I Can't Go Another Day Without You

Like You Ain't Even Gone

Hey! This chapter is pretty lengthy, sorry. As you can tell, I had a lot of free time for this chapter. If you actually take time to read it, YOU'RE AMAZING. Anyways, hope you like :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Luke threw back a fourth shot, feeling the sweet burning sensation at the back of his throat. He hadn't been keeping track of how many different mixed drinks he had, nor the time, but he figured it didn't matter. For one, he had a bottomless tab. Second of all, he didn't have to worry about arriving in Alabama on time since he had different means of transportation if absolutely necessary. He signaled for another beer with a simple hand gesture. Even though he'd been in that bar for nearly three hours, he didn't even feel buzzed. He looked up from his empty shot glass and shot a glance in Tyler's direction. He hadn't moved since Luke last looked. He had been laughing and talking with a beautiful brunette, a smug grin and a twinkle in his eye. Something told Luke he wouldn't be lonely that night. He chuckled to himself. He felt almost envious of Tyler. The only thing Luke had done in those few hours was keep the bartender busy. He pulled his hat down over his eyes, feeling drowsiness coming over him, as well as a headache. Great, just what he needed. He put his forehead down on the cold surface of the bar counter, hoping it would help to relieve some of the pain. Just then, the room began to dim, the music became quieter. Just as he began to relax, he heard a sweet feminine voice to the left of him.

"One margarita please. You know what- make that two. It's been a long day." Luke heard her sigh. He lifted his head, subtly side-glancing at her. From what he could see, she had short chocolate brown hair that fell right below her neck. She wore dark, smoky makeup that complimented her diamond-like blue eyes. She wore a midnight black dress that clung to her body and hugged her in every curve of her dainty body. The way she crossed her legs and stuck her nose in the air reminded Luke of the sorority girls that walked around his old college, thinking they were better and prettier than all the other girls. He sort of smiled to himself, before he took a sip from the long-neck bottle that the bartender had placed in front of him. As Luke looked back to the woman, he noticed that she had already been looking at him, a slight smirk on her lips.

"Hey, bartender, forget about those margaritas- I'll have what he's having." She cocked an eyebrow. Luke swallowed, beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable. He gave her a slight nod before he turned away, once again looking to Tyler. He was still talking to the same woman, but now he had taken her hand in his. Wow, smooth. Luke chuckled. "Do I know you from somewhere? You look oddly familiar." The woman beside him spoke up, obviously trying to make conversation with him. He wanted to talk to her, she was gorgeous, sure. But what would happen if he did? He couldn't risk it- could he? The last thing he needed was to make Caroline think he no longer wanted her. With some hesitation, he was finally able to meet her gaze.

"Um, I don't think so. I'm not from here, just here for the night." He replied, taking another sip from his Miller Lite. The woman still studied him, as if she were trying to put two and two together. Eventually she looked away, picking up her own bottle, taking a long sip.

"So where are you from? I'm really digging that accent of yours. Southern, right? One of my best friends is from down south. She did mention that the men were super sweet, but she failed to say how attractive they are." She giggled, running a hand through her hair. Luke nodded, his heart beating fast against his chest. Please stop talking, Luke thought to himself, For God's sake shut your mouth. He looked into her eyes reluctantly, often finding them travel to her plump red lips. He caught himself and looked back into her eyes, finally clearing his throat.

"I'm from Georgia, actually. But I moved to Tennessee a couple years back. It's hard to leave, I'll tell you that. I've got a nice home back there and a- a dog. A dog that I really love. A dog that I would do anything for. I-," He stopped himself, realizing how dumb he sounded. Dog seemed to be his code for Caroline, but she didn't need to know that. He chuckled and shook his head, taking another small sip. "Sorry."