Chapter 191

That night Luke sits in his office, thinking about so many things, his mind is taken away, and his nerves hit a high. He knows if he tries to go to bed he isn't going to be able to get any rest. His mind is in overdrive. He figures to text Brad.

"Hey, man can I come over for a few?" Luke asks.

"Sure, it's a little late but it's ok the wife is sleeping, I'm just watching the game. Everything ok?" Brad says.

"No, everything isn't ok. I need to talk to you." Luke answers.

"Then come on over I will leave the door open," Brad replies.

Luke grabs his car keys and heads out not even telling Whitney he is going out, she just hears the door bang from upstairs. She just sits in bed, feeling he was in one of his moods.

Luke drives to Brad's house fast not able to wait to have a friend to confide in.

"Hey dude, have a beer and sit down. What happened that you are all ruffled up?" Brad asks.

Luke takes a beer from the fridge and takes a seat on the sofa next to Brad.

"You will never believe what happened tonight, I keep replaying it over and over in my mind and I still can't believe any of it, "Luke admits.

"Oh, wait wasn't the maybe future in-laws coming to dinner? Damn were they that bad?" Brad laughs.

Luke just thinks about that comment and gets shivers down his back, future in-laws. God this was worse than he thought.

"I happen to know Tom's mother very well, "Luke replies.

"From work or something?" Brad asks innocently.

"I wish, it was that simple." Luke sighs.

"Oh god, not one of the moms you use to play with online?"Brad states.

"No, they were just randoms back then I don't know them personally, "Luke replies.

"Ok, then who? It can't be that bad." Brad responds.

"It's Alana," Luke says with a pain in his heart.

"OH shit! Ok, your fucking with me, right? I mean out of every woman in the world she is Tom's mom? Shit her son is dating your daughter?" Brad says spitting out his beer.

"I could have done without the beer shower, but yes. It's her." Luke responds.

"Oh, fuck how did that go? Shit that had to be uncomfortable. Oh god was her husband there?' Brad asks.

"Yes it was uncomfortable, I knew it was her soon as I walked in and saw her on the sofa. Sitting there like an angel. I had to do everything I could to keep things looking like normal. Her husband wasn't there, he had to leave unexpectedly. So one mess was avoided." Luke responds.

"Angel? Do you still have feelings for her?" Brad questions.

"Yes, everything came back in a flood. After she left it just got worse. I met my daughter, she was mine the whole while. Her fucking husband played me and I was a dumb fuck and let him win. I let her walk away, I fucked so many things up." Luke announces.

"Wow ok I see the regrets building up, you seem so different than before. How do you know this child is yours?" Brad comments.

"Regrets? Yes, I have a few! I was so trying to make shit work with Whitney back then thinking it would change, thinking we could have a family. So damn scared of failing and leaving what I was comfortable with. I let the person I love most getaway. And about my child all you have to do is look at her, she is the spilt image of me! She also named her Lucia, after me." Luke says.

"I know this had to be hard for you. Did you talk to her? Maybe she is over you, it's been twenty years. I know you had regrets but I see a whole different side now. I thought you made peace with your decision long ago." Brad recalls.

"I see things differently now. Her husband came there saying all that shit, to push me away and I let him. I took the easy way out. I thought she was happy, I thought maybe the child was his and I didn't want problems. Whitney got pregnant and all I thought about was how this would be so complicated. So I took the safe road. I am glad I got to see my child grow up, but I lost out to see the other one. I did have a feeling she may be mine, that Alana was just trying to be with Thomas because I didn't want her, but I let it go. I let it all go." Luke admits. "I didn't talk to her that much, I did get to on the side, she looked frazzled and upset. Mostly hurt, that I walked away. I don't know if she still cares but I am going to find out." Luke adds.

"To be honest things were complicated and still are. I think even more so now. Her son and your daughter, are both a sibling to the other child. Damn man, what a fucking mess. Did you talk to Lucia? And what are you going to do?" Brad asks.

I know it's fucked up. Yes, I talked to her she is brilliant. I see so much of myself in this kid it's scary. I mean I love Billie she is my daughter also I was always there. Just with Lucia, we have so much in common. She is coming to work for us Monday. I gave her a job she is studying computers. I want to help her and also get to know her better. When everyone was busy, I put a note in Alana's purse, asking her to come to see me tomorrow at our spot. I just hope she comes." Luke replies.

"Damn I don't even know what to address first. This kid is going to come work with us? Don't you think that is even more uncomfortable? Are you going to tell her you're her father? I see all of a sudden you grew a pair the size of Mount Everest." Brad laughs.

"It's about time I took charge. I am not going to tell her anything yet. I want to talk to Alana and see what she says, what she wants. Then I will take it from there." Luke answers.

"What are you expecting from her?" Brad asks.

"I don't know. I just want to at least say sorry if I can't do anything else. I want her to know how much I really love her. How I thought about her all this time. How I wish I could redo everything." Luke states.

"This might go down even more of a fiery crash than the first time. Did Whitney notice anything?" Brad remarks.

"No, she didn't, I don't think. I really didn't care. I need to get some sleep but I don't think I can." Luke admits.

"I don't know what to say. Just don't overreact and take it slow. Think before you act." Brad reasons.

"I did that the first time and look where it got me? I understand what you are saying. I am sure once I cool down I will think clear. I'm going home to get some rest." Luke responds.

"Ok man, check in with me tomorrow. I am here if you need me." Brad comments.

Brad sits there in awe of everything Luke just told him. He saw a different side to Luke. One who took charge and wanted, what he wanted for a change. Just would he go for it? Or go back to himself? Or was this himself? Brad knew this was a big mess and was glad he wasn't in it.