by Young, Alexa
“Well, I’ll feed you up good and proper. I’m half-Italian, so I’m wired to make good, hearty meals. It’s just in my nature to feed people, that’s why I love my job.” She smiles before taking a sip of what no doubt will be fine Italian coffee.
“Where do you work?” I ask, intrigued.
“I have my own little coffee shop called Luciana’s.”
“Wow, you must make a packet because your food is to die for.” My eyes widen at my brazen words. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“We do well. We have regular customers who stop by most days, and we’re seeing more and more new ones.”
She appears grounded in the face of her success, and I like that quality about her.
“So, how do you run the coffee shop with Gracie?”
“Dray and I work part-time, so there’s always one of us with her, but I’m pretty sure Dray would spend all his time with her at home if he could.” She chuckles to herself and, despite only spending a few hours in his company, I know she’s right.
“He’s like a different person with her.”
“I know he can come across a little grumpy and hard at times, but with the people he loves, he’d walk to the ends of the world to make them happy. He told me he turned you away at first, and he’ll live with that regret, but he’s so cautious and protective. In the early days, he lived a life mixing with the wrong people. He was fighting to earn money just to live on, but he got good and more money soon flowed in. People were always contacting him arranging fights, and it became too much. The amount of times I had to tend to his cuts and bruises… I hated seeing him go in the ring, wondering if he’d come out alive. Shortly after, he got into gambling, and I despised the people he mixed with. Over time, he built up enough money to buy several gyms over. He’s a self-made millionaire, but the route was long and hard. He’s on the straight and narrow, but there are those who’d happily drag him back into the dark underground if they could.”
“I never knew he had it that hard. I guess I see the house, the money and think he’s a lucky guy.” I, for one, should know never to make assumptions about other people.
“He’s so much more than that. I know he wants to get to know you, and it will be awkward at first, but please let him in. Growing up, he always wanted brothers. He hated being the only child.”
I nod, thinking it’s all too much. Luce grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You’re a good kid, and we’re happy to have you here. I know Gracie loves you already. She doesn’t let just anyone tickle her feet, so you’re highly honoured.” She winks in amusement.
I laugh at her words. “She already has me wrapped around her little finger. She’s really something else.”
“We always say she’s been here before.” Her eyes shine with so much love it’s overwhelming and foreign to me. My own mother never looked at me in that way. Well, not any time I can remember.
There’s a knock at the door, and Luce drops my hand to go see who it is. A few moments later, Ritchie walks in with a six-pack in his hand, smiling.
“Hey, Lex, settling in okay?”
I nod and smile. He’s a little intimidating like Dray, all six-foot-something, tattoos and muscles. I feel like a twig beside them.
“Where is the dickwad?” Ritchie asks, chuckling at his own words.
I snort then quickly turn it into a cough.
“The dickwad who pays your wages is here,” Dray barks, walking through. “Hope you’ve brought the beers this time.”
“Here you go, Mr Millionaire. I pay my dues.” He holds them aloft in mock amusement.
“Pfffttt, you pay zip, Ebenezer,” Dray adds dryly.
Ritchie scowls. “Do you want to hear my good news, or are you just going to shower me with compliments all night?”
“Go ahead.” Dray rolls his eyes playfully.
“I’m going to be a dad.”
“Oh, my God.” Luce’s eyes widen then she launches herself at Ritchie, hugging him hard. He holds her for a few moments before she lets him go. Dray soon barrels in as well, hugging and slapping him on the back.
“Congrats, mate. Your life is about to change forever, but for the better.”
Ritchie’s eyes scan the room before his face drops. “Where is my little Gracie?”
“She’s in bed, out for the count. She’s had a big day, meeting Lex. I think we can safely say he has a fan now.” He winks at me.
“Aww, I was looking forward to seeing her all day.” Ritchie pouts, and it’s all I can do to try and hide the laughter. I think she has everyone under her spell.
“Well, kids have to sleep, 'Itchie,'” Dray snorts.
