“I know.” I had seen Timmy run screaming from the janitor. “Luke is one of the good ones.”
“I hope so.” But Sue’s eyes said that she didn’t quite believe me. “For your sake, I hope you are right.”
An hour later, the meal was complete and ready to be eaten. Luke had kept the kids entertained outside, and they came to the dinner table with red cheeks, damp hair, and empty stomachs. It didn’t take long for them to clear the table in front of us.
After dinner, we gathered in the large living area and the kids sang Christmas carols while their mothers took pictures of them in front of the tree. Luke and I hung toward the back of the room.
“You were pretty great today,” I said, nudging him with my arm. He nudged me back.
“You are pretty great every day.” Luke put his arm around me and I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Today has been pretty amazing. You’re really helping people here.”
“I hope so.” I thought about what Sue had said to me in the kitchen. “Sometimes I’m not so sure. It’s hard to make a difference after the fact. These people are pretty damaged.”
“We’re all pretty damaged,” he said quietly.
I thought about my own past. “I guess that’s true.”
A loud knock on the front door caused everyone to jump. Another volunteer, Maria, ran to answer it. “I wonder what that’s all about.” I said. When I looked at Luke, I detected a faint smile. “What did you do, Luke Donovan?”
“Who, me?” he said, his familiar playful smile returned in full force.
“Ho, ho, ho!”
The kids all squealed in delight at the sight of the fat man with a beard and red suit. He was carrying bulging bags filled with wrapped presents.
“Santa!” Timmy jumped to his feet and rushed at the stranger. Santa managed to drop the packages just in time for Timmy’s hug.
“How in the world did you find a Santa Clause on Christmas Eve?” I asked Luke.
He shrugged innocently. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Santa always works on Christmas Eve. It’s kind of his night.”
I poked Luke in the side. “Now who’s the amazing one?” I said, giving him a long kiss.
“Kasey! Luke! Look what Santa got me!” Timmy interrupted us, jumping up and down and waving his present in the air.
“A helicopter?” I laughed at Timmy’s excitement. I had never seen him smile, much less jump up and down. “That’s pretty cool.”
“It really flies!” Timmy explained. “It has a remote control.”
Luke was laughing, too, his eyes as bright as Timmy’s. “Let’s get that thing in the air,” he said. I watched as he helped Timmy open the package and put everything together. He was kneeling on the ground while Timmy sat in his lap, asking questions. Luke carefully explained all the parts of the helicopter and how it flew. After they got the batteries in place, Timmy ran around the room, chasing the helicopter.
The other kids were just as excited about their presents, and Santa even brought presents for the mothers. I stayed in the corner of the room and watched it all, loving the pure innocence of Christmas.
An hour later, I was entering Luke’s home for the second time. He had moved since the last time I’d gone home with him and his new house was beyond impressive. At first, I couldn’t imagine ever being comfortable in such an intimidating place. But that feeling quickly faded with Luke by my side. Cuddled on his couch watching Christmas Vacation and drinking spiked eggnog, I had never in my life felt more at home.
Luke must have felt the same way because he fell asleep next to me, both of us fully dressed. The next morning, we woke up tangled together on his couch with the television still on.
“Merry Christmas,” Luke said, his voice heavy with sleep.
“You, too,” I murmured into his chest. I wasn’t planning on moving anytime soon. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans. Luke’s phone rang shrilly from across the room. “Ignore it,” I advised.
“Gladly.” Luke wrapped me tighter in his arms. The phone stopped ringing for a minute and then started up again. We tried to ignore it, but when it started ringing for the third time, I urged him to answer it.
“This could go on all morning.”
Luke’s shoulders tensed as he checked the caller ID. “Hello?” he said tersely.
He paced the room and ran a hand through his messy hair. Whoever was on the other end of the line was speaking shrilly and I could only make out a few random words.
“I was busy.”
“No, I wasn’t avoiding you.”
