Nick scratched the top of his head and peered at Sam.
“Oh my God you love it. Right?” He asked her before turning to Luke to see if the son of a bitch could read her thoughts and help a brother out, him being the expert and all.
Luke simply shrugged his shoulders and cocked his head waiting for Sam to answer.
“I love it!! It’s going to look fabulous with the couches I ordered today!” She said, grinning from ear to ear as she turned around and hurried towards Nick, placing a smacking kiss onto his lips.
Luke laughed as Nick’s shoulders slumped and the tension release from his body before he looked down at the little blonde beside him. He kneeled down and pointed to his cheek.
“Where’s my sugar?” He asked his little girl expectantly.
“But dad you’re covered in paint.” She whined. Luke tapped his finger to his cheek again. Ava sighed and carefully leaned in and pressed her little lips to his cheek. A grin spread across his face and he pressed his own lips to the tip of her nose.
“Are you having a good day with Aunt Sam and Grandma?” Luke asked her, watching as she leaned in to whisper.
“Grandma and I left Aunt Sam in the furniture store.” Her eyes widened in exaggeration. “Grandma says she has a hard time making decisions.” Ava shook her head and leaned in just a little closer. “She’s not kidding.”
Luke chuckled while Ava nodded, affirming everything she had said was true. He looked up at his mother and squinted in confusion. “Where’s dad?”
Deb rolled her eyes. “Please that man is driving me crazy. He’s been sitting in front of that TV since he woke up this morning, waiting for the Yankee game to start.”
“It’s a serious thing.” Luke said as he rose to his full height. If he hadn’t committed to helping Nick paint he’d be sitting right next to his father waiting for the first pitch. He picked up his roller and turned back to the wall, he was working on. If he kept at it maybe he’d make it to see half of the game at least.
Sam nudged Nick with her elbow and he looked at her for a moment. Her blue eyes shining back at him, eagerly willing him to share. He treated her to a wink before looking back towards his friend. “Hey man.”
“Yeah?” Luke said not stopping a moment to look back at him.
“So, since you’ve agreed to be my best man and all, and well your dad gave us his blessing I thought it was only right to do something to show my appreciation.” Nick said with a knowing smile. Luke turned around and raised an eyebrow. “So we just happen to have three tickets to game two of the A.L.C.S. And not just any tickets, but we’re right behind the dugout.” Nick added, sounding very proud of himself.
Luke’s eyes widened and he placed his roller down. He looked at Nick and narrowed his eyes. “Foti if you’re messing with me, God help you.”
Nick held up his hands as if he was surrendering. “I swear.”
Luke shifted his eyes back and forth between Nick and Sam and a slow grin worked its way along his mouth. “Did I ever tell you how extremely happy I am that you are going to be my brother-in-law?”
“I told you man, better to have me end up with your sister than some jerkoff who would’ve bought you a watch.” Nick said in a matter of fact tone and crossed his arms across his paint splattered sweatshirt. Luke advanced to him and grabbed him in a brotherly hug
“Best gift ever.” He said as he patted him on the back and withdrew from the embrace.
Sam smiled as she watched the two friends. “Oh, before I forget, we took Ava for her passport picture.” She said as she dug into her purse to produce the little picture. “You just have to fill out the forms and take the photo and I.D. requirements to the post office.” Luke went to reach for the photo, but she held it back from him. “You can’t sit on it Luke. The wedding is less than three months away.”
“Okay.” Luke said, snatching the picture from her. He looked down at the photo of his little beauty and then at the living breathing version. “You take a good picture, sweetheart.”
“Good looks run in my family.” She tried to wink and blinked both eyes instead.
Luke chuckled. “Oh yeah, who told you that?”
“Uncle Jake used to tell me that. He would say I got all my good looks from him.” She said and then when the adults around her changed their facial expressions she looked sad. “I’m sorry. Should I not have said that?” She asked in a small whisper.
