The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 26

Lukas

The funeral home in Carlsbad was everything my father would have wanted—beautiful, classic, and dignified. The soft sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting a warm glow over the room. His remains rested in a polished urn, framed by flowers and an elegant photo of him in his prime. People had been filing in all morning, colleagues, friends, family—all gathered to honor the life of a man who had impacted so many. But the weight of the day felt like a crushing force on my chest.

I stood near the entrance, feeling a strange mixture of numbness and anxiety. The responsibility of giving my father's eulogy was weighing heavily on me, and while the formalities were beautifully arranged, the emotions underneath were raw and heavy. My throat felt tight. I had no choice but to be strong for my mother, for Liam, and for the guests who had come to hear me speak about the man they all loved.

"Hey," Izzy's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. She stood beside me, dressed in a simple but elegant black dress, her expression filled with warmth and understanding. "You're going to do great," she reassured me, squeezing my arm gently. "He would be so proud of you, Lukas."

I managed a small nod, but my heart was pounding. It wasn't just about the speech. It was about being the strong one, the one to carry the day for everyone else, even as I felt like I could barely hold it together.

JJ joined us a moment later, placing his hand on my back, offering his quiet, steady presence. "You've got this," he said, his voice calm but filled with conviction. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, looking somber yet effortlessly handsome. The sight of him made me feel just a little more grounded, like I wasn't completely adrift in the sea of emotions threatening to pull me under.

"Thanks," I whispered, my gaze flicking over to the podium where I'd be standing in just a few minutes. My stomach churned with nerves, and I tried to steady my breathing.

Martina and Desmond were close by as well, keeping a respectful distance but offering me their support through subtle smiles and nods. They, too, were dressed conservatively—such a contrast to how I usually saw them, full of color and life. But today, they were here for me, and that meant more than I could put into words.

"You're going to do just fine," Izzy repeated, her confidence in me unwavering.

I took one last look at my friends, feeling their collective energy, their belief in me. It was enough to give me the push I needed.

"Let's get this over with," I said, though the words felt heavy. I couldn't shake the sense that this was the hardest thing I'd ever have to do. But I had to do it. For him. For all of us.

As I stepped up to the podium, my legs felt like lead. The room fell into a deep, respectful silence, but all I could hear was the thundering of my own heart. My hands trembled as I gripped the edges of the podium, trying to ground myself, trying not to let the emotions bubbling up inside break through the surface.

In front of me sat my family—my mother, her eyes red and swollen from crying, Liam next to her, stoic but clearly devastated, his wife Aerial dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. Everyone around them was in mourning, their faces a blur as I focused on the task ahead. I had to be strong. I had to be the one who held it together, the one who said the things that needed to be said. My father's life, his legacy, deserved that.

I glanced at my friends, their familiar faces scattered among the guests, and caught JJ's eye. He gave me the faintest nod, his quiet support washing over me like a wave of calm. They were all here for me—for us—but I was the one who had to speak. This moment was mine to carry.

I cleared my throat, the microphone amplifying the small sound, and looked down at the notes I'd written. But as I opened my mouth, the words I'd carefully prepared felt distant, hollow. Instead, I spoke from my heart.