Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“Those words mean nothing when you haven’t trusted me or done anything to earn them in years. They only mean something when there’s a true connection and relationship. But you burned that bridge long ago. Go ask Vivienne to explain my behavior if you’re confused. After all, she’s done a fantastic job interpreting my words and actions for you all this time. Goodbye, Imogen. I’ll be locked in my study, boys. Check on Cole, Easton.”
“Jason…” she tries to interrupt, but he walks away, leaving her behind.
My brothers follow him, barely sparing her a glance. As I pass her, she reaches out, touching my arm. I hesitate for a moment. “Easton… I thought she was looking out for me.”
“Yeah, well, remember what you told me. The elite can help you achieve every dream you want. But right before that, you warned me they search for any weakness and will exploit it for your ruin.” I throw her own words back at her, words that have burned into my memory since Halloween. She flinches, and a slight twinge of sadness pulls at my heart for the mother I used to know. “Thanks for showing us what it looks like when they burn you.” I turn and walk away, unable to forgive her for what she’s done to my son. She calls after me, her voice filled with distress, but my primary concern is getting to Cole after Vivienne’s explosive outburst.
In the dim light of the room, Baker is perched on the edge of the bed, engrossed in reading to Cole. The soft murmur of his voice fills the air, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. As soon as I step into the room, Cole bolts toward me, his little feet pattering against the floor.
“Daddy, that mean lady is my grandmother?” His voice is a mix of confusion and hurt, and I can’t help but let out a weary sigh, grateful to Baker for extracting him from whatever turmoil had been brewing.
“We called Luci and talked to her for a while,” Baker replies, his tone gentle yet reassuring. “Seemed to help.”
I nod, my mind wandering to Luci’s face and the calmness she exudes, wishing I could see her right now. “How about you sleep with me tonight, buddy? We can talk about everything you heard.”
“Sounds good, Daddy.” His eyes light up, and it warms my heart.
“Let me get ready for bed first. Want to watch a Bluey while I do that?”
He nods enthusiastically, and I tuck him into my bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. I climb in beside him, turning off the TV after I’ve changed and brushed my teeth. As I gaze at his innocent little face, I can’t help but wish for some of Luci’s eloquence to explain things to him.
“That lady was your grandmother, and I never wanted you to meet her. She’s mean, like those people who yell at Luci. She didn’t come to see you because she loves you or cares about you. No, she came to see if you’d help her get something. It’s like she’s the villain in a Batman show or the emperor in Star Wars,” I explain, my voice steady despite the heaviness in my heart.
For a few moments, silence envelops us as he processes my words. “That’s why Luci hid me from her,” he finally says, his voice a whisper of realization.
“Yes. I asked her to. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Cole, if I can help it.”
“I know, Daddy. You love me lots and lots.” His simple affirmation pierces through my chest like a warm arrow, and I feel a pang of love mixed with protectiveness.
“I do. And I’ll do anything I need to in order to protect you.”
“Me too. I love you, Daddy.” His eyelids flutter, heavy with sleep, as he snuggles closer against me.
Just then, my phone buzzes with a text from Luci. *Thinking about you. Hope Cole AND you are okay.*
As if on cue, my brothers begin to text me, and the conversation keeps us occupied for the remainder of the night. Jackson checks in on Dad, sharing that he and Baker made sure Mother left the house, which went as expected. She finally accepted that she wouldn’t budge Dad on the issue at hand. I send Luci a quick message, letting her know I’ll talk to her in the morning. This is far too much to convey over text or a phone call.
Eventually, I drift into a restless sleep, my mind swirling with worries about what tonight could mean for Cole. The thought of addressing my mother’s current access to my son looms over me like a dark cloud, ready to burst.
The next day, at Cole’s school, I find myself waiting for Mrs. Hutchins. “Easton, did you need something?” she asks, her voice warm and inviting.
“Yes. I want to make a change to who is allowed to pick him up,” I reply, my resolve firm. My mother is being removed from that list. I also intend to add Vivienne’s name as a no-information person.
“Let me get the forms for you,” she says, and I watch as she moves to retrieve them. I fill them out quickly, my heart racing as I think about the implications of this decision. Once done, I head to Luci’s apartment, hoping to find her.
Entering quietly, I find her asleep, her chest rising and falling gently. I ease myself onto her bed, sitting beside her, captivated by the peacefulness of her slumber. I hate to wake her, but the urgency of our conversation weighs heavily on me.
“Luci,” I whisper, gently brushing her hair back from her face. She stirs, blinking sleepily as she takes in my presence.
“Easton, what are you doing?” she asks, rubbing her eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.
“Watching you sleep. You always look so peaceful. So serene. It soothes me,” I admit, feeling a bit awkward. “And now I sound like a total creep.” I laugh softly, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.
“Something’s very wrong. I can see it in your face. Tell me,” she says, shifting closer and taking my hand in hers, grounding me.
“Luci, I don’t even know where to start. I should have called you last night, but I was focused on soothing Cole. I need your help with that too.”
“Your mother?” she asks, her voice soft but filled with concern. “Did she come home in addition to the French dragon?”
I let out a sarcastic laugh, shaking my head. “You could say that. Last night took a turn for the interesting after you left. We went to eat, and upon returning, we found Vivienne sitting in the kitchen. My mother arrived just ten minutes later.” I recount the chaos that ensued, and when I finish, she stares at me, wide-eyed.
“Wow. Talk about fireworks and an implosion,” she replies, her voice filled with disbelief.
I stand up, needing to dispel the tension coiling in my chest. “Luci, I need to confess something I’ve kept from you. I didn’t want to drag you into my issues. I warned you I have major baggage.”
“I volunteered to be brought in. I’m not scared of your baggage. And you haven’t been shy about handling mine. Remember Julian, Maxton, meeting Janet? You’ve taken on more than you’ve asked me to. Just tell me,” she insists softly, her eyes urging me to continue.
“When Lorelei brought Cole back, she signed over custody of him. Somehow, Vivienne ensured she had sole custody from the moment he was born. I don’t even want to know how she convinced a judge of that while they were in France. I was listed on the birth certificate, but Lorelei insisted it didn’t matter. Before she left, she granted temporary joint custody to my mother and me. I was so lost and struggling to keep my head above water, I signed it without a second thought, Luci. Mother was being helpful at that time. You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, or so I thought. She’s only mentioned it twice. Once to suggest she should probably sign it over. I asked her for it later, and her words were, ‘Let’s wait until you graduate. Make sure you make good choices for… Cole.’ Which really meant staying in line. I’ve done my best to comply, but I’ve fought back when necessary, like when she wanted Vivienne to return. That’s the only other time she brought it up, and it infuriated me.” I pause, ensuring she’s still with me.
“Easton, that wasn’t your fault. You were trying to survive. If she dares take advantage of that… well, I’m sorry, but I’d like to knock her into next week for you,” she says fiercely, and I can’t help but smile at the image of my sweet Luci standing up for me.
“This is why I warned you that my life is a mess and that you might not want to stick around,” I say, pacing back and forth in front of her bed as she watches me intently. “You should run and never look back. There’s no telling what she’ll do to claw her way back into our lives. And Vivienne… I don’t even want to think about her plans. She was furious when she left. I’m sure they might try to come after you too, especially after Vivienne insulted you. Cole is struggling with the fact that she is his grandmother. I might need some of your wise Luci words to help him through this.”
“You think your mom might use the custody angle to get what she wants from your dad?”