Luke shook his head and crouched down to Ava’s eye level. “You never have to apologize for talking about Uncle Jake.” He offered her a small smile.
Ava glanced around the room, taking notice of everyone’s facial expressions. “But everyone looks so sad now that I mentioned him.”
“That’s because we all miss him, sweetie.” Deb said walking up behind Luke. “It makes me happy though that you talk about him.” She said softly with her eyes full of unshed tears for her son. “That way you don’t forget him and how much he loved you.”
Ava smiled at her grandmother and then looked back towards her dad. “I loved him too. I knew he hated dressing up and playing tea party, but he did anyway.”
Luke laughed slightly remembering the days he would walk in on Jake kneeling in front of Ava’s little table pretending to sip tea with her and her toys.
Deb wrapped her arms around Ava, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I tell you what? Why don’t we go back to my house and see if we can persuade grandpa to play tea party with us?”
Ava giggled. “He is the grumpiest guest all the time!” Ava said before taking hold of Deb’s hand in hers.
“As soon as I’m done helping Uncle Nick paint I’ll come by grandmas and scoop you up.” Luke said as he stood up straight.
“Okay.” Ava said and blew him a kiss before following Deb out of the living room.
When he was sure she was out of sounds reach he turned around and faced Sam and Nick, letting out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. “Shit. That doesn’t get easier.” He ran his fingers through his hair roughly,
“Have you spoken to Cara?” Sam asked softly. It was as if she was all they had left of Jake. Often one family member or the other would speak of Jake and then automatically speak of Cara. Luke wondered if his family would always associate the two of them together.
He glanced up at the couple that had both sets of eyes trained on him awaiting his answer. “No, I haven’t.” He said flatly and turned around picking up the roller one more time. He let out a harsh breath as he started to roll the paint in wide strokes.
“Well, I was hoping you would speak to her soon…” Sam treaded carefully. “I don’t know if her passport is valid, I’m pretty sure it is because mom found Jake’s the other day and they had gone together to apply.”
Luke closed his eyes for a brief moment before continuing the task at hand without responding to his sister.
Sam angled her head and decided to approach him again, changing her original course. “I was also thinking that since you’re probably the only one who will speak to her, you could go ahead and book her on the same flight as you. You didn’t book yours yet right?”
“Babe, I know you’re excited, but we’ve got time.” Nick intervened, noticing the tension in his friend.
“Yes, but the flights will book up quickly around the holidays.” She insisted. “Mom had mentioned you were coming down after Christmas morning with Ava. That would be the day before the wedding.”
Luke knew very well that his sister wouldn’t stop and before he lost whatever little patience he had left, he turned around and looked her square in the eye. “I have not spoken to Cara. She could still be in detox for all I know or just flat out avoiding me.” Both options were possible and he was hoping selfishly that she was still in detox and not avoiding him. What a dick, he was. “I’ll go ahead and book her flight if and when I actually speak to her. And yes I’m flying down after my daughter opens her presents on Christmas morning. You weren’t expecting me to have Santa follow her to Cabo were you?”
Everyone was worried about spending their first Christmas without Jake, Luke included, but he also worried about making Christmas special for his daughter. She didn’t fully understand death and the impact it had on the adults she was surrounded by. She deserved to have a normal Christmas, despite the fact that no one felt like celebrating.
Sam frowned, not realizing how much of an inconvenience her wedding was on Luke. “I’m sorry. I can push it back if that helps you out. I didn’t even think about that.”
“No, it’s fine. We will just be there in the afternoon.” He said a little more relaxed and his gaze softened. “I didn’t mean to jump down your throat, Sam.” He added apologetically and combed his fingers through his tousled hair.
“No, it’s me. I’m being pushy and hormonal and…”
“Fifty shades of crazy…” Nick mumbled under his breath before he coughed and tried to cover up his little comment. Luke smiled slightly at him and then looked back at his sister who was perplexed.
