Last Chance: A Second Chances Novel (6 page)

“Want to go to the grocery store with me? I’m in the mood for some Ben & Jerry’s.”

“Sure. I could use a pint, or twelve.”

She circled around the couch. “He still hasn’t called?”

“Nope, and it’s looking like he’s not going to. Go ahead and say it, I’m stupid. That’s what you’re thinking, right?” I held back the tears, but I felt so cheap, and I’d done it to myself; I’d known better.

Summer kneeled down in front of me, her gaze sad. “You’re not stupid, Lara. You put faith in a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

“No shit. I know not to do that again.” Getting up, I grabbed my purse and waited by the door.

Summer slowly approached and put her arms around me. “I know you’re hurting, but the pain will pass.”

I nodded. “I know. I just wish it was now.”

Together, we walked out the door to the garage and hopped in her car. Ice cream could make anything better. When we got to the store, I picked out five different pints and so did Summer.

“I think we’re good for a while,” she laughed. We were walking out to the car when all of a sudden, she froze.

“Whoa, you okay?”

Summer jerked around and stood in my way. “Yeah, I’m fine. I lost my balance there for a second.” She stayed in front of me, like she was shielding my view.

“Okay,” I said, stretching out the word. “Why are you being weird? Let’s go.” Again, she tried to block my path and that was when I realized what she was doing. “I’m sorry, Lara. I didn’t want you to see.”

My breath caught and I could feel the burn behind my eyes, lighting them up like fire. Across the parking lot was a restaurant, and standing right out front was Luke, flirting with another woman, with his hand on her waist as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “That son of a bitch.”

His gaze caught mine and he froze, my name escaping his lips before he looked at the girl and then to me. I wanted to tell myself that it didn’t matter, that our night together was just a night that didn’t mean anything. However, my heart thought otherwise; it felt betrayed. Luke said something to the girl and then stepped out into the road, heading toward me. I stumbled back and held up my hand, my body trembling in rage.

“Lara, wait!” he shouted.

“Summer, let’s go.” Without another glance, I rushed into the car and we sped out of the parking lot. I was done with Luke Collins. I was stupid to think someone like him could change.

Summer reached for my hand and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”

Closing my eyes, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. No matter what happened, I was never going to let Luke Collins back into my life.
Ever.

One Week Later

Luke: Please call me back.

Luke: I need to talk to you.

There were text messages after text messages, missed calls, and random drop-by’s at my house. I didn’t want to see, talk, or get anywhere near Luke Collins. If it had been all his fault, I could have broken down and let my anger out. But it wasn’t. It was half my fault. I’d walked into it with my eyes wide open, and still refused to see the truth.

All of my emotions stayed bottled and if I didn’t let them out, I was going to explode. I was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

It was well passed closing time, and there was still one couple left in the restaurant. It wasn’t like I had anyone to go home to, but I couldn’t bring myself to go to their table and tell them we closed over an hour ago. How could I when they looked so happy talking to each other?

Sighing, I sat down at the bar and Grayson slid a shot of vodka my way. He was a great bartender, and always there to pick me up when I was down. “How did you know?” I asked.

He chuckled. “You’ve been tense all night. Plus, I know you. I can see it on your face, something’s wrong.”

Tossing the shot back, it burned the whole way down to my stomach. Or maybe, it was my chest hurting from a broken heart. I turned to him and he smiled, those soft green eyes of his regarding me with concern. His auburn hair was a little longer than usual, which he’d gelled into messy spikes on top of his head.

I wanted to tell him what I did, but was embarrassed for sleeping with a man I knew couldn’t love me back. Usually, I could tell Grayson anything, but I didn’t want him to think I was a woman who’d just sleep with anyone.

“Thanks, guys,” a voice called out behind us. Glancing over my shoulder, I waved at the couple who’d kept us working past hours.

“No problem. Have a safe night,” I replied.

Once they were out the door, I locked the entrance and breathed a sigh of relief. Grayson straightened up the glasses at the bar and then placed his hands on the counter, lips pursed. “Are you going to talk to me or do I need to beat it out of you?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just a little upset, but I’ll get over it. I’m a big girl.”

“Summer didn’t piss you off, did she?” he questioned.

I rolled my eyes. “No, now drop it. Let’s finish up in here so we can go home. I’m headed to the kitchen.”

Josh, one of our waiters, had already started sweeping, while Victoria mopped. At the end of the night, I usually liked to work in the kitchen so I could nibble on the food that didn’t get served. Whatever leftovers we had, we gave them to the workers so they’d have some for their families.

