Page 93 of Crash

“What about it? Birds can probably nest in it.” I say, as I nip on his ear lobe. I push back my sunglasses with my index finger and rest my chin on his shoulder.

“I love it.” He reaches behind him and sticks one hand in the curly mess. “Sometimes you straighten it and I like it when you do, but on our wedding day, I want it like this. This is you. You’re not tame, you’re wild just like your hair.”

I pretend to think about his words before I reply.

“What wedding day, luscious? What makes you think this wild and free woman is going to be contained by marriage?”

“You once hated me, but now you love me. You balked at moving in with me, but you’ve officially moved into my mansion. It’s happening, Sunshine.”

He’s right. After decorating the guest house, I officially moved in with Luke the weekend after my graduation. As planned, my mother hosted the party in her back yard, and it was perfect. The yard was filled with friends, family, and love. Luke told me he saw my father at graduation, but he left as soon as my name was called.

That night, when he mentioned moving in with him again, I decided to take control of my life and agreed to move in with my boyfriend.

We were due to come to New York a month ago, but life got in the way. Despite having no relationship with my father, he still found a way to fuck with my plans. He had a stroke, and despite our severed relationship, I couldn’t leave town knowing he might die. I never went in to see him in his hospital room, but I stayed in the waiting room and got updates from my aunt, mother, and Tash.

He was sent to an inpatient rehab facility after leaving the hospital. Once he was discharged after a couple of weeks, he still needed help at home, as well as transportation to his doctors and outpatient care. My father doesn’t have great relationships with anyone, so it took some maneuvering to arrange transportation. Since my mother is still married to him, the decision making fell on her. His insurance covered a home health-aid, but not transportation. On more than one occasion, Luke was his transportation. He’s asked to see me, but I have refused.

“Are you asking?”

“Soon, Love. Be patient. Neither one of us is going anywhere.”

He’s right about that. Whoever thought that Lucas Clark would end up being the love of my life? That’s exactly what he is. He’s the one I cry to. The one who makes me laugh. He’s the one who fixes all of my problems. And even though I’m way better at accounting and numbers than he ever will be, he’s the one who helps me study for the upcoming CPA exam in the fall.

Despite getting job offers from Mr. Clark and my mother’s company, I declined both and accepted a job I got on my own. My mother and Luke fully supported my decision, but Mr. Clark is determined on getting me back.

“Life’s pretty much perfect, isn’t it?” I ask.

“It has been since the day you crashed into me.”

CHAPTER 52

LUKE

Less than twenty-four hours after sitting in Central Park with my girl, I’m holding her hand as we run through the halls of South Shore Hospital. When I realize Vivi won’t be able to keep up with me, I come to an abrupt stop and tell her to get on my back. We burst through the waiting room door to find our entire family sitting there.

My mother and Sandy’s mother are pacing. Tash’s knee is bouncing, and Troy keeps running a hand through his hair, while Tracy talks to my dad. Even JD and Alex are there, pacing.

“It’s about time you two got here,” Troy says.

“We were on a train thirty minutes after we got your text. We could not have gotten here any faster,” I say, completely out of breath and grateful that we bought souvenirs for the kids yesterday instead of waiting for today.

Vivi leaves my side and starts a conversation with Tash and her aunt, asking for an update.

“It looks like we haven’t missed anything.” The words are barely out of my mouth when Jake bursts through the doors wearing blue hospital scrubs. Mrs. Etienne stops pacing long enough to go stand in front of Jake, eagerly waiting for him to speak.

“I have a son!” he announces. The room is deadly silent for about two seconds before pandemonium hits. JD and Troy start to whistle. Jake picks up our mom and Sandy’s mom at the same time and spins them around the room. I find Vivi and swing her in my arms, all while everyone talks at once.

When Jake sets the women down, Troy, JD, Chris, and I take him in a group hug.

“Let the best uncle competition begin,” I announce.

“There will be no competition. My house is like an indoor amusement park. I win,” Troy says.

“He’s beautiful,” Jake says. “So small and perfect.” Overcome by emotion, Jake does something I haven’t seen him do since his wedding. He cries.

An hour later, we crowd into the room, amazed at how much the baby looks like my brother.

“Why do all the babies in the family come out looking like Jake?” I ask as I look down at my new nephew.

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