Zeke is about ready to join in the little party, and he moves to climb on Luca.
Luca is quick, releasing his grasp and rolling away as I yank Zeke by the waist, keeping him out of Luca’s reach.
It only seems like more of a game to Zeke, squirming and laughing. “Dada!” he chants as he throws his arms and tries to escape my grasp.
This is why Ashton had been so eager and helpful with Zeke.
Luca sits up, making sure Zeke can’t tackle him while I wrestle my little monster and plant his feet firmly on the floor.
It won’t be long until he chases after Luca again, wanting cuddles and to climb up on him.
I run my fingers through my tangled hair, realizing that I was the last to know of Luca’s injuries. “Ashton knew. What about Nova? Did Liam know too? Is that why he insisted that we take you to urgent care?”
Luca grimaces as he stands, and I carry Zeke with me, hoping that maybe some sense has been knocked into my husband and he’ll listen to me to see a doctor.
He moves to the couch and plops himself back down, clearly in agony. “There’s nothing anyone can do for cracked ribs.”
Shit.
“Maybe we should wrap your chest, wouldn’t that help offer you some support?”
“Does it matter?” Luca forces the corners of his lips to turn upward. “I can’t play hockey. Not tonight. Not for the rest of the season. I’m out.”
“But this didn’t happen during a game.” I size him up. “This happened when you were working for Dante.” It’s the only thing that makes sense, although I don’t understand why Liam had been quite so forceful about Luca’s health, unless he knew or suspected something was wrong.
Luca presses his lips together. “Right again, love.” He stretches his legs out, resting his feet on the coffee table. “I’ll heal, but no more hockey this season.”
“I thought you’d be more upset.” I’m surprised that he’s taking it rather well, considering the situation.
Luca Ricci wants to play hockey professionally. His dream is to be a household name, a star player for the NHL and out of his father’s clutches.
“Did you see a doctor at your father’s house?” I hope that’s the reason he’s pushing me back with not sending him to urgent care, although I can see where having to explain the bruises might be problematic.
“I’m disappointed that I can’t play the rest of the season, but it’s one game. Once they lose tonight, it’s over. And they’re going to lose without me.”
There’s the ever-cocky Luca I know and really, really like.
Okay, maybe even love.
But we’re not there yet.
Married.
But neither of us has said that word. It’s not like we married out of love.
Luca married me to protect me.
“You still never answered me about whether you saw a physician at your father’s home.”
Luca raises an eyebrow. “I was hoping you forgot. No, I didn’t let anyone see my bruises. Ashton was there when it happened. Liam doesn’t know, but he suspected something when he and Nova came up that night.”
His words catch me off guard. “What? Liam and Nova came to your parents’ house? When?”
“Friday night. I guess you were in bed.”
I don’t remember them leaving, but I went to bed early after Zeke was asleep. The next morning, neither of them was around, but I didn’t think anything of it.
Luca smiles and laughs. “Turns out, we both saw something we didn’t want to see.”