Free Daybreak by Keira Andrews Page A

“You in there?”
    “Sorry. Just thinking.” Lucas swallowed a gulp of coffee, wincing as it burned his mouth.
    “About?”
    Lucas didn’t reply. He didn’t think he could say it out loud. It would make it all the more real.
    “Hey, I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk, that’s cool. You just look upset.”
    “I did a terrible thing.” The words rushed out before Lucas could change his mind.
    “Okay.” Casey’s eyebrows arched on his round, warm face. “Want me to guess?”
    “I screwed up.” Lucas rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t sure he wanted to say it out loud.
    Casey waited patiently, stirring his coffee. Finally he said, “Look, you don’t have to tell me. But if you want to talk, I’ll listen.”
    “Thanks.” He took a sip of his coffee, wincing as the hot liquid burned the roof of his mouth. “I made a big mistake, Casey.” Lucas’s stomach churned once more at the thought of the dirty bathroom and the pirate on his knees. The shock and hurt on Nate’s face.
    “Lay it on me. I can take it.”
    “I cheated on Nate.” The words came out in a rush, and Lucas’s cheeks burned as he waited for Casey to condemn him.
    “Oh. Well, it happens to the best of us. I mean, we’re in college.”
    “That’s it? You’re not going to tell me what a horrible person I am?”
    Casey laughed. “No, you’re my friend. Look, it wasn’t your finest hour, but mistakes happen. Nate will forgive you. You’re not in love with this other guy, are you?”
    “No! I don’t even know his name.”
    “You vixen.” Lucas grimaced, and Casey relented. “Sorry, I shouldn’t joke. I know you’re upset. So how did it happen?”
    Lucas quietly relayed the story of how he met the mystery man at the club and ended up in the bathroom stall with him. He glanced around at the neighboring tables, making sure no one was listening.
    “Well, I never would have left a babe like you alone for a second in the lion’s den.”
    “It’s not Nate’s fault!” Lucas felt a rush of protectiveness. “I’m the one who cheated. I’m the one who screwed everything up.”
    “How long have you two been together?” Casey offered one of his cookies, but Lucas wanted to vomit at the thought.
    “Since last December.” Memories of Hanukkah flooded his mind: Nate’s old room with its twin beds, the darkroom closet, the shower… He snapped to attention in time to hear part of Casey’s next question.
    “…other people?”
    “Huh?”
    “I said, you don’t have an agreement to see other people? No tricks?”
    “No! Why would we? I don’t want anyone else, and neither does he.” Or does he ? The nagging voice in Lucas’s head asked the question all the time.
    “How many other guys have you been with? Besides Nate?”
    Lucas shrugged, embarrassed. “No one. I mean, except the guy the other night.” He wanted to add that it didn’t count, but he knew it did.
    “Seriously?”
    Studying the scuffed table, Lucas shrugged again. “I know, I’m lame.”
    “No, no.” Casey reached out and put his hand on Lucas’s forearm. He squeezed gently. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re just so cute. I’m surprised, that’s all.”
    “Oh.” He didn’t know what else to say.
    “I’m sure Nate will forgive you. It’s understandable you’d be curious about other guys, right?”
    “But that wasn’t even it. I mean, it was a bit, but…he wasn’t even my type. It was…I don’t know.” Lucas tried to put it into words. “It was the way it made me feel. The fact that this god of a man wanted me. It was a good feeling. Powerful, you know?”
    “So, Nate doesn’t make you feel wanted?”
    “No! I mean, yes! He does. I guess I just feel like it’s a fluke or something. Like one day he’ll wake up and realize that he could do so much better.”
    “Not possible.”
    “Come on. What’s so special about me?”
    “There’s plenty special about you. You’re smart. You’re cute. You’ve got a sweet ass.”
    Lucas