Page 42 of No Ordinary Love

"You letting him back in." Basil swirled the port in his glass.

"Is that a statement or question?" I put my feet up on Basil's lap.

I was sitting sideways on the outdoor couch I'd recently bought, which was quickly becoming my favorite place to work and relax, especially with the weather being so perfect this time of year. It wasn't too hot or too cold—just right. Soon, it wouldget colder, and by Thanksgiving, I would need to find an outdoor heater if I wanted to sit here.

Basil set his glass aside and automatically began to rub my aching feet. I'd been on them all day cooking and cleaning.

"A statement."

"You think I'mthatweak?"

Basil pushed into my right arch, and I moaned. "There is no weak or strong here. That man made a mistake. He knows it now."

"What if he makes a mistake again?"

"He won't. Well, not the same mistake, at least."

"How do you know?" I leaned back and looked intently at Basil.

Big swings of emotion did not drive my friend. He was level-headed and analytical.

"Lucas comes from a world that is stifling. They may have money, but they have more rules and regulations than the FDA. Dating you was already creating waves. When you moved in together, I'm sure his mother and sister started to push his buttons every which way they could."

"It sounds like what you're saying is that Lucas is weak."

Basil twisted one of my toes.

"Ouch."

"Shut up and listen to your Yoda."

"Great one, you are; speak, if you must," I said facetiously, giving my best Yoda impression.

He chuckled. "You have a supportive father and friends who encourage you to live your life on your terms. Lucas has people who tell him not to dishonor the family name."

I considered what he said. "Jax told me that when he told his family he wanted to play golf, they all but disowned him."

"See."

"But he did it."

"From what he's told me, he has two older brothers who could take care of the family business. Lucas is the only son. Also, compared to the Caldwells, the Covingtons are an older, wealthier, and more prominent family. The pressure on Lucas must've been and probably still is immense." Basil picked up his port and drank a little.

"He never told me."

"He probably didn't want to hurt your feelings 'cause you can be sensitive about this shit." I gently kicked Basil, and he held my offending foot down. "I think not standing up against his mother was how he kept the peace because if he let her do that, he could have you."

I'd never considered that, and it made me wonder what it said about Lucas and me that our communication was so poor. Maybe it was fitting that we weren't together. I hadn't told him how much his mother hurt me, and he hadn't shared what he was dealing with on the family front.

"When you said you wanted to leave him because of what you heard, which you were right to do, he caved."

I let out a deep breath. "He hurt me."

"And himself."

"He said he loves Kath and not me."

"Easier to let you go if he believes that."

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