Chapter 26
ISLA
“Hey Mom.”
I look up as Charlie walks into my office. “Crap.”
He drops into a chair with a smirk. “Exactly what every kid loves to hear from his only parent.”
I cover my face with my palm and let out a groan. “Sorry kid, I won’t lie, I halfway forgot you were coming for lunch. I’m super behind on work and didn’t realize it was already that time.” My son straightens and shrugs. “It’s okay. I can just play vids on my phone.”
“Vids?”
That earns me an epic eye roll. “Video games, Mom, geez.”
I chuckle. “Sorry, I don’t speak preteen.”
“Isla are you—oh, sorry.”
I look up from the email I’m trying to finish typing again, and this time it’s Luca darkening my doorway. “Hi.” Do I sound breathless? God, I hope I don’t. Not that Charlie is paying any attention to me. No, he’s actually lifted his head from his phone and is looking at Luca as well.
“Hey Charlie, didn’t realize you were coming in today. I’ll come back later.”
“No, it’s fine, what do you need?” I say, and I guess Luca hears something in my voice, because a concerned expression covers his face as he steps into my office.
“I was just going to ask what your plans were for lunch, but it looks like you’re busy.”
“We were meant to go for lunch, but she’s gotta finish work,” Charlie pipes up, his nose back in his phone.
Luca glances from my son to me. Seeming to reach a conclusion, he places his hands in his pockets and speaks to Charlie. “Want to come with me for a tour of the stadium while she finishes whatever she needs to do?”
To my surprise, Charlie immediately pockets his phone and stands. “Totally.”
“You don’t have to do that, Luca,” I protest, but Charlie shoots me a glare, and Luca just chuckles.
“I’ve got some time. And he should know his way around the stadium. Who knows, maybe he’ll be playing here one day.”
“That would be so awesome,” Charlie says, his voice full of awe. “Do you think there are any players around today?”
Luca shrugs. “Maybe, I’m not sure. But we can check out the locker room and the dugout. Maybe throw some balls around outside if it’s not too cold while we wait.”
“Cool.” Charlie turns to me. “C’mon, Mom. This way you have time to work. And we can order food later.”
I open my mouth to say that’ll work when Luca interjects, shooting me a subtle wink. “How ’bout we take care of ordering something for all three of us so your mom has more time? I won’t intrude on lunch, but I was going to order in some sushi, if that’s cool?”
“I love sushi. And you can eat with us, right, Mom?”
There’s not a chance I’ll say no, not when the two of them have identical hopeful expressions on their faces.
Even if I should be worried about them growing closer, I can’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy about it.
It gives me hope that Charlie will accept our relationship easily when I find the guts to tell him.
“Of course, he can join us. You two have fun.”
Luca dips his head in a nod before gesturing to the door. “Come on, Charlie, let’s go see if any of the guys are in the gym.”
The two of them turn and walk out of my office, Charlie already peppering Luca with questions. I manage to return my focus back to my unfinished work. An hour later, they reappear, both grinning ear to ear.
“Hey Mom, we ordered sushi. And Luca showed me everything. It’s really cold outside, so we didn’t stay on the field for long, but he said I could throw the first pitch at a game sometime if I want to.”
“That’s awesome, kid.” I smile at my son, who’s dropped back into a chair, and immediately pulls out his phone.
I mouth the words thank you to Luca, earning a warm look in return. I wish I could do more than that. I wish I could hug him and tell him how much it means to me that he’s willing to connect with my son.
When lunch arrives, and the three of us are crowded around the table in Luca’s office, I listen to the two of them talk about baseball with huge grins on their faces.
They don’t stop chattering about next spring and the upcoming major league season, and whether or not the Vancouver Tridents have a chance of taking the championship again.
Until there’s a break in conversation, when Charlie drops a potential bomb.
“You haven’t asked about my arm.”
His statement comes out so casual, so matter-of-fact, and yet it makes me grateful I don’t have food in my mouth to choke on.
My gaze flies to Luca, but he’s calm, a small smile on his face. “No, I haven’t. I guess it never occurred to me, it’s not really my business. Everyone’s bodies are different in some way.”
Charlie studies him, and I hold my breath, waiting to see what he’ll say.
“True. But normally people are nosy and ask. I’ve been like this my whole life, so I’ve been asked a lot.”
Luca glances at me, his gaze dropping ever so briefly down to his leg, then back up to me, and I give a subtle nod.
“I can understand that,” he says casually before reaching down and pulling up his pant leg, revealing his prosthetic. “Mine is easier to cover up, but I’ve still been asked a lot of times, too.”
“Holy shit!” Charlie exclaims, his mouth falling open.
“Charlie, language!” I say, but honestly, his reaction is exactly what I expected.
