by Nicole Dykes
“Lucas?”
Fuck my life.
I turn and see Hannah in the doorway, with an amused look on her face. That’s a good sign. I pull crazy girl’s hands off of my jeans and turn to Hannah, “I swear to you, this is not what it looks like.”
Seriously, you go with the cliché bullshit?
The psycho chick on my bed asks, “Luke, who is this?”
“This is Hannah, a girl that is actually invited into my bed. Now, get out.”
She shrugs, “Well, this could be fun.”
I keep my eyes locked on Hannah, “She was in here when I got in here, I’ve never seen her before in my life, and she’s clearly imbalanced.”
Hannah continues to look amused rather than pissed off. She directs her attention to the girl on my bed, “You say imbalanced, but I’m going with pathetic. Lucas seems to want you to go also, so you should probably go.”
The girl puts her hand on her hip, “And you think you’re going to make me? You’re way too tiny.”
I almost laugh, Hannah may be tiny, but she is mighty. “Tiny” is a word that used to set her off when we were younger. But Hannah keeps her composure, “No, I’m not going to make you. But if you don’t leave, Lucas is going to call his RA, and since breaking and entering is against the law, I would say your college education just got shot to hell.”
The girl huffs and gets up and puts on her clothes, “I will have you someday, Luke Monroe.”
“Don’t fucking count on it,” I snarl at her.
She leaves and I turn to Hannah. “I’m so sorry about that.”
She sits in the desk chair in my room, “Relax, Lucas. I could see you were pretty much disgusted with her.”
I strip the blankets from my bed, who the hell knows where that skank has been. “You can say that again. I walked in from class, and there she was just laying there, naked.”
Hannah laughs, “How did she get in?”
“Fucking Hunter. He’s a country boy at heart and leaves the door unlocked.”
She giggles again, “So has this happened before, groupies gone wild?”
I throw my now bare pillow at her, “Shut up, it’s not funny. It’s fucking creepy.”
She blocks the pillow, and it lands on the floor. “Yeah, it kind of is. You might need to have a talk with Hunter.”
I sit on my bed and pull her to me, the wooden desk chair screeching on the hard dorm floor, “You really believe me don’t you?”
“Of course. I don’t have any reason not to, you’re always so honest.”
I smile and kiss the tip of her nose. No games. No drama. I could really get used to this.
Thursday afternoon I got a text from Dylan telling me to bring Cameron and Hunter as well as Hannah to Kite’s in Manhattan at seven o’clock on Friday. Kite’s is a huge bar and grill in Aggieville. I’ve been there a couple of times for lunch. They make a killer hamburger so I’m happy with the choice. I sent him one confirming.
This morning in Econ, I asked Hannah if she wanted to go, and she actually eagerly accepted. Cam and Hunter were on board as well. Now we are all loaded in my car headed to the restaurant. Cam and Hunter have both met Jax and Dylan and are looking forward to seeing them again. Neither one of them has a big brother of their own, so they kind of adopted mine.
Hannah, of course, knows Dylan, but it’s been five years since she has been around him; however, she’s never met Jax. I’m definitely nervous for her to be around them since I’m pretty sure they will easily figure out what kind of “friendship” we have, and neither one of them are ones to hold back. I pull up to the restaurant, and we all hop out.
I take a deep breath and grab Hannah’s hand.
Okay, here we go.
Chapter 18
Hannah
Luke and I follow Cameron and Hunter into Kites in Aggieville. Since it’s seven o’clock on a Friday, the place is packed. But there’s no way I can miss the two large men making their way through the crowd toward us.
I recognize Dylan, Luke’s older brother right away. They could almost pass as twins now; however, Luke may have slightly outgrown Dylan. The biggest difference between the two is Dylan’s tattoos, something he didn’t have the last time I saw him.
And I don’t even know what to say about the mountain of a man that’s at his side. Good Lord, the man is huge, and he’s just as gorgeous as the Monroe brothers. Now surrounded by five gorgeous men, I kind of feel like I hit the jackpot.
