Last Chance: A Second Chances Novel Read Online Free PDF

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