Coastal Runaway (Coast to Coast #1)

Thirty

thirty

Keegan

Mr. Cavan started walking towards the office door so I slipped back into the living room and sat on the sofa with Maeve. Did I just hear that right? Mr. Cavan thought that I wasn’t good enough for his family? Who the fuck did he think he was?

My silly little posts made me a lot of money, and even besides that, they made people happy. Life was about more than gaining power and getting ahead.

And how dare he think less of my family just because some entitled jerk shared intimate photos against my will.

He steamrolled in here and tried to take control. I honestly felt bad for Luke, he had no say in any of this. Mr. Cavan was an asshole, but he’s right about one thing: Luke deserved so much more. I had no real set future. I was going to work for my dad and make social media posts while living off of the Kelly name. Luke had real dreams and aspirations to start a life of his own.

I knew Luke. I knew that he didn’t want to work for KavTech, but I also knew that he would suffer for a few years if it meant that he could get the law degree that he wanted and had been working so hard for. He would eventually figure out a way to outsmart his dad and leave, but not before the time under his reign took its toll.

Where Luke was going to law school had been weighing on my mind and my heart.

What would happen after graduation?

We couldn’t even be open about our relationship and yet he thought we’d survive long distance?

I didn’t think so.

When Luke and his dad left the office, I smiled at him like my heart wasn’t cracking in half. I knew that Luke didn’t want to follow his dad, but I also knew that Luke wouldn't break my heart on purpose. It was up to me to make sure he selfishly went after what he wanted, for once in his life.

Luke took a seat next to me on the couch and I reached for his hand. He stiffened momentarily before lacing our fingers together on his lap.

His touch was so soothing. Every time that I needed to come up for air, the feel of his skin brought me back to the surface. I squeezed his hand in mine and rested my head on his shoulder.

When we stood to say our goodbyes, everyone was silent. Like the entire night just exhausted us. The fake pleasantries and stale conversation felt forced. The ride home felt heavy, and when we walked through the front door of Malibu house Nolan walked right up to the liquor cabinet and poured six shots.

“Oh thank god,” Maeve said as she tossed back the clear liquid, “that was torture. ”

We all laughed and took the shots as the tension lifted.

“Beach fire, anyone?” Aiden asked, pointing to all of us. We nodded and made our way barefoot onto the beach. The boys gathered driftwood and tossed them into a shallow hole, lighting it ablaze.

I looked at Luke who took a seat next to me, “what did your dad have to say?”

“Nothing important.” He was staring into the fire but he placed his hand right on top of mine in the sand. He didn’t expand further into their conversation and I would give anything for him to let me into his thoughts.

These last few weeks felt like everything I had ever wanted, but it was at that moment I knew what had to be done. I just didn’t know if I had the heart to do it.

It was official, I was avoiding Luke. It’d been three weeks since my dad announced the gala. Everyday I made excuses about why we couldn’t hangout and why I couldn't sleep over. I slept at Maggie’s just so I wasn’t lying to him so much. Maggie and Maeve thought I was being stupid. They thought Sean Cavan was all talk, that he had no backbone, but I wasn’t going to play with Luke’s future like that.

The gala was tonight and I’d been dreading it. Normally, I loved an excuse to get dolled up and wear a beautiful gown but I also knew that staying away from Luke was going to be tough.

It’s what’s best for him.

I had to keep telling myself that so I didn’t chicken out and fall into bed with him. I missed him so much and he was still in the room right next to me. I debated a lot about what the best course of action was. Break up now? Were we even dating? Break up at graduation?

There wasn’t a simple solution but I also knew that I wanted as much time with Luke as I could physically have.

“Cheer up, girly, we get to be princesses tonight,” Maeve said with a solemn smile, meeting my eyes in the bathroom mirror as she curled my hair.

“I don’t really feel like a princess,” I said breaking eye contact.

“That's just because you haven’t seen your dress yet!” She started hopping up and down.

“What do you mean? I’m wearing the navy blue one I wore for that fancy Christmas party a few years ago.”

Maeve twirled the curling iron in my direction like a magic wand, “nope. Just call me your fairy godmother, Cinderella.”