Dylan pulls Luke in for one of those one-arm “bro hugs,” “Good to see you, little brother.”
Lucas smiles, “You too man.”
He then “bro hugs” the man I’m assuming is Jax, Dylan’s best friend and business partner, “You guys been here long?”
Dylan and Jax shake Hunter and Cam’s hands when Dylan answers, “Like five minutes. They said it shouldn’t be more than ten minutes.” He nods to me and smiles, “Hi, Hannah. It’s been a damn long time. How have you been?”
“I’ve been okay, busy. Luke tells me you’re getting married. Congratulations.”
He nods, “Thank you. You need to meet Brooke. Get my knucklehead brother to bring you to Overland Park soon. I can’t believe how grown up you look now.”
I feel my cheeks heat. Dylan knew me in my awkward phase when I was bony and scrawny. Since he was ten years older than us, I don’t remember a time that he was awkward. “Thank you.”
Dylan’s friend holds his large hand out for mine, “You’re Hannah? Holy shit, Dylan described you as a tiny little kid.”
I’m a little over five foot, and although I’m nowhere as skinny as I used to be, I’ve always been small. Kids used to call me tiny on the playground in grade school, and it used to make me furious. “I guess it’s been at least five years since we’ve seen each other. I was pretty young then.”
Jax nods, grinning, “Well it’s nice to meet you. I’m Jackson, or as most people call me, Jax.”
I nod, “I’ve heard a little about you.”
He laughs, “And it’s probably all true. Especially if he told you how badass I am.”
I laugh, “He did. I think he may be a little in love with you.”
We all laugh, and Lucas shakes his head.
The hostess, who is probably a K-State student herself, walks over to seat us. Her eyes bounce around to all of the men in my company. Poor girl can’t decide which one to ogle. She hands out the menus and then lets us all know the waiter will be over soon to take our orders. I may as well have been invisible to her because she didn’t acknowledge me one time.
I just laugh and look at the menu. Luke sits next to me at the big table with Cam and Hunter across from us. Jax and Dylan sit at the ends with Jax sitting to my right. He finally asks, “So what is good here.”
Luke, Cameron, and Hunter all answer, “The burgers.”
Jax winks at me, “Guess I’ll have the burger.”
I smile, “Hmm, I think the chicken wrap looks pretty good.”
He nods approvingly, “Going rogue, huh? Nice.”
Lucas laughs, “That’s a change.”
I cock my head at him and smile, “Not really, just a reawakening.”
He grins happily at me. We aren’t talking about food, and it’s probably becoming painfully obvious. Hunter and Cam chuckle across from us, and I go back to looking at my menu. I don’t miss the look Jax shoots Dylan from across the table, though.
After we all order, Dylan leans back in his chair, “So how is football going, guys?”
Hunter and Cam break into how good it is to be in spring training and how awesome the next season is going to be. But I don’t miss how quiet Luke is.
Apparently neither does Dylan because he leans up and nudges Luke’s arm, “And how about for you?”
Luke shrugs, “It’s good to get back on the field.”
Jax looks over at him, “Guess you’re excited to be playing again?”
Luke nods and traces the condensation on his water glass, “Yep.”
There is another look exchanged between Jax and Dylan. It seems to be lost on Hunter and Cam who are in their own conversation with Cameron trying to get Hunter to admit how hot a girl in a pink tank top is who’s across the room. It’s the last week in March for goodness sake, not July. Okay, that was judgmental. I’ve been spending too much time with Rachel.
I snap back to the conversation with Dylan, Jax, and Luke. Jax says, “Oh yeah, Marcus Walden called me the other day to see if you could help him out.”
That brings Cameron into the conversation as well, “The Marcus Walden, the dirt bike racer?”
Jax grins, “Yep.”
Cam looks amazed, “How do you know him?”
Luke shrugs and looks at me, Cameron, and Hunter. “I don’t. He’s probably a friend of Adam Shriller.
Hunter pipes in, “And you know Adam Shriller?”