“Yes, I’m still planning to come today.”
“I don’t know. Later.”
His eyes narrowed at whatever was being said. When he looked at me, he mouthed that he was talking to his mother and rolled his eyes. I smiled and stretched lazily. Luke would be spending time with his family today which meant I could head back to my place and do some laundry. Luke had other ideas.
“Actually, I’m bringing someone with me.”
“Yes, a woman.”
He rolled his eyes again. “Mother, I’ve told you a million times that I’m not gay.”
“I have to go.”
“Mothers,” he said, shrugging helplessly as he tossed the phone onto the table. “Can’t live with ‘em, wouldn’t be alive without ‘em.”
I shrank away from him when he took a seat on the couch and reached for me. “Did you have something you wanted to run past me?”
Luke winced. “Yeah… so you’re coming with me to my family Christmas.”
“I am?” I cocked my head. “You’re sure about that? Did you maybe want to ask me, rather than tell me?”
“Well, you kind of owe me,” Luke said. I could see the playful smile lurking behind the surface.
“I do? Why is that?”
“Because of what I’m about to do.” His lips closed over mine hungrily. Just as he started kissing my neck, his phone rang again. He sighed loudly. “Damn it. Hold that thought. I will be right back.”
But once he started talking, I knew it wasn’t going to be a quick call. It was all business talk. When Luke took a work call, it wasn’t something that could be handled in less than fifteen minutes.
I made myself some coffee while I waited for him to wrap things up. His coffee maker probably cost more than my car and it took me a good five minutes to figure out how to turn it on. But when it was done, I was rewarded with the best cup of coffee I had ever had.
“I hope you saved some for me,” Luke said, sliding past me in the kitchen.
“What time is this family gathering today?” I asked. My anxiety must have been obvious because he smiled at me sympathetically.
“We’re supposed to be there for lunch. But don’t worry, it will be very casual.” He gestured to my wrinkled clothes. “You can go just like that.”
I laughed. “Luke. I’m not meeting your family for the first time wearing the same clothes I had on yesterday. I need to change, and maybe even shower.”
“I have plenty of showers here,” he suggested.
“And you also have a female wardrobe for me to choose from?” I asked skeptically.
“Okay, fine. I’ll drive you home.” He hurriedly drank his coffee. “You still look a little worried.”
“Whatever this is between us is just starting and I’m already meeting your family. Don’t tell me you aren’t a little anxious about this?” I would feel a little better to know that he was freaking out, too.
He sighed. “Yeah, okay. I’m panicking a little. But I’d rather face my family with you by my side than going alone.”
“Really?” I was surprised. “Is your family that bad?”
“No.” He brushed a hand over my cheek. “I just really like having you around.”
“That’s only because you haven’t gotten sick of me yet. Give it time.” I knew that I was doing the thing that he hated, making a joke to deflect the intimacy of his words. Fortunately, he was too distracted to lecture me.
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“Grab your coat and I’ll drive you home.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “And try not to look so afraid. I promise, it won’t be that bad.”
Two hours later, after spending about twenty minutes with Luke’s family, I was pretty sure he had intentionally lied to me. The majority of his family were some of the most miserable people I had ever met.
“Oh, Luke. You are looking so thin. Have you been eating properly?” His mother, Virginia Donovan, hadn’t stopped fussing after Luke since we walked in the door. She turned to me. “Have you been making sure he eats three meals a day?”
We were gathered in the Donovan family kitchen, staring at one another over coffee. Luke was seated to my right, while Virginia and Luke’s new step-father, Simon, were seated across from us. Luke’s younger sister, Alexis, was seated at the head of the table and hadn’t looked up from her phone in ten minutes. Luke’s older brother, Andrew, had yet to make an appearance with his wife and kids. Virginia was staring at me with hatred and I could feel my eyes bugging out of my head. Luke’s hand shot over and he squeezed my leg.
