Chapter 2 #4
That was not Brad’s experience. Luca loved to spend his time glaring at Brad and making sarcastic little comments. It was sort of adorable. The Daddy part of Brad would love to show Luca what else he could do with his smart mouth.
“But when Luca is interested in someone, then he gives them his attention,” Cal stated firmly.
Brad felt like he was missing the point here.
Cal rolled his eyes before draining the rest of his coffee. Frowning, he set the mug back onto the table. “Luca is still interested in you. He might not like you. I’m not disputing that. But he is interested in you.”
“He…” Brad let the words trail off as he thought about what Cal was telling him. Really thought about the words. Luca did not like him. That wasn’t anything new. He still never kicked Brad out of the coffee shop or made Brad feel unwelcome. He was just a little feisty.
“Just think about it,” Cal offered.
“I will.” Brad was already obsessed with Luca.
This conversation just adding to the many things that Brad wondered about Luca.
As much as Brad told himself that he didn’t care what Luca said or did, that wasn’t true.
Brad thought about Luca a lot. Wanted to be around him even when Luca would glare or scoff at anything Brad said.
“Good.” Cal started to rise.
“If I might say something in response,” Brad said quickly. Cal had offered him advice and Brad was compelled to do the same.
Cal nodded. “Sure.”
Brad cleared his throat. This was awkward. “Uh, so, I just wanted to tell you, to mention, that is…”
Cal waved his hand. “Spit it out, kid.”
Fuck! “He watches you too.”
“Excuse me.” The scowl was back as Cal stiffened.
Oh yeah, Cal knew exactly who Brad was talking about. “He watches you too,” Brad repeated.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay.” Brad shrugged. It didn’t matter to him whether or not Cal believed him. He was just offering a little insight from the outside.
Cal blew out a rough breath. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
Now this was interesting. Cal acted like he didn’t want to talk about it. But maybe he did. Maybe Cal needed someone to talk to. “Doesn’t mean anything to you or him? Because from my point of view I would say that Scott feels different.”
“He’s young,” Cal replied. “Scott doesn’t know what he wants.”
“Scott is the same age as James. They’re twins, after all. Would you tell James that?” Brad knew the answer before he asked the question.
“Scott’s not James,” Cal responded sharply. “He’s sweet and kind and soft.”
“James isn’t?” Brad shouldn’t find this amusing yet he did. Maybe it was not having to worry about his own damn issues for a little while.
“He is,” Cal hedged. “Except—”
“Except what?” Brad pushed. He really wanted to know the answer.
“Scott needs to concentrate on school. On everything that he wants to make happen. Scott is going to make a difference in the world. I won’t be the one that stands in the way of that,” Cal declared.
“Why would you stand in the way?” Brad questioned.
“Because I’m an old man that’s past my prime,” Cal offered, laying his hands flat in front of him.
Brad let his gaze fall to the burns that he tried not to notice. Cal’s scars ran up the left side of his hand, arm, and across his shoulder onto his back. Whatever fire that had caused the wounds had been white-hot. Evil. Yes, fire could be evil.
“Scott should turn his attention to someone his own age,” Cal said.
“Or Scott is an adult who can make his own decisions. Scott is smart and driven. Way beyond the guys his age. It might be possible that he wants you because you are you. That he sees something in you that calls to him. That your experience in life is what Scott is looking for.”
Cal shook his head as he opened his mouth to respond. Brad could guess more arguments were on the way.
“It’s just something to think about.” Brad repeated Cal’s words to him. “You know, if you truly want what’s best for Scott.”
“Smartass,” Cal mumbled.
“Maybe.” Brad laughed. “Must be something in the water here.”
“Just don’t start calling me Gramps. I’m going to throw James over my knee the next time he pulls that shit,” Cal threatened.
“I don’t think his Daddy would like that much,” Brad joked.
“Daddies,” Cal repeated. “This is where I end the conversation. Try to get some rest. You’re going to need it.”
Brad waited until Cal had left the kitchen before gently closing the lid of the laptop. He had time to complete the paperwork. Cal was right. If this was the calm before the storm, then he should rest.
Cal had also given Brad some things to think about.
Luca was going to be in his life for the foreseeable future.
Brad’s plans kept him here until he found a permanent position somewhere.
Surf City was the place where he belonged at the moment.
His career path had brought him there. Everything that he’d fought to get back had led Brad to that moment.
It wasn’t going to be Luca or anyone else that knocked Brad off the course he’d settled on.
He’d apologize to Luca. Make a real connection with his friends. Start living the life that he was meant to lead.
This was Brad’s second chance.
And he wasn’t going to let anything stop him from reaching his goals again. Not ever again.