“And I’m edgy. Stick us both together and were explosive.” He winked at her. “I promise I’ll get everything booked and finalized for the wedding. You don’t think I’d miss my little sister marry this pain in the ass?” He said shoving a thumb in Nick’s direction.
Sam smiled slightly. “You know I could help with Cara’s recovery, too.” She said knowing that Luke was on edge mostly because he had his hands full with Cara the last week.
Luke shook his head. “No one can help Cara but herself now.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I just drove her up there.”
“That’s not true. You found a good place for her to get help. You were supportive from the moment she decided to get help. You’ve been a rock for her, whether or not either of you, realize it. She wouldn’t be receiving the care she is, if you hadn’t been there for her.”
Nick watched Luke glance down at his work books as he absorbed Sam’s words. “Hey, why don’t we pack it up for the day? We can go back to painting the Sunkist living room tomorrow.”
He looked over at Sam, who nodded in agreement.
“Alright,” Luke agreed and started to clean up.
“Leave it, we’ll get it. If you hurry you’ll make the first pitch.” She winked at him and hoped that she didn’t leave him in a permanent bad mood and the rest of his day could be salvaged.
* * * * *
Cara was escorted to the room she had stored her belongings the day she was admitted to Lakeview. Detox had kicked her ass, but here she was still standing. Barely, but that didn’t matter. She had found the strength within her and made it through the first step in the long road to recovery. She didn’t know what day it was or how long she had been locked in that room battling her addiction.
“Is there anything you need?” The orderly asked, once Cara had stepped into her room. “Someone will be in shortly with dinner or if you are feeling up to it you can join everyone else in the dining room.”
Cara looked around the room for a moment, her eyes wandering to the phone beside her bed. She turned around to face him. “Okay. Am I allowed to make a phone call now?” She asked.
The orderly smiled slightly. “Yes.” He waited a moment and then nodded. “I’ll leave you to that phone call.” He said before taking a retreating step backward and closing the door softly as he exited her room.
She stood frozen for a minute, unsure what to do with herself. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and the woman who glanced back at her looked severely ill. She frowned as she stepped closer to better assess what a mess she was. She looked like she had lost ten pounds. Her face was sunken in and the color drained from it. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun and with the hair out of her face, she noticed her features, mainly her eyes. They were golden brown with the slightest flecks of green in them. The eyes that were once so full of emotion and life were blank. She swallowed hard and turned away, unable to stare at the ugliness that came from being an addict.
She walked to the bed and sat on the edge. The silence pierced her and for a moment she thought she’d rather be locked in that room with her hallucinations keeping her company. The feeling of loneliness crept up on her and she began to feel sorry for herself. She was pathetic. She had no right feeling sorry for herself when she was the one who created this mess. Still, she couldn’t help feeling alone. The one person who loved her was gone.
She wiped at the lone tear that escaped and slid down her cheek. God, did she miss Jake. She closed her eyes and wondered how that hole in her heart would ever mend. She opened her eyes and looked over at the phone and debated if she should call Luke or not. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. She knew he was only helping her because of the bond he had with his brother. There was no other reason for Luke to take an interest in her well-being.
She reached for the notepad that sat beside the phone and looked at the list of numbers that were written on it. Three telephone numbers and all of them were relatives of Jake. She sighed and pushed the sorrow aside as she stared at the number listed above the other two. Slowly, she reached for the receiver and with hesitant fingers, she dialed Luke’s number.
* * * * *
Luke pulled up to his parent’s house, quickly turning off the truck. He glanced at his watch as he swung open the driver’s door. He was eager to catch the first pitch of the Division Series, and if he hauled ass across the driveway, he probably would even have time to grab a beer first. He kicked the door to his truck closed as his phone rang in his pocket. He sighed, annoyed. It was probably his sister adding some sort of nonsense to his list of things to do before she got hitched.
Without glancing at the Caller ID he hit answer on his phone and brought it to his ear.
“Hello?” He said as he hurried across the freshly manicured front yard.
“Hi. Did I call at a bad time?” Cara asked hoarsely, finding her voice buried somewhere inside of her.