“Sorry, Mom,” he replies immediately, still staring at Luca’s leg. He finally glances up at me, eyes wide. “Did you know?”
I wince, but nod. “I did, but it wasn’t my business to tell anyone.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to care. “Yeah, I get it.” He turns back to Luca. “I haven’t met a lot of other people missing arms and legs. How did you lose yours?”
“I was born like this. Amniotic band syndrome.”
Charlie’s eyes are huge, like saucers now. “Woah. Same as me! That’s so freaking cool. Not that you’re missing your leg, but that it’s the same reason.”
“That is pretty cool.” Luca tilts his head to the side, letting his pants fall back down to cover his prosthesis. “You know, any time you want to talk about it, I’m here. I wish I had known someone else with ABS when I was younger.”
My heart cracks wide open. Not only did Luca just share his story voluntarily, but he respected Charlie’s space by letting him share his own.
And then that offer. For a man who likes to keep things private, who doesn’t seek attention or accolades, despite doing incredible things, to offer that kind of support to my son?
It just makes me fall for him even more.
We wake up the next morning to a winter wonderland.
Sort of.
The thing with this part of Canada is, we’re never fully prepared for the first snowstorm. Bad ones, the kind that close schools and make driving dangerous, don’t happen that often on Vancouver Island, so when they do? It shuts down everything.
There’s an email waiting in my inbox when I check it at 7 am, informing all staff that the stadium offices are closed, and everyone can work from home. A second email confirms that Charlie has no school, so I mentally shift gears to a snow day for the two of us.
I let the preteen sleep, and with a fresh cup of tea in hand, settle into the armchair by the front window where I can look out at the snowy landscape while sorting out my day.
Gus comes into the room and lets out a small meow of discontent.
Of course, this is the chair he likes to sit in all day as if it’s his personal throne.
“Sorry, it’s my chair today,” I whisper, and he turns his back to me and stalks off, I assume returning to Charlie’s room.
I manage to get an entire hour of work done before Charlie comes stumbling in, bleary eyed.
“Hey Mom. It snowed last night.”
I laugh quietly. “Sure did. School’s canceled and I’m not going into the office.”
His face lights up. “Sweet. I’m gonna go get some breakfast.”
He shuffles off to the kitchen, running his hand through his hair, making it stand straight up. Gus trots behind him, weaving in between his legs, and Charlie leans down and scoops him up, draping the damn cat over one shoulder.
“Feed Gus,” I call out, earning a “’kay” in reply.
Turning back to my computer, I reply to a couple more emails from my team to make sure everyone knows what to try and tackle today.
I’ve just hit send when my phone vibrates with a new text message on the table next to me. Scooping it up, my heart skips a beat to see Luca’s name.
LUCA: Morning wonder woman. Are you and Charlie okay with the snow? Need me to come bring supplies, or shovel the driveway?
ISLA: You’re sweet to offer, but we’re fine I promise.
Charlie walks back into the living room and I drop my phone face down on my lap.
“Can I play some video games for a bit? Then maybe go outside with Miles? He says there’s a good hill for sledding close by.”
“Sure, brush your teeth and make your bed before you start, okay?”
He flashes me a thumbs-up before moving much quicker now to his bedroom. Once he’s gone, I pick up my phone again and see another message from Luca.
LUCA: So there’s not an innocent reason for me to stop by and see you. Damnit.
ISLA: LOL. Only if you’re doing the same for all your other employees…
LUCA: Definitely not. Special treatment is for beautiful marketing consultants only.
LUCA: Still wish I could see you. We haven’t had any time together. I miss you.
LUCA: And now that I sound like a needy idiot, I’ll see myself out.
ISLA: No don’t. You’re not the only needy one, I miss you too. Trust me, I really do. But Charlie’s here, and he still doesn’t know about us.
I watch the three dots bounce while biting my thumbnail. Somehow, I know what he’s going to say. I just don’t know how I’ll reply.
LUCA: When do you think you’ll tell him? I don’t want to pressure you, honestly. But it would make things at least a little easier if he knew, wouldn’t it?
ISLA: It would, I know. And I will tell him soon. It’s just not easy. He’s never seen me in a relationship before and I’m not sure how he’ll take it.
LUCA: I understand. And it’s your call. You’re his mom. But selfishly I hope you tell him soon. He’s a good kid, I’d like to spend more time with him. And you.
ISLA: Thank you. For understanding and for saying he’s a good kid. I promise I’ll find a way to tell him soon.
LUCA: Well, maybe we can talk later today? Video call? I’m sure we have something “work related” to discuss… ;)
ISLA: Charlie’s going out sledding with friends in a couple of hours. I’ll call you then.
LUCA: Can’t wait, baby.