Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
She nods, biting her lip. “Yes, that’s my issue. Only Syd and her family know about it here. Other people tend to make fun of me.” Her eyes plead with mine, as if she fears I’ll be another person who laughs at her.
“Sharing something like that is tough. Not everything is meant for others to know,” I say, taking a deep breath as I gather my thoughts. “Kingston and Becker are twins, only three months younger than us. My dad’s half-brother, Jace, was their father. They died when King and Beck were just a year old. It was a tragedy. Jace was the family screw-up, though he was set up to fail from the start. My grandfather indulged him far too much and didn’t rein him in until it was far too late. He bought him a McLaren V1 when he was sixteen.”
Luci’s expression turns blank. “What’s that?”
“It’s a ridiculously fast car that no sixteen-year-old should ever have. And I say that as a boy who would love to drive one. He wrecked it within six months, trying to show off for his friends. Grandpa bought him another one, trying to compensate for the loss of Jace’s mother, who was actually his mistress. She got pregnant right before they ended things. Grandpa took Jace in, forcing his wife to help raise him. Uncle Jace took advantage of my grandfather’s guilt over the coldness of his adopted ‘mother.'”
I can see the horror growing in her eyes as I continue. “Jace acted out every chance he got, and it was clear he was desperately calling for help. Grandpa thought he’d grow out of it, but he didn’t. He went to college and started a relationship with a married professor named Susan. Her husband was a powerful businessman in Kenton. When she got pregnant, she planned to pass the kids off as her husband’s because she claimed he’d never give her a divorce. Jace pleaded with her, even went to Grandpa and my dad for help. Naturally, Grandpa told him to let her keep the kids. He thought Jace wasn’t fit to raise them at his age. But Jace wanted them and defied both his father and Susan.”
I pause, taking a breath. “He sent Susan’s husband pictures and messages proving the twins were his. The husband waited until they were born to do a paternity test. When the results confirmed Jace’s claims, he kicked Susan to the curb and took the twins. Susan spent the next year trying to win her husband back.”
Luci’s eyes widen in shock. “That’s so horrible. At least their family stepped up and took them in.”
“Yes, a secret for a secret, Luci,” I say, fidgeting with the straw papers, twisting them into tiny squares. “Can I ask you something about Cole?” I inquire, my curiosity piqued.
She hesitates, her expression cautious. “I might refuse to answer,” she warns.
“Is keeping his identity or parentage a secret your decision, or is it your mother’s?” I ask, surprised by her question.
“Both, but for very different reasons,” she replies. I glance over at Cole, who is in pure bliss, riding the ponies for the third time.
“My mother is doing it for control-image control. She plans to showcase him when I’m being considered for the draft or if a new team starts up. It would make for a heart-wrenching story about the selfless single father she would portray. I’m doing it to protect him from that very plan. Think about how often our family is in the news. They’d latch onto him, trying to bring up his mother and other things to get to me. They sensationalize everything unknown. I don’t want that for him.”
I expect her to ask about his mother, but she doesn’t. Instead, she shifts the conversation. “I’m going to buy a lemonade. Do you want anything?”
“I’m good. I’ll wait by the gate for Cole,” I reply, shoving my hands in my pockets as I watch her walk toward the concession booth.
I’m not the only one watching her. I notice a guy pointing her out to his friends. He seems harmless enough, and I trust that she can handle herself, but I keep a close eye on her just in case she zones out again.
As he approaches her, I subtly take in her features. She’s a pretty girl with captivating eyes and an attractive figure in those leggings, which is exactly what he seems to be staring at. I remind myself that I should not entertain any thoughts about Luci Forrester in that way. It’s a line I cannot cross for many reasons-trouble being the least of them.
Dad had expressed concern that she might be a “puck bunny” in disguise, which I find amusing considering her reaction to all of us. He has his reasons to be wary; it seems like the only type Mother could hire to watch Cole.
There was Madison, who had hidden her true intentions for the longest time. Then there was Yvette, who snuck into Kingston’s bed one afternoon and was promptly sent packing. Annabelle made it clear to Baker that she was there to attract one of us, and last but certainly not least was Tia, who had the audacity to be in my shower when I got home one day.
At least Cole was only two at the time and remembers nothing. Dad had been home for that one, and I was seething with rage, nearly throwing her out of the house in her naked state. I can reassure Dad that Mother only hired Luci because Cole begged for her. She even had the nerve to lie to me about who she hired, saying it was a girl named Lily that Cole met after the accident, who just happened to be a nanny. I asked to meet her, and she promised to arrange it for that weekend. Instead, I walked in and found the football team’s favorite target for ridicule.
Watching Luci with Cole, though, I feel a sense of relief. He seems to have a better judge of character than Mother.
A few hours later, we finally leave the fair, with a tired boy in tow.
“What’s bunny’s name, Luci?” Cole asks, his voice playful as he clutches a stuffed animal in his arms on the ride home.
“Corndog,” she replies with a straight face, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Corndog?” Cole giggles, the name bringing a smile to his face.
“It’s a nice memory,” she says, her gaze fixed ahead, lost in her thoughts.
I laugh involuntarily, surprised by the sound. “Not bad, sweetness. Not bad at all.”
Luci
“Daddy, can Luci put me to bed after dinner?” Cole’s little voice rings with hope as he squeezes my hand, his eyes wide and sparkling like the stars.
Easton, glancing at the clock with a furrowed brow, scratches the back of his head. “That’s up to Luci, buddy. We kind of took up her whole day.”
As we step inside, Baker’s voice calls out, “I can do that.” I beam down at Cole, feeling a warmth spread through me. Easton moves to converse with Baker while Cole tugs insistently at my hand. I bend down to his level, curious about what he’s about to say.
“I need to talk to you by selves,” he whispers, his tone serious yet earnest.
I look into his big, earnest eyes. “By ourselves? Just you and me?”
He nods gravely, as if this is a matter of utmost importance. “Ok. At bedtime?”
“Yes, please.”
“Let’s go eat, and then you can have a bubbly bath,” I suggest, helping him onto the stool. Baker sets a plate in front of him, filled with creamy potato soup and a golden grilled cheese sandwich that oozes melted cheese.
“Luci, I have your plate. Easton, are you eating here? Kingston is on his way downstairs.”
Easton nods and grabs a drink for Cole. I settle next to him, listening as he animatedly recounts his adventures at the carnival to Baker, who hangs on every word. It’s a relief to let Cole take the spotlight; it means I can retreat into my thoughts. Behind us, Easton and Kingston chat about their upcoming game, and I can feel their curious glances darting my way. I choose to ignore them. After the day I’ve had, I long to retreat home and find some solace. It’s been a series of triggering moments, one after the other, and I need to gather my thoughts.
But for Cole, I can push through. He seems so earnest about wanting to talk.