Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“Not meant to be Mrs. Anderson. I’m not a good fit. Thanks for the help earlier.”
Cole skips out holding my hand as I look around for Maxton. Cole won’t come with me to campus again. “Let’s go by my place and grab my sewing machine after we get those pajamas.”
At the house, Baker watches me set it up. “You can sew?”
“Yes, I taught myself when I was twelve. Seemed like a useful skill.” I don’t add more than that.
“Luci, the boys might be home a little late. Easton asked if you would put Cole to bed tonight.” I nod, as I begin working with Cole happily practicing his lines.
Easton
While Luci is talking to him:
“Do I get to say anything?” I ask mildly; leaning against the wall on my right shoulder. Luci continues to ramble, not registering I even spoke and I want to shut her up with my mouth on hers. Instead, I listen to her as she fidgets worse than I’ve ever seen. I fold my arms over my chest to avoid grabbing her. I was going to talk with her about Vivienne being back, but she assumed it was about kissing her. Which I would have gotten to later, not here on campus.
“I know it won’t happen again. I’m a mistake…..it was a mistake I know.” That pisses me the hell off. She’s not a mistake. She takes a deep breath, pausing. “Now that’s over, I’m sure you feel better. Am I still keeping Cole?” The visible fear in her face only strengthens my decision to pursue her. She loves Cole and that’s not easy to find when you are single parent.
“I’d never take Cole from you Luci. You don’t think that would happen again?” She’s barely paying attention as the relief spreads over her face.
“I should go. I’ll pick him up today.” She says softly while staring at the ground. I reach out and gently snag her arm as she’s about to pass.
“You assume wrong, sweetness.” She’s already lost in her brain. I follow right behind her, sporting Sydney waiting ten feet away. I check the hallway for her usual predators since she’s spaced out, Jackson moVES slightly in front of me, almost blocking my view. I crane my neck around him until she reaches Sydney’s side wink at Syd, shocking her.
I don’t look away from their retreating backs as I head my brothers off. “Yesssss? Questions?
“You’re letting her go?!” Jackson gestures behind him, glaring at me. They all know I spent the weekend clearing out Lorelei’s things, keeping only a few pictures for Cole and his baby things she brought with her! moved on from Lorelei a while back but thought I should keep things for Cole. Course there wasn’t another girl racing circles around my mind all day long at the time. The four of us had a very long talk after they barged into my room all fired up after eavesdropping on Luci and Cole. They thought I was still hung up on my ex, but really what was stopping me from Luci is what I’d be asking her to step into. A guy with a kid already who definitely isn’t going anywhere. A mother from hell, Cole’s maternal grandmother who is a demon that roosts next to my mother in hell, our absentee father the last few years….. It’s a lot to ask of someone else to step into that to date me. Kingston had been the one with the best answer to my fears. “You let her decide. She’s in charge of her life and what she’s willing to deal with. Give her the option and if she says no, there it is. Luci’s tougher than you or anyone gives her credit for. Besides, are you going to run from every woman because none of those things you listed are going away. Triple bonus points that she loves Cole like she does already.”
Back in the present, Jackson continues with irritation. “I thought you decided to go after her.”
I feel my lips slowly stretching up. “When’s the last time I chased a girl?”
“Easy. NEVER.” He says, still irritated.
Becker snorts. “Probably elementary school while playing tag. They fall at your damn feet.”
“Not only that. Refusing them seems to entice them more.” Kingston adds.
She’s about to disappear from sight when her head turns the slightest bit and she looks back at me. I let the half grin show and tilt my head so she understands I caught her. Those brown eyes widen before she whips her head forward.
Oh sweetness, you can have a little rope before I reel you back in. Facing my brothers, I grin at them.
“I think I’m going to love chasing this one.” The words register, and they shake their heads, amused and rueful.
“How much time are you giving her?” Jackson asks with a devious glint in his eyes.
“Four or five days tops.” I won’t make it longer than that, seeing her every damn afternoon. Which is a call! need to make to Baker soon. Going to need Cole’s help too.
“Luci has no idea what she started.” Kingston says dryly.
No she doesn’t.
Ivory Row
Oh Luci what have you done?!
Luci
“Sorry, Luci! Dinner is running a bit late. Do you think Cole could take his bath first?” Baker’s voice carries through the doorway, his apologetic smile visible even from a distance as he leans against the frame of Cole’s bedroom.
“Of course! I’m just about finished with the headpiece for his costume, and he can try it on before his bath,” I reply, carefully stitching the last of the wattle and attaching the two bright yellow feathers that will proudly adorn the top. Baker is usually punctual, so his tardiness today is unusual. Maybe Mondays are just as challenging for him as they are for the rest of us. He did mention that he struggles with the eggs in his basket too. Lately, my own eggs seem to be scrambled in a different way. I decide to run the bath first.
“Coco, come and try this on!” I call out, and he dashes over with enthusiasm. He’s been rehearsing his two lines all afternoon, and this turkey costume means the world to him. I gently slip it over his head, and a laugh escapes me. “Go check yourself out in the mirror!”
He races to the mirror and bursts into laughter. “I look like half a turkey!”
“Well, you are half a turkey! Now take it off for your bath. Tomorrow, we’ll work on the body and tail.” I carefully pack the costume into my bag and stow away my portable sewing machine. Just as I’m about to close up, there’s a knock at the door. Assuming it’s Baker, I call out for them to come in, but it’s Easton who steps through the threshold, and Cole immediately runs toward him. I divert my gaze and continue tidying up the stray fabric scraps I forgot to toss in the trash.
“Time for your bath, buddy! Baker says dinner will be ready in just ten minutes. Think you can get cleaned up that fast? It’s your favorite-chicken fettuccine!”
“Yum, Daddy! I’ll hurry!” Cole exclaims, sprinting toward the bathroom. Almost instantly, I hear the splash of water as he jumps in. “Sorry, Luci!”
“It’s fine! I’ll clean it up,” I shout back, but as I turn to grab a towel, I bump right into Easton. “Oh, sorry!” I mumble, embarrassed.
“No, my bad. I got distracted and let you run right into me. Do you like chicken fettuccine?” I glance up to find him watching me with a small, amused smile, and my heart skips a beat.