Page 65 of His Flawed Ride

Luca slaps the dust from his cut and smiles at Dad. “Hey, father dearest. Good day for us, shit for Harps.”

I roll my eyes as Dad mutters, “Fuckin’ hell, son. Read the room, this is why people wanna punch you.”

“What can I say? It’s my charm.”

Together we walk into the house and find Jay with Harper and Gunner in the living room with Mom.

JJ tips his head asking if shit is okay, and I nod once.

“I can’t stay long,” Luca begins. “I wanted to check in on you and make sure you’re doing okay.”

Harper smiles. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Tor wanted to come but I told her to stay home. She’ll be here for the funeral if you need her.”

“Shit, I’ve got to sort out arrangements…”

“It can wait for today,” Mom tells her. “And we’ll help you. You won’t have to go through it alone.”

Harper nods and Gunner finally notices Luca. His grin grows and he toddles over to my brother. Luca whisks him up and walks with him out the back door and into the back yard. I can’t bear the grief any longer filling every corner of the room and follow him outside.

I close the door behind me and fall onto the garden bench. Gunner’s laughter as Luc chases him around is a nice change to murmurs of mourning.

Gunner is soon distracted with toys and Luca joins me.

“You really need to learn some tact, brother.”

“I know when to be tactful. Slade knew what Lily was like. He’s acting like she was an angel.”

“He was already feeling guilty about her getting beaten, grief makes people remember lost ones in a different light.”

“Whatever. She’s gone now, that’s all I care about.”

“You care about Harper too, and no matter what we all thought about Lily, she was still her mom.”

“Harps is strong. This won’t drag her down.”

“You seem to be sure about that.”

“Cause I am. She’s like us, and like I said, she’s strong. Not weak like her pathetic excuse of a mother.”

“I don’t disagree, but seriously, Luca, keep this shit to yourself at the funeral.”

Mom slips out of the back door and joins us, sitting herself between us.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had both of my sons in the same place.” Her smile wanes as she looks to Luca. “I heard what you told Slade. You shouldn’t have done what you did to Lily. She didn’t bother me…”

“I saw you crying many times after it came out Harper was dad’s daughter, especially when you thought you were home alone.”

“It was my battle to fight. You might be stronger than me physically and think you know best but that was my business, and I was handling it myself.”

Luca shrugs. “I wouldn’t change it even if I could.”

“I know, because I know you. Lily is gone now, and Harper will need her brothers for a while. Luca, call her a couple times a day after you leave.”

“Sure,” he promises, then she adds, “And for the love of God, please keep your opinions to yourself at the funeral.”

I laugh. It’s not just me that knows Luca so well.