“Mother, I’m eating plenty. Stop harassing Kasey.”
“Humph.” Virginia grunted into her coffee. “What I don’t understand is why you would bring this young lady to our family Christmas but not bother to even mention her name on the phone. I take it this relationship has been going on for some time for it to be this serious?”
“Virginia. Leave the boy alone. If you keep this up, he won’t even come to next year’s Christmas.” Simon shot an angry look at his wife. “Kasey, tell us about yourself. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a lawyer.” I felt Luke’s hand tighten on my leg again.
“A lawyer? Very good.” Simon gave Luke an appreciative look. “What type of law do you practice? Do you work at a firm in the city?”
My mouth opened and closed several times but no words came out. Luke sighed deeply and said, “She works at Maverick. On the legal team.”
Simon blinked and clenched his jaw. “Is that so?”
“Luke, honey. Should you really be dating an employee?” Virginia shot me another suspicious look. “It doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“I don’t need you to tell me what is appropriate,” Luke spat. His leg was shaking furiously and now it was my turn to give him a squeeze.
“I have to side with your mother on this one. Your lack of good judgment could jeopardize your company.” Simon smiled stiffly at me. “No offense intended, dear.”
“Of course not. Why would that offend me?” I muttered.
“You’re out of line. Both of you.” Luke’s body had gone rigid and a fire burned in his eyes.
“Maybe we should go,” I whispered to him. He looked like he was about to snap and I didn’t want him to say something he would regret later.
“I would if I were you,” Alexis said, looking up for the first time. “This is as good as it’s going to get right here.”
“Close your mouth, Alexis,” Virginia commanded. Alexis shrugged and went back to her phone but Luke wasn’t as accommodating.
“She’s not wrong,” he said. “Unless you plan to keep your thoughts about my relationship to yourself, we should leave.”
Luke pushed back his chair and neither parent made any attempt to stop him. He pulled my chair out as I stood and I followed him from the room. “Are you sure you want to leave, Luke?”
He whirled on me. “Were you listening in there?”
“Don’t yell at me,” I said, stepping back. The only other time I had seen him this angry was when he had threatened to kill Neil. “I’m on your side, Luke.”
He flinched when he saw the fear in my eyes. “Christ, Kasey. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
“It’s okay.” I let him take my hand, which was shaking.
Luke’s stepped closer. “Are you scared of me?”
“Not exactly.” I didn’t think I was afraid of him, but my hands were shaking nonetheless. “You just startled me. It brought back bad memories.”
Luke’s face fell. “I’m so sorry, Kasey. Come here. Please.”
I stepped into his arms and the shaking stopped for both of us. My fear vanished, and his anger faded. Just as we both began to relax, the front door flew open.
“Uncle Luke!”
I pulled away in time to see two tiny bundles of energy fly down the hall and tackle Luke around the legs. He laughed and bent to scope them up in his arms. They both looked to be about five years old to me, but I wasn’t good at guessing kids’ ages.
“Kase, this is my niece and nephew, Max and Maddy. They’re twins.” Luke nodded toward the door. “That’s my brother, Andrew.”
“Good to see you.” Andrew stepped next to Luke and slapped him on the back.
It was easy to tell that they were brothers. Andrew was about an inch shorter than Luke, and his dark hair was speckled with gray, but other than that they were nearly identical.
Andrew looked me up and down. “Who’s this, Luke?”
“This is Kasey.”
Max was beginning to squirm, so Luke set him on the ground. Maddy had a death grip around his neck and refused to let go.
“It’s nice to meet you, Andrew.” I shook his hand.
“Andrew is just about the only sane member of the family,” Luke explained. He turned to his brother. “Where’s the wife?”
Andrew’s cheek twitched. “She’s not feeling well. She won’t be joining us today.”
“Lucky her,” I muttered, not realizing I had said it out loud.
Both Andrew and Luke laughed. Andrew slapped Luke on the back again. “I like her already, brother. Good work.”
