Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
My eyes welled up. Shit, this kid was so damn special. I was lucky to have him in my life. “Absolutely. The two of you are my family, and that will never change. In fact, I’d love for you to meet the rest of my family too. Mom, Dad, and Kins. I talk about you all the time.”
His cheeks had to hurt, his smile was so wide. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“Will they be there tonight?”
“No. My family and Hutch’s don’t get along. Not after I hurt Mads, so things are doubly difficult for us.” I didn’t want to focus on that, though. Tonight was supposed to be a good night, and I wanted Luke to enjoy himself. “We’ll plan something soon.”
“Thanks, Ryder.” Luke unfastened his seat belt, reached over, and hugged me.
“You’re gonna be fine, okay?” I said again, wanting to make sure he believed me.
“I know. I have too much cool stuff to do with my life. I might live to be the oldest man ever.”
I chuckled. “I like that goal.”
We pulled away.
“Hutch…he’s not gonna be there tonight?”
My chest tightened thinking about it. Christ, that man. He was so fucking stubborn…and so big-hearted too. “No, he’s not. He doesn’t feel comfortable because of how things are with his sister.”
“But you have to get an invitation to this, right? That means she invited him. Or does someone else do all that? Or since he’s family, he just automatically goes?” I opened my mouth to respond, but he continued, “I bet he doesn’t want to hurt her.”
I grinned. “You’re a smart guy.”
“That has to be hard. He loves you, but he loves them too. He feels like he let her down, but I bet now he feels the same way about you. No matter what he does, someone gets hurt. Hutch takes that on himself, huh? He seems like the kind of guy who thinks everything is his fault.”
I blanched. “Holy shit. You ever consider being a therapist when you grow up?”
“My mom is one, and I’ve seen one too. I started when my dad got sick.”
“You definitely could do it yourself.”
“Maybe.” He shrugged, then continued, “Even Maddy too. I’m sure this is difficult. It sucks that love hurts sometimes…lots of people, but I think it’s worth it, don’t you? I mean, it hurt when my dad died, but having him as my dad was awesome. I wouldn’t trade the hurt for never having had him.”
My chest felt too tight, like it was hard to get words or even air through. “Yes. I think it’s always worth it.”
“Me too. And I understand why Hutch isn’t going, but I get why you are. Maddy put herself out there by inviting you. It sounds like she knows love is worth it as well.”
“I think”—I reached over to squeeze his shoulder again—“that one day you’re going to change the world. You’ve already changed mine. And yes, I think Mads knows it’s worth it. Hutch does too. I know him well enough to believe he’ll figure it out.”
“I agree.”
“Should we go in and get ready?” I’d brought my tux with us and was going to get dressed at Luke’s house.
“Let’s do it.”
Luke’s mom, Violet, was waiting for us in the living room when we went in. She was so excited for Luke. It was clear in every word she said, in every look she gave him.
We were having dinner there before we got dressed to leave. She’d offered, and I hadn’t wanted to say no, even though they would have food at the event. When Luke excused himself, Violet looked over at me with a sad smile. “I wish his daddy were here to see what a good young man he’s grown to be.”
“The best.”
She squeezed my hand. “He feels the same about you. Luke took to you right away. He’s good with people, has never met a stranger, but it was still different with you. I appreciate all you do—spending time with him, talking to him, taking him tonight.”
“You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me. I love spending time with him.”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“Exactly,” I concurred.
“Anyway. I don’t want to get too emotional. I just wanted to make sure I thanked you and to tell you I’m glad you’re in Luke’s life.”
“I’m glad I am too.” I was honored.
“Stop talking about me,” Luke said playfully when he came out. “What did I miss?”
“Just me blabbing about how I have the best son in the world,” Violet said.
“Obviously.”
We all laughed, and it felt good. I was happy, but a piece of me was missing. I wanted Hutch with me. I wanted him to be there tonight. I wanted him with me always.
27
Hutch
The morning of Maddy’s Fight, the ED had been crazy. It was as if the universe hated me, knew I had a bad day, and wanted nothing but to make it even worse. We were short-staffed, a traveling nurse not having shown up for a shift. No medical facility could run well without our nurses. They were the backbone of patient care.