Page 6 of Crossing the Red Line (Vancouver Dominators)

Lucas

I’d watched her most of the day with my sisters. They’d laughed and talked and for a quick moment it felt as if we’d never parted. It warmed my heart to know that she was just as dedicated to helping me after I’d spilled my guts to her this morning as she had been yesterday.

“So, Ella, what’s your father like?” my mother asked her while we were eating lunch.

“Mom, you know her father. You’ve met him before,” I said.

“In passing, Lucas. Only in passing.”

It was the truth. Her father had been dealing with many personal issues when Ella and I had dated before, and he was rarely available to deal with anything she needed.

When we’d asked him to meet my mother over dinner, he’d done nothing but bark and murmur that all he had time for was to say hello in the driveway.

“It’s okay, Lucas,” Ella said, placing her hand on mine and squeezing. “It’s been a while since they met in passing.” She winked before turning back to my mother.

“Well, my father, as you know, now owns the Dominators, so he is pretty business-oriented, more so than ever before. He is also very focused on hockey. He is strict, but very caring for me, and as you know, I don’t know my mother biological mother.

She left us when I was young. The one thing I’ve missed about your family is how tight-knit it is.

Since Lucas and I split, I wished I had that, as it was something I loved about being with him and with your family when I was younger,” Ella added, her eyes watering.

I couldn’t help but look at her. It upset me to hear this information.

I hadn’t realized how much my family and I had meant to her when we dated before.

Honestly, I knew I loved her, but I didn’t figure we were that serious with one another, and apparently that was because, as she put it, I was too involved with my hockey stick to notice.

Now all I could think about was changing this for her, and if she were mine, I’d do just that.

“Well, Ella, you have that now. Don’t forget it either. You are part of this family, regardless of what happens between you and my son. You understand that?” my mother said, rubbing the back of her hand.

“I do.”

As my mind reeled with this new information, I began feeling a little guilty. Okay, a lot guilty. What I had planned to do after Ella agreed was come here, prove to my mother and sisters that I had a girlfriend, and in a few months break the news that we’d gone our separate ways.

As I sat there, listening to my mother talk about holiday plans, I knew I couldn’t just follow the plan I had. Besides, after our time together last night, Ella somehow owned my heart again, and I wondered if she always did. I’d never felt this way about a woman before.

Fuck, I really needed my boys. Both Dylan and Knox had been through this shit. As close as I was to Clay, there was no way I could get any advice from him. Ella was right, he was a manwhore, but he’d been acting so strange lately and had been keeping to himself.

“Will you excuse me for a minute?” I said, placing my knife and fork beside my plate.

Ella looked over at me, concern in her eyes. “Feeling okay?” she asked.

“Yep, just need to take a minute and respond to the coach,” I said, pointing to my phone.

“Okay.” She turned back to my mother and sisters, getting back to their conversation.

I made my way out of the restaurant and, once outside, I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent off a message to both Dylan and Knox.

Lucas: Got a second? Need some help here.

Dylan: What could you need help with? You are on medical.

Knox: What he said.

I rolled my eyes. These two probably didn’t want to be bothered. They’d both just returned home from a string of away games and were more than likely pleasuring their women.

Lucas: I have a situation. I brought a friend to trick my mother and sisters into believing I was in a relationship.

Dylan: Oh, for the love of…

Knox: Say no more Hayes, this sounds like it might be a disaster.

Lucas: It’s not a disaster. Well, not yet, but it’s turning into one.

Knox: What did you do, bring an ex? HAHAHA

Dylan: That could be the only reason I see it being a disaster as well, Knox. We all know that Clark doesn’t have any women friends.

Lucas: Can we be serious for a moment?

I swallowed hard as I stared at the screen. Was I that predictable?

Dylan: Okay, sorry, why is it a disaster?

Lucas: My mother and sisters have invited her for the holidays.

Knox: Your fake girlfriend?

Lucas: Yes.

Dylan: Oh god, I couldn’t even have imagined how this might have blown up in your face.

Knox: Same. Lorelai wants to know who the lucky girl is.

Lucas: Why are you telling Lorelai?

Dylan: Aurora wants to know as well.

I rolled my eyes. Why I thought I could count on these two to help was beyond me.

Knox: Don’t want to tell us? Want us to guess?

Dylan: Oh, we could have fun with this. Maybe we should bring the girls into the conversation.

Lucas: Don’t you dare.

Knox: Inviting now…

Lucas: Knox, if you value our friendship, you won’t do it.

Knox: You aren’t any fun.

Dylan: Alright, so you take her to Christmas to appease your mother. What’s the issue?

Knox: Not a bad idea, Hayes. I mean, right now I don’t see any other way out of the problem either. He’d look more like an ass if he broke the girl’s heart before Christmas than he would if he did it after.

Dylan: While I disagree, he’s going to look like an ass either way, I figure after would be the better choice.

Lucas: I wasn’t really coming to you for a solution to that problem.