“Hey, I love my Gracie name, and Lolly likes hers, too. Makes us feel special.”
“I swear it will be a sad day in this house when she starts speaking properly. I think I might cry.” Dray frowns at the thought of it.
“She’ll grow up eventually,” Ritchie adds while grinning, rubbing salt in the wound.
“Oh, don’t. The thought of my baby becoming older sends me into a meltdown.” Dray looks completely horrified by the thought of it.
“Then you need to start making baby number two.”
Luce’s face falls. “I’m just going to check on—” She makes a swift exit to the kitchen as Dray slaps Ritchie on the arm in annoyance.
“What?” he asks, rubbing his skin, scowling.
“We’ve been trying for over a year and still nothing. She gets really upset when it’s brought up.” Dray’s face falls, and my heart sinks.
“Sorry, man, but you never said.” Ritchie looks on, embarrassed.
“I know. I think falling pregnant with Gracie so easily we thought the same would happen with this one, but so far nothing. The longer it goes on, the more badly she takes it. We haven’t discussed it with anyone, especially not after all you and Laurie have been through. We just kept it to ourselves. I think maybe we need to go see someone.”
“It will happen. I mean, look at me and Laurie. We thought we were never going to get there. After three miscarriages, I was about to give up, but here we are.” He smiles, looking hopeful.
“It’s the best news. I bet Laurie is bouncing off the walls.”
“I left her telling all the family. She might get off the phone sometime in the next week. Thank God the United match is on so I had the excuse to do a swift exit out the door. Thought I’d bring a few as a way to celebrate. Please tell me Luce has been cooking, because I am starving right now.” His eyes flick towards the kitchen. Seems like everyone is in love with her cooking, and I’m not surprised.
“Is the Pope Catholic? Go in and fill your boots.” He waves him into the kitchen.
“I don’t want to if she’s upset,” he says hesitantly.
“She’s fine, she just needs a moment. She’ll be out pandering to us all soon.”
Sure enough, Luce breezes out a few seconds later, smiling and bearing a huge plate of snacks. Dray reaches in, taking it from her as Ritchie walks over and hugs her.
“Sorry, Luce, me and my big mouth.”
“Hey, it’s fine. I’m so happy for you and Laurie. Hopefully, it will be our turn again soon.” She smiles, trying to keep a brave face.
“It will, baby,” Dray adds, pulling her into his side and kissing her hair.
“Now, you guys go off and watch your match, unless Lex wants to join me with a chick flick?” She arches an eyebrow in amusement.
My eyes widen in horror. “Err, I think I’ll stick with the guys, if that’s okay.”
“Hang on, we haven’t established who the hell you support or – perish the thought – if you even like football.” Dray’s eyes narrow, waiting for my reply.
“I’m United till I die,” I say defensively.
“Then come along to the 'man room' and let us eat, drink and watch the opposition get hammered. Oh, wait, how old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
“Yeah, that’s old enough.” Dray shrugs. I didn’t think he was a stickl
er for the rules.
“Dray,” Luce scolds.
“Firecracker, come on. One beer is not going to kill him.” He rolls his eyes at her.
She places both hands on her hips and scowls. “Hope you won’t be encouraging our daughter to drink before she’s old enough.”
“She is never drinking,” he snorts in anger.
“Always double standards with you, Dray.”
“But firecracker, you still love me.” He winks, and her eyes soften slightly. He knows how to get around her.
“True. Now off, the lot of you. I have a date with Channing.”
“Mother-fucking Channing,” Dray mutters, ushering us all upstairs.
“Did you say something?”
“Not a word, firecracker, not a word.”
He knows better than to say what he really means. We make a swift exit, heading to the 'man room'.
“I swear, Luce’s fucking Channing obsession is getting out of hand. I’m not sitting through another of his fucking chick flicks, that’s for sure,” Dray rants, banging down the plate momentarily onto the windowsill so he can crack open his beer.
