Page 66 of Winning You

“Jesus, Fen,” Frankie said.

Lucas wrinkled his nose as he laughed. “It’s fine. Was I obvious, or did someone tell you?”

“Fallon told me. Is it weird? Are you blind like my sister?”

“It’s normal,” Lucas said, his fingers twitching with his small stims. “I was born that way. Well, mostly. I had my eyes removed when I was a newborn, so I don’t remember anything about it. And no. I’m not blind like your sister.”

Fenton’s brows flew up. “Oh, shit. That must have freaked your parents the fuck out.”

Lucas’s mouth twitched into an amused smirk. “You know, I never did ask. My dad’s kind of…I don’t know. A sentimental marshmallow about literally everything. Like, he still has all my old canes in a box in his attic. I felt like if I asked him, it would turn into a two-hour story time.”

“Can’t relate. My parents sucked, and getting this one to talk about anything more interesting than what brand of socks he needs to buy is like pulling teeth.”

Lucas wrinkled his nose and turned his head toward Frankie, reaching for his leg. They’d agreed not to say anything, but Frankie found himself suddenly craving the need to be defended. And Lucas didn’t let him down.

“Maybe I’m weird, but I have never had a better evening than talking with Frankie.”

Fenton’s gaze snapped to Frankie’s, and he lifted his brows, mouthing, ‘Really?’

Frankie wanted to smack him upside the head. Using Lucas’s blindness to his advantage like that pissed him off in ways he was not expecting. Before he could lose his cool though, Fallon appeared with Elodie, who was rubbing at her eyes, her glasses hanging from the strap around her neck.

“Daddy?”

Frankie hopped off the couch and reached for her. She smashed her face into the center of his chest the way she always did when she was fresh from a nap. He pragmatically did not complain that his brothers had let her fall asleep so late in the day either.

“Hi, Bugs. Did you have a nice nap?”

“Mhm. I want pancakes.”

“We’re having pizza.”

“Noooo,” she said very softly, shaking her head.

He bounced her a little. “Your friend is here. Do you remember Lucas from next door?”

She sniffed and swiped her hand down her face, then turned her head. Her nystagmus was always a little worse after she’d slept late, so her eyes were moving more rapidly than usual. He didn’t think her brain was processing much of anything she was seeing.

“He’s on the couch next to Fenton. Want me to ask him for a hug?” He braced himself because he wasn’t sure Lucas was actually into hugging children.

“I would love a hug,” Lucas said.

Elodie brightened. “My friend!” She shoved her arms in Lucas’s direction, almost toppling out of Frankie’s grasp. He had just enough strength to keep her upright until he was close enough to let her tumble into Lucas’s lap.

Lucas didn’t miss a beat as he adjusted her so she was sitting across his thighs, and then he pulled her close and nuzzled the top of her head. “You give really good hugs.”

“Mmkay.”

“Say, thank you, Bugs.”

“Mmkay.”

Lucas grinned over the top of her head. “It’s fine.”

“Read a book?” She turned her head to face Fenton, likely recognizing him. “Where’s my book?”

“It’s in your bag,” Fallon said. “She got it at school, but we couldn’t read it. It’s in braille, and there’s no print on it.”

“My time has come,” Lucas said, then cracked his knuckles. “Hand over the book, and while I’m reading, you can go next door to my place and make a salad so we’re not just eating pizza.”