19. LYCA
Chapter 19
LYCA
“ M om, do you think there will be marshmallows?” Lucas asked with wide eyes, looking at me from the passenger’s seat.
We were driving toward his school where the bus was waiting to take them to the campsite for the Father and Son Camping Trip. I have been pondering this for a few days now. Lucas was supposed to go with Xander, and considering that Xander and I hadn't spoken in quite some time, it left me in a state of uncertainty.
“I'm sure there will be plenty of marshmallows, buddy,” I replied with a smile, glancing at him beside me. “And maybe even some campfire songs.”
Lucas's face lit up at the thought. “I can't wait! But I wish Uncle Xander could come.”
I felt a pang of sadness at his words. “I know, sweetheart. But Uncle Liam will be there, and he's just as fun. Right, Liam?” I motioned to our good friend Liam, my best friend’s fiancé. He was sitting in the back with Jessie.
“Absolutely!” Liam chimed in, giving Lucas a high five. “We're going to have a blast, buddy.”
Jessie leaned forward, her voice full of enthusiasm. “It's going to be so much fun, Lucas! And you'll get to try out your new camping gear.”
Lucas's eyes sparkled with excitement as he talked about the camping gear he'd picked out. I smiled, grateful for Jessie and Liam's support. Despite my own reservations, I couldn't deny that Lucas was going to have an incredible time on the camping trip.
“So… Xander’s a billionaire now?” Jessie suddenly brought up. “I saw him on the cover of a magazine, and the article said that Mr. Steele has not just declared him the heir, but has transferred some properties to him already, plus a very significant amount for his bank account.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I heard about it, but I did not want to find out more. People had been gossiping about it in the office.
“Wow! So he’s super rich now?” Lucas asked, understanding our conversation somehow.
“Yes,” Jessie answered.
“Hhmmm… Maybe I should look for my real dad,” Liam joked. “He could be a billionaire too.”
“Shut up, Liam,” Jessie said with a laugh, hitting him playfully on the shoulder. “I’m gonna tell your dad.”
They both laughed. As for me, I didn’t know how to feel about this.
Before long, we had parked at the school and were making our way toward the awaiting bus.I held my son’s hand tightly. “Remember to always listen carefully to your teachers and stay close to Uncle Liam, alright?”
“Yes, Mom.” He began enumerating all the fun things he was looking forward to, as I listened with amusement.
Then suddenly he paused and pointed in front of him. His voice changed, filled with surprise and delight. “Uncle Xander!”
Hearing that name made my heart race. Sure enough, there stood Xander standing by one of the buses, his smile bright and welcoming. He was wearing cargo pants and hiking boots and had a light jacket over his shirt. A backpack was slung over one shoulder, and I could see the poles of a tent sticking out.
He’s here. He’s actually here, and all set to go on the camping trip.
A shudder ran through me, a strange mix of warmth and coldness that I couldn't quite explain. Part of me wanted to turn and walk away, to shield myself from whatever emotions seeing him might stir up.
Before I could react, Lucas had already let go of my hand and was running toward Xander, his face beaming with happiness. My heart ached as I watched them embrace, Xander, lifting Lucas up in the air as they laughed together.
I wanted to be angry, to tell him he had no right to just show up. But my son was just so happy to see him.
“Seems like those two get along quite well,” Jessie whispered to me teasingly. Then in a louder voice, she said to her fiancé, “Well, it looks like you won’t be going camping anymore.”
My heart was beating so hard that I could hear it echoing in my ears. But I forced myself to approach Xander like a mature adult, even though my mind was now swirling with memories of our sexual encounters.
“Hi, Lyca,” Xander greeted me when I came nearer. “And Jessie.”
“This is Liam, by the way,” Jessie introduced her fiancé. She still looked quite starstruck with Xander.
“Hey,” I replied. “Didn’t know you were still gonna come, so we’d asked Liam to go with Lucas.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Xander said, looking a little confused. “I just assumed… I mean, we never really called it off.”
“Mom! Can Uncle Xander go with me please?” Lucas begged. Naturally, I couldn't bring myself to refuse and risk disappointing him.
“It’s up to you, sweetie.”
“Yeah, I’m fine with whatever you decide, buddy,” Liam added.
Lucas looked at Liam. “Well, I’d like you to go with me too.”
“But sweetheart, you can only have one companion on the trip,” I explained.
He looked from Liam to Xander and then took Xander’s hand. “Since Uncle Xander was the one who was really supposed to go with me, then I’ll choose him.”
