He squeezes my hand in response - his way of apologizing for his minor offenses. He's well aware that he was about to cross the line. No reason for me to bring it up though.
“Are you nervous about seeing it?” Luke asks me, genuinely concerned.
“A little. I really don’t know what to expect. But I can’t help but think that since Lindsay has been so supportive of me, she’s found someone who will speak out against him. That’s what I’m hoping for anyway.”
The next thing he says completely shocks me but it also makes sense.
“This may not be the best time to talk about this but there’s something I want you to know.”
“OK,” I respond in a drawn out manner.
“I submitted an application to have my psychologist license reinstated. I think I want to go back into practice, but with the kids at the youth center instead of adults.”
My jaw droops and Idon’t know if I want to scream or hug him, but either way I’m so shocked by his admission that I can’t make a sound. I’m beyond stunned at this.
“What about boxing?” I ask, waiting to gauge his reaction. I remember how serious he was about it when he walked in the gym. Watching him in his street match that night was intense. I never told him this, but he really was awesome to see in the ring.
“I love it. I really do. I’m not sure about making it my sole career choice though. I’m not Shane when it comes to the ring.”
“Don’t doubt yourself, Luke. You’re really impressive in the ring. I’m not trying to persuade you one way or another. I will support you in whatever you decide. But you should know that you have real potential.”
He inclines his head slightly towards me, his eyes are locked intently on mine and he considers me for a moment before answering. “Thank you, Andi. I’ll keep that in mind. Speaking of, it’s time for me to get to the gym anyway.”
LUKE
Showered, shaved and dressed, I head out to the gym but I can't get that damn interview with Lindsay Blair off my mind. She dug up old skeletons in Rhoades' closet - skeletons he's went to great lengths to hide. There will be hell for Andi to pay for that, I'm sure. I just don't know yet what he will do or how desperate he will be for Andi to recant her story and take up for him. Does he even think he can convince her of that now?
Mack and Shane are at the gym when I arrive. They've probably already been at it for hours. I planned on getting here much earlier but Andi and I slept late this morning. Then we were busy and I enjoyed that time with her way too much to regret not leaving sooner. Shane's on the punching bag and Will is hitting the weights hard.
"How's Andi taking all this?" Mack asks me.
"Pretty well, actually. She has no idea who Lindsay Blair has found. I'm more concerned about this shit than she is," I answer dryly.
Mack nods his head knowingly, "She always was headstrong. Don't know where she gets it from."
I laugh heartily. "I know exactly where she gets it from."
He beams with fatherly pride. He may not be her biological father, but he is her father nonetheless.
"Y'all set a date yet?" It's a question but he doesn't intend it to be taken that way. It's a command to make the commitment to our marriage and I know it. I know him well enough to understand that.
"Not yet. Andi wants to wait until this is all settled before picking a date."
Mack only grunts in response but it’s not an approving tone. I know how he feels.
I finish my work-out and get back home in time to quickly shower off and watch the live feed ofThe Lindsay Blair Showwith Andi. I can tell she’s a nervous wreck. She keeps wringing her hands and biting her bottom lip. She’s being so rough on it that I can’t resist leaning in and kissing it softly.
She smiles her sweet smile, “What was that for?”
“I felt sorry for your bottom lip. You’re about to bite it off. Thought it needed some tenderness.”
She busts out laughing at this, leans in to rest her head on my chest, and wraps her arm around me. “Thank you for that. You can always make me smile and laugh just when I need it the most.”
I know exactly what she means. My arm is around her and she adjusts her position to draw her feet up on the couch and put her head in the crook of my shoulder. This is when I’m the most content – just sharing the normal, everyday moments with her. Much like my parents have been my whole life. Nothing like Andi has any real memories of anyone in her life doing.
I’m about to comment on this when the show comes on and Andi sits up, her back straight as a rod and every muscle in her body tensed. This is going to be hard on her and I’m not sure what type of support to give her. So I try to watch her and the television both as much as I can.
“Good afternoon and welcome toThe Lindsay Blair Show. We’re doing a special, live show today after the heart wrenching interview I did with Andi Morgan. As you know, Andi is the sole beneficiary of the late music mogul, Max Morgan. After Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were killed in a car wreck, Andi was eventually placed in foster care where she claims her former foster father, Speaker Jackson Rhoades, molested and raped young girls in his house. AND, she also claims that Mrs. Rhoades was aware and evenencouragedSpeaker Rhoades to engage in these atrocious acts.
