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I shake my head. “Nope. Her name is Lucy Wilson and all she could talk about during the planning process was how she wouldn’t even be here without y’all. Now, she’s married to her soul mate and they have a baby on the way.”
“Oh, yeah. I remember her. That’s amazing,” he says with a grin so genuine I have no choice but mimic the expression. “I’ll have to fill the guys in when I get back to the clubhouse. They’re going to love it.”
“I was so inspired when she told me about you guys. It’s really incredible what you’re doing.”
He shakes his head. “Naw, we’re just doing what we can.”
“And still so humble about it. How did you find yourself in the hero role?”
Laughing, he pulls into my driveway. “Well, that is a long, complicated story that I’ll have to save for another time.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” I tell him and he smiles. Reaching down at my side, I release the seat belt and reach for the door, already wincing. I can’t wait to slide into my bathtub and melt these aches away.
“Hey, let me help you,” he commands and jumps out of the truck before I can object. After jogging around the front of the truck, he opens my door and gently lifts me out of the seat before setting me back down on the ground. He grabs my bag and shuts the door before grabbing my hand and helping me up the front walk.
“I’m like a damn cripple,” I grumble and he gives my hand a squeeze.
“Yeah, well, you got hit by a truck, remember?”
I shiver as the image of the truck’s grill filling my window pops into my mind. “Believe me, I remember.”
The front door opens and Alice steps out onto the front porch with Brooklyn in her arms as she studies Lucas. She meets my gaze and relaxes when I flash her a smile.
“Look who’s here, Brookie,” she calls and Brooklyn squeals, clapping her hands in front of her.
“Mama!”
“Someone missed you,” Lucas says and I nod, my heart swelling at the sight of my little girl.
“I missed her, too.”
When we get up the steps, I collapse into the swing and Alice hands Brooklyn over to me. I immediately kiss her forehead and hold her close, a sense of peace flowing through me now that she’s back in my arms.
“Who are you?” Alice asks and I gasp, my head snapping up.
“Alice!”
Lucas laughs, holding his hands up. “No, it’s okay. I’m Lucas. I was there when Quinn got in her accident yesterday.”
“And why are you here today?” she asks.
“Oh my god, enough with the third degree. Alice, this is Lucas. Lucas, this is Alice, my baby sister.”
She studies him for another moment before nodding. “Hurt my sister and I’ll bury you in parts in the back garden.”
“Jesus Christ, Alice!” I hiss as Lucas laughs, nodding his head.
“Noted.”
She turns to me. “Do you need help getting up to your room?”
“I might be stuck on the couch for a few days,” I admit. Just thinking about going up all those stairs is wiping me out. Alice takes Brooklyn from my arms and I slowly push myself off of the swing.
“I could carry you,” Lucas suggests and I turn to him, unsure, but the thought of lying in my comfy bed wins out and I nod.
“Okay.”
He leans down and scoops me up like I weigh nothing and it does crazy things to my insides. God, this little crush is turning into a big crush rather quickly.