“She spent twenty minutes experiencing the annual parental interrogation. She’s fully indoctrinated now.” Luke forced a smile.
Andrew laughed again. “Well at least now Virginia can stop questioning your sexuality.”
“I really don’t understand that. Does she not remember that I was married?” Luke asked indignantly.
Andrew shrugged. “Your marriage lasted for about a week. A homosexual outing would make sense…”
“I need to pee,” Maddy announced emphatically. Luke and Andrew exchanged a look.
“I can take her,” I offered.
Andrew seemed relieved. “You don’t have to do that,” he protested lamely.
“It’s not a problem.” I held out my arms and was surprised when Maddy lunged into them. “You two can have some time to catch up.”
“Thanks, Kasey,” Luke said.
“I hear you like penguins,” I said to Maddy, remembering that Luke had bought her a penguin as a gift two years ago. I hoped it was still true or I was out of topics.
“I love penguins,” she said with a big smile. “Uncle Luke buys me one whenever he goes on trips. I have hundreds of them.”
“That’s pretty cool.” I breathed a sigh of relief when Maddy finally confirmed that she was old enough to pee on her own. Not having kids, I wasn’t sure of adult/child social norms.
When she was done, she took my hand and led us back to where the guys were still talking. I could hear them speaking in hushed voices.
“I’m telling you man, you need to tell her now. Waiting is only going to make it worse.”
“I’m not saying anything until I know for sure.” Luke’s voice was strained. “What if it’s a lie? You don’t know how she is.”
“What if it’s not a lie? This isn’t something that’s just going to go away.”
“I need more time to think it over.”
“The kid is already two, man. If he really is yours, don’t you want to be involved in his life as soon as possible?” Andrew glanced up from their conversation and saw me standing there with my mouth agape. “Shit.”
“Daddy cursed!” Maddy sang out with a giggle.
I couldn’t feel my legs. The world started to spin around me as Luke turned around. One look in his eyes said I hadn’t misheard- Luke had a child.
“Kasey.” My name was nothing but a rush of air as it slipped through Luke’s lips.
I marched past him, grabbing my coat on my way to the door. “Take me home.”
“Wait. Kasey.” Luke grabbed for my arm, but I jerked it away. He reached for me again and this time I actually shoved him away.
“Home.” I nearly yelled the word and Maddy’s eyes widened.
Luke looked to Andrew for support, but he shook his head. “Take her home, Luke. I’ll cover for you here.”
“Kase, you have to talk to me at some point,” Luke said, as he started the car. “Just let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain.” It was cold in the car, but I was burning up. “You don’t owe me an explanation. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Don’t talk like that.” Luke pulled onto the highway.
“Why not? It’s true. It’s not like we are in a relationship or anything. We’re just… nothing.” I squeezed my hands into tight fists.
“Jesus, Kasey. You don’t really believe that, do you?” Luke slammed on the breaks when the car in front of us stopped abruptly. It gave him the opportunity to look at me. “I just introduced you to my parents.”
“You sure did.” I flashed my eyes in his direction. “You introduced me to them, but didn’t bother to tell me you knocked up some other woman. So clearly this is a very serious relationship. Screw you, Luke.”
“I know. I should’ve told you. I know I should have. But I didn’t even know if it was true.” Luke tapped his hands on the steering wheel.
“You sound like a total pig right now. You know that, right?” I tugged angrily at the ends of my hair. “Who is she?”
Luke looked away. “Lauren. My ex-wife.”
“When did you find out about the kid?”
Luke answered quietly, “She sent me a letter last week demanding child support.”
“So she says the kid is yours?”
Luke didn’t answer. We were quickly closing in on the city and nothing had been resolved. Finally, he said, “She does. I don’t believe her. Lauren was always lying about things. But even if it is true, it doesn’t matter. I want to be with you, not Lauren. Nothing has changed.”
About that Night Page 7
