"Thank you, sir."
I smiled as I watched my father and the love of my life share a moment together.
Daddy glanced at me and winked. "I'll let y'all visit for a while. You taking Alex out tonight, Will?"
"Yes, sir. We are all going to dinner and then back to my place to watch a movie."
"Sounds low-key. I like it." Daddy turned and walked out of my room.
I slowly stood up and walked over to my suitcase. I was finished packing, but I couldn't bring myself to close and zip it up. I laid Emma on top and turned to face Will.
"You're bringing Emma?"
I felt my cheeks heat as I slowly nodded. "Yeah. If I thought I could bring Banjo, he would be ready to go in the trailer."
Will walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. He leaned down and kissed my lips tenderly. "You ready for dinner? I'm sure everyone is probably almost there by now."
I nodded my head and reached for his hand.
The entire way to the restaurant, neither of us spoke. It was as if we were simply enjoying the presence of each other.
Will pulled up and put his truck in park. He took a deep breath, sighed, and got out before walking to my side. I began to wonder why he'd sighed.
What is he thinking about?
He'd seemed so distracted over the last week, like something had been weighing on his mind, and he couldn't share it.
He reached for my hand and smiled the smile that melted my panties every single time.
When we walked into the restaurant, I saw everyone sitting at a giant round table. Colt and Luke were lost in conversation. Maegan and Lauren were laughing while looking at something on Lauren's phone. Grace, who seemed like a new person, was talking to Libby and Taylor.
Our little group …
We were only friends because our parents were all best friends, and somehow, we'd managed to become a tight group. My mother had said that we might even be tighter than their group. I had laughed because all our parents were tight, very tight. They never fought with each other-at least, not that I knew of. They loved each other unconditionally, and I'd seen my mother leave in the dead of night just to be with one of them.
Yeah, our little group is just the same. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for any of them, and I knew they felt the same way.
Will started walking toward the table, and Luke looked up and smiled. He and Colt both stood up. I loved how my brother, Luke, and Will always stood up when a girl either walked up to a table or got up to leave. They had for sure been raised the right way.
///
"Alex, you look beautiful," Luke said with a smile.
I grinned. "Liar."
He chuckled and kissed me on the cheek. Then, he whispered, "It will be okay, darlin', I promise."
I looked at him as tears filled my eyes. "I know."
Will pulled out my chair, and I sat down. Colt, Luke, and Will followed and took their seats.
Grace got me caught up on the Mike scandal. Apparently, he'd talked his father into letting him take a year off to travel around Europe. After Grace had broken up with him, he'd claimed to be having a breakdown, and he needed to find himself.
"What a class-act jerk." I took a bite of pasta.
Grace nodded. "Tell me about it. I'm so glad to be rid of him. I feel free."
"Maybe you'll meet someone at UT," Lauren said.
Grace laughed. "No, I'm not interested, and I won't be looking either. I'm focusing on school, and that's it. No men."
Luke glanced at Grace and smiled. "Good, but if I have to drive to Austin every damn weekend to check up on you, I will, baby sister."
She rolled her eyes and gave Luke the finger.
He gasped. "Why, sister, that hurts me so that you don't love me."
Grace moaned.
"I just care about you. I want to protect you from all harm and evil."
"That's why you put the scorpion in my bathroom sink last night?"
"Yes. I want to make sure you stay on guard. Be prepared for anything and everything."
"Fuck off, Luke."
Everyone started laughing, and my heart grew heavier. I glanced around to each of my friends. Grace and I would be at UT. Libby, Luke, and Will would be at A&M. Maegan was heading off to Baylor all by herself. My heart hurt for her, but she seemed happy.
Then, there were those who were staying behind in Mason. Lauren, sweet Lauren, had feelings for Colt, but she refused to admit it. Taylor, innocent Taylor, was a wild child deep down inside, just waiting to burst out. Colt, my baby brother … I'd hardly spent any time with him this summer. Between him working on the ranch with Daddy, football camp and practice, and that stupid girlfriend of his, he was never home. I was always with Will though.
