It’s nearly been two weeks, and while Luca has let me finally climb into bed beside him, nothing has happened. Since the pictures at his parents’ house, we’ve shared a bed, but he’s been adamant about putting a vast array of pillows between us, like he’s worried he might accidentally roll over and spoon me.
Oh, the horror.
I’m trying my best to give him as much time and space that he needs.
At least I’m not in the room with Zeke anymore, which has landed Zeke sneaking into our room on most nights. I manage to get him back to sleep and tuck him back into his big-boy bed.
But it’s been interrupting my sleep.
Luca hasn’t budged an inch when Zeke comes barreling into the bedroom in the middle of the night. He’s either a heavy sleeper or pretending not to notice. I don’t blame him. Zeke is my son.
“Look, there’s your daddy!” Nova points at Luca on the ice and then tickles Zeke to gain his attention.
Zeke watches with wide, curious eyes as the guys practice before the start of the first period.
“Dada.” Zeke points at Luca.
“That’s right!” Nova squeals.
She seems a bit more excited than I am, probably because I’ve heard Zeke refer to Luca as Dada more than once.
“Dada!” Zeke points at Ashton.
“Dada!” Zeke points at Liam.
Well, at least he’s recognizing the teammates who live with us.
“Not quite,” Nova says and sighs. “Luca is your daddy. Ashton is mine.”
My eyes widen, and I smack Nova on the shoulder. “Ashton is not your—oh my God. Can we just not?” I shake my head, wanting to dispel all images of Ashton and Nova that I had previously walked in on and witnessed between the sheets. Although, quite honestly, there weren’t many bedsheets covering anything.
Kensley giggles and shoots a look at Nova. “You two did hook up that night! I saw you making out with him at the party.”
Nova’s face reddens. “Quiet! Luca doesn’t know.”
“He can’t hear us.” Kensley gestures between the guys and us. “Relax, I’m not going to say anything. But why can’t Luca know?”
Nova blows a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Luca’s got big-brother energy. He will beat the pulp out of anyone I’m dating.”
“Why?” Kensley asks.
I grin. “Because he can.”
Nova and Kensley both laugh, which makes Zeke giggle. It’s the most adorable sound in the world. I kiss Zeke’s cheeks. “In all seriousness, Luca is going to find out.”
“I know.” Nova sighs heavily and folds her arms across her chest. She leans back, stretching her legs and then crossing them. “Ashton and I got into a fight about it a couple of nights ago.”
“Oh?” I can’t help but feel surprised that they’re fighting. There hadn’t been any sign of it while I’ve been home. No tension. No spats. If anything, they’ve been cuddling on the couch watching movies together at night.
It’s kind of crazy how Luca hasn’t noticed the cuddling, but he just sees Nova as his little sister and Ashton as his best friend. To him, they’re just two of his favorite people hanging out together.
“We worked things out. You weren’t home when it all went down.” Nova waves her hand through the air and then her gaze locks on Ashton. A wry grin crosses her features as she watches him on the ice. “Liam was being a dick and, well, the whole relationship nearly went up in flames. It’s better now. I just wish Ashton would find the courage to tell Luca. Not wait until the season is over.”
“It could be worse,” Kensley says, pointing at Zeke. “This little guy could spill all your secrets.”
“Give it another month or two and he just might,” I say. Zeke is already babbling a lot more, and while not all of it is decipherable, he is starting to learn to repeat words.
Nova groans. “Just great!”
