Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Mom and I have a lot to talk about, a lot to discuss, but for the first time in my life, I feel she’s really choosing me. “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll figure it out. Michelle is staying here through Christmas. We’ll do something at Hunter’s. Isla will be there as well. I’d really love it if you could come.”
“I’ll be there,” she promises. “I love you, Lucas, so much, and I’m happy for you and Hunter.”
“I love you too. And I love him. I’ve always loved him.” Maybe I shouldn’t admit that, but I want her to know the truth.
“I could tell you had a crush on him when you were younger. That must’ve been difficult.”
“It was, but we didn’t… I never… I wouldn’t have done that to Ellis.” I don’t know why it hits me in this moment, that I wouldn’t have ever hurt my brother that way. I lied to myself for years, made myself the bad guy, but I would have never betrayed my brother. I loved him.
“I know,” she replies, and I swipe at the tears on my cheeks.
We talk for a couple more minutes, before I say, “I need to go. Can we talk later tonight? We’ll plan your visit here.”
“Yes, Lucas. I’d love that.”
We end the call, and I push to my feet, the noise in my head quieted. I have everything I need now…Mom, Michelle, Isla…and Hunter. The man I have always and will always love.
I return to the family waiting room. The door shoves open just as I reach it, and Isla says, “Get in here. I was coming to get you.” She grabs my arm and tugs me into the room.
It’s empty other than her and Michelle, the large television playing the press conference from after the game.
“That was a beautiful touchdown tonight,” one of the reporters tells Hunter.
“My favorite one I’ve ever scored, I think,” Hunter admits.
“What did it mean to win this game tonight, beating your boyfriend’s father, the guy who’s been like a father to you too?” another reporter asks.
Hunter wipes a hand over his face, then takes a drink from his water bottle. “Every game is important. Every time I play, I want to win,” he says, giving the stock, PR-approved answer, but then adds, “I can’t pretend I didn’t want this one even more. Things change sometimes, people and relationships change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. I needed this win tonight, but regardless, I know who I am and what I want. I’m excited to go home and share this victory with Lucas, my partner.” He looks at the camera. “Love you, baby.”
And then, before the conference is over, Hunter stands up and walks out.
The room goes wild, probably because none of them had expected him to leave or because of how he spoke about me. That wasn’t something he and Ellis ever did. They didn’t talk about their feelings to the press. It’s not the kind of relationship they had, and I expected it to be the same for us.
Not everyone will know what he meant, how things have changed with him and my father, but the people who matter know. I know. And he made sure everyone knows he loves me.
Isla squeezes my hand. “Swoon!”
“No shit,” I reply, unable to hide the smile on my face.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Hunter
I’m so glad the Pulse don’t have a game this Christmas. Leading up to the holiday and the day after, life is back to normal, but for this one day, we have our family together. Most of the people who matter, at least. Mom is still here with Lucas and me. Isla came over, of course, and Abbie got here a few days ago. She and Lucas have been spending quality time together, which they both need, and she’ll be staying a few more days. It’s been nice having her around, feeling her acceptance, though it’s something we’re all still getting used to.
While Ellis is buried back home in Kansas City, Lucas, our moms, and I went to some of Ellis’s favorite places in LA, remembering and honoring him. I don’t want to lose who he was to me because I’m in love with his brother, and Lucas doesn’t want his memories of his brother to fade either. It was nice to simply remember Ellis in ways I haven’t let myself do in a long time. I think we all needed to do that together.
“Smells good,” Oakley says. He’s here celebrating with us. Serena and Tiana went to see her family, but he didn’t go. I wish Des could’ve come too, but it didn’t make sense for him to fly out for one day. I miss spending time with him, though, and wish he were closer.
“That’s because I’m really fucking good at smoking a turkey,” I tell him.