Page 139 of Pucking Tangled
“We saw the news yesterday. And your statement,” his mom said, gently.
“But we waited to reach out because we wantedyouto be the one to explain it to us.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, the words cracking. “I should’ve told you sooner.”
There was a soft breath on the other end, then he heard his father’s voice.
“Son, you sound like someone who expects to be punished.”
Luca stared out at the yard. “I don’t know what to expect.”
“We’ve always known you feel things deeper than you say,” his mother said. “You were quiet. Thoughtful. Careful. But not afraid to love people.”
His father added, “So when you say you care about all of them…we believe you.”
Luca blinked. “You do?”
“We don’t understand it,” his mother admitted. “But we believe it’s real.”
“We don’t need to understand it,” his father said. “We just need to know that you’re being honest. And that you’re okay.”
“I am. I’m better than okay.”
“Then we want to meet them,” his mother said. “All of them. Bring them here.”
Luca’s heart kicked against his ribs. “Really?”
“Really,” his father said.
“And Luca?” his mom whispered.
“Yeah?”
“We love you,” she said.
His throat tightened. “I love you, too.”
“Call us and let us know when you’ll all be coming. We expect it will be soon,” his mom told him.
“I will, Momma. I promise.”
“Very good.”
The call disconnected, and he blew out a deep breath.
The front door opened, and Casey stepped out, followed by Waylon, Owen, and Mia.
“Well?” Casey asked.
Luca stood and faced his new-found family. “They saw the news. But they waited to hear it from me. I told them that I’m with Mia, but she’s withus,and I care about all of you. Deeply.”
Waylon’s brow furrowed. “What’d they say?”
“They said they believe me,” he blew out a breath. “And that they want to meet all of you.”
Waylon’s mouth fell open. “You’re serious?”
Luca nodded. “They invited all of us to visit.”
