“Yeah. Met my dad as an exchange student in college, been married since. Wow, they have more than forty years of marriage.” I didn’t think about that until now.
“Some people were destined for one long marriage,” Abby sighs.
“Maybe. Or maybe they found their one early, so they didn’t take any stops to get to each other.”
“Is that what you think? That your first marriage was a step towards a different end point?” Abby looks at me with curiosity.
“Hmm. I don’t know. I guess I just want to think that in the long run that I will end up with someone and will look back thinking that one decision led to another to make me reach my final destination,” I contemplate.
“You are quite a romantic, Lucas. A lot of whimsical ideas.” Abby looks at me in almost fascination.
“Is it romantic? Nah, it’s just philosophical,” I correct her. “Anyhow. We should probably head down. Just grab a bag of ice from the freezer and say we went to the store. Give her false gratification that her plan was amazing.”
Abby laughs. “You like messing with your parents, don’t you?”
I shrug a shoulder and smile to myself. “I may get my kicks out of it.”
“Then why don’t I just pretend to adjust my clothes and give her the impression that we had a quickie upstairs. She would love that.” Abby rolls off the bed.
“Because that’s too tempting for me to actually turn that into a reality,” I warn her as I open the door to the hall.
But first I grab her hand to check her wound. “Nearly forgot my doctor duties. How’s the hand?” I can see it’s already healing nicely.
Her fingers grip my hand to give me a squeeze that reaches all corners of my body. Sending a line of desire between my legs and my chest. Stomach swirling.
“It’s fine. The Italian dinner helped.”
“Good,” I say as our eyes hold. I’m proud that I still have some game, and my imaginary cocky pride slaps my shoulder in accomplishment.
I also notice that there is an unbearable feeling taking over me that I can’t kiss her.
Quickly, I lead us back on our way.
We head downstairs and arrive to the kitchen where Nate is eating off a small plate that is piled with snacks as he leans against the counter.
“Well well well, did you two just come from upstairs?” Nate grins.
I slap him playfully behind the head. Abby just ignores us as she goes to grab a bottle of water from the other end of the counter.
“Why are you late? They’re holding off on birthday cake because of you,” I ask.
“Matchbox is packed tonight. Plus, does it really matter if I’m here? You are their golden child.”
My brother is two years younger than me. We are total opposites. While I was busy studying medicine, Nate was playing professional hockey. When his career ended due to injury, he didn’t quite stop his player ways. His rotation of women gives me whiplash. I can imagine my parents enjoy saying they have a doctor as a son as opposed to a philandering son who owns a bar. Nonetheless, Nate is a good guy, confident, awesome uncle and my little brother who also happens to be my running partner.
“I think I’m going to head out after cake. I still don’t know how I ended up here, other than your mother begged,” Abby mentions.
“Are you sure, Abby? I think I may crash here tonight, so I can watch Theo if he wakes. If you two want to go for a drive for something…” Nate flashes his eyes at me, and I shoot him some warning daggers from my eyes.
“Positive. But how chivalrous you are with your offer,” Abby says sarcastically.
At that moment, I notice that my father and Abby’s father are motioning for us to come over. Abby and I look at each other with agony as we know this is more parental tricks.
Reluctantly, we head to them.
“Oh good, you two found each other. You know Lucas is back for good, Abby,” her father mentions, and she nibbles her lip.
“I know. We have run into each other a few times,” she mentions with her eyes focusing on me.
