Page 78 of My Pucking Crush

Max

W e arrive in East Hampton two hours later. I’m too exhausted to do anything, so we fall into my bed. Sleeping next to Luca is the best medicine.

The next morning, a knock on the back door perks me up while getting coffee. I smile seeing Ashton Ives.

“Still here?” I ask, letting him in.

“Yeah, Bernie has a break for a few weeks. She and Ford are...busy right now.” He blushes.

“Cool,” I say behind my mug. But it’s hard to wrap my head around that relationship.

“We watched the game last night.” Ash gives me a once-over. “Are you all right?”

I lift my T-shirt. “These bruises aren’t from the fight, it’s the hassle I had the night before.”

“Mother... Come on. Get dressed, I’ll take you for an X-ray.”

Just then Luca struts into the kitchen wearing a pair of my sweats, hanging dangerously low on his lips. His V-cut is prominent and very tempting. Ash almost jumps back at how lethal Luca looks.

“Good morning,” says my boyfriend .

“Morning,” Ash returns the greeting.

“I’m in good hands.” I glance at Luca.

Ash nods. “If you need anything, some kind of medical referral or meds, let me know.”

I take a sip of my coffee, a thought hitting me. “Hey, do you and your... Um...”

“Family,” Ash says proudly. “We’re a family.”

I smile at that. “Do you and your family want my tickets for the next set of games? I know it’s north of here.”

“We’d love that. Can you spare four tickets? What about your parents?”

I shrug. “Not interested.”

Luca wraps an arm around my waist. “I’m his family now.”

Ash smiles. “I look forward to seeing you at the games, Luca.”

They shake hands, and Ash leaves with a hitch in his giddy up. I wonder if he’ll join Ford and Bernadette in whatever they’re doing.

Luca’s chin on my shoulder and his warm breath on my neck completes me . There’s no one else I want.