“Laurie’s the same. What is his fucking appeal? He has all the women going completely gaga. So he can dance, so fucking what?” Ritchie barks, looking equally as pissed.
“I hear ya.” They high-five, shaking their heads. Ritchie’s eyes look towards Gracie’s room.
“Can I not just pop my head in for two seconds?” Ritchie pleads.
“Wake her up and I’m going to bloody slap ya,” Dray warns, and we all know he means business.
He opens the door as we all peer in slightly. She’s sound asleep, sucking contentedly on her dummy, looking like a peaceful sleeping angel.
“Time moves so fast. One minute, you’re rocking them in your arms wondering if you’ll ever get to experience sleep again, then the next minute, they're walking, talking and you wonder where the years have gone. Treasure every moment you have with them, Ritch.”
“I will. You still have plenty time with Gracie before she starts even looking at boys. What is it, around thirteen now, kids are starting to date?”
“I don’t fucking think so. She’ll be twenty at least before she even looks at a guy.”
Gracie stirs, and Dray’s eyes widen as he shoves Ritchie and me out the door to close it behind us.
“Calm the fuck down, Dray,” Ritchie whispers, laughing at the same time, but Dray is taking it all far too seriously.
“Wait till you have a kid. And I hope it’s a girl, so I can totally take the piss out of you. Then you’ll know.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Are we watching this match already?”
We walk into the ‘man room’, and it’s my idea of Heaven. Not only does it have an enormous ninety-inch TV erected on the wall, it houses a huge sports table, which includes pool balls, table tennis, and air hockey. There are also several different arcades situated around the room. Lined along the shelves are every single kind of gaming console, with a huge, black leather sofa and mini fridge to finish it off. It’s the 'man room' all right. It’s every guy's dream.
I sit down, stunned, staring at shelves upon shelves of computer games and DVDs lined along the wall. Even if I were left in this room for years, I wouldn’t be bored for a moment. Dray passes me the plate, smiling; he can see I’m more than impressed.
“Here’s your beer,” he offers, handing it over once he pops the cap. He switches on the match; it’s in the warm-up stage.
“I swear, Luce’s cooking just gets better.” Ritchie says in-between bites.
“Don’t let Laurie hear you say that, she’ll have your balls,” Dray scoffs.
“She knows I can appreciate both. My wife is perfectly aware of how amazing she is as a chef. She does work at the most sought-after restaurant in Manchester, after all.”
“Which restaurant is it?” I can barely afford to eat, so restaurants are not something I’ve spent a lot of time in.
“Nico’s,” Ritchie says.
“Shit, that’s expensive—sorry.” I should engage my brain before I speak. My dad always said I was too free and easy with my mouth.
“It’s fine, it is fucking expensive. If I didn’t get it free, I certainly wouldn’t be paying for it.”
“Such a tight git, Ritchie,” Dray retorts, shaking his head.
“Oh, shut up, moneybags.”
“You would think you were a pauper the way you carry on. Wait till this kid comes along, you’ll be pissing money away faster than you can make it.”
“Don’t say that.” He scrubs his hand down his face, all colour now drained out of him. Dray smirks, loving the impact his words have on his friend.
“You are in for a massive shock with kids, Ritch. Not only will they bleed you dry, but also say goodbye to sleep for a few years. Gracie gets up at five. Luckily, we leave the door open, so she gets into our bed and snuggles till six while I tickle her feet. After that, you’ve no chance. And that’s Gracie now. When she was a baby, it was three and four times a night.”
“Why are you saying this, to make me feel bad?” Ritchie huffs, chugging his beer in annoyance.
“No, it’s a reality check. You need to realise you’re in for one hell of an awakening when Baby Carr arrives.”
“But I thought you loved being a dad,” Ritchie replies, frowning.
“I love Gracie with all my heart, and she will always be one of the best things in my life, but kids are hard.”
“Then why do you want more?”