“I promise to look after him with my life,” Xander told me in a sincere voice. I wanted to believe him, but I had my doubts. After all, I felt like he hadn’t been completely honest with me. I didn’t even know him that well.
“Okay, but send me updates. Or just call me if there’s any problem.”
Lucas jumped cheerfully in the air. “Yey!”
I figured the teachers were going to be there too, anyway. “Take care, baby,” I said to Lucas, giving him a big, fat kiss on the cheek. “I love you. Have fun!”
“I love you, Mommy! We’re going to take lots of pictures together so we can show them to you when we get back.”
“Alright, thanks.”
Xander nodded to us and then took Lucas’s hand. We watched them line up behind some other kids and their dads, and then pile on the bus.
As we waved goodbye, Jessie leaned in. “You know, I think he can be dad material, Lyca,” she teased me.
“Oh, shut up,” I said, which made her laugh.
Later on, we found ourselves hanging out at this new cozy spot in LA, just a short drive from Lucas’s school. Its warm, inviting ambiance was enhanced by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft chatter of patrons. Jessie, Liam, and I sat at a small table, enjoying a moment of respite from the day's activities.
“So, this charity ball I went to last night for this piece I’m working on…” Jessie began, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “Let me tell you, it was like stepping into a whole new world. The venue was absolutely stunning, all glitz and glamour, you know? But the people…” She shook her head, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “They were so caught up in their own image, I don't think they even remembered why they were there in the first place.”
I nodded sympathetically, sipping my coffee. “That must have been quite an experience.”
“It was, it was,” Jessie continued, leaning forward. “But you know what? Despite all the superficiality, I did manage to strike up a few genuine conversations. Turns out, there are still some good eggs in that fancy crowd.”
Liam chuckled, reaching for his drink. “Well, I'm glad to hear it wasn't a total bust. It's always nice to find some genuine connections in unexpected places.”
As Jessie delved into more details about her evening, my thoughts drifted to Lucas and Xander. I could picture them laughing together in the bus, or maybe exchanging jokes and stories.
“So, how's work been for you, Lyca?” Jessie's question snapped me back to the present.
“It's been okay, I guess,” I replied, stirring my coffee absentmindedly. “The new position comes with a lot more responsibilities, but I'm enjoying the challenge.”
Liam leaned forward, his eyes curious. “What exactly do you do? Jessie mentioned you're in sports psychology?”
“Yes, that's right,” I confirmed, glad for the change of topic. “I head the sports psychology department at Steele Motorsport International. It's demanding but rewarding work.”
Jessie nodded, sipping her latte. “And the pay is worth it, right? With plenty of benefits?”
I chuckled, nodding. “Oh, they’ve got to pay me right? Athletes can be quite a handful!”
Liam nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ve actually been encountering a lot of mental health concerns among the athlete members of our fitness center.”
“Oh, right!” I said. “I forgot you’ve put up your own fitness center a few months ago. How’s that going?”
“Great, great. We’re building a loyal clientele, adding some new features recently… Attracting new markets…”
“You’re being too humble, honey,” Jessie interjected. Then turning to me, she grinned and said, “It’s doing so well, Lyca! And word has gotten out, so some celebrities have availed the membership, which is now making the center viral!”
“Wow, congratulations! That’s amazing!”
Liam smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Lyca. With the success of the fitness center and the increasing demand for mental health support among our athletes, I've been thinking of expanding our services. I'd like to offer you a position as the head of our sports psychology program. We’re willing to offer you the same salary you’re getting now. We have plenty of rich investors.”
I was taken aback by the offer. The prospect of working at a fitness center represented a complete departure from my current role, yet the opportunity intrigued me. “Wow, Liam, that's a generous offer. I appreciate it, truly. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my current position just yet.”
Liam nodded understandingly. “Of course, I understand. Think of it as an open invitation. The offer stands whenever you're ready. I think you'd be a valuable addition to our team.”
“Definitely!” Jessie agreed, looking excited. “Well, Lyca, think about it. This could be your chance to not have to see Xander often, you know? If you really want to avoid him, given your history…”
“Yeah, you have a point…” I trailed off, thinking hard about it. This could be the escape I’ve been waiting for. But now that it was real, I couldn’t imagine myself working in a different environment and not seeing Xander anymore.
“Since he’s a billionaire now, perhaps he’ll also move out of his dad’s apartment and maybe buy a house somewhere,” Jessie mused. “Then you won’t have to see him anymore.”
“Yes, you’re right.” The thought suddenly made me feel sad and conflicted. Now I wasn’t too sure that was something I was ready for.