Page 9 of Don’t Leave (Stay #2)

CASSIDY

T he last thing I want to do is head back inside the party with all its noise, music, and press of bodies but I have to find Cole. I need to reassure myself that he’s still mine. Jackie might have returned but she’s part of his past.

I have no idea how long I stood outside, talking with Jackie.

I also don’t know how long it took to get the anxiety attempting to claw at me under control again.

When I’d walked away from Cole, I’d told him I was going to the bathroom and then never returned.

As I head inside, I pull my phone from the pocket of my blue scrubs.

My heartrate settles as I realize I’ve missed two calls and three texts from him.

I hit redial and press the phone to my ear. After four rings, it goes to voicemail. Given the noise level, that’s not a total surprise. I shoot him a quick message to let him know I’m looking for him and set my ringer on vibrate so I don’t miss another call or text.

It takes time to push my way into the crowded living room where we’d been dancing.

It feels as if the amount of people smashed inside the house has doubled.

My nerves ratchet up as I scan the darkened room.

Now that I’m alone, everyone with their costumes and painted faces has me feeling on edge.

I stand on my tiptoes, hoping to see over the mass of writhing bodies but I’m not tall enough.

My breath hitches and although I’m not claustrophobic, my chest tightens all over again.

I’d be overjoyed to spot Austin or Alex at this point. I need to find one familiar face in this crowd of strangers. Right now, there aren’t any. Every second that ticks by has me growing more agitated.

As I’m about turn away, I see a head of dark, artfully mussed hair and I know it’s Cole. Everything in me loosens as I shove my way toward him. He’s standing at the bottom of the staircase that leads to the second floor.

Even though I know it’s a long shot, I cup my hands around my mouth and shout his name. I’m disappointed but not surprised when he doesn’t turn around.

If Jackie thinks she can waltz in here and steal him, she’s wrong. I know how much Cole loves me and it won’t take her long to figure it out either. For the first time since stepping outside with Jackie, I feel as if the pit sitting at the bottom of my belly has dissolved.

Once I’m close enough, I open my mouth to yell his name for a second time.

Wait a minute…what’s he doing?

Why is he heading up the staircase?

That’s when I realize he isn’t alone.

Everything inside me stills as Jackie trails behind him before disappearing up to the second floor. Even after they vanish from sight, I can only stare as all the insecurities Jackie breathed life into a handful of minutes ago flood through me, threatening to suck me under.

And then I do the only thing I can.

I fight for breath.

“Cassidy?”

I flinch when a gentle hand settles on my shoulder before spinning around. Even though I’ve spent almost a year working on my issues in therapy, it still bothers me to be touched by a stranger or even startled by someone I know.

With my hands balled at my sides, I stare into familiar blue-green depths. His gaze narrows before sliding over me, lingering on my tightened hands.

“Are you okay?”

I shake of my head.

“Too many people?” A crush of costumed students surrounds us, pushing in from all sides.

There’s no room to breathe in here.

My fingers rise to claw at my throat.

“I need to get out of here,” I gasp.

Before I lose it.

With a nod, his fingers wrap around mine before towing me toward the front door. “Let’s get some fresh air. That’ll make you feel better.”

Luke doesn’t wait for an answer.

A couple of inches above six feet with broad shoulders, he’s a force to be reckoned with and easily clears a path for us. He’s a defenseman and used to pushing people around on the ice.

Unlike everyone else who has shown up tonight, Luke isn’t wearing a costume. With the flickering lights, loud music, and unrecognizable people, it’s a relief to see a familiar face.

As soon as he pulls me through the front door, I suck in a breath, filling my lungs to capacity.

The cold night air hits my cheeks, cooling me and calming my racing thoughts.

He walks us down the front porch steps onto a cement walkway that cuts through the front yard until we end up on the sidewalk.

Only then does he stop before turning me toward him.

His hands settle carefully on my shoulders.

I wait for the normal wave of anxiety to crash over me.

It never hits.

Even though I don’t know Luke well, what I do understand is that he’s safe.

He’s already proven that.

