I Can't Help but Want You

Chapter 13

Eventually we snuck out of the bedroom, Jasper before me so we didn't raise any eyebrows. As I was sneaking away from the scene I was caught down the hall by a maid. "Miss Rosey why are you here? Mr. Henry doesn't like people in this part of the house."

"Oh just checking around. I thought I heard some noise last night. Just making sure no one snuck in here from the party last night." I said trying hard not to stammer around my words as nervously came up with an excuse.

"Well your friend Lexi is waiting in the theatre she arrived not too long ago. And there is a boy sleeping on the couch. It may be Luke, but I'm not very good with faces."

"Luke?" Why would he still be here? Unless he just crashed in my living room after the party. That jerk probably had a blast after I left, laughing at me with his arrogant friends.

"Yes."

"Okay, thank you." She bowed her head to me and continued back down the hall. Since Jasper went the opposite direction from the living room to his room I'm sure he didn't run into Luke.

I walked through the living room and caught a glimpse of Luke sleeping soundly on my couch. I snuck past him up the stairs to my room I wanted to get dressed before confronting him. I'm sure the way I looked even rose some questions to the maid. I looked in the mirror. There was a purple hickey on the side of my neck. I'm glad it was winter I could just use a scarf to cover this up without looking suspicious. I threw on some cloths, wrapped a scarf around my neck that cleverly matched my outfit, and put my hair up in a white ribbon then headed back down to the living room.

I stood over Luke for a minute thinking of how to confront the situation. I flicked his nose as hard as I could. "Ouch!" He spat sitting up and holding his nose. "Oh Rosey!"

I gave him an annoyed look, "Why are you still here?"

"I waited here all night and never found you I guess I just dozed off."

"But why are you here?"

He stood up off the couch, he didn't look mad, or happy, I just saw sadness in his eyes. "Rosey I'm so sorry, I know I was a jerk and I was going to go after last night but Jasper left to find you before me. I did get rid of the guys who were picking on you though." I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. "Rosey please listen to me." He took my hands in his. "When we were together I was only thinking about sex, yeah. But after you yelled at me in class, I realized how different you were, and that's what I love about you. You're different. I promise, take me back and I'll be different. I-I'll care, more and pay attention to you. I won't even touch you without your consent. And if I screw up you can dump me, no rumors or strings attached." I looked into his eyes, I could tell he was sincere he really meant all the things he was saying. Could it be that he really did love me? Or was this just another part of his trickery. That seemed more likely.

"I can't Luke. We're through, there's nothing you can do to change the past."

"But I can change the future! Please!" He squeezed my hands.

"I'm sorry," I took my hands away from him and started back up the stairs.

"Damn it Rosey! You're so damn stubborn!" I stopped and looked over my shoulder. "I pour out my heart to you and this is what I get! A slap to the face! Can't you see I'm telling you I love you! I love you and I don't know what to do about it!" He sat back on the couch and held his head in his hands. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, I didn't know what to say to him. There was a time when I thought I might love Luke but he took that away. I don't think it's ever coming back. "Whatever, you know where to find me when you change your mind." He said it as though he was sure I was going to change my mind.