Luke stopped mid stride at the sound of her strangled voice. He had spent many nights wondering if she would in fact call him. “No.” He said quickly. “I’m glad you called.” He said and sunk down on the porch steps. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” She said, unsure of herself.
“When did you finish detox?” He asked as he ran his palm along his thigh nervously.
“About twenty minutes ago.” She said honestly.
He couldn’t help the smile if he tried. She had called him and almost right after she was permitted to.
“How long was I in there?” She asked not giving him a chance to respond to her admission.
“Five days.” He said softly and then cringed. It must’ve been hell for her.
“I never want to do that again.” Cara whispered. “They gave me medication to help with my withdrawal symptoms.”
“Is it helping?” He asked as he leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees.
“I guess so. I haven’t felt sick since they gave it to me.” There was a silence for a moment. “How are you?” She asked, wanting desperately to take the conversation off of herself.
He smiled slightly. “I’m better now.” He closed his eyes instantly not believing he actually said the words. He tried to back pedal so that he didn’t sound like a complete ass. “I was just worried about you. Glad to know you’re moving right along.”
“Stop worrying about me.” Her voice wasn’t harsh or mean spirited but rather typical Cara, the Cara that didn’t want anyone’s sympathy, the Cara that hadn’t lost her whole world. “I’m going to be okay.”
“Yeah, you are.” He said confidently.
“Now that we’ve established that I’m going to make an amazing recovery, tell me what’s been going on over there while I’ve been holed up in purgatory.” She smiled for the first time in days and laid her back against the pillows on her bed, making herself more comfortable.
Luke smiled genuinely content with just listening to the change in her voice from when they first started their call. “Well… let’s see Sam is official
ly on the crazy wedding train. Which reminds me, is your passport valid?”
“Yes.” She said and pictured Sam running around crazily planning her wedding.
“Well, that’s one hurdle we don’t have to worry about. Onto more pressing business, if I don’t book flights soon she may kick us out of the wedding and rip our titles away from us. Would you mind flying down with me and Ava on Christmas? Everyone else is getting there a few days before, but I want to wait until Ava opens her presents Christmas morning.”
Cara smiled softly as she thought about Ava’s face on past Christmases and how special a child at Christmas truly was. “Not as long as I can bear witness to Santa’s magic that morning too.”
Luke raised an eyebrow at the idea, but chose not to over speculate. “Sounds like a plan.” He said simply.
Cara’s stomach growled, surprising her. She tried to remember the last time she ate anything or held it down for that matter, but couldn’t. “I think I’m going to actually go to the dining room to eat, instead of staying cooped up in my room feeling sorry for myself.” She said out loud and then bit her lip because she didn’t like the weakness she portrayed in her statement.
“That’s a good idea.” He said not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. “When you’re allowed visitors I’ll smuggle you some of Deb’s food.”
“Shut up. I’m probably about to eat sludge and now I’m salivating for a bowl of spaghetti.” She teased as she sat up and threw her legs over the edge of the bed.
He laughed slightly. “I’m sorry… I’ll be more cautious next time.” He said.
“Oh, so you don’t mind, I harassed your life and called?” She asked half kidding, half wondering if she was in fact bothering him.
“You can call me anytime you want.” He said huskily, not recognizing the thick emotion laced in his silky voice. Christ, where did that, come from? He cleared his throat. “You can keep a lonely guy like me company.”
She remained silent for a beat. She never really took notice to Luke’s social life. Sure, they all kidded around from time to time and told him he needed to cut loose, assuming he didn’t have much of a social life. Then he had met Leah, things had seemed to be pretty serious between the two of them... well until Cara went and botched that all up. She cringed at the memory of Leah lashing out at a barbeque recently. “Okay. Then I will bombard your phone with calls about my stint in rehab regularly. Tomorrow is my first group therapy session. That conversation should be a doozy.” She cocked her head to the side and then laughed. “Luke?”
Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) Page 6
