully, nobody got handsy, and I didn’t need to knock any teeth in. She only danced with Maeve and Maggie for the rest of the night. We watched them leave as we closed our tab and left shortly after.

My fingers itched to pull out my phone and text her but I didn’t know if that was too much too fast. We didn’t chat on the regular and it might just seem creepy that I stared at her the entire night.

I had to figure out a way to show Keegan Kelly that our chemistry was undeniable while also keeping her far enough from my heart that she didn’t sink her claws in any further.