25. Lucky
Lucky
His knees were hot. Music throbbed from speakers someone set up, food was being grilled, and drinks were passed around at a dizzying rate. But, as the hours wore on, he was uncomfortably aware of how hot his knees were.
“You’re getting burned, Lucky.” Teague sighed, adjusting the umbrella again.
He’d gotten one from those who showed up to support the protest, but as the hours ticked by, even that shade wasn’t enough.
It was the kind of humidity that made him wonder if his scalp could mold.
The kind that left his skin tacky and damp in places he didn’t want to think about.
“A little longer… We’ll hear back in a little while. How is the fire?” He reapplied balm to his lips with his one free hand and grimaced at the sweat trickling down his neck.
“They’re managing. Three campers are still unaccounted for. A group of teen boys on vacation…” Teague shook his head. Camping in the Garnet Mountains was a controversial yet popular attraction. Teague wasn’t a fan.
“And the council meeting?” Lucky closed his eyes, shifting to try and alleviate the numbness in his butt.
Did he regret the things he did? Preventable things, stupid things, things he could easily undo with the key around his neck… No. He just tucked himself more firmly into the diminishing shade and hoped the council would find a braincell to share before his skin fried.
“Still happening… but the fire has likely delayed it.” Teague never sugarcoated the truth. “I know you want them to listen to reason sweetheart, but they might find a million excuses to delay.”
“Maybe.” Lucky shrugged, “But I won’t go down quietly, daddy.”
His father was endlessly patient because he didn’t point out that they didn’t go down quietly over Lyrica Beach either. He didn’t remind Lucky that losing and failing were not the same thing, but that the heart would break either way.
He didn’t say anything that would hurt. He just reapplied sunscreen to Lucky’s legs and refilled his water bottle.
Friends came later. Aurora and Serena had snacks for him, and Serena massaged his thighs while she kept him filled in on social media responses.
Aurora brought cooling patches to put on his forehead and the back of his neck as the temperature climbed through the afternoon.
Neither called him an idiot to his face.
Mateo of all people stopped by near four. He was dressed in a paramedic uniform rather than the usual SAR gear.
“You look fried.” The alpha smiled as he knelt beside Lucky, pressing a thermometer to his skin. “And you’re getting warmer than I like.”
“And you look exhausted.” Mateo had deep bruises beneath his eyes.
“Was supposed to be getting off shift but thought I’d stop by to check in here before seeing if they need more volunteers at the fire.” He sighed, “Tonio didn’t ask, but I figure he’ll appreciate an update that you’re okay.”
He smiled a little more, “Good, he shouldn’t ask… But I’m glad he has a supportive friend. Dad told me there were still some campers missing?” Lucky tried not to feel guilty.
The media presence on the beach had shifted several hours ago. Half went to the fire, half stayed. They were getting international attention online for his protest, but in turn he was splitting the attention of local reporters.
“The last three are still missing.” Mateo handed him a yogurt pack and filled a water bottle with powdered electrolytes.
“I’ve been keeping up with the radio. The fire isn’t naturally occurring.
Speaking from some experience, I’d reason the missing teens might be at the ignition point.
People who were hiking nearby said they heard fireworks. ”
Fireworks were banned for personal use on the island. Only licensed celebrations were allowed to use pyrotechnics. But that rarely stopped excited kids from figuring out ways around it. “…Do you think I should stop?”
It was a question he couldn’t ask his dad or Jack or any of his friends. Because they would try to assure him that his goal was noble. That’s not what he wanted to hear.
Mateo didn’t answer right away. He finished handing off the supplies he brought, eyes down as he clearly chewed on the inside of his cheek.
“I think it’s not up to me. I think you’re doing this for a reason that you believe in, and I think the island has enough people who love it to do both things – fight a fire and fight for turtles.
And maybe… Maybe it’s good sometimes, to be willing to do something even when you know it would be noble to set your own goal aside. ”
There was nothing pretty about Mateo’s words. When he looked up, holding Lucky’s eyes, there was nothing accusing in them, only a gentle confidence that eased Lucky’s fears. Mateo called him selfish like it was a compliment.
“Let Tonio worry about the fire. You worry about the turtles. And I’ll worry about both of you, for his sake.” Mateo grinned, squeezing Lucky’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Mateo.” Antonio had good people around him. Lucky truly appreciated that.
“De nada, amor.” Mateo pinched his cheek lightly, “Smile more. That’s all Antonio tells me about, that pretty smile of yours. Don’t let this kill it.”
“I won’t. I promise.” And for good measure, he gave the alpha a beaming smile that clearly eased the tension in Mateo’s shoulders.
Mateo left with a wink and Lucky allowed himself to sink into the moment. Good friends could change anything. The feeling of being alone in a crowd vanished entirely. A second wind, or maybe a third at that point, loosened his ribs until he could breathe easier for a little bit longer.
