Perfect by Design

40: Luca James

There is something to be said about drawing lines—clarity. A few days ago, I boarded my plane with Gianna, Kai, and Hayes. This afternoon, I flew home by myself. At the center of this entire disaster is me.

The drive from the airport does nothing to slow my racing heart. It's 11 pm, and the darkness has never been so fitting. Hayes says she's in love with me. Bella is returning to a man who doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as her. And I certainly hope I'm not looking for any new real estate ventures soon because I have a feeling I no longer have a real estate agent.

I park my car and head to the door. My motions feel borderline lifeless as I type in the code and walk into the silent house. I've traveled this path so many times it's like I'm on autopilot. I stumble into the room before throwing myself in the bed.

"Damnit, Luca. How many times have I told your ass you aren't welcome in my bed. Get your own wife." My dad kicks me, causing me to almost fall off of the bed. I may be experiencing a low right now, but I'm still not in the business of handing out wins to my dad.

"I'm here for you this time, old man."

"What?"

"Really?" My mom practically jolts upright. "For. Your. Dad?" She repeats, her voice laced with disbelief.

"I know. Hell has frozen over. Pigs are flying. All the things."

One of the lamps in their room clicks on, and I can see them looking at each other and then me. Each other, again. Me, again.

"Alright, alright. I was considering a brief stint of unemployment, and I figured I should get some advice from the expert in that category." I roll my eyes and pray that the staring stops.

"Wow, kid. I'm proud of you." My mom kisses my cheek before climbing out of bed. I quickly squeeze my eyes shut because, in hindsight, I didn't think this whole plan through, and I hope they both have clothes on.

"You're so annoying," my dad teases. "You can open your eyes, Luca."

"Dad, I—" Words are failing me. I don't even know how to begin to explain this. I'm not sure what I'm even asking. My brain is mush.

"When I met Kennedy, she made so much sense. I felt like I stared at her too much. She was all I wanted to see. If I could've drawn someone up, the lost boy in me would've drawn her. The person I knew myself to be needed to know her. Does that make sense?"

"I—I think so."

"When I saw mom, like actually saw mom. Not at the party we met at, and I was pulled to her then, but when I truly saw her. I felt like I couldn't stare enough. Mom was what I needed to see. The person I was meant to be needed Mom."

"She's been my best friend practically my entire life, Dad. How could I not have seen what was happening between us?"

"Life is so much easier without blurred lines, Luca. People tend to take the easy way, and it was a lot easier to see your best friend because you know that you and Schy work as best friends."

"But mom is your best friend and your wife. How did you know taking the plunge was right?"

My dad chuckles a little. He walks toward the door poking his head out slightly before pulling my mom back into the room. "If she's going to be standing right outside eavesdropping, we may as well put her out of her misery and bring her back in the room."

"I, uh—I wasn't eavesdropping. I forgot my phone, and I was just coming back to get it."

"Right," My dad pulls her in and kisses the top of her head. "Luca, your mom became my best friend, and I fell in love with her all in the same breath. The lines were so beautifully yet tragically blurred from the first time I heard her say my name."