A Touch of Luke

7

"Marie," Macy tugged on the sleeve of my shirt to grab my attention while I was paying attention to the football game going on.

I looked down at her sitting on my lap and smiled, "Yes, squirt?"

"Why didn't daddy come to Mario and Monty's game?"

I blinked, not expecting that question.

Remy and Jamie both gave me sad looks, knowing about the whole situation with my father and how he was.

I sighed, "Daddy... he's got other things he pays attention to so he couldn't make it. But it's okay because look, we're all here to cheer our brothers on, right?"

Macy shrugged softly, "Yeah... I just wish daddy could see how good they play."

I gave her a warm smile, "I know Mace, so do I."

"Ouff," Remy winced as she saw the hard tackle Luke delivered to one of the Heith-Stone guys. "That one has got to hurt."

"Good," Jamie mumbled, grinning in satisfaction.

I let out a small laugh, "Ten seconds left, we just need one last touchdown."

A few seconds later, the crowd, including us girls, were all up on their feet cheering and screaming in joy as Luke had scored the last touchdown leading us to a win.

"He did it!" Jamie jumped up and down while clapping her hands.

"Hell yes!" Remy hollered. "Take that you H.S scumbags!" Normally, parents would have given her a scolding look but it was so loud with cheers that she was barely heard over everyone else.

"You did so good, Rio!" Macy ran over to Mario while we were all waiting for the boys to meet up with us after they showered and changed out of their football gear.

Mario laughed as he swooped her up in his arms, "Thank you, kiddo. Did you have fun?"

"Yes," she giggled before her attention diverted to Luke who was coming up behind Mario. "Hello. Who are you?"

Luke grinned as Mario set her back down and she stuck out her small her up to Luke. Luke bent down to match her height and shook her hand, "I'm Luke and you must be a princess, am I right?"

Macy giggled, her tiny face getting flushed. She pushed her hair out of her face, "No..." she drawled the word out. "I am Macy."

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Macy," Luke had a cheeky, toothy smile resting on his face as he spoke to Macy.

I have to admit, seeing Luke be this adorable and good with kids made my heart warm which was highly unexpected.

Macy, who was now flustered, raced back over to me. I scooped her up into my arms. She hid her head in my neck.

I found it adorable in the most ironic way that my eight year old little sister was getting shy and blushing because of Luke.

"Mar," she whispered in my ear. I locked eyes with her, quirking an eyebrow. "He's cute. Is he your friend?"

I laughed, "Yes, he is."

"Cute or your friend?"

I laughed even more as I tucked her hair behind her ear. "Both but don't tell him I said that, okay?"

She grinned as she nodded her head.

Mario let out a whistle, opening his mouth to speak but was cut off.

"Luke! Hey,"

"Oh no," Macy squealed, scrunching up her face as the one and only Floy Eastgate walked up to Luke, running a hand down his arm with a seductive smirk resting on her lips.

Luke cleared his throat, taking a step away from her as the rest of us watched in amusement.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party with me tonight? To celebrate the big win." She plastered on an overly happy smile as she peered up at him.

I almost gagged.

Luke coughed, glancing away from her. "Nah, I'm good but thanks for the offer, Fiona."

Floy let out a fake laugh, "It's Floy."

"Right," Luke nodded awkwardly.

"It'll be fun," Floy continued trying to persuade him while pretending the rest of us weren't standing here. "I promise I'll make it worth your while." She shot him a wink.

"Gross," Macy murmured, pouted out her lips.

Luke heard and let out a small chuckle before clearing his throat again to cover it up from Floy.

"Don't you have a boyfriend, Floy?" Remy sent her a fake smile, tilting her head as she looked at her.

Floy rolled her eyes, "Nobody was talking to, hobbit."

Remy narrowed her eyes, pulling her sleeves up, "I might be short but test me and you'll learn that short people can throw punches."

Floy glared at Remy before turning back to Luke, "What do you say, Lukey?"

Luke offered her a forced smile, "Like I said, I'm good."

Floy rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she grumbled and walked off.

"It's a wonder how you guys share the same blood as her," Jamie mumbled as we started walking to our cars.

"Wait, you guys are related to her?" Luke was confused.

"Sadly she happens to be our cousin," Mario shook his head.

"Wicked witch of the west," Macy added, shrugging her shoulders a little.

Luke let out a laugh at Macy's comment, "I second that."

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Remy asked as we stopped in front of our cars.

"I was thinking smoothies at the diner?" Jamie offered.

My back started to ache causing me to wince so I placed Macy down on the ground.

She pulled on me, stopping me from standing back up straight. "Are you okay?" She whispered to me.

I gave her a reassuring smile, "Yeah, squirt. I'm good." I was grateful she whispered because if the others found out my encounter with Oliver involved some bruises and not just the panic attack, I knew Mario would go after Oliver again.

"What do you say? You in, Luke?" Jamie raised her eyebrows.

He shrugged, "I guess so. I'm down."

"Mar?"

I got pulled back into the conversation. "What? Oh... you know, you guys go ahead without me."

"What? Why?" Luke held back a frown.

"I should get Macy home and to bed and then I have to drop off Monty's things to Ryan's house because he wants to sleepover there." I offered a small smile.

"You sure you don't want me to come home?" Mario asked.

I shook my head, "No, you go have fun. You just beat those as- jerks so go get those smoothies."

Mario smiled but nodded.

"Wait," Luke walked over to me as the others headed to Remy's car.

I quirked an eyebrow.

"You sure you can't drop Macy home and join us? Maybe your parents can drop off Monty's stuff."

I forced a tight-lipped smile. If only. I shook my head, "No, they can't. But I'll see you Monday, right?"

Luke nodded his head, "Okay, love."

Macy tugged on Luke's hand causing him to look down at her, "Hey, Macy."

"Goodnight," Macy spoke softly, smiling.

Luke bent down to her height again. "Goodnight, Macy. But hey," He moved his head to whisper in her ear but still loud enough for me to hear, "I know you're a secret princess and I'll keep that secret safe."

Macy giggled, "Okay. Don't tell anyone."

"I won't," he put his index finger up to his lips.

Macy wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him causing Luke to laugh before she let go and got into the car.

I crossed my arms over my chest, smiling as he stood back up.

"She's a good kid," he grinned.

I nodded, "She is. She seems to like you."

"Am I winning over both the Celestino girls?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Maybe Mace but I'm not sure the other one is convinced of your charm just yet."

"We'll get there," he shrugged, grinning cheekily. "And then all I have to do is get Momma Celestino's blessing and we're set."

My heart hurt after hearing that.

I nodded slowly, a soft and sad smile resting on my lips. "Right."

Luke gave me an unsure look but didn't say more.

"Hey," he rubbed the back of his neck. "I have to ask, are you okay?"

I blinked, "What do you mean? I'm fine."

He tilted his head, giving me a dull look. "I saw you wince, you kept touching your arm and stretching your back a little. He hurt you, didn't he?"

I sighed, tilting my head back. "I can take it."

"No," he shook his head firmly. "You shouldn't have to, love."

I smiled softly, "I'll be okay, Luke. Plus, I think you took care of him and the rest of the team pretty well."

His lips twitched upwards. "You might just be my lucky charm, love."

I let out a small laugh, "Really? Here I was thinking that was Macy."

Luke chuckled, shrugging, "It's a close one."

"Well, goodnight, Luke."

Luke paused for a moment before gently grabbing me and pulling me into a hug.

"Goodnight, love."