I break from the kiss first, bringing my hand up to his cheek.
“What’s going on?” he asks, his voice raspy and fueled with concern. His brow is tight, the curves of his lips turned downward.
“I dropped Zeke off at daycare this morning.” I keep my voice down, careful that no one overhears our conversation.
He’s waiting for me to elaborate.
“He was clingy and he said something to his teacher that I don’t want to repeat.”
Worry etches across his face and body. His shoulders tense. “How bad is it?” he asks, his gray blue eyes darkening.
“I think we might have to buy a retro Nintendo console and Duck Hunt.”
He snorts and hangs his head with a laugh. “Is that it?”
“It’s not funny, Luca.” I grit my teeth. How can he be laughing right now? I yank his arm and drag him outside into the cool autumn air. I glance around, making sure no one is around to hear us. I pull him away from the double doors toward the side of the building. “Zeke told his teacher I shot a bad guy.”
The smile falters and his expression turns stoic. “And what did you say?”
“That’s when I gaslit my son and told Miss Adderley that we had been, in fact, playing Duck Hunt.” I bite my bottom lip, absolutely hating what I’ve done. Ashamed, I avert my stare. “I’m a terrible mother.”
Luca wraps his arms around me, crushing his body to mine as he hugs me. “You’re not,” he whispers against my forehead. “You’re just trying to protect him.”
“By lying to him?” My voice raises an octave and I wince, when I notice someone heading into the dining hall. I have to keep my voice down. “I don’t want to lie to my son.”
“He can’t handle the truth, he’s too young,” Luca reminds me. His hand draws my neck upward, forcing me to meet his gaze. “We’ll figure this out, as a family.”
“I don’t want your father to know.”
If Dante thought Zeke might divulge details about the man I was forced to kill, would he have my son executed?
“He wouldn’t hurt—I understand,” Luca says, perhaps realizing the weight of the situation. He forces a smile, but behind his gray eyes, I see the worry and concern. “This stays between us.”
I shiver, from both the cold and the weight of the situation, and he grabs my hand and leads me back inside the dining hall. “I want you and Zeke to come to my game tonight.”
“Of course. I was already planning on us attending.” Tonight is a home game, which makes it easier for me to attend. I’m just hoping Zeke gets a nap in at daycare. Otherwise, he’s likely to be fussy throughout the entire game.
While I used to hate sports, I actually like showing up and supporting Luca and the Narwhals team. Even if I don’t know hardly anything about hockey.
“Harper!” Kensley waves and Brooks nods at us as they’re seated across the dining hall.
“Good. Come on, Harper, let’s go eat.”
We grab our lunch and I steal a seat next to Kensley, since Brooks is sitting across from her. There’s room for one more, and Luca slides into the seat across from me, offering a wry grin.
“What?” I ask, glad his mood has improved. Mine is still a bit sullen, but I put on a forced smile to keep Brooks and Kensley from knowing anything is wrong.
“I got this for you,” Luca says and slides a homemade Rice Krispy treat across the table for me.
My eyes light up. “I didn’t see those up there.” I glance back over my shoulder, wondering where he found it.
“You know, if you love those that much, you can make them,” Kensley quips. “It’s not that hard. I used to make them as kid.”
Luca snorts. “I’m pretty sure if Harper made Rice Krispy treats, Liam and Ashton would kill the entire container in a day. Probably before she even got her first bite.”
“That’s what happened when I made those chocolate mint meltaways. The boys ate the entire batch!”
“I had a few,” Luca admits sheepishly, taking a bite of his burger.
