Chapter 27
LUCA
I’m a patient man. A calm, relatively steady one, who doesn’t get anxious or overthink things often. Which is why the fucking obsessive level of overthinking I’m doing about me and Isla is driving me insane.
I’ve barely slept these last few nights, going around and around in my brain, wondering if the reason she won’t tell Charlie about us is because she’s not sure about us herself.
I mean, part of me can understand that. It’s not like we’ve had any time to progress our relationship, what with how busy we both are at work, plus the whole sneaking around thing.
Telling her son would help with that, but only so much.
The problem is, even with how hard it is to get Isla alone, every chance I do, I find myself falling for her even more.
She’s making me see the possibility of a future where I’m not alone.
Where I can open myself up to a partner, a family, love.
She’s making me question why I ever thought I couldn’t have that.
Or was it just that I resigned myself to it, with no real reason behind it except not finding the right person.
Because the right person was a single mom a decade or so younger than me.
“Luca? Can I ask a huge favour?”
My head snaps up at the frazzled voice of the woman weaving her way into my heart.
“Of course. What can I do?” I take in the dark circles under her eyes, the pen sticking out of her messy bun, and the nervous way she’s twisting her fingers together.
“Okay, so this is borderline inappropriate for me to ask, but Juniper is busy, my mom can’t get here in time and you’re the only other person he knows.”
I get up and move to stand in front of her, mindful of the open door to the rest of the offices and where I place my hands. The sides of her shoulders feel innocuous enough.
“What do you need, Isla?” I ask calmly, staring into her eyes. I feel her sag under my touch and ache to pull her into my arms for a real hug.
“Charlie just got home from school, and now he wants to go skating with some friends downtown. I guess there’s an outdoor rink or something? But he needs a ride and I’m nowhere near done with the plans for the open house and the printer needs final files for the autograph posters before 4 pm and—”
I interrupt before she can go any further. “I got it, wonder woman. I’ll drive him. No problem. Where is he?”
Gratitude is etched across her face as she breathes an audible sigh of relief. “Thank you. You’re saving my butt. He’s at home. But I’ll tell him to get ready as soon as you leave.”
“Great. I’ll head over there now and pick him up. Need me to pick him up again later? Or are you going to be able to head home at a reasonable time?” I let my hands fall from her shoulders when Gabe walks past, and stuff them in my pockets instead.
“I’ll make sure I leave in time to pick him up.” Stepping forward, Isla lifts a hand and rests it on my chest, looking up at me with warmth, gratitude, and wistful desire. “Seriously, Luca, thank you for doing this.”
I decide to chance it. Checking over her shoulder that no one is in view, I bend down and peck a fast kiss to her lips.
“Anytime. I’m glad you asked me.” Then I step back before I give in to the temptation to take it a hell of a lot further.
“Go and text Charlie, tell him I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. ”
I may have put on a brave face with Isla, making it seem like hanging out with Charlie on my own was no big deal, but that was a lie. I’m nervous as hell as I pull up to their place. He’s waiting outside, his coat folded over his arm.
“How’s it going?” I say by way of greeting once he’s slid into my car.
“Fine. Thanks for the ride.”
I might not have much experience with preteens, but I was one myself. So I know the short answers and standoffish tone are normal when they’re with someone they don’t know very well.
“Not a problem,” I reply calmly as I pull out onto the road. “So, ice skating, huh? I used to skate at that rink.”
That earns me the reaction I’d hoped for, a shocked look on his face when his head whips around to look at me. “You went skating? But your leg.”
I shrug, keeping my eyes forward. “Why should that stop me? Your missing arm hasn’t stopped you from joining Little League, has it?”
“No.”
I let him sit with that for a second. Isla mentioned to me once that Charlie doesn’t have an arm prosthesis yet because he hated the feeling and look of one. He’d rather have no arm than a plastic robot arm were his words, if I remember correctly.
Can’t say I blame the kid. When I was younger, prosthetic legs were hideous things that looked like overgrown doll legs.
They’ve come a long way in appearance and technology, just as I’ve come to realize I don’t give a fuck what it looks like, as long as my prosthesis lets me do what I want to do.
But that anxiety about physical appearance is hard to let go of. Especially when you’re young.
“Trust me, skating with my leg wasn’t easy. I fell a lot. I only went a few times before I got tired of being covered in bruises from hitting the ice.”
Charlie snorts, then looks away quickly. He’s still staring out the window when he speaks again. “I asked my mom if we could talk to a prosthetist about getting an arm. There’s a guy here in town, apparently.”
