“Dada!” Zeke comes barreling in, running for Luca when Ashton intercepts him and spins him around before flipping him upside down.
“Again!” Zeke squeals with a fit of giggles, and I can’t help but watch from the doorjamb.
I grab Liam by the arm as he wanders back toward his room. “Do you know what’s going on with Luca and Ashton?”
He snorts and shakes his head. “Ask him yourself.”
“I know he’s not sick.” I’m waiting for him to elaborate on what’s happening because Luca has been strangely distant.
When Liam just stares at me, I throw my arms up in the air and storm over to the couch.
“It’s been almost a week, Luca. If you’re still feeling unwell, maybe it’s time we take you to a doctor.” I try to call his bluff.
Ashton tickles Zeke, who now wants me again. I take him into my arms while Ashton decides to play bodyguard to Luca. “He just needs more rest and maybe some of that homemade chicken noodle soup.”
I glare at Ashton and glance down at Luca.
“That would be nice.”
“I’ll make another pot of soup after we get back from the doctor’s. Whatever you have is clearly a problem, and if you won’t make an appointment, then urgent care will be able to see you today.”
Liam lingers in the hallway. “Harper is right. If you’re that sick, coach is going to want a note for why you’re not showing up to the game. He’s already been asking about why you haven’t been at practice all week or the gym.”
Luca grumbles under his breath and sits up, wincing.
“Is it your stomach?” I ask, coming to sit beside him with Zeke.
“You shouldn’t get too close,” Ashton says and swoops in, grabbing Zeke from my arms as he brings him across the room. “Don’t want this little guy catching that nasty bug.”
“We’ve all been in the house together. I’m sure if it’s contagious, Zeke would be the first to get it.” The fact Zeke hasn’t had any vomiting or diarrhea leads me to believe it’s not anything contagious.
“Don’t want to be too careful.” Ashton is defending Luca a little too hard.
My eyes tighten as I glance from Ashton to Luca. My hand rests on his forehead. “Should I grab the thermometer? I think there’s a rectal one around here somewhere that I use for Zeke.”
Luca’s eyes widen. “There’s no need for that, Harper. I’m fine.”
“Precisely. So, why aren’t you playing hockey tonight? The team needs you.”
“I just … I can’t.” He grimaces and stands. Heading to the bedroom, he shuts the door abruptly behind himself.
“Leave it alone, Harper,” Ashton says, bouncing Zeke and then flipping him around as Zeke tries to do a backflip off of Ashton.
“I can’t.” I follow Luca into the bedroom, shutting the door, allowing us some privacy. It’s the first moment we’ve had alone since last week.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” Luca says, and he climbs into bed again with the grimacing.
“You’re hurting. I can see it all over your face. What’s going on, Luca?”
“Nothing.” He reaches for a book on the bedside table and, again, more scowling. He can’t even hide it, at least not from me.
I move to the bed, bringing my legs up to sit beside him.
“I’d like to be alone.” His words are rough and grumbly, but I ignore him.
“You’ve been alone all week. This is my bedroom too.”
“Fine. Then I’ll sleep in Zeke’s room.” He shuts the book abruptly and pushes himself off the bed.