Page 19 of Sweet Temptation (Love & Legacy #1)
“It’s true, Brea.” Morbidity is a bitch.
“Do you not realize you are already surrounded by people who love you and refuse to accept that anything is ever going to happen to you? That Saylor and Aurora and Dillan and me, we love you as much as any man ever will? And you let us. Why would you want to deprive yourself of that kind of love from a husband or kids?”
I never thought of it like that, but it doesn’t change anything.
“Because you’ll have husbands and families to help you. When I’m not here, you’ll go on. But I’d be leaving someone I love to live alone. I just don’t want that, and I’m sorry, but you’re not going to change my mind.”
She looks at me with pity in her eyes, and it hurts so much worse than words ever will.
“I love you, Lexie. I love you, and I think your thought process is flawed. But I also think my cousin is a dick for not taking your feelings into consideration before he outed you to your stupid fucking baby of a brother. So there’s that. ”
“What do I do now?” I look around at the mess I’ve made of the kitchen and cringe.
“Well, we stop baking and maybe do a few dishes.” She smiles.
“And then?” I ask.
She grabs a lemon ricotta cookie and moans. “Damn, that’s good.”
“Brea . . .”
“Right. First, we do some dishes.
“And then?” I ask, scared of the answer.
“One step at a time, Lex.”
“One day at a time.” I nod and take her hand in mine. “Just breathe.”
Lucky
T he day after a game is always a light day. It’s treatment for any injuries, reviewing game tape, and meeting with your position coach. Light physiotherapy and maybe a light workout. And my head is fucked for it all.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything to Linc. But did she really think we were going to be able to hide what was going on?” Ryker looks at me from across the table, a forkful of grilled chicken halfway to his mouth. And without saying or signing a fucking word, he’s telling me I’m an asshole.
Great. Good talk.
“You realize you took away her choice after she told you what she wanted, right? That’s a violation, asshole.” He shoves his plate away and shakes his head. “What did Linc think?”
“He didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. I think he just liked the idea of Lexie and me together.” Fuck. “I didn’t look at it like a violation. I thought I was giving her a push in the right direction. Taking control. I thought that’s what she wanted.”
“You assholes are hopeless.”
I refuse to accept that I can’t fix this. “Then help me figure out what to do.”
“Lexie’s got more shit to deal with in a day than any of us. Be there for her. And maybe she’ll change her mind.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I look around the lunchroom to make sure no one heard me, but the room is basically empty except for us.
Thank fuck, because when my asshole cousin laughs, I nearly cross the table to punch him in his pretty-boy face. “You’re a fucking dick.”
“Yup. But I’m not completely wrong. It’s Lexie. You’re never going to force her into something. She’s too damn stubborn. Basically, you’re screwed. But it should be fun to watch.”
“I hate you,” I groan and grab the apple off his plate before I push away from the table.
Fuck that. I refuse to accept that this woman is meant to be anything but mine.
I’ve waited too damn long for this to give up now.
I stew on it the rest of the day, trying to figure out my next move.
Then it hits me, and I pull out my phone.
Lucky
Hey, Ma. Can you help me with something?
Mom
If it’s bail money, you should probably call your father, honey.
Lucky
Ha ha ha. Very funny.
Mom
Please tell me you did not knock up some slutty little twit. Please? I’ve been dreading this day for years.
Lucky
Pull back on the spiral, Ma. I didn’t knock anybody up.
Not that the thought of knocking Lexie up doesn’t make my chest tight with a foreign feeling I’ve never had before when I thought about kids. Because with Lex... Fuck. Everything is different with her.
Lucky
Can you teach me to make an omelet?
Mom
Your roommate just got back from the most exclusive culinary school in the world. I’m sure if you asked, she’d teach you.
Lucky
She’s kind of pissed at me right now. She’s the reason I want to learn to make an omelet.
Mom
I see.
The dots under her name start and stop a few times before her name pops up again.
Mom
Do I need to kick your ass, Luciano Beneventi? Because I will. That girl doesn’t need a man who’s going to play with her or make her one of many. She needs a good man. One who will make her stronger. Not weaker.
Lucky
No ass-kicking needed, and for the record, I agree.
Mom
Are you that good man, Lucky? Because I swear if you’re not, I will be more disappointed in you than I ever knew possible.
Lucky
I’m the man you raised, Ma. The one who’s waited a long damn time for this and the one who’s asking you to help me. The rest is between Lexie and me.
Will you help me?
Mom
What does she like in her omelets? I’ll go to the store and meet you at the house.
Lucky
Love you, Ma.
Mom
Don’t make me regret this. And do not make her cry.
Lucky
I won’t.
Never again.