Without You (Love Wanted in Texas 1)

I jumped in the shower and began washing my hair. I moved on to my body and scrubbed it with soap. After drying off, I brushed my teeth again and then made my way out to the room. I picked up my phone and hit Will’s number.

“Alex?”

My heart dropped. He never called me Alex.

“Will, I’m so sorry.”

“What in the hell? I’ve been worried sick. I even tried to call Grace, but she didn’t answer.”

I looked at Grace and gave her a funny look. “Um…I’m not sure why she wasn’t answering her phone.”

Grace smirked at me. “I wasn’t answering because after I went running this morning, I stopped at Starbucks, and I left my phone there. They’re holding it for me.”

“Grace left her phone at Starbucks this morning. Will, I’m so sorry. I left my phone in the bathroom last night, and I just woke up a little bit ago.”

“It’s almost one in the afternoon, Lex.”

I closed my eyes and felt the tears building. “I had too much to drink last night.”

Silence.

I swallowed hard. “Will? Are you still there?”

“Yeah. I’m turning around and heading back to A&M.”

“Wait! Where are you? I can meet you!”

Silence again.

“Will? I’m really sorry. I didn’t even realize I had drunk so much, and…well, I just wanted to have fun.”

“Sounds like you did, Lex.”

I closed my eyes. “Where are you? I can meet you.”

“I’m tired, Lex. I have a test on Monday, so I’m just going to head back to A&M. I’m glad you’re okay. I was really freaking out.”

My heart was literally hurting. I opened my eyes and felt a tear rolling down my face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. Will you please tell me where you’re at?”

“I’m in Austin.”

I jumped up. “Will, why would you leave? You’ve already come all this way. Please…I need to see you.”

“I’m sitting outside your dorm, Lex. I was just talking to your friend Blake.”

My whole world stopped. Oh God. What did I do last night? I looked at Grace. “How in the world did you meet Blake?”

Grace’s eyes widened in surprise.

“He asked who I was looking for. After I mentioned your name, he said you were in his study group.”

My heart began pounding. Blake had lied to him. I had never gone to the study group before.

“I’m on my way. Let me throw on some clothes. Please, Will, please don’t leave.”

“I won’t,” he whispered.

“Be right there! Bye.”