Colt looked at me and smiled. He mouthed, I love you, Alex.
I felt a tear slip from my eye and make its way down my cheek. Colt quickly looked away.
Luke was my crazy cousin, who-
Oh my God. What is he wearing?
My mouth dropped open as I read his T-shirt.
Fur trade is not cool. Shave your beaver.
I looked at Luke as he was talking to Will about some program at A&M.
"Luke, are you really wearing that T-shirt?" I asked.
Luke stopped talking as he looked down at his shirt and then back up at me. "No, Alex. I'm actually sitting here naked, but I've put a force field around me to make y'all think I'm dressed."
He looked over at Libby, who quickly blushed and looked away. Luke seemed surprised by Libby's reaction.
"You're such an ass. I can't believe Aunt Ari would let you wear that," I said.
Luke let out a gruff laugh. "Please. My mommy doesn't tell me what I can and can't wear." Leaning his chair back, he folded his arms behind him and rested his head against his hands.
Colt looked to the right and started laughing.
"Luke Drew Johnson … "
Luke looked over to Aunt Ari, who was standing there with Uncle Jeff. He was attempting to hold in his laughter, but he was doing a terrible job of it.
Luke lost his balance and fell backward.
Libby jumped up and ran over to him. "Are you okay?"
Luke looked at her and frowned. "Yes."
Libby went to help him up, but he pulled away from her.
"I'm fine, Lib," he said as he jumped up on his own.
Her face fell as she got up and sat back down. My heart broke for her. She hadn't been acting right ever since our last field party, and it was driving both Will and me crazy that she wouldn't tell us what had happened.
"Good Lord, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I swear. Jeff, take off your T-shirt and give it to Luke."
"What?" Luke and Uncle Jeff said at the same time.
Aunt Ari gave Luke a look, and he quickly went to the men's bathroom with Uncle Jeff following him.
When he came back out, Colt busted out laughing as he shook his head.
Luke smacked Colt on the back of the head. "Shut up, you little bastard, or I'll kick your ass."
Aunt Ari walked up and smacked Luke on the back of the head. "Knock it off." She turned and smiled. "Y'all have fun tonight, but don't stay out too late."
We all said good-bye to Aunt Ari and Uncle Jeff. After dinner, we decided to head on over to Will and Libby's.
///
Taylor rode with us, and she told Will and me all about the trip she was planning to take to Italy next summer. She had been taking Italian for three years, and she had rapidly picked it up.
I was going to miss her so much. I was going to miss everyone so much. I looked at Will as he smiled and asked Taylor another question about Italy.
I had to quickly look away. I can't do this. I can't leave him.
I began to think back to orientation week at UT.
Grace smiled at me as we both sat down and looked around. "I can't believe how freakin' huge this campus is. I really wish I was going to A&M."
My mouth dropped open as I stared at her. "Now, you want to go to A&M? Grace, if you had said that months ago, my dad would have probably let me go!"
Grace rolled her eyes. "Please, Alex, we both know our dads wanted us here at UT, but I already hate it."
I glanced around again, and I had to admit, I hated it already, too.
My eyes stopped on the dark-haired hot guy who had opened the door for Grace and me. When he'd said hello to us, Grace had said his voice sounded like a Greek god. He was helping with the tour, and he'd mentioned he was a sophomore at UT.
He smiled when he saw me staring at him. I smiled back and then quickly looked away.
What in the hell, Alex? You have a boyfriend whom you love more than anything. Why are you staring at this guy?
I peeked back over to the Greek god, and he was watching me. My father's voice popped into my head.
Alex, I want you to experience other things, other people.
The hot guy chuckled and winked. Then, he turned and headed over to talk to the other tour guide. I felt the heat move across my cheeks.
I love Will. I only want Will.
My stomach dropped as Will took my hand in his. I looked at him, and he smiled. Somehow, he always knew when I needed his touch.
He squeezed my hand. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Taylor made a noise as she said, "Oh God, gag me."