Page 77 of The Long Way Found

Luke turned. A guy about his age, dark hair, a nice smile, holding a beer. "I haven't seen you here before."

"I'm from Calder Ridge."

"That's a drive." The guy leaned closer so Luke could hear him over the music. "Special occasion?"

"Just needed to get out of town for a night."

The guy nodded like he understood. "I'm Ben."

"Luke."

They talked for a few minutes—easy, surface stuff. Ben was a ski instructor, originally from California, who loved Colorado but missed the ocean. He was funny, good-looking, and clearly interested.

"You want to dance?" Ben asked.

Luke hesitated, then nodded. "Sure."

They slipped into the crowd. Ben was a good dancer, confident and sexy, with an easy rhythm. For a few songs, Luke let himself enjoy the escape.

But when they stepped off the dance floor, Ben asked, "Can I get your number?" Luke felt it, the answer forming before he could even think about it.

"I'm sort of seeing someone."

Ben's eyebrows went up. "Sort of?"

Luke laughed, but it came out hollow. "Yeah. Sort of."

"Sounds complicated."

"It is."

Ben nodded, stepping back gracefully. "Well, if it becomes less complicated, I usually come here on Saturday nights."

"Thanks."

Ben disappeared back into the crowd, and Luke stood there feeling like an idiot.

Because he'd turned down a perfectly nice guy who was genuinely interested in him. For what? For Jack, who'd missed his birthday party? For a man who'd responded to "I love you" with "thank you"?

Tyler appeared at his elbow. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I…" Luke shook his head. "I think I'm gonna head out."

"You sure? It's early."

"Yeah. Long day."

Tyler hugged him. "Text when you get home safe."

The drive back to Calder Ridge was quiet. Just Luke, the dark highway, and the radio playing songs he didn't really hear.

He'd gone out. He'd had fun. Someone had been interested in him.

And none of it had made him feel any better.

Because the problem wasn't that he needed a distraction. The problem was that he was in love with Jack Garrison, and Jack Garrison had chosen Something Else instead.

Again.