Page 28 of Tides of Love

Up the stairs, one shaking foot at a time, and straight into Jackie’s bed. It was the best nest. Jack always took care of nesting, of the blankets and pillows and sheets. But it was what Jack pulled from the closet when Lucky was face down in the pillows that brought a fresh wave of hot tears pouring down his cheeks.

“Mom’s blanket…” The knit one they’d worried holes into with their fingers. It had various constellations embroidered on top of the midnight blue weave.

Jack climbed into bed with him, bundling him in the blanket that smelled always like home. He didn’t sleep. He couldn’t. But in Jack’s arms, bundled in that precious memory of their mother, he didn’t have to hold himself together.

Lucky let himself break. He’d worry about picking up the pieces later.

16

Antonio

Some days he hated his job. When it got busy, when people couldn’t seem to keep themselves alive, his frustration mounted. Three lost tourists, four boating accidents, fire support in three different cities, and a car accident caused by drunken tourists all in just five days. He was exhausted.

Worst of all… Lucky hadn’t been responding to his texts.

If they hadn’t been read, he might have just assumed Lucky was busy. Considering his own schedule, he couldn’t possibly hold that against the charming omega consuming his thoughts. But they’d been seen. And in turn, a quiet unease built in his stomach.

With an orange sunset burning his eyes, Antonio called Lucky. He was almost surprised how quickly the call was answered. Only it wasn’t Lucky’s voice that came down the line in a hushed whisper. “You have weird timing.”

“Jack?” There was a rustle, like fabric, and a groan somewhere not into the speaker, “Is… Lucky hasn’t been replying and I got worried, is everything okay?”

“No. Actually… Maybe you have great timing.” Jack hesitated. There was more rustling and the sound of a door closing.

“What happened? Please, I’ve been going half insane…” He wanted to be there for Lucky in any possible way.

“The protections have lapsed. Ten years, not fifteen…” Jack breathed out, the rush of it crackling through the phone, “What did Lucky say over the radio when you met?”

Antonio furrowed his brows, tired brain struggling to grasp the question. “When he was hailing mayday?”

“Yeah, yeah… Mayday, Captain Saavedra.” There was expectation in the way Jack said it. An expectation Antonio knew he would meet. His spine straightened, already turning the key as the engine came to life. He was tired. He worked for five days straight. He didn’t care.

Lucky needed him.

“Mayday.” Antonio repeated, “I’m on my way.”

Jack met him at the door. With messy hair and bags under his eyes and a look of relief that made Antonio feel like a hero. Despite the heroics he performed daily, it was not the same as having those you cared for look up to you. He hardly knew Jack, but he had seen in Lucky’s face the love he had for his twin. If he could do anything, he would live up to the hope in Jack’s eyes.

“What happened?” He asked, breathing in the warm scent of coffee wafting from the steaming cup in Jack’s hand.

“Here, I realized you probably just got off work and could use a pick-me-up.” Jack offered. Antonio gave a grateful hum as he accepted the mug, taking a long sip before Jack could even ask if he needed milk or sugar. “I’ll take it that I was right.”

“Long shift.” Antonio sighed, closing his eyes a moment, “But please… What happened?” He understood the issue at hand. The protected status of Playa del Tesoro had lapsed, but he needed to know the full picture so he could help without overstepping.

“Like I said, it was only registered for ten years… Lucky’s taking it hard. It looks like it might have been caused by some smudged ink.” Jack ran a hand through his hair, fingers catching in half-undone braids. “Mom was really sick towards the end there. Her hands shook a lot. But she was stubborn. She would have wanted to fill in the papers on her own, she would have reviewed on her own too. It just… looks like she made a mistake.”

Antonio nodded silently. He handed the empty mug back to Jack. “Would it be alright if I took Lucky with me?” If the omega wanted to even come… but he pushed the insecurity aside.

“Sure. I don’t think dad’s looking for him. And honestly, if anyone can drag him out of the funk, I think he’ll be glad it’s you. I’m his brother, he knows all my tricks, and they’d work eventually but like…” Jack pressed his lips together, “Just… consider this a vote for you, alright?”

That meant more to him than Jack could possibly imagine.

“Thank you.” The whisper came out rougher than he would have liked but Jack graciously ignored it.

“He’s upstairs, first door on the right. He’s a lump in the lefthand bed.” Jack pointed up the stairs, “I’ll make myself scarce.”

Before Antonio could protest or spill more watery gratitude out to the dark-haired omega, Jack disappeared into the kitchen. Antonio placed a hand on the banister, hesitating. Hesitating. He jumped into raging waters, ran into fires, and spent nights searching forests for missing children. Lucky needed him.

With a deep breath and a prayer to a God he hadn’t spoken to in years, Antonio crept up the stairs. He followed the path Jack laid out, turning the handle with far more confidence than he felt.