The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 23

Lukas

The room was alive with laughter, the soft clinking of champagne glasses, and the gentle hum of conversation that filled the elegant banquet hall. I stood with the group, champagne in hand, stealing glances at JJ who was standing just a few feet away. His see-through shirt had me captivated. Every time he shifted, the soft fabric caught the light, revealing just enough to make my mind wander. It was hard to keep myself in check, especially with the way he looked tonight. JJ knew how to own a room, and I couldn't help but want to grab him, pull him close, and just be with him—public or not.

But I couldn't. Not here. Not with my father nearby, mingling with colleagues and acting like everything was business as usual. JJ and I had spent the last few weeks in a haze of passion and connection, but this, being back in San Diego, felt different. More complicated. I wasn't out to my family, and the weight of that secret was bearing down harder than ever tonight.

Just then, my father's booming voice cut through my thoughts. "Ah, there's my boy!" He clapped me on the back as he approached our group, his gaze landing on Izzy. "And who do we have here?" His eyes sparkled as he looked at her, then at Conrad. "Conrad's a lucky guy. Lukas, how'd you miss your chance with this one, huh?" He chuckled, clearly enjoying the way his words landed.

I forced a laugh, feeling the discomfort settle in. Izzy smiled graciously, and Conrad grinned, taking the joke in stride. The rest of the group exchanged awkward glances. My father had always been the type to joke, but in moments like this, I felt like I was standing on a thin wire, one wrong step away from everything collapsing.

"And this is my other son, Liam," my father added, gesturing toward the man who had just joined us. "Have you all met him yet? Lukas, you still keeping up with your brother?" His tone held that familiar hint of pride, the same pride that had followed Liam throughout his life.

Liam stepped forward, looking every bit as polished as always. His suit was tailored to perfection, his jawline sharp, and his confidence effortlessly on display. I hadn't seen Liam in a while, but nothing had changed between us. Growing up, his life had always been the model for mine, the blueprint I was expected to follow—whether it was grades, sports, or career choices. And while we got along fine, we were never truly close.

But before I could respond, my father gestured to the woman next to Liam. "And this is Aerial, Liam's wife," he said proudly.

Aerial stepped forward with a warm smile, her elegance matching Liam's perfectly. She was stunning, her long dark hair styled to perfection, her dress sleek and sophisticated. As she extended her hand to greet the group, my eyes instinctively flickered to Martina. For a split second, her expression shifted—shock, maybe?—but she quickly masked it with a polite smile.

"Nice to meet you all," Aerial said with a polished charm. She had a calm confidence about her, like someone who was used to being the center of attention without seeking it.

I glanced back at Martina. She seemed... unsettled. Had they met before? Something in her reaction made me think there was more going on, but now wasn't the time to dig into it. I let the thought pass, chalking it up to the odd feeling I always got around family introductions like this.

Liam returned the smile, his charm working like a switch he could flip on at will. "Nice to see you again," he said, and Martina's smile deepened in response.

"Again?" I thought to myself, but before I could ask any questions, my father interrupted with another round of jokes. "Now, if only we could find a nice girl for you, Lukas, maybe you'll settle down, huh?"

The group let out a chorus of uncomfortable laughter. I caught JJ's eye briefly, and in that moment, I knew this couldn't go on forever. JJ couldn't keep pretending like he didn't care, and honestly, neither could I. This charade, this half-truth of a life I'd been living, was starting to weigh on me more than ever.