Luke called almost as soon as she hung up the phone. She didn’t want to say those words, didn’t have the right words to say to him. What was she supposed to tell him? Luke, hanging out with you is going to hurt my case in court? Of course not. It wasn’t Luke’s fault some idiot in his club got himself in trouble. Then again, she didn’t know everything about Luke. He might be involved. Even if she doubted he was, she couldn’t be sure.
She, on the other hand, had to act responsibly, to do what she needed to get her life back on course.
Never at any point did she hate Evan Waters as she did the minute she told Luke she couldn’t see him. White heat flared in her heart as she heard the disappointment in Luke’s voice. She didn’t want to hurt him and never meant to.
Grief rocked her, the same grief when her parents forbade her after the accident from seeing Luke ever again. Intellectually she knew her father was only trying to protect her when he threatened to pull her college trust fund away if she did. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and Emily never felt right about herself after she caved in to his demand. Still, she knew she’d never get a college education without it, not for the school she was accepted to. But she felt like a traitor, both to Luke and to herself.
And now she’d gone and done it again, brushed Luke off for the sake of expediency. Emily was ashamed. Doing the “right” thing was wrong, totally wrong, then and now.
She wouldn’t blame Luke if he hated her.
He deserved better than that, someone better than her.
CHAPTER TEN
Good Advice
Luke took a long drive early the next morning. He couldn’t sleep, after tossing and turning all night he needed to clear his head. He took the Sportster and flew south on I-91, through the exchange in New Haven to I-95 over the Q Bridge. The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge spanned I-95 over the mouth of the Quinnipiac River, so instead of calling it the Pearl, the locals called it the Q. He glanced at his watch and seeing it was close to rush hour, got off on the Branford Exit and struck out on Route 17 North. The two-lane road swung through the Connecticut countryside to ultimately land in Middletown. The hilly and twisty roads were just what Luke needed to put his head back together. It reminded him of what he loved so much about bike riding; the feel of the open road, the sense that alone he could conquer anything.
He couldn’t stay angry at Emily long. Shit, he never could. However, he was a man now, not a lost little kid. He didn’t need to be told again he didn’t fit into her proper Catholic, middle-class life. He’d made the mistake once, he wouldn’t let himself do it a second time.
It sucked they couldn’t be together, but life didn’t always work out the way you wanted. He was glad he got to spend one night with her. After high school, it made the good memories kind of complete.
These were the things he told himself over and over as the countryside and the tiny towns flashed by him. His thoughts were thin bandages against his wounded pride and the hole in his heart Emily had torn open again. He’d survived many things in this world, including the first time Emily dumped him. He didn’t need her or the heartache. He had his business and the Hades’ Spawn, and eventually maybe he’d find a woman to share it all with.
Rumbling through Durham, a town whose Main Street was lined with original 17th, 18th and 19th century homes, he debated the merits of breaking off Route 17 to travel Route 68 which would carry him back to I-91 or continuing up Route 17. Again, rush hour played a factor so he continued up the tree-lined Route 17, trying to enjoy the morning quiet. When he arrived in Middletown he made his way to Route 66 towards Westfield, and slowly back to the shop.
“Where’ve you been, Boss?” Gibs sat at Luke’s desk drinking a cup of coffee. “I made coffee.” He pointed at the brewed pot.
“Took a drive.” Luke went over and filled his broken Harley mug.
“Hmph.”
“What’s the problem?” It annoyed Luke that Gibs had to moan the minute he stepped in the shop. “You have a key.”
“The problem’s not with me.”
Raising an eyebrow, Luke stared at him. “Then why are you at my desk?”
Gibs stood up immediately. “Sorry, but I had to sit down after seeing that first thing in the morning.” Gibs pointed to a spot behind Luke.
Luke turned to see what he was pointing at. In the doorway stood Deirdre, wearing tight black skinny jeans, red spike heels, and a very tight v-neck tee. The shirt was so tight it pulled down to show a good amount of her cleavage.
“Hello, Deirdre.” Someone was wearing their fuck-me clothes today.
“Hi, Luke. Can I talk to you?”
“Gibs, shut the garage door behind you.”
“Sure thing, Boss.”
When they were alone, Luke turned to face Deirdre. She walked up to him slowly, giving him a sexy pout.
“I’ve been thinking,” she murmured.
“Uh-huh.” Luke swallowed. It was hard not to notice her nice, tight body. He tried keeping his gaze on her eyes.
“You don’t look happy to see me.” She leaned into him and pressed her lips against his, slipping her tongue into his mouth and pulling back slightly.