Page 129 of Playing for Keeps

She turned into my driveway and parked, then turned and gave me a penetrating stare. “I don’t want to see another one of my children ruin their lives because of Ethan Lewis.”

My heart thumped. “How will Ethan ruin my life?”

She hesitated. I could see her struggling to summon the right words. “I think you have always loved Ethan past the point of anything rational,” she finally said.

My breath left me as if I were on the ground in a ruck and someone had got a good boot into my guts.

I climbed out of the car, pausing with my hand on the door. “What the fuck is supposed to be ‘rational’ when you love someone?”

Chapter33

Ethan

Luke was back.

The whole afternoon, I’d been watching the clock, imagining where he was at any given moment.

He would have landed by now. He’d be at his house by now.

When would I see him?

Part of me was desperate to see him. The other part of me was scared. Because I’d missed him so much. I didn’t trust myself not to launch into his arms and refuse to leave.

I wanted to be the best dad to Theo. I wanted Luke. I couldn’t work out a way to get those two wants to work together. Being with Luke could potentially wreck Char’s recovery, which would have a devastating effect on Theo. My son deserved to have his mother in his life and how could I live with myself if something I did deprived him of that?

But equally, how could I live without Luke?

After school Theo had rippa rugby practice. Which was basically just kids running around in all directions with some rugby balls thrown about. I helped out coaching, but it was like trying to herd directionally challenged cats.

Halfway through, my phone beeped in my pocket.

My heart raced when I saw the message was from Luke.

Can I come over?

I quickly typed out my response.

Just at practice with Theo. Be home by 5.

See you then.

As soon as practice ended, I bundled Theo into the car and drove through the Christchurch rush hour traffic. I tried not to break any road rules but my foot seemed to want to stay planted on the accelerator.

When I arrived home, Luke’s car was already in the driveway and he was standing on my doorstep. His dark eyes watched me as Theo and I approached.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Oh fuck, I loved him so much.

“Uncle Luke!” Theo launched himself at Luke.

Luke did an exaggerated stagger backward. “Whoa there, Little Man. I swear you tackle harder than any of those South African forwards.”

I unlocked the door. “Sorry we’re late, traffic was feral.”

“As feral as a hyena with rabies?” Luke asked with an upturn of his mouth.