Page 49 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

LUCAS’ POV.

I knew Jude was being bullied, but for some reason, she never told anyone; I didn’t know if it was that she was just scared that the bullying would become worse.

Either way, I wanted to trust her, and give her time to come out on her own— time for her to realize she doesn’t have to suffer despite all she had been blessed with.

“So, how was your day?” I asked, when we were done joking about my messy hair.

“Oh, my day.” She said, and looked around at everyone. Katie and Derel were right next to us talking about a restraining order for someone, while Emily and Derella looked like they were having a conversation they would rather have in private.

“Uh, okay… So, I wanted you to give me some advice.” She said, and I raised my brow.

“Boy talk?” I asked, and she raised a hand to my mouth swiftly, while looking around, with a shy smile.

She was fourteen, but she acted like she was younger than Sadie, and it didn’t help that she was shorter, and smaller than a fourteen-year-old should be.

“Yeah, so… uh, Um. There’s this guy. He’s…he’s uh, he’s a junior in high school. I’ve liked him for a while, and he’s finally showing interest in me. I… I don’t know what to do.” She said, and I felt worried because the first thing that came to mind was that he could want to take advantage of her.

I glanced at Emily, and didn’t want Jude to turn out like her.

“When did you notice that?”

“I joined the broadcasting team, and met him there. We handled a project together, and all… he didn’t even know me, or about you all. I’m happy I’ve been so quiet.” She said, and I smiled.

“How about we see how things go from now on? Tell me everything about him whenever you get back from school.” I said, and she blushed. “By the way, are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, and she nodded, then glanced at Emily.

“Emily made me feel better already.” She said, and I looked at Emily, who looked like she had just discovered a great plot twist in a movie she was watching.

She had managed to crawl her way slowly into the warm parts of the children. Sadie had disliked her, but that same Sadie was trying to match make us together. Jude had been withdrawn, keeping herself and her secrets, but now she stared at Emily with a sweet smile.

Derella, who had been indifferent, looked like she was saying something she had wanted to say for a long time, but felt hard to bring out.

Shortly, Sadie came in breathing hard, in a disheveled uniform. She was one neat student.

“You all were here? I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” She said, panting, as she made her way towards the dining. “Let’s have lunch.”

“Sadie, what do you think about Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes?” Derel asked, abandoning his conversation with Katie.

“I saw someone eating that today and oh! Jeez, it looked so good.” He said, and Derella, who looked uncomfortable, seized her chance, and went after them.

“I’m full, but I think I want what they’re having too.” Jude said, and as soon as Emily saw the room clearing out, she left, making for the stairs, instead of stopping in the dining.

Then I heard Will’s voice headed towards the living room. I guessed he was coming to meet me. He had wanted to speak to me about something, but had been unable to because he had been called for something urgent. He had said he’d meet me again.

That was troubling, but I already had a hint as to what he wanted to say.

He had seen Emily’s head on my shoulder when she had passed out, and had watched me stare at her face from such a close range.

Of course, he probably wanted to talk about that. I couldn’t remember the last time he asked to see me in private.

Shortly, he emerged from the door, and smiled at me.

“There you are, Lucas.” He said, standing still. “Should we have our little talk now?” He asked, and I got up from my seat.

“Sure.” I replied, going to meet him. We both left the house, and went to stand in the garden..

“So… I’m very sure you know what I’m about to say.” He said, and I took a deep breath.

“Emily, right?’

“Yeah, I saw something the other day. It felt like you were staring at her with affection. You stared at her for quite a long time.” He said, and I wondered if he’d seen Emily try to kiss me.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe, Lucas? No, no, no, that’s wrong. You reject every woman in the world, why does Emily have to be the one you’d accept?”

“I don’t know. Life just has a way of playing its cards right.” I said, sticking my hands in my pockets.

“Lucas, she’s John’s.”

“I know you’re disappointed, Will, but I never planned this. It just happened. Before I could try to stop it, everything just… it just… I don’t know.”

“Lucas, I know you think with your head, and not your heart. This is wrong. Can’t you stop it?”

“Have you ever tried to stop loving someone? Alright, you all don’t want to live with your spouses for some reason, so you probably don’t know how it feels to try to stop liking someone; you only end up liking them more.” I said, and he sighed.

“Lucas, we don’t live with our spouses because they joined hands to try to steal what’s ours. The only reason we let them in once in a while is because of the kids. This is to show our family is one with rigid rules. Emily will be kicked out, and her life will be hell if this insanity is heard of. I don’t want John to live like us. What happens if Emily gives him a child, and is kicked out because she grew affection for you?” He asked, and I turned to him.

“Okay, Will. I’m only telling you this. Just you.” I said, and he looked around before turning to me.

“I’m all ears.”

“John… He and Emily, they’re… they’re no longer together.” I said, and he looked like he had seen a ghost.

Should I have kept it to myself?