Centre of His World

Chapter 7

"And then he just has the nerve to yell at me! As if he hadn't hurt me enough! I am falling for a man who doesn't feel the same way. He basically tells me that I'm pulling a stunt on him, acting like I did this because I didn't want him to finally be happy again. I thought he'd be happy with me. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," Caroline said, looking down and picking at her nails. She was telling Leah what happened that night before. From the phone call to what happened after the kiss.

Leah clicked her tongue and tapped her nails against the tabletop, thinking about what to say. Caroline watch as her expression changed from confused to surprised. "Oh, my God! Caroline, he's in love with you!"

Caroline was shocked. Didn't she hear a word she had told her? Luke didn't feel anything for her. He wasn't in love with her. The famous Luke Bryan in love with her? Ha! Yeah, right. "Leah, were you even listening to me?"

Leah rolled her eyes. "God, you're oblivious. He. Is. In. Love. With. You."

"And explain to me how you know this," Caroline challenged. "Because last I checked, he didn't."

"Remember how in middle school, if a boy liked a girl, he'd pick on her, be mean?" Leah questioned. "Well, that's exactly what he's doing."

Caroline looked away. "It's not like it matters. He's going on tour today. Him and Kelly. I'll never see him again."

Leah reached out and put her hand on top of Caroline's. "Look, I know you're hurting. But how do you know he's not too? If I'm right, and Luke really is in love with you, I bet he's just as miserable as you are. And I also know that you love his daughter as much as you love him. You're missing her too."

"I'm not in love with Luke," Caroline lied, knowing damn well that she was. "He's gone."

Leah sighed. The only way to mend a broken heart was to bring the two back together. How was she gonna get her best friend to Luke Bryan? And besides, she never met the guy, let alone has proof that Caroline did. How does she know she's not lying?

"Caroline, do you happen to have a picture of y'all together?"

"No, but I have his number," Caroline said. "Should I call him? Does he want to talk to me? I mean, we left things off in a bad way."

"No, that'll make you seem desperate. Give him time to cool off. I mean, you never know."

Luke paced back and forth on his tour bus. He hadn't talked to Caroline in at least a month. He started touring a while back. He cried himself to sleep, missing May, and wondering how he messed up so bad with Caroline. He had feelings for Caroline. He knew that, a little too late, but he knew it.

Kerri hopped up onto the bus. "Hey, Luke, five minutes to show."

"Thanks, Kerri," Luke muttered.

"What's wrong," Kerri asked. She was always concerned for his well-being. "You look upset."

Luke turned to her, rubbing his arm aggressively. "I think I'm in love with this girl. But, well, we had a huge fight before I went on tour and haven't talked since. I'm worried that I messed up..." Luke began to tear up. "That I'll see her again."

"Oh, Luke," Kerri opened her arms up to hug him. "I haven't see you so hurt since you had that interview about your wife. I'm so sorry."

"I feel horrible. I thought I didn't like her and when she kissed me, it set me off. I was pissed. I miss her. Should I call her?"

Kerri shook her head. "No. Leave her alone for a bit. At least for now, you need to go get on stage now. Everything will work out, I promise."

Luke nodded, wiped his eyes, and grabbed his guitar. He needed to fix this. He just didn't know how.