The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 59- Challenge Accepted

A/N

Gif up top is of Tori Kelly (aka Steph) because I haven't posted enough of her and she's beautiful!

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With my back pressed against the front door and my fist tightly gripping the handle of my suitcase, I stare up at the ceiling. The way my mind is whirling reminds me of a time at the park when my brother trapped me on the merry-go-round by spinning it at full speed until I cried. Letting out a breath, I look down at my phone.

It's 8:57 a.m.

"Steph."

My head snaps up to find Brett standing behind the couch. From the patronizing look on his face, I can assume he's been watching me internally debate for at least a few minutes.

"Mhm?" I reply, hoping that my inner turmoil is not too transparent on my face.

He frowns. "Even though I feel like I might choke on these words, I think they need to be said." He clears his throat. "If you have to stand there with your bags packed and think about it for half an hour, I am ninety-nine percent sure you would regret not going."

My jaw drops open. Is he seriously encouraging me to go? After Luke left last night and Brett's teammates went home, I told him a little of what was happening. Well, I told him that we were broken up, but I didn't tell him about Brianna or Cody. He doesn't really need to know about all that... Even without that information, I could tell that he was hesitant for me to go back into that situation. But now he's practically shoving me out the door?

"Seriously?" I ask, voicing my thoughts.

He shrugs. "I'm not trying to make the decision for you, but if it were me, I think I'd regret not walking out that door right now. Besides, if it goes bad, you can just catch the next flight back home."

He has a point.

I stand there, frozen by his words for a moment. Why does it sound so simple when he says it? As I'm staring at him, something catches my eye behind his head. The clock. It's 9:01. With a gasp, I spin around and yank the door open. I spill out onto the porch before remembering to say goodbye to Brett.

"Bye! I'll call you!" I yell over my shoulder as I practically tumble down the stairs, my suitcase slapping every step as I go.

When I reach the parking lot, my head whips from side-to-side. Then I spot a tall, dark-clothed figure with his back to me. He's standing at the back of a black SUV and is about to disappear from sight as he walks around to the other side. From where I'm standing, I can hear as the ignition starts in the car. Without thought, I drop the handle of my suitcase and take off.

"Luke!" I call as my feet hit the pavement. No no no. He can't leave yet. I was unsure one minute ago, but as soon as I see him about to leave without me, I realize what I want. I want to be on that flight with him. "Luke!" I call again just as I round the back of the SUV.

With a sudden smack, I find myself pressed up against another body, forcing my halt.

"Oomph," Luke grunts, catching me against his chest, his arms instinctively encircling me to steady our impact. I pant, catching my breath with my face against his shirt.

As his familiar scent fills my head, I can feel tears start to prick and burn at the back of my eyes. I clench my eyelids shut to hold them in, realizing how ridiculous it would be to cry right now. In my defense, my emotions rode an entire roller coaster in the minute it took for me to run out the door and end up in this spot. It's also been a long time since Luke just held me like this, and the feeling is rubbing my emotions raw.