Carolina Blue

Part 30

I apologize for the late update, but without further ado... 

Carolina POV

A little over an hour later Lukas, Darla, Rhett, and I were headed to Settlers. Settlers was one of the western bars in town that if you were under twenty-one you know you could still could get into without questioning. We found a table, which was a rarity to be able to claim on a Saturday night. Lukas ordered us a round and placed a bucket of ice cold beer on the table.

Lukas then grabbed one of the long neck bottles and angled it towards to cheer in front of the rest of us, "Here's to one hell of a rodeo from all of us, and especially to Carolina on kickin' ass in her first barrel racin' contest."

We all picked up a bottle and clinked them together before taking a sip. However, Lukas still standing above us all continued to down his whole bottle. I glanced at Rhett to see him eyeing Lukas with concern.

Just then a waitress came along with a tray of tequila shots, and eyed Lukas with lustful eyes, "Here's the round of shots you ordered Lukas."

Lukas's eyes lit up when he saw them, "Thank ya," then proceeded to place a shot in front of each of us.

Rhett then held up a hand, "Woah maybe we should slow down Lukas we just got here."

Lukas flashed us a devious smile, "Yeah, but we have celebrating to do right ladies?" He turned to Darla and I with expectant eyes.

I was concerned with the way Lukas was acting tonight, but at the same time I agreed we should celebrate and it had been one hell of a start to summer for us, and we could all use a night to let loose. I just shrugged my shoulders picked up the shot and downed it, welcoming the burn that was left in its path.

Lukas gave me a wild smile, then through his shot back, and let out a loud, "Yeehaw."

I didn't think of him as the type to yell that in a bar, let alone Settlers, where everyone knew him, and was now wondering what pretty boy just walked in here for the first time.

Darla and Rhett cautiously threw their shots back as well, using the salt and lime that Lukas and I were too hasty for.

"I'm gonna go grab another drink? Anyone need anything?" Lukas announced, surveying the rest of the table.

We all shook our heads no, and Lukas walked off towards the bar. I leaned over Darla to whisper to Rhett, "Is he okay? Is he normally like this when y'all go out?"

Rhett contemplated it weighing his thoughts while he moved his head from side to side, "It's only happened a handful of times, he starts out so wound up. It was more common when he just started bull riding."

I nodded and settled back into my chair, as I saw that Lukas was headed back with another beer and four more shots in tow.

Lukas laid them down again with a charming smile, "Now, we can't start a winning night off with just one shot so we have to do another."

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him, "This time Carolina we're all going to take them together."

I nodded amused while glancing at the others, who were holding much more skepticism in their eyes, but went along with it anyways. We all hit our shot glasses on the table before throwing them back.

Soon enough a song started up that peaked Lukas's attention so he got up in front of me held out his hand, "May I have this dance ma'lady?" Lukas asked in his best British accent.

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips, and placed my hand in front of his. He led us to the crowded dance floor of Settlers. Although, the atmosphere in Settlers was anything, but calm, having Lukas's hand in mine made me feel a wave of serenity that I hadn't felt for a long time.

Once we reached the dance floor I was able to take in the song that was playing, and I felt a pang of guilt rise in my heart, it was the song that was playing when Cope and I met. My face must've fell for a second, as Lukas gave me a concerned glance before leaning down to my ear and asking "Hey, what's wrong?"

His warm breath on my body sent my body in flames, that I almost forgot to respond to his concern. Lukas let a smirk ghost his lips for a second. "I'm fine, it's just the song brings back memories."

Lukas pulled me closer to him into an embrace and murmured "I'm sorry 'Lina, we can always leave if it's too much."

I pulled back and smiled at Lukas, shaking my head no, "No, it's actually nice to think about the good times."

Lukas smiled in returned and nodded, "Well then Darlin' let's dance."