Dylan: Well then, what are you bothering us for on a Sunday morning? You are well aware of what we reserve our Sunday mornings for.

Knox: Same bro, Lorelai is waiting, and I hate to keep her waiting.

I swallowed hard as I stared at my phone. I hated interrupting them when they were with their woman, especially since there had been many mornings I’d wished I’d had someone to share my Sunday mornings with. It would be easier if I just told them. Rip the bandaid off.

Lucas: I think I have feelings for her.

Dylan: *almost faints* What? Did I read this right?

Knox: *rubs eyes* yep Hayes, you read it right.

Lucas: Cut the crap. What do I do?

Dylan: Well, are these ‘feelings’ because of a certain something that might have happened last night or while you’ve been gone? Or have you just lost your mind?

Knox: …yeah, did you two fuck?

Dylan: Evans, Lucas is sensitive.

Knox: Precisely why I’m asking…you have to be careful with these sensitive types.

Lucas: Kill it Hayes. See if I ever come to either of you again for advice.

Dylan: Okay, sorry. Seriously, if you like her, then make your move or forever hold your peace.

Knox: Agreed.

Lucas: That’s all the pair of you have to say?

Dylan: Damn straight.

Knox: Yep! Make your move!

Lucas: …and if I don’t?

Dylan: If you don’t, take her home for the holidays, drag it out even more, and end up way more fucked up afterward.

Knox: Yeah, had I not of taken my chance with Lorelai, it would have ruined me.

Dylan: Yeah, same, and don’t tell me you can’t. Fuck, I hit on my stepsister. *laughing*

Lucas: Well, all I can say to that is that you are one sick fuck.

Dylan: …and proud of it. Seriously man, if you like this girl just tell her.

Knox: Speaking of which, who is it?

I could feel my stomach roll at the thought of telling them who I’d brought. I’d never mentioned a word about Ella before and wasn’t sure this was the best way to tell them I’d taken my ex-girlfriend, the owner’s daughter, with me.

Lucas: I’ll tell you later.

Dylan: Later? WTF?

Knox: Yeah, Lorelai wants to know. She says I am cut off until I tell her, so you better fucking spill it. This man has needs.

Lucas: Got to go. Bye, guys.

Dylan: Chicken shit

Knox: I’m gonna beat your ass against the boards next time I see you if I don’t get any, Clark.

Lucas: Tell Lorelai it’s not worth torturing you over.

Knox: That’s because you don’t want an ass whooping. Now, I’m gonna go pin my girl to the mattress if I’m not getting any more answers.

Dylan: Same here…advice hotline is over…

Knox: Sure is.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and shook my head and made my way back into the restaurant, where I saw Ella laughing at something my sisters had said.

I made my way over to the table and sat back down, Ella immediately turning to me with a smile on her face.

She placed her hand on my upper thigh and leaned into me.

“Everything okay?” she questioned.

“All good.”

“We’ll be right back then,” she whispered, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. “We didn’t want to leave your mom alone at the table.”

I watched as Ella and my sisters made their way across the restaurant and disappeared into the ladies’ room. When I turned and faced my mother, she had a serious look on her face.

“What?” I questioned.

“How is everything going between the two of you?” she asked, resting her chin on her hand.

“Well,” I said again, my stomach flipping, knowing this was all for show.

“Are you happy?”

I nodded, taking the last mouthful of my food. “I am.”

“I really like her, Lucas. I always did. She’s good for you.”

“I agree,” I added, wishing she’d move off this topic. I hated lying to my mother. I picked up my water and took a drink.

“Can we expect to hear wedding bells soon?” she questioned.

I began choking at the question she’d just asked.

My mother had been on me since I’d turned thirty-two, wondering when she could expect to have a daughter-in-law.

My sisters both had been married since they were in their mid-twenties, one had two kids and the other three.

I knew my mother had expected a grandson or granddaughter from me, but I’d put my focus into my career instead.

“Not sure, Mom,” I added. “We really haven’t talked about it.”

It was then Ella and my sisters returned to the table. I’d never been so thankful to see them all, hoping this was the end of the inquisition.

“What haven’t we talked about?” Ella asked, sitting down beside me, placing her hand on my upper thigh once again.

“The future,” I bit out, hoping she’d hear the agony in my voice and not proceed with any more questions.

“Mom, are you on Lucas about wedding bells again?” Janice questioned, shaking her head.

“Well, I just don’t see what it is he is waiting for, if things are going well between the two of them. He should just ask her already.”

“Mom!” I exclaimed.

It was then Ella grabbed hold of my hand and resting her hand on my forearm, leaned into me and said, “Yeah, big guy, what are you waiting for?”

I could see the playful look in her eyes and knew she was only saying this to play into the situation, but somewhere inside of me something said not to let her go.

I couldn’t imagine someone else having her now, especially after last night.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into me, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“What exactly are you hinting at, Ella?” I asked, looking into her eyes while my sisters and mother sat there waiting for her reply.