He jerks his head to the house. “What happened in there?”

His gaze intensifies, searching mine. Even in the darkness, they’re brimming with concern. It only makes me feel like a paranoid freak for thinking his motives were nefarious. My mind tumbles back to our conversation at the Union.

And the tentative friendship that has sprung up between us.

But…

He also implied that he wants more than just friendship. I’m not sure I should tell him about Cole disappearing upstairs with his ex-girlfriend. Even thinking about it makes me sick to my stomach.

I draw in another deep breath before gradually releasing it. “I was feeling a little claustrophobic. It’s not a big deal. I’m fine now.” I lift the corners of my lips into a slight smile. “Really.”

His eyes probe mine as if he knows I’m not being truthful with him. “They let way too many people in there. You can barely move.”

My muscles relax. Discussing the crowd feels safer than revealing the real reason I had to leave. “Yeah, it’s ridiculous.”

He clears his throat and shifts his stance. “Where’s Cole? I’m surprised he’d leave you alone.” His voice drops, becoming lower. “Especially in that crowd.”

I hesitate before giving him a partial truth. “I went to the bathroom and when I came back, I couldn’t find him.”

But I did find him.

I found him climbing the stairs with his ex in tow and that knowledge is eating away at my insides. Are they still upstairs together?

He pushes his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Did you try texting him?”

“Yeah.”

“And he didn’t respond?” Surprise riddles his voice.

It makes me feel as if I need to rush to Cole’s defense.

“He texted and called but I didn’t hear it. It’s so loud inside the house that you can barely hear yourself think.”

A thoughtful expression flickers across his face. “If you’re feeling up to it, we can head back inside and look for him.”

I suck the corner of my lower lip into my mouth before chewing it as questions swim around inside my head.

What if he’s still upstairs with Jackie?

What if they’re working things out?

Is she telling him how much she still loves him?

Or begging for his forgiveness?

Even though my mind shies away from the idea, I can’t help but wonder if they’re doing more than that.

No. I can’t go back in there right now.

I clear my throat and glance away. “I’m going to head back to the dorms. It’s a little too crazy in there for me.”

“All right, my truck is parked down the street. I’ll give you a ride back. You shouldn’t be walking around here alone at night.”

I know he’s right.

Maybe I should just go inside and find Cole. Even though I know my phone hasn’t vibrated, I slide it from my pocket before checking for new messages.

There aren’t any.

I stare at the slim device, willing it to ring. What I need most is to hear the sound of his voice. After a handful of seconds tick by, I realize that it won’t.

“Okay.”

Luke slips his arm around my shoulders as we walk down the sidewalk. A slight shiver works its way through my body at the contact. My proximity to Luke feels different than being close to Cole. I can’t help but silently catalogue the subtle contrasts.

With a frown, he glances down at me. “Cold?”

Since I can’t tell him the truth, I lie. “A little bit.”

The temperature has dropped since we left the dorms earlier tonight.

If I’m being honest with myself, that’s not the reason for the tremor that slides through me.

Luke tugs me closer as we continue walking so that the heat of his body can warm mine.

It only takes a few minutes before we reach his dark SUV.

He clicks the lock and opens the door for me.

I slip inside before settling onto the leather seat before he closes me inside the space.

He jogs around the hood before sliding next to me and starting the engine.

“Are you hungry?” His gaze flicks toward mine before returning to the ribbon of road beyond the windshield. “Do you want to grab something to eat before I drop you off?”

All I can think about is Cole disappearing up the stairs with his ex-girlfriend. “I don’t think so.” That twenty seconds plays on a continuous loop inside my head and I can’t make it stop.

“It seems like something is bothering you. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down and talk?” His voice dips, taking on a serious tone. “I’m a good listener.”

Surprised he can read me so easily, I glance at him.

His gaze pins me in place before he says, “We both saw Cole head upstairs with that girl.”

Air clogs my throat as tears prick my eyes. When he reaches over and lays his hand over mine, all the emotion I’m trying to keep locked deep inside comes pouring out in a torrent.