HIM
the large study as all eyes are on him in anticipation of his reaction. He has a blank expression on his face, and he's staring toward the floor. He moves slightly, gradually curling his fingers into fists, and his face is becoming a light shade of bluish-white."Luke," I whisper hoarsely as I stand to my feet.
He doesn't move; he doesn't even blink. I can see his chest move up and down with each breath he takes. I walk over to where he stands, stopping a few inches in front of him. His hands still firmly molded into fists so tight his knuckles are white, his jaw clenched shut, and his eyes are burning a hole through the floor.
"Luke," I say again.
My eyes fill with tears, and my body shakes with nerves.
I take a deep breath, then a step closer to him, and bring my hand to touch his face. He steps back from me, bringing his eyes to meet mine. His eyes are narrowed and are carrying a mixture of shock, anger, and sadness. I longed to lose myself in the once beautiful ocean color, but they have lost their vibrant hue and have become dull. His cold gaze sends a shiver up my spine. I need him to move, to speak, something- anything. Luke stares right through me as if I don't exist, yet his eyes are fixated on mine. I blink, and a few tears cascade down my cheeks.
I wish he'd wipe away my tears with his thumbs, kiss me, and hold me while telling me that everything will be okay. Instead, he's motionless, not speaking, and I can see the light once burning inside him has gone dim. I slowly bring my hand to meet his fist. He doesn't step back or dismiss my touch this time. He blinks rapidly as tears build in his eyes, he sniffles, looks at Ris, to Mr. O'Connor, then back down at me. The life I once saw leave his eyes is slowly returning as he peers into mine. The pain, sadness, and anger behind them are unbearable to see, but I can't look away from him. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Luke lowers his eyes from mine, removing his fist from my touch. He turns away from me then walks out the door.
"Luke, wait," I say in a terrified voice, and go after him.
Mr. O'Connor stops me, and Ris hurries to my side.
"Let him go, give him some time. He needs time to process everything," Mr. O'Connor says calmly.
I wrap my arms around Ris and cry hard, so hard that I can barely breathe.
"Dad, what if he goes out looking for Brady?" Ris whispers, with worry in her voice.
"I'll keep a close eye on him, don't you worry. You tend to your friend," he says, kissing Ris's cheek then leaves his study.
Ris wraps her arms around me and rests her cheek on top of my head, rocking us slightly back and forth. I wish all this had never happened. I wish Luke and I decided to go back to my apartment after dinner yesterday instead of going to the club with Ris and the others. I wish I never accepted Brady's dinner invitation. I wish my father had never died.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Hours have passed, and no sign of Luke. He hasn't shown up at the apartment, Ris's parents, or even the police station. His phone goes straight to voicemail, and his car is still parked next to mine. Where could he have gone? I pace back and forth across our loft as Ris stares out the window from the couch. I know she is worried about me and for Luke. Her father informed us that he hadn't received word of Luke finding Brady. But he did receive a call from the police station that Brady will not be pressing any charges.
He asked if I would like to press charges against Brady for the altercation that took place in the night club as the police are hounding him about it. I tell him no. I want everything to go away and my life to go back to normal. I want Luke here with me. I want to see his gorgeous smile, hear his deep laugh, and have him stare at me the way he does. I need to know he's okay and that we're okay. I lay down on the couch and stare off.
I'm awoken from my sleep when Luke runs his hand across my cheek. I smile, closing my eyes as I take in his touch. He sits down on the couch, shirtless. His body, eyes, smile, and lips are as gorgeous as ever.
"I'm so glad you're back," I whisper.
Luke puts a finger to my lips as he hushes me, then bends down toward me, and kisses my forehead. He presses his lips against mine in a firm kiss. I open my eyes as he parts from our kiss.
"I love you, Ali," he whispers.
I awake in a panic from the couch, looking around in the darkness. I startle Ris awake from the chair in all my commotion. I scramble to my feet then search the apartment for Luke. No sign of him. His bag of clothes still rests on the floor in my room. I grab my phone, its after midnight. No text or call from Luke; I dial his number, and it goes straight to voicemail again. I rush out to our parking ramp to see his car is no longer parked next to mine. My heart sinks inside my chest as tears well up in my eyes. I didn't think I'd have any left to shed for how much crying I've done lately. He left. He left me.
I want to call Ernie or Jason to see if Luke's made it back, but it's too late. I will call them right away in the morning. I try calling Luke again, but his phone is still off. Ris touches my shoulder.
"Do you want to