Luke nods, “He used to date Brooke.”
Dylan looks a little confused at Luke’s short answers. “Yeah, he’s a damn good friend of Shriller’s, and it appears Shriller has been bragging about ya.”
Luke shoots Dylan a look like he wants him to quit talking. Cam looks over at Luke, “Why would he want your help?”
Luke shakes his head, “I’m too busy to help anyone right now.”
Jax looks over at Luke, “Don’t you want to hear about Marcus?”
“Not right now, maybe later.”
I don’t miss Dylan’s increased confusion, “What the hell is wrong with you. He wants you to help him with a bike.”
I look over at Luke, “A bike?”
Jax nods, “A dirt bike, Luke has a real fucking talent.”
I can’t figure out Luke’s look right now. It’s like he is trying to hide this part of his life from me and Hunter and Cam.
Cameron is obviously impatient and wanting answers, “Dude, what the hell are they talking about? How did you help Adam Shriller?”
Luke lets out a frustrated sigh, “I customized his bikes the last two years for his national and international races.”
I glance at Lucas again, “That’s awesome. Why didn’t you tell me about that?”
Hunter’s praise is right on the heels of mine, “Man, that’s cool as hell. Why haven’t you told us about this before?”
“It’s not that big of a deal.” There’s more to this, but for some reason, he doesn’t want to share. He looks toward the back of the restaurant. “Hey, looks like a pool table has opened up. Anyone want to play?”
Cameron refuses to let it go, however, “Maybe later. So you customize bikes for professional motocross racers. Fuck man, I feel like I don’t even know you.”
Jax answers his question, “Yeah, and he does a damn good job.” He then pulls out his phone and shows us pictures of Luke’s work. I know next to nothing about motorcycles, but I can certainly appreciate the craftsmanship that was put in designing these bikes. I can’t help but feel pride in him.
Hunter looks up at Luke, “Why haven’t you told us about any of this?”
Luke runs his hand through his hair, “Because the path I chose is to play football, and you guys know how tight the reins are for us. It would be kind of hard to do bikes and keep up with training and practice. The bike business will be there after I graduate.”
Later, when we’re alone, I want to revisit this subject. But Luke seems really uncomfortable talking about all of this right now in front of everyone.
The waiter finally brings our food, and we waste no time digging in. All the guys go back to discussing football, and I only listen half-heartedly. The conversation stalls when Dylan gets a call. He answers with a big smile, “Hey, babe, what’s up?”
The rest of us resume eating and listen to the one-sided conversation. “Yeah, we picked it up for a damn good price. It almost felt like we stole it.”
He laughs. “Yeah, I’ll be home tonight….” Then he smiles happily and chuckles, “Don’t worry about falling asleep. You know I’ll find a damn good way to wake you up. Now get Gabby to bed. I love you.”
Luke rolls his eyes and finishes off his burger, “You guys are disgustingly happy.”
“You’re damn right we are, little bro.”
I smile, “I think it’s great. From what Luke has told me, she sounds wonderful.”
“Oh, she is.”
Jax answers as well, “Yeah, Brooke is the best, but she’s hard on the eyes.”
Dylan flips him off.
After we finish eating, Luke again tells us about an open pool table, and we make our way in that direction. Dylan and Luke pair up against Cameron and Hunter leaving Jax and me to visit.
We watch them rack the balls, then Jax turns his attention to me, “So how is that we never met?”
I look over at the large man sitting next to me, “Well, I moved away from Kansas five years ago, and according to Lucas you moved up here just a couple of years ago.”
He nods, “Yeah, but I came up with Dylan a couple of times for the holidays to eat dinner with the family.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to come over for the holidays. My dad is a pastor, and we always spend Thanksgiving and Christmas volunteering at the church shelters and dinners. I always wanted to join the Monroes for the holidays, though.”
Jax nods, “They were fucking legendary, and still are because Brooke is one hell of a cook.”
