Beautiful Chances (The Beautiful Series) by Alicia Rae Page B

me, I knew Kyle was making his way toward the door. I was sure Kyle couldn’t see who it was yet, but I assumed he’d heard who was at the door.
    “What the hell, Lily?” Luke’s eyes bounced between Kyle and me, confirming his suspicions. “You fucking slept with him, didn’t you?”
    He barely got the words out before Kyle broke in.
    “Hey! Watch it, man.” Kyle’s tone was hard, and his body was tense. “Or I’m going to teach you some manners,” he threatened. His hand fell on my shoulder in a possessive yet supportive manner.
    I stood motionless. I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I did not like confrontation.
    “All this time, Lily…” Luke shook his head as sadness glimmered in his eyes. “I thought we had built a solid foundation, a friendship, and you threw it away so quickly…for someone you don’t even know! This dickhead just comes along, and you spread your—”
    And that was it.
    Not a split second later, Kyle lunged with his fist flying through the air, connecting with Luke’s jaw. I watched, frozen in horror, as it happened.
    Luke stumbled back as Kyle yelled, “What did you just say to her?”
    Before Luke had time to react, Kyle was already delivering a second blow. Luke tried to fight back, but Kyle was skilled and much quicker. Kyle’s forceful punch sent Luke to the ground, landing him flat on his back.
    “Enough! Kyle, stop!” I screamed.
    We all took a moment of silence while we caught our breaths. Luke stood up in front of me as I leaned against the doorway, facing him, and Kyle returned to my side. Luke looked ashamed, and I could see the hurt in his eyes.
    “I’m sorry, Lil. I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean any of that. I just thought…” He sighed heavily before continuing. “I just thought that when you were ready, we would date. I’ve tried to give you the space you wanted for these past three years—”
    “Luke!” I yelped in shock.
    The look on his face at that very moment told me all I needed to know. Oh my god, it’s true.
    “I’m in love with you, Lil.” Luke smiled sadly. “I have always been in love with you. I was just waiting for you to be ready.” His eyes dropped to his hands. He looked as though he feared my answer.
    At Luke’s confession, Kyle’s body immediately tensed next to me. He looked ready to attack again. I gave him my best stand-downglare. His jaw clenched, but he said nothing. He seemed to respect that this was my battle. My conflict or not, words just didn’t want to leave my mouth.
    “I’m sorry, Lil. I should have said something sooner, but I thought Kyle would just pass through. You always turn everyone down, and I thought you still weren’t ready. I didn’t think it would come to this. I mean, you barely know this guy.” Luke gestured to Kyle.
    Kyle and I were standing side by side inside the entryway, giving Luke a bit of breathing space.
    “Tread lightly, Luke,” Kyle growled.
    I glanced at Kyle and then back at Luke again. Please, please…this is not happening.
    “Please say something, Lil. I don’t want to lose you,” Luke said with pleading eyes.
    “For now, I think…it’s best if you go.” I shook my head. I felt as sad as Luke looked. “You’re my best friend, Luke…and I don’t want to lose you either, but we don’t seem to want the same thing. How about we each take a breather and talk about this later…okay?”
    Luke looked defeated, and I didn’t know how to comfort him in a friendly way. Our friendship had always been so easy between us. Now, with Kyle in the picture, the thought of hugging Luke made me feel…uncomfortable.
    It was in that moment that I knew our friendship had forever changed.
    Instead of hugging him, I took a small step back. Luke sighed. His face was as stricken as I felt.
    “Will you please consider still going to dinner with my parents and me today? I’m not sure how I’ll survive them without you.” He blinked, and his voice went softer. “I meant