Chapter 40

 

 

 

Luke

 

 

I fumbled my way through declaring myhard likefor Afton like a fool.

I wanted to tell her that my feelings have jumped from like to more…I’m not at the love stage yet, but I’m knocking on that door.

My heart is hers.

In my failed attempt to tell her that, I at least made it clear that I don’t want to fuck anyone else.

Thank Christ she’s on the same page because the thought of another man’s hands on her body shreds me from the inside out.

I’m due at work in an hour, so I had to kiss Afton goodbye, even though it was the last thing I wanted.

I’m at Calvetti’s now, dressed for the firehouse and looking to score something to eat because Lorenzo, a firefighting rookie, is pulling kitchen duty tonight, and he has no clue what he’s doing.

It’s a right of initiation meant to make him uncomfortable, yet it’s hardest on the rest of us.

No one wants to eat a half-cooked chicken leg or under-seasoned potatoes, but that was what was on the menu during my last shift.

“Luke.” Marti waves as she approaches the table I’m sitting at.

She was nowhere in sight when I arrived. That doesn’t happen often, but when she needs a break, we all encourage it. She’s worked hard for her entire life. She loves it, but everyone needs downtime.

The apron around her waist is stained with red sauce. The smile on her face is good for my soul.

I stand to greet her properly. Our hugs mean as much to me as they do to her.

She breaks the embrace first, pointing at the chair I was just sitting in. “Sit.”

I do as told. “I ordered a sandwich.”

“I know.” She clucks her tongue. “I canceled that.”

“Thanks, Grandma, but I’m hungry,” I tease. “A rookie is cooking for my upcoming shift. I need something to eat so I can avoid consuming that.”

She drops a hand to her hip. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Oh, it is.” I laugh. “It’s worse than that.”

“I’ll bring the cheese ravioli and some bread.” She stares at me. “How are you doing?”

I hear the concern in her voice, but I have no idea where it’s coming from. 

“I’m good.”

“No, really.” She settles into the wooden chair across from me. “I know you don’t want to talk to me about it, but I can listen. I’ll tell you what you need to be told.”

I have no fucking clue what she’s going on about, so I shrug. “What do I need to be told, Marti?”

“That she’s no good for you.”

I’ve never spoken to my grandmother with anything but respect. I won’t let her talk about Afton that way, though. She’s an angel who has helped me see how good life can be.

I rest both of my forearms on the table. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Shaking her head, she lets out a breath. “No, she’s not.”

“Yes, she is,” I insist. “I’m crazy about her, Marti. I am so fucking crazy about her.”

Her hand darts up to cover her mouth because I broke the cardinal rule of no cursing in her presence. “Your mother wouldn’t want to hear you talk like that.”

I’d bet she would. I know she’s talking about Gaia, and she never heard a word out of my mouth because she died before I learned how to talk, or walk, or do much more than cry.

If her untimely death taught me anything, it’s to seize the moment and live every day like it’s your last.

“How can you say that?” she asks incredulously. “After everything she did to you, you can’t say that.”

I stare at her because that makes no goddamn sense. All Afton has ever done to me is make me feel whole, cared for, and appreciated at a level I’ve never felt from a woman before.

Marti must pick up on my confusion because she narrows her eyes. “You can’t be crazy about Brooklyn. You can’t love her.”

I lean back in my chair. “I never loved Brooklyn. I know that now.”

It’s my grandmother’s turn to look confused as hell. “I don’t understand. I was talking about Brooklyn. Who were you talking about?”

“Afton. I’m falling in love with her, Marti.”

She jumps out of her chair to wrap her hands around my neck. “I am so happy.”

“Me too,” I say, patting her arm. “Me too.”

With a deep breath, she takes a step back. “I was asking about Brooklyn because she came here today.”

I drop my head. “Today?”

“With Auggie,” she says as she takes her seat again. “He ate some spaghetti, colored a picture, and he asked about you.”

Fuck. That rips right through me.

I only have to glance at Marti for her to know the unasked question perched on my tongue.

“He looked happy, Lucas.” She nods. “He looked very happy to be here.”