“Because they are so worth it. I’d have a dozen if I could. Granted, I’d spend the best part of the day pulling my hair out, but I love kids. I want to be surrounded by my kids and grandkids when I’m an old man. I just need for you to realise what’s going to happen. It’s going to be an emotional roller coaster for Laurie. You have to be there for her throughout it all, to help her through it. Fuck, I could barely open my mouth without Luce snapping my head off, but I bit my tongue because I knew all the hormonal bullshit she was going through was not her fault.”
“Laurie’s already snapped at me, think it’s the morning sickness,” Ritchie huffs, taking another draw from his beer.
“Yeah, Luce had that for the first few months. It was like she couldn’t keep anything down. Working with food is bound to be a killer. I know Luce would have triggers she had to try and avoid.”
“Are there any good points about pregnancy, because right now, you're killing me.”
I snort and choke on my beer as Ritchie sends a glare my way.
“The baby will make up for every single moment, even the birth. You might want to prepare yourself, though, because Luce nearly broke every bone in my hand.” He stretches it out almost like it’s an old war wound.
“Dear God, you are just a ray of fucking sunshine tonight. Do you think we can watch the match now so I can try and forget about bloody labour? I do still have many months to prepare for all that,” Ritchie snaps.
I’m totally fine with not discussing the matter further.
“Fine. Hand me another beer, will ya.”
Ritch slaps one into Dray's hand. He twists and flicks the cap onto the table as he sits back and the match begins. The only noise is the odd groan or mutter of annoyance, then twenty minutes in, we score. We jump up and shout, and I’m hollering like the other two until I remember.
Shit. Gracie.
Dray turns, clapping his hand on my back and chuckles. “The room is soundproofed. Trust me, it’s the first thing I did. We get a little vocal during the game, so it’s a must.”
I smile and sip my beer, grateful Gracie is still peacefully sleeping. I help myself to another chicken pastry slice. God, these are Heaven in my mouth. Ritchie agrees, too, moaning loudly. Luce is one hell of a cook.
At the half-time break, Dray heads down to get more beers and food. I sit awkwardly, picking on my beer label as Ritch looks over. He’s kind of intimidating, and I don’t know what to say.
“So, you’ve s
ettled in okay?” Ritchie asks. I nod as he chuckles. “Not much of a talker, are you?”
I smile and shake my head.
“You and Dray getting along okay?”
“Fine.” I shrug.
“Fuck, kid, you got to give me more than that.”
“As soon as I find a job, I’ll start looking for my own place.”
Dray walks back through with beers in hand. “You’re staying here. Fuck looking for somewhere else, you have a home here. I’ve told you we don’t want anything. Gracie already loves the bones of you, and she’ll be upset if you go. Free bed and board and a family that cares for you, why the fuck would you want to leave?” Dray rants.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m leeching off you, that’s all,” I protest. He’s already given me so much.
“How are you leeching off your family?” he asks, looking annoyed by my words.
“I’m not like Dad. I don’t want you thinking I am.”
Fuck, I’d hate for him to ever think that.
“Listen, I know that. You don’t have to convince me. I can find you work at the gym but I want nothing from you, this is your home. Do you hear me?”
I nod and he smiles, happy he’s convinced me.
“Mr Chatterbox there. You don’t take after your brother, that’s for sure,” Ritchie snorts.
I guess he has a point.
“Look who’s fucking talking. He never quits yapping in my ear. I’m glad I only work part-time now,” Dray bites back.
“Yeah, well, it’s a better environment at work now that Mr Grumpy Bastard isn’t around as much to bring down the mood.”
Jesus, they are brutal when they get going.
“Oh, fuck you. I keep people in line, it’s called being a boss.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Ritchie goes to grab a snack from Dray’s plate, but Dray quickly moves it away.
“What’s the magic word?”
“Fuck you.”
“You’ll have to clean up your language. Can’t be speaking like that around the baby,” Dray retorts.
“Err, pot, kettle, with your mouth.”
“I'm extra careful in front of Gracie. Trust me, she’s like a little parrot, and no matter how hard you try and make her forget she says it over and over.”
