my tinder disaster - luke hemmings

twenty five

POV: Riley 

June 9th / 9:58 PM

"I have a son." 

What? 

My words stammer unintentionally. "You..you have a son?" 

Luke is staring at his empty plate, refusing to make direct eye contact with me. He shakes his head up and down in response. 

Ok, so Luke has a son?  My mind was boggled. 

Luke didn't look like the type of guy to have a child, especially at 20 years old. But the more I thought about it, I really don't know that much about his life. Or that much about him, for that matter. It had only been a couple of days. This was insane. 

"Yes, a three year old son. His name is Harley." 

I felt as if the walls were closing in one me. I was feeling pressured, and I had no idea why. 

"Harley? Thats adorable," I let out a chuckle to ease the tension. I try and avoid awkward situations at all costs. 

"I didn't want to tell you, well, for obvious reasons. We have just met, and well, I don't know."

But he did know. 

"I'm really starting to like you, Riley. I don't want anything to ruin your chances of liking me, and I feel like this might." 

That's why he refrained from telling me? That would never happen. The fact that he is even telling me makes me faun over him even more. 

I steady his movements as he brushes his lightly curled hair out of his right eye. Everything he did in this moment was so delicate. I could practically see his nerves on the table.

"Luke," I push myself closer to the table. "You can tell me anything, honestly." 

I wanted him to know that I wouldn't judge him for anything. 

"You don't have to lie to make me feel better. I get it if this freaks you out, heck, it's freaking me out."

"It doesn't freak me out." Maybe it did a little. "You have a kid, so what?" 

"A teenage father doesn't scare you off?" 

"Not one bit." 

"Why not? I mean most girls would probably be running out the door right now." 

"I'm not like most girls."

I could see the sweat that was running down his forehead reflect in the light. 

"It just-" his words continue to stutter. "it's just, I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. I mean, it's harder for people to get involved with someone who already has a child." 

"Of course it took me back, but I don't see why it would be a problem." I truly didn't. The fact that he even told me so early on shows me that he cares. I had a new admiration for Luke. 

"I don't want you to think that I was lying to you either." Lying? 

"I was scared to tell you, hesitant really."

"I completely get it, I would be nervous as hell too." I carefully watch him as he runs his hand back and forth through his hair. "Is Harley back in Australia with his mom?" 

A blank expression appeared on his face. It was a few seconds before he had answered. 

"Ye-yes, he's with her. Maya, is her name. We don't have the best of relationships." 

I was unsure how to answer. I didn't know how to comment on something like this, considering I've never found myself in this type of situation before. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, that must be difficult sharing a child and all." Not like I could relate.  

"Yeah, it's hard." Luke begins to twirl the straw back and forth within his cup. His face looked flush, pale of some sorts. I wasn't expecting for this to happen on a first date. 

The silence fills the booth. Unsure of what to say next