“Yeah, Doc is awesome. He’s been my prosthetist for years.” Once again, my casual demeanor pays off and Charlie turns to stare at me again. “Tom Shivari? He’s not a doctor, though.”
I laugh this time. “True. I’ve always called him Doc. It’s kind of a joke between us. He’s cool, though, and knows his stuff.”
“Do you still see him?”
“Yup. Any time I need something adjusted. Which isn’t that often anymore. Did your mom tell you what I did before I bought the baseball team?”
“No.”
My lips turn up. I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s hero, but damn it, I’m allowed to be proud of what I’ve done. And if it can help a kid like Charlie, then I’m going to share it.
“I designed a microchip that analyzes gait patterns in amputees in real time. It can help them adjust things quickly so less appointments and prosthetic adjustments are needed.”
“That’s so freaking cool.” The awe in his voice makes my smile grow.
“Thanks. Doc, I mean Tom, was the guy who helped me test it out on myself. Like I said, he knows his stuff.”
“Would you…would you come to my appointment with him?”
I try to hide the flare of surprise at his question. Before I can respond, he continues.
“It’s just, my mom is super nervous about it.
I think because I was such a pain about prosthetics when I was younger, so she’s worried this is gonna be bad.
It would be cool to have someone who gets it to come with us so, like, you can ask the questions we might not think of.
But I get it if you’re busy.” He looks down at his lap, having mumbled the last part.
“If you want me there, and your mom’s okay with it, I’ll be there.”
“Cool.”
I’m honoured Charlie trusts me enough to ask that of me. But also scared as anything. What if I let him down? What if I’m not the guy he needs? Sure, it’s just an appointment, but it means a hell of a lot more.
“So, you and my mom. What’s that about?”
I am in no way prepared for that question, but I manage to hide my shock fairly well, I think. “What makes you ask that?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him shrug.
“I dunno, exactly. But ever since we moved here, she’s been happy.
More happy than I’ve seen her. And you guys are, like, always together.
And I know you text each other. She thinks I don’t know it’s you, but I’m not stupid.
And she left her phone unlocked one time and I saw your name.
She smiles when she texts, and I think it’s you. ”
I blow out a slow breath. Fuck, I wish I knew what Isla would want me to say. Or what—if anything—she’s told Charlie. But from the way he’s phrasing things, I’m going to assume she still hasn’t talked to him.
“Your mom is a wonderful woman. She’s doing great work at the Thunder.”
Charlie scoffs. “Dude. I’m not talking about her work.”
I pull up to a stoplight and sense him turn to look at me. When I glance over, the fiercely protective look on his face makes me want to smile, but I don’t.
“Are you dating my mom?”
How do I respond without crossing the line? Isla should be the one to talk to him, but I don’t want to lie, either. Damn it, this is hard. I think quickly and then hope like hell he accepts my response.
“I want to. I like her a lot. I like you, too,” I add, starting to drive again, now that the light is green.
We’re almost to the ice rink now. “More than that, I respect your mom. Which is why she should be the one to talk to you about what’s between us.
I’ll say this. I like her, I respect her, and I swear, I’ll do whatever I can to make her happy. ”
“Keep making her happy.”
I look over quickly again to see the smallest smile on his face.
“I think you’re already making her happy, so if you keep doing that, then we’re cool.”
I pull up in front of Cedar Creek’s outdoor ice rink and put the car in park before turning to face Charlie.
“Good to know. Thanks, Charlie.” I offer up a smile of my own.
“Thanks for the ride, Luca. See ya.”
I watch him climb out of my car and walk up to a couple of boys standing near the benches close to the skate rental shack. Then I draw in a full breath and try to wrap my head around what just transpired.
One thing is for certain. Charlie is way more perceptive than Isla seems to realize. And she’s been avoiding the conversation about our relationship for no reason, seeing as he’s already figured most of it out.
I pick up my phone and open up my text messages.
LUCA: I know you’re busy wonder woman, but just a heads up. Your kid is smarter than we’ve given him credit for, and he’s figured out we’re dating.
ISLA: WHAT?! Omg. Tell me you’re joking.
LUCA: Sorry, I’m not. He just gave me the talk. Keep my mom happy or else.
ISLA: Oh lord. I’m sorry.
LUCA: For what? Having a son that loves you and has your back? Don’t apologize. He’s a great kid.
ISLA: I’m still not sure about telling everyone else though.
LUCA: I know. I’m not pressuring you. When you’re ready, we’ll go public.
LUCA: But at least you don’t have to worry about how he’ll take it.
ISLA: That’s true. But I do still have to have a talk with him about us. Make sure he’s really okay, and see if he has any questions or worries.
LUCA: Good luck baby. I think it’ll go fine.