Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
She chuckles, shaking her head. “Yeah, because that’s what other people think when they see us together.”
I grip her neck gently, using my thumb to tilt her chin up. “What does that mean?”
“Easton, look, I don’t have low self-esteem, but you… you look like a Norse god from some television show, and you sound like a guy on a BookTok Audible. When people see us, I’m sure they think you should be standing next to one of your exes because they… well, they look like goddesses. And I’m not fishing for compliments or anything like that before you think it.”
“It’s just some people look right standing next to each other, and some make you glance twice, wondering if they are related or simply friends. You look out of most girls’ leagues, truthfully.”
I stare at her, taken aback by her honesty. She’s sincere, not expressing self-pity. I decide to tell her what she makes me think of when I see her.
“Luci, you are beautiful, do you know that?”
“Easton, I told you, I’m not fishing for that. I have my strengths looks-wise, but I’m no goddess or supermodel.”
“No, Luci, you need to listen to me. You’re very pretty with your soft brown hair and those big brown eyes, perfectly framed by your lashes. And these pink lips that drive me crazy. But if you look deeper, your eyes sparkle when you’re happy, and the way they shine when you look at Cole with love and tenderness makes them the prettiest pair of eyes I’ve ever seen. Your sweet smile touches everyone, and when you truly laugh, you are so real, and your whole face lights up like pure sunshine. Absolutely beautiful. Don’t let yourself be thought less of ever.”
Her lower lip trembles, and she tilts her chin more, kissing me softly.
She tugs on my neck to whisper in my ear. “Careful, Mr. Reed, I think you might know more flowery words than you want to admit.”
I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. “No, I don’t. That’s just how I would describe you. Now go home.”
“Bye. I texted your brothers the dream instructions for Cole tonight.”
She leaves, and I go find Cole in the playroom.
“Daddy, how do you make sure a lady knows you like her?” Cole asks suddenly, and I’m momentarily speechless.
“Umm, why are you asking?” I sit down in a chair as Jackson tries to hide his face, Becker chuckles, and Kingston struggles to hold it together.
“Barrett doesn’t have a mom, and he wants to ask Santa for one. He needs to know how to help his daddy catch one.” Now I cover my mouth to hide the grin that’s threatening to break free. Becker cackles uncaringly.
“You don’t really catch one. It’s a lot harder than that. I think all Barrett needs to do is meet the person his dad likes and see if he likes her too. See how she treats him.” I say cautiously.
“Like how Luci treats me and him?”
I hear Kingston mutter, “Oh hell…”
“Luci treats you and Barrett really well. She cares about you two, so yes, kind of like that.” But she’s not going to be Barrett’s mom. “Wait, where did you get that shirt?” I ask, noticing he’s wearing a gray shirt with his name in big letters filled in with different superhero themes. A red cape attaches at his shoulders with velcro.
“Luci gave it to me today. She said it’s all me, whatever that means.”
“It is all you, buddy.” Jackson tells him, giving him a big thumbs up.
“Well, Uncle Kingston says I have to take the cape off at bedtime.” He glares fully at his uncle, and I have to bite my tongue to hold back my laughter. Definitely my kid.
Becker is wheezing on the floor, laughing so hard. “Damn, that is a glimpse of mini Easton Reed if I ever saw one.”
Jackson shakes his head, still chuckling. “Uncanny how much that looked like you.”
I manage to choke down my laughter. “Yes, for safety, you do. Uncle Kingston is right.”
“Daddy, you look nice. When will you give Luci my flowers?”
Four pairs of eyes swing to me, three filled with unholy amusement. Revenge, Easton. One day you can get revenge on all of them. “I can drop them off at her house tonight after I leave.” It’s honest with a lot of omissions.
“Okay. I’ll let them put me to bed then. Can Luci call me and tell me what to dream about?”
“She sent it to us.” Becker tells him, and Cole visibly relaxes, which sends Kingston into another laughing fit, which is hard to do.
I hug him tight. “I love you, buddy. You are something special, you know that?”
“I am a coconut.”
Jackson gives him an exaggerated nod.
“Yes, you’re a coconut. Watch your uncles and make sure they behave.”
“Got it, Daddy.”
I drop a kiss on his head and leave. Becker bids me goodbye with a smile. I think he’s well aware of what’s going on.
When I knock on Luci’s door, I smile at her and hold out the two small bundles of flowers. “They’re beautiful.”
“The white roses are from Cole. He wanted to send you flowers, and I offered to be the delivery guy. You are very pretty, Luci.” I tell her slowly and deliberately. She’s wearing a dark dress that goes to her knees and gray boots that accentuate her figure.