“Then quit hitting on me and go to bed,” I snap, pointing in the direction of his bedroom.
“I’m trying to help you, but clearly, you can’t see that. Luca likes you, he’d do anything for you, but are you going to tie him down with a family when he’s not in love with you?”
I clench my jaw, my lips pursed as I glare at Ashton.
He’s not making his case.
It’s not like Ashton and I are in love.
“Dante agreed that if I marry you, you’ll be safe. He’ll leave you and Zeke alone.”
“And what about Luca? Will he still be forced to work for his father?” That’s the only leverage that I still have—trying to break Luca out of his father’s clutches, granting him freedom.
“Dante isn’t going to just let his son be free from the responsibilities of the family. Come on, the odds of Luca even getting drafted are next to nothing. It’s nearly impossible, given his stats. He’s a great player, but he’s not professional material. It’s why his father agreed to the NHL as an exception clause. He doesn’t think he’ll make it to any professional team.”
“And you?” I ask, staring at Ashton. “Do you think he’ll make it to the NHL?”
Ashton’s shoulders slump. “I think it’s a fantasy. He can certainly try to enter the draft, but getting to play pro, it’s what we all dream about.”
“I’m not marrying you,” I reiterate. I finish the last sip of water and place my empty glass in the sink.
“I could convince Dante to pay for your son’s education and anything Zeke needs if you follow through with marrying me.”
“You can’t buy me, Ashton. I’m not for sale.”
“What’s going on?” Luca’s voice vibrates through the kitchen as he stalks in, looking sexy and sleepy, all at the same time. He’s at least wearing sweats, although not the ones from today since I stole them from him.
He probably grabbed a pair from the dirty clothes pile.
My gaze is on his bare chest, though, and I can’t seem to look away. Every muscle in his body ripples ferociously.
“Just heading to bed,” Ashton says, attempting to head past Luca.
Luca grabs Ashton by the shirt, stopping him from passing. “What was that about buying my girlfriend?” he growls at his best friend.
I rest a hand on Luca’s arm, trying to calm him down. “Your father is just trying to interfere in our wedding. Don’t worry,” I say, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
He reluctantly lets go of Ashton, releasing his hold on him, but he doesn’t let him leave the kitchen, blocking his exit.
Luca glares at Ashton and then stares at me. “That doesn’t make me feel any better, learning that Dante is meddling. Tell me what’s going on,” Luca demands.
Sixteen
Luca
My bed feels lonely this morning, and I awaken at dawn, which is far too early. I reach for my phone; there’s no new messages yet from Harper.
Harper and I agreed that the night before the wedding, we’d spend it apart. I’d stay at my parents, and she’d come up with Kensley and Zeke on Saturday morning.
I offered to pick her up, but she insisted that she wanted us to follow the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding.
I never knew Harper was superstitious.
It seems there’s a lot to learn about her. And while I’ve been doing my best not to keep her at a distance, we haven’t exactly seen each other much lately.
That’s both of our fault.
Harper has been busy with schoolwork and her son, Zeke.
