20. Lucy
lucy
. . .
I stayed behind as Luke’s family entered my mom’s home, giving him a nervous glance.
“Do you think they still like me?” I asked silently. I did disappear without a word at the point when they were practically my second family. My mom told me they kept asking about me all the time, but I didn’t have the strength to connect with anyone in this town back then.
“Luce, what are you talking about?” Luke said, arching his brow. “They’ve known you for years.”
“They’ve known me a decade ago. But since then…” I trailed off. “Also, I was your girlfriend back then. And now I’m not anymore.”
Luke placed his hand on my lower back. It was likely meant to be reassuring, but instead, it sent an electrifying spark through my entire body.
“You’re being ridiculous. You’re impossible not to like,” Luke said as he rubbed my back.
“What is it?” Luke asked me as I stepped on his front porch. I wore a floral dress—one that my mom loved the most. It seemed like a perfect fit for a night like this—when a girl would finally be introduced to her boyfriend’s parents.
“I’m just…nervous. Do you think they’ll like me?”
“Luce, they love you. They’ve known you your whole life.”
“Well…yes,” I murmured. They did. But I supposed things changed when a girl started to date someone’s son. Levi and Linda wanted the best for their boys, just like my mom wanted the best for me. I only hoped they’d see I wanted to be nothing less than that. “But this is different.”
“No,” he breathed, leaning forward to give me a peck on my lips. “It’s not different at all.” The door opened before we could knock, and we quickly pulled back from each other. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as his mother stood there with a warm smile. She didn’t mind catching us amidst affection the slightest bit. She pulled me into a hug right away.
“Lucy, come on in! We’re so excited to have you for dinner. I made homemade lasanga. I hope you’re up for it!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Everett. And of course. I’ve heard nothing but praise for your lasanga.”
“Please, call me Linda. You already know everyone, so I don’t need to make
introductions. Make yourself at home while I finish up dinner.” His mom looked at Luke.
“You’re in charge of making sure she’s comfortable,” she told him before she bustled off to the kitchen.
“See, I told you they would like you,” Luke whispered in my ear. As we got in, his father was the second one to greet me.
“You’ve heard my wife. I want to go by my first name and nothing else,” he said as he gave me a light pat on the shoulder. I couldn’t stop smiling. I already felt so comfortable when his two brothers came in, too. There was definitely no need for introduction there; I practically grew up with them as much as I grew up with Luke.
Sitting at the dinner table, I couldn’t help but feel a little envious. I had known his family for years, as is common in small towns, but being welcomed into their home and
experiencing their love firsthand was different. Coming from a small, quiet
household with just me and my mom, this boisterous and loving family was a stark
contrast to what I was used to. I found myself falling in love with them all the same.
“Earth to Lucy Goosey?” Logan said, waving a hand in front of my face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch that; what did you say?” I asked, breaking out of my daydream. Luke’s and my exchange at the front porch had somehow dragged me in yet another memory.
“We moved a few things from Eve’s bedroom downstairs, but we’re unsure what else
to bring down. Can you show us what you would like?”
“Sure, follow me.” I nodded, making a small gesture with my hand.
For the better portion of the afternoon, we rearranged the guest bedroom to make it easy for her mom to get around. We also brought in most of her things from upstairs and the little knick-knacks I knew my mom would want around. My mom always liked things in a particular way, and I wanted to make this transition as easy for her as possible.
“Sweetheart,” Linda said as she pulled me aside while the guys readjusted the bed’s location in the bedroom. “I’ve pulled some simple frozen meals from my freezer and brought them over. I popped them in your freezer instead. I figured you’d want to help out your mom as much as possible, and the last thing I want you to be thinking about is cooking. I’ll bring in some fresh meals, too…these are just for the emergency occasions.”
I struggled to hold back tears, my eyes blinking rapidly as I embraced Linda. “I can't express how much this means to me,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. This was a rare occurrence in the city. One of the things I always yearned for in Seattle was this sense of community. When life took a turn for the worse, the people in town were always the first to lend a helping hand. And their support meant more than any words could describe.
“Sweetheart, there’s no need to cry. It’s the least we can do.”
“It’s…not that,” I admitted, sniffling as I pulled back. “It’s just…I’m sorry for disappearing. I never meant to hurt you and leave?—”
Linda shook her head. “There’s absolutely no need to apologize, sweetheart. You did what you thought was best, and no one can blame you.” She gave me a small smile. “Right now, we’re all just glad to have you back.” She looked at Luke, who was bickering with Logan about the most convenient position for the dresser. “Luke especially.”
The Everetts stayed for dinner after helping me with everything—which, for tonight, was pizza from the nearby restaurant. Ed shot me a text to let me know he was still with my mom and that she was feeling better, so any of the remains of the guilt dispersed, and I let myself fully enjoy their company until it was time for them to leave.
Luke was the last one at my home. I walked him out to his truck, pulling my hands around my slender frame as a light breeze swung around me.
“I can’t thank you and your family enough for everything,” I told him.
“You don’t need to thank me. That’s what we do for those we care about.” I smiled up at him. His eyes sparkled in the lights of the porch. “Do you think you’ll be okay with staying alone tonight? You can come to my place if you’d like. And I promise you, it’s definitely not a booty call.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I appreciate the offer and the clarification, but I think I’ll be fine.” And for once, I meant it. Things have been so hectic lately, but now that I knew my mom would be okay and that the ghost of my first relationship no longer haunted me, I could be on my own. We fell silent momentarily, and then Luke’s gaze dropped to my lips.
“I want to kiss you right now, Luce, but we need to talk before we muddy the waters anymore. I want to do this right.”
His words struck me, but I nodded anyway. The weirdest part was I wanted him to kiss me. But he was right; we needed to talk properly. Luke brushed back a piece of my hair that had escaped from my bun before leaning in and kissing my forehead.
“I’ll stop by tomorrow.” Luke hopped in his truck but didn’t leave until I had closed the door. For once, I thought things may be all right after all. There was only one more thing to handle for tonight.
ME: Hey, can I ask you for a favor?
SAILOR: Of course! What do you need?
ME: Could you pick up my things from Jason’s apartment? He’s packed all my stuff so Sarah could move in.
ME: I was planning on coming back in a little over a week and doing it myself, but that’s apparently inconvenient for him…and then things changed because my mom broke her leg, and I’ll be staying here a few more weeks
SAILOR: Are you fucking kidding me? Of course, I’ll pick up your stuff. It’ll give me a chance to give him a piece of my mind.
SAILOR: How is Eve doing? Please tell her that I miss her and wish her a speedy recovery!!
ME: she’ll be okay. she’s just worried about her business, so I want to stay and help
ME: P.S. She definitely has a boyfriend.
SAILOR: Eve was always a wild card ;)
ME: Please…don’t. Anyway, be good, and thank you. I’ll let you know what happens with Mom.
SAILOR: Okay, I love you girly-pop.