“As long as I don’t turn into a pumpkin then fine. Dress me, master.” I raised my hands and bowed my head to her.

Maeve clapped and then continued to curl my hair. She parted my hair in the center and slicked back my curtain bangs so they tucked behind my ears. The rest flowed down my back dramatically in luxurious barrel curls.

My eyes shimmered with blue and gold eyeshadow and dark winged eyeliner. Maeve handed me a pair of gold earrings with dangling pear shaped diamonds. I looked like a different person.

“Now,” Maeve clapped, “time for the dress. Hold please.” She held her finger up and left my room.

She returned carrying a black garment bag and hung it on the door. She unzipped it and my jaw hit the floor. It was a gold trumpet style gown with a plunging neckline all the way to the waist. It had an ornate vintage beading pattern and an open back.

When I put it on, I was stunned. I felt like a princess. The deep V-neck cut almost to my belly button and made my boobs look phenomenal. It was tight enough that I felt secure, and luckily, that meant it would stay up. The skirt hugged my hips tightly but flared at the knee with a sinfully high slit.

“And for the shoes.” She held a pair of white Jimmy Choo open toe heels with huge bows on the heels.

I started tearing up from the love and effort Maeve put into this look for me. Maeve showed her love through acts of service and she somehow curated the perfect dress for me to feel beautiful when she knew that I was struggling.

“Don’t you dare cry.” She hugged me from behind.

“Thank you.” I choked down my tears as I hugged her back.

“I’m going to go change but the car will be here soon. We’re meeting the boys there.”

I nodded and she left to get changed with an air kiss and a wave.

Tonight would be a good night.

I let go of the negative energy, and took a deep breath then I turned in my classy heels and headed out to meet Maeve at the car.

When we pulled up to the Vintage style hotel that was hosting the Los Angeles Botanical Society Gala, a doorman approached to open the doors of our town car. He offered his hand and I stepped out to flashing cameras and people shouting our names.

Maeve changed into a black silk spaghetti strap gown that cinched at the waist and had an A-line skirt that flowed as she walked. She looked regal as she sauntered down the red carpet ahead of me.

We posed for so many photos that my cheeks hurt from smiling and I felt slightly blinded by the flashing lights, but I knew that these photos would be blasted all over the internet tomorrow.

With one last flash, we made our way into the hotel. The lobby was decorated with the most phenomenal greenery that I’d ever seen.

There were garlands of eucalyptus and hydrangeas wrapped around every pillar and railing. Red roses sat in vases that stood tall at the top and bottom of the grand staircase leading to the ballroom where the event was being held.

As we ascended the stairs, I noticed a set of wide shoulders that I would know anywhere. Luke turned around as we came to the top of the stairs and his eyes went wide.

My heart was pounding at the sight of him in a tuxedo. The man was sex in a suit. But I gave him a shy smile and tried to keep my emotions to myself.

“Don’t drool on her dress,” Maeve teased as I stopped in front of him and she kept walking past.

“I can’t make any promises,” He stated without breaking eye contact with me, “you literally took my breath away.” He leaned down and whispered in my ear as grazed the back of my hand with his fingertips.

I shifted my hands behind my back and responded, “thank you, Luke.”

He looked confused as I nodded and walked past him. I didn't look behind me as I greeted my father’s colleagues like the graceful and poised Kelly woman that I was.

The next two hours were some of the longest of my life. I was avoiding being alone with Luke, still unsure how I would handle the situation. I compensated for it by sticking to Nolan’s side and drinking a little too much champagne.

I was waving the bartender down for another drink when I caught a scent that I knew all too well. Hands leaned on the bar counter on either side of me and my neck erupted with goosebumps.

“You’re avoiding me,” Luke whispered.

“No, I’m not.” I lied.

“That wasn’t a question, Tig. I just can’t put my finger on why. Come on, baby, talk to me.” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.

I knew that I was seconds from breaking. Luke had the ability to consume my senses and make me weak at the knees with one look. I didn’t think I could be this close to him, look him in the eyes, and break his heart.

“Come with me.” I grabbed his hand and led him out of the ballroom and down a side hallway to the coat room. I needed him.

Now .