I smile, glad that the tradition has been carried on. Luke’s mother, Sylvia was known for her cooking skills, and she loved the holidays. I remember wanting to come over so bad, but my dad never felt like they handled the holidays properly. He wanted to make sure I got in enough prayer time and giving to other people. But that doesn’t mean I never got to eat some of her desserts. I smile, remembering that Lucas would always sneak over and bring me a slice of pie.
I look over at Jax, “That’s pretty awesome that holidays will be the same for them.”
We both turn back to the game. Luke at this moment seems happy playing pool with his brother and friends. I laugh at when Luke tries to get Cameron to check out a hot blond looking this way so he’ll miss his shot.
Jax takes a drink of his beer, “So you really care about him don’t you?”
He obviously knows about Luke and me. It’s not like I care if he knows or Dylan, for that matter. “I do. We’ve been friends for years, of course, I do.”
He grins knowingly, “I think you’re good for him.”
I just shake my head and smile, “He’s good for me too.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
If only he knew.
Chapter 19
Luke
I laugh as Dylan sinks the eight-ball. We slap hands, and then he smugly says, “Hell yeah, that’s how Monroes do it, boys!”
We give Hunter and Cam a little more shit before rejoining Hannah and Jax at the table. I was a little nervous to leave her alone with Jax, and that it might be awkward since they have never met. Jackson on a good day is sometimes hard to get used to. But I was relieved when I noticed them laughing and talking. Now, after two games of pool, they both look like old friends.
Instead of going back to sit down, Dylan turns to Jax, “You ready to get on the road?”
Jackson stands, “Yeah, gotta get you home to your lady.”
Dylan nods, “Hell yeah.”
We all walk out to the parking lot, and Jax gives Hannah a hug before shaking Hunter and Cam’s hands. Finally, he approaches me, “I like her, so try not to screw up. We’ll see you guys at the Purple and White game.”
Everyone says goodbye to Dylan and then goes to my car to wait for me. Dylan nods in that direction, “So, you and Hannah are sleeping together?”
“Yeah, for a few weeks now.”
“As in a relationship? Girlfriend and boyfriend? What?”
I have no idea what to call us anymore so I mumble, “No labels.”
He laughs sadly, “Be careful little brother. You just got her back in your life. And this friend-with-benefits shit never ends pretty.�
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I shake my head like he’s crazy, “You know me, man. We’re just having fun.”
He laughs hard at that, “Yeah right, you guys have known each other most of your lives. You mix sex with that, and you have yourself a relationship, probably a pretty fucking great one at that. But if you two can’t make it for the long haul, that friendship will only hang on by a thread.”
He’s not saying anything I haven’t already thought about, but I keep it in the back of my mind for a reason. It’s unrealistic. Hannah won’t ever go for a real relationship and who the hell knows if I can handle a serious relationship. Right now I just want to enjoy my time with Hannah and not worry about the future.
Fuck, what a night.
All the talk about customizing bikes is also something I don’t talk about around my friends. I want to tell them about it, but a part of me thinks if they know I’m suffocating under all the rules of my scholarship, they will lose respect for me. Everyone is here to play football and get their education. All I’m doing is living out the dreams of a dead man. Quitting all this bullshit and going back to customizing bikes crosses my mind a hundred times a day. I’m worried if they knew how I felt about college, they would try to encourage me to stay so it will finally grow on me, and I’ll love it here.
But I won’t.
I’ll finish out my scholarship because my old man would have been proud. Then I’ll turn around and crush that pride when I go into customizing bikes. A career I know for a fact my father would despise.
“I’ll see ya soon, man. Thanks for dinner.”
“No problem, we’ll be up for the game with the whole bunch. I think even Shriller might tag along.”
Great.
“See you.”
I watch until their taillights disappear.
I wish I were going home.
Hannah leans up and gives me a quick kiss. “Tonight was fun.”
After we had got back to my dorm, she and I shut ourselves in my room to watch a movie. Now it’s late, and I can tell by her voice, she is about to leave. “Yeah, it was. Why don’t you just stay over?”
