Page 145

Luke took a swig of his beer. “No question about it. Livy is everything to me, too, always has been. You know this. I lost her once and I won’t lose her again. I refuse. I’d do anything to keep her.”

“Now you know what I’m talking about. I may not have lost Alyssa the way you did

Livy, but I did lose a little bit of her spirit. She was hurt pretty bad, so I’m doing what I can to bring it back up.”

“I guess I’d be doing what you’re doing then.” Luke paused before he answered. Easing back on the bench, Luke’s brows angled in puzzlement at his brother.

“Nope. Not talking about it. I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not my story to tell.”

Luke raised his hands defensively. “I didn’t ask.”

“You didn’t have to. It’s written on your face.”

“Is she okay?”

“She will be in time.”

Luke slapped John’s back and squeezed the curve of his neck. “Glad to see you’ve changed. Thought I was going to lose you there.”

Sadness crept through John’s body. His best friend Jace, his own stupid drunk moments …

Yeah, he thought for a moment he was losing himself, too.

“Nah, I’m too stubborn to leave this world early. Plus, seeing what I have,” John shook his head, “I never want to leave. It’s killing me knowing the weekend is over and I have to head back to base tonight. I wish I could stay with my cupcake all the time.”

Luke reared back. “Cupcake? Dude,” he huffed out a laugh. “I don’t want to know what you call Alyssa behind closed doors.”

John barked out a laugh. It felt good talking with his older brother. “That’s what I call Brooke, you ass!”

“Man. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”

John chuckled. “Find the right girl and she can change everything.”

“Cheers to that.”

“You’ll take what?” John asked walking into the kitchen. He stopped where Alyssa was sitting and draped an arm over her shoulders.

“Alyssa here has just agreed to let me watch Brooke one weekend a month.”

John looked down at Alyssa with contentment showing in his eyes. Alyssa could feel it pouring out of him and when he squeezed her shoulder, her stomach flipped. It was obvious how happy he was over this.

“I think that’s a great idea. In fact, I was going to suggest that I take her on Saturdays for you,” John said.

Alyssa tilted her head up to John, her forehead scrunched. “I can’t have you watch her every Saturday. You have your own life. What if you want to make plans or something and you’re tied down to babysit?”

John’s eyes lowered, darkening. “You are my life. Why don’t you let me decide what I want? What did I tell you?”

A heavy breath rolled off her lips. He had told her he wasn’t going anywhere countless times. Alyssa glanced back to Diane to gauge her response. The tips of her lips curved slightly and her hidden smile was aimed at her son. Had she not looked into Diane’s eyes and seen the love and humble affection then maybe she wouldn’t have noticed the smile too.

“I think that’s a great idea, honey. I agree with John.” Diane nodded energetically and Alyssa couldn’t help but laugh. Of course she agreed with her son.

“Speaking of Brooke, where is my little girl?” John asked.

Alyssa stood from her chair. “She’s asleep in Olivia’s arms. I offered to take her, but she insisted on holding her.”

They both walked into the living room. Brooke was sound asleep sprawled out on Olivia with her thumb hanging out of her mouth.

“Hey now—don’t get any ideas,” Luke said to Olivia as he sat down next to her. “I want you all to myself for a bit before we start popping out little hellions.”