The tipping point came an hour later.
He only knew something was changing when a ripple went through the crowd. The music came to a jarring halt, leaving him to crane his neck down the beach. Voices raised over the crowd as excitement mounted. “They found all the kids!”
A collective sigh of relief spilled from the crowd before the party ramped up with renewed fervor. Someone was grilling as beers were passed out.
And then Jack came stumbling down the beach looking like he’d run a mile. “Lucky!” His cry drew eyes as he went to his knees in the dune beside his brother.
“Jack?” Lucky furrowed his brow. “Aren’t you supposed to be at town hall waiting for the meeting to end?” Jack arched a brow, gulping down oxygen as he waited for Lucky to inevitably catch up. “Oh… Oh!?”
Jack nodded excitedly, knocking Lucky’s hat back to kiss his forehead before scrambling onto the bucket. Lucky had to tip his head back to watch as Jack cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted over the music to gain everyone’s attention. “Hey! We’ve got news!”
Music softened as eyes turned to them. Jack was grateful when Serena handed him a megaphone. Lucky watched the crowd, taking in the press who pressed closer.
“Effective immediately! All plans to clear the land for sale will be halted pending finalization of land ownership.” Jack was holding up his phone, reading from it as if he’d written the speech on his way over.
Knowing his brother, he likely did. “Negotiations with foreign corporations will be held pending internal review and further discussions with various Island entities such as but not limited to the Paradise Marine Research and Rehabilitation Center.” There was a pause as Jack took a breath, “For now? …Victory!”
Lucky felt tears burn his eyes. His hands were shaking so badly, Teague had to handle the key. “You did it, Lucky. You got them to pause, to at least listen…”
They might still fail. But even that lingering uncertainty could drag the smile from his face as he threw his arms around Teague’s shoulders.
He was spun into the crowd, swallowed whole by friends and strangers all at once.
Joe lifted him onto his shoulders, bouncing him so hard his teeth clacked but he couldn’t stop smiling.
It wasn’t everything.
But it was enough.
For now.
Hours later, when the sky turned dark, Lucky curled in Antonio’s bed alone.
His skin was overly sensitive even after he rubbed copious amounts of suncream over his body.
Sleep refused to come, leaving him to stare at the faint glow of Antonio’s clock.
He was exhausted. Mentally and physically, body aching from too much time in the heat and humidity, but he just couldn’t rest.
When the clock tipped thirteen minutes past two am, he heard the door close heavily downstairs.
Lucky didn’t get up. He dragged his eyes from the clock to the door, waiting.
The room was dark, light from the hallway spilling in when the door finally opened.
It cut over the bed, over his hip. Antonio was nothing but a silhouette, a sharp cut of black that moved through the light, made it waver and bend around him.
He brought the scent of smoke with him, acrid and choking as he moved through the space.
There were no words exchanged. Just the whisper of fabric falling in a trail across the floor. He almost wondered if Antonio noticed he was there, but he didn’t have the energy to speak.
He heard the bathroom door close behind him followed by running water. The bedroom door half closed on its own, leaving just a sliver of yellow light slicing across the room now angled over his shoulder.
He stared at it until his eyes burned.
Time passed. How much, he wasn’t certain. Long enough for him to get lost in the blank canvass of his mind.
“Hey…” The bed dipped and a hand slid over his waist, pulling him into Antonio as the alpha slotted behind him. He still smelled like smoke, but also toothpaste and oranges.
“Hey.” He whispered back, eyes stinging as they finally slipped closed.
“We did it.” Antonio breathed the words against his skin, lips finding the back of his neck. He felt the alpha breathe him in, his own ragged breath escaping as every muscle finally unlocked. When had he grown so tense?
“For now.” A hiccup ripped through him. Everything bubbled up at once. The stress, the fear, the lingering possibility of failure… Was this enough? Was he enough?
“One step at a time, mi amor.” Soft reassurance, crafted with steady hands and warm kisses sought to sooth his racing heart. Antonio slipped a hand under his shirt, dragging it up to rest over his heart. His thumb brushed over his sternum, chasing the anxiety away.
“You saved those kids today.” Lucky found strength to change the topic. Today wasn’t just about him.
“We did; we found them. They’ll have burns… probably a long recovery. But they’re alive. That counts for something.” He felt Antonio’s smile on the back of his neck. “I’m proud of us.”
Us.
They were two people working together to make changes to the island they called home. “I’m proud of us too.” Lucky placed his hand over Antonio’s on his chest, lacing their fingers together.
Lucky didn’t have to face the challenge alone. His family, his friends, Antonio… Whatever awaited them tomorrow didn’t matter. Not when he was able to curl safely into this warmth.