The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 66- If I Do...If I Don't

Friday morning, I wake up before anyone else in my house, but that's okay with me. I really don't feel like running into Rachel after our encounter last night. After pulling on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, I grab my keys and head for the door. I only have twenty minutes to get to my weight training class.

I manage to run into the weight room just before the professor comes in to take attendance. Making a mental note to set my alarm for five minutes earlier from now on, I partner up with one of the other girls in class and start the workout for the day.

Fifty minutes, almost 100 squats, and two sore legs later, I'm back in my car and debating whether or not to go straight home. My urge to avoid wins out and I end up driving around and running a few errands. Since my books are in my car already, I even stop off at a coffee shop and get some homework done. As I waddle back to my car, I gently squeeze my legs, urging them to allow me to walk like a human being. After sleeping terribly last night, and pushing my legs to their limit this morning, all I can think about is crawling back into my bed on the way home.

However, as soon as I pull into the parking lot, any thoughts of going back to sleep immediately flee from my body. In fact, any feelings of drowsiness are replaced with excitement and nerves after seeing him waiting outside. I try to keep myself from visibly shaking as I park my car and step out into the winter air. I feel him behind me before I ever turn around.

With a deep breath, I turn to face him.

"Hey," Luke says simply, giving me a small smile.

I mean to greet him back, but all that comes out of my mouth is a soft sob as I feel tears start to roll down my cheeks. Honestly, my emotions have been stretched like a rubber band these past few days, so just seeing him causes me to snap. There is still a tinge of pain from the thought of him being around Allie a few days ago, but the overwhelming feeling taking over my body is relief. Seeing my breakdown, his face turns serious, and he steps forward to envelop me like a cloud. I sink into his chest and wipe at my tears, not wanting to get his shirt wet.

"What did that bastard do?" he says after letting me regain my composure.

"Nothing worth talking about out here," I answer, reluctantly pulling out of his embrace to give him a proper smile in greeting. "Let's go inside."

That's when he looks me up and down. His eyes linger a little on my legs.

"Yeah, you must be cold in those," he agrees, nodding toward my yoga pants.

He follows me as I trudge slowly up the stairs, my sore legs crying out against me. When I get to the top, I glance back at him to apologize for my pace, but I catch him staring at me.

"Hey!" I say, causing his eyes to snap up and meet mine.

He gives me a smirk and shrugs. "Sorry, not sorry. What's wrong with your legs anyway?"

"Weight lifting class."

"I can massage them later if you want." He shrugs innocently, but his eyes are twinkling with mischief.

Hiding a smile at how easy it is to fall into a familiar pattern with him, I roll my eyes and unlock the door, holding it open for him to go first this time. With a cheeky grin, he brushes past me and into the living room. Without waiting for an invitation, he makes himself at home on the couch.

A little nervous about who might be home, I think about telling him to relocate to my room, but just then, Brett steps out of the hallway and starts making his way to the kitchen. He glances over at us, half-asleep, but then does a double take as his drowsy mind processes the guy sitting on our couch. His eyes narrow.