Grayson tried to stop me, but I kept going, ignoring him. If I stayed around him for much longer, I’d break down. When I got to the kitchen, one of our chefs was wiping down the counters. We had three of them, all amazing cooks, but Arthur was my favorite. He was in his mid-fifties, with a head full of white hair.

“What’s up, Artie?” I said.

He smiled and gave me a little wink. “Nothin’ much, darlin. Just ready to get home to my wife. Tomorrow is our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I squeezed his shoulders. “Congratulations. That’s amazing. Maybe one of these days that’ll be me.”

He patted my hand. “I’m sure it will. You’re a beautiful, young woman.”

If only a certain other person felt the same way. “Thanks, Artie. Why don’t you head out so you can get home? I’ll finish up here.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. I could tell he didn’t want to leave.

I pushed him toward the door. “I’m sure. Now go.”

He clocked out and grabbed his coat. “Thank you. I’ll see you in two days.” He waved and disappeared out the door. Once I had all the trash piled together, I grabbed two of the bags and dumped them outside in the trash bins. I only had one more bag left to throw away, but this time when I walked outside, I wasn’t alone.

“Really?” I snapped, tossing the last garbage into the dumpster. “What the hell do you want?”

Luke stalked toward me, his gaze heated. “You’ve ignored me all week. We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.” I marched to the door, but he grabbed my arm, hauling me around to face him.

“Yes, we do. Why are you so angry with me?”

I scoffed incredulously. “Seriously? You’re gonna ask that? I can recall, just over a week ago, finding you all over another girl, not two days after we’d slept together. Forgive me, if it didn’t settle well.”

“Nothing happened with her, Lara. Besides, I never promised you anything. This is the one thing I wanted to avoid. But I—”

Jerking my arm out of his grasp, I pushed him away. “Duly noted. I was just an idiot who thought you could change.”

“Would you let me finish?” he snapped, pulling me into his arms. “Damn, you’re stubborn. How can I make this right?”

“You can’t,” I growled low. “Whatever this is between us is done. Now I know you can’t be trusted. So do me a favor and leave me the hell alone. I gave you a chance and you screwed up. There will be no next time. It was a mistake I knew I shouldn’t have made, and I sure as hell don’t plan on making it again.”

“Lara, please. We can’t end things like this.”

My eyes burned, but I refused to shed a tear in front of him. “Maybe you should’ve thought about that sooner. Now let me go.” The back door slammed open.

“Lara, what’s going on?” Grayson demanded.

Luke’s grasp loosened and I jerked away. “Nothing. Luke was just leaving.”

He glared at Grayson and then to me. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Grayson pulled me behind him, his body tense and ready to fight. “Yes, you are.”

They equaled in size, but Grayson’s brother was an MMA fighter and they used to train together before he was killed. Luke was just as volatile, but the last thing I wanted to see was them fighting over me.

“Stop!” I screamed, unable to hide my tears. I was equal parts embarrassed and angry.

Luke flinched when he saw my face but I couldn’t hold back anymore. I rushed inside and slammed the door. It wasn’t long before Grayson barreled through and locked the door behind him. He pulled me into his warm arms, his hand against the back of my head as I laid it on his chest. I held him tight and sobbed, my tears soaking through his shirt.

“Dammit, Lara, why would you get involved with him?”

“Because I’m stupid,” I cried.

Releasing a heavy sigh, he kissed the top of my head. “No, you’re not. But you know how Collins is. You can never trust a guy like that.”

I buried my face in his chest. “I know. I thought he would change for me.” I felt ridiculous thinking it, but I had believed he would.

Grayson stepped back and wiped away my tears, yet more kept flowing. “You’re a beautiful woman, Lara. You need someone who’ll treat you like the most important being in the world.”

I snorted. “I’m not lucky enough to find one.”

“Yes, you are. All you have to do is look at what’s right in front of you.”

I stared up at him, never once realizing that he harbored feelings of any kind for me. Thinking back on our recent encounters, it seemed so obvious now. How could I have not seen it before?

Taking my hand, Grayson shut off the lights and we walked outside to the parking lot. “Let me take you home and you can cry on my shoulder, all night if need be. I’ll stay as long as you want.” He opened the door to his car and I slid in. “But if you want my advice, don’t let him see your pain. Pretend that nothing ever happened and let it go.”

“Easier said than done,” I whispered regretfully.

He bent down and squeezed my hand. “You’re Lara Jacobs, strong and as stubborn as a mule. You can do this. The next time he comes in to see you, put on a smile. I’ll be right there with you. Trust me, it’ll screw with his head. Karma can be a bitch.”

A laugh escaped my lips and it felt good. “Thanks, Grayson. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I had no clue if I could pull it off, but I was going to try. Luke wasn’t going to see me heartbroken anymore.