Chapter 39 Luca
LUCA
I should’ve told Isla why I was going to Toronto. A part of me knows this. But I wanted the microchip to be a surprise. A good one, hopefully. And after my very promising meeting with my old mentor, I feel even more certain I can do this.
I haven’t felt this spark of innovation in years.
Not since the initial concept for GaitSync came to me back in university.
It’s exhilarating. And terrifying. Because initial concepts are just that—the starting point for something great.
But the number of starting points that never make it any further is massive.
But in the day and a half that I’ve been back in Toronto, I’ve already made headway.
Yes, the project is going to take a lot of work, but the idea has potential.
At the lab where I created GaitSync, I hammered out a lot of details I had been missing in the design.
Now I’m filled with energy, despite it being late here on the East Coast. I could have easily kept working, but my old mentor pushed me out the door, saying he had to go home to his family.
Family.
I’m not sure when I stopped picturing my parents when I thought of that word and started picturing Isla and Charlie instead, but it feels right. I know that down to my very soul. And I miss the people I hope to call my future family.
Back at my hotel, I pick up a to-go order from the restaurant on the main floor and take it up to my room to check in with Isla and Charlie.
I’m finally going to tell them what I’m working on before I spend a few more hours developing the design.
My plan is to be here for a week to take advantage of my mentor and the access to equipment he can give me, then I can head back to Cedar Creek with a list of what I’ll need to set up a functional lab over there so I can keep working close to home.
And while I’m working on the microchip for Charlie, Gabe is helping me with a surprise for Isla. A solution to her job problem, and the perfect way to free up my time so I can focus.
I set my dinner down and open my computer to start a video chat, only to have my phone ring with a call from Rhett Darlington. Something nudges at the back of my mind, but I can’t figure out what. So I answer his call.
“Rhett, what can I do for you?”
“Hi Luca, I just wanted to touch base about the upcomin’ charity game.”
Right. Now his call makes sense. “Of course. We’ve had phenomenal ticket sales for it already. Were you able to talk to the Little League board about my proposal?”
“Yep, and they are in full support. That was what I wanted to update you on.”
I frown slightly, feeling confused, and still, there’s the annoying thought that I’m missing something important. “I appreciate the update, but you could’ve just sent an email. Was there something else?”
Rhett exhales down the line. “Actually, yes. Damn, this is awkward, Luca. But I know you’re gettin’ close to the kid, so I thought you should know. Charlie was pretty devastated you weren’t there today. He did a great job pitchin’…”
The rest of whatever Rhett says turns to a buzzing sound in my ears as my heart falls to the floor.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
The game was today? No. I swear, I checked my personal calendar before I booked my flights and there was nothing on it this week.
“Are you saying the exhibition game was today?” I put Rhett on speaker as I check my phone. “Shit. I had it down as next week.” I groan, covering my face with my hand.
Rhett makes a sympathetic sound. “Damn, I’m sorry man. Yeah, it was today.”
“Rhett, I gotta go. If we need to talk about the charity game anymore, just send me an email and we’ll plan a meeting.”
I don’t even wait for his reply before ending the call and immediately dialing Isla on my computer. Her beautiful face fills my screen a moment later, but there’s an icy expression in place of the happy warmth I’m used to.
“Isla, I’m so sorry, I feel like such a dumbass. I can’t believe I missed Charlie’s game. It was in my calendar for next week. I fucked up, and I feel absolutely awful. Rhett just called me and told me he did great. Is he there so I can apologize to him as well?”
“He’s in his room,” she says stiffly and my stomach drops even further. “I didn’t realize you were meant to be at the game, but that explains his mood. I thought he’d be so proud, seeing as he struck out two players, but he’s been grumpy ever since we left the field.”
I run my hand over my face. “Shit. He asked me to be there, and I completely messed up.”
If anything, Isla’s face grows even colder. She’s a mama bear and I just hurt her cub. “Well then, when you’re home, you can apologize to him.”
I lift my gaze. “I know this doesn’t make up for missing the game, but I’m in Ontario because of him.
I had an idea for a microchip that could help Charlie with his prosthetic and what he wants it to do.
” I launch into the simplest explanation I can come up with for the development that will help Charlie adjust in real time when he’s batting by providing vibration feedback through his prosthesis.
By the time I finish, Isla’s staring at me, her beautiful face a mixture of emotions, that iciness finally thawing.
“You left for Charlie.”
I nod emphatically. “I would’ve said something but the problem with this sort of technology is that even the best of ideas don’t always work out.
I didn’t want to get his hopes up by telling him what I wanted to try and create if I didn’t know it was a possibility.
I worked out the rough design and came up with a plan for the next steps, which I can do here.
Everything I need is getting delivered back home next week, and my realtor is looking for a space for me to work in Cedar Creek right now. ”
I exhale. “But none of that is as important as the fact that I hurt Charlie. And you. I’m sorry. Do you think you both can forgive me?”
Isla sighs, her gaze turning down. “Charlie will get over you missing the game. And I know he’ll be thrilled about the microchip.
When you get home, you can explain everything to him.
” She looks back up, and any hope I was feeling falls when I see the hurt still on her face.
“But I need you to explain why Gabe had paperwork on his desk naming me as marketing director for the Thunder. I told you, I didn't want to work for you after my contract ends. I thought I was clear, I can’t do that and date you. I don’t understand why you won’t accept that.
How could you just do this when you know it’s not what I want? ”
Fucking hell. As if tonight could get any worse. “Isla, you weren’t meant to see that.”
Her head falls back as she shakes it. “Of course. Let me guess, it was a surprise.”
The sarcasm and pain in her voice is unfamiliar to me. And I hate it. “I can explain. Just give me a chance to explain.”
She lowers her head and looks at me. And even through the screen, I can see tears welling in her green eyes. “We can talk when you get home. I…I need to go, Luca.”
My computer screen goes black before I can tell her I’m sorry, or that I love her, or anything else.
“Fuck,” I yell, slamming my computer shut.
I came to Toronto thinking everything was good. Great, even. I’m working on making Charlie’s dreams come true and giving Isla what she wants and deserves. And somehow, it’s all crashing down around me.
All because I was a fucking idiot who thought keeping shit to myself and making it a surprise for them both was a good idea.
I mentally berate myself for a while longer before picking up my phone and opening my messages with Charlie.
LUCA: Charlie, I’m so sorry about today. I had it in my calendar wrong. I would never have missed your game otherwise. Can we talk when I’m back, so I can apologize again? I want to explain why I’m out of town.
It takes a while before he responds. It’s only one word, but it’s a lifeline I’m happy to cling to.
CHARLIE: sure.
That’s one Forrester hopefully on the road to forgiving me, time to focus on the other. I open a text thread with Gabe and Dom. After quickly typing a brief summary of my fuckup, I explain exactly what I need them to do, and emphasize the need for it to be done quickly.
Gabe responds first.
GABE: On it boss. And I’m sorry. It’s my fault. She saw the paperwork on my desk, and I didn’t realize she wouldn’t know the whole picture.
LUCA: It’s okay. I should’ve told her what I was planning from the start.
DOM: Coral says you’re a dumbass and need to learn to communicate.
GABE: I would concur. Minus the insult since you’re still my boss - for now.
LUCA: Just get everything I need done, please.
DOM: We will. It’ll all work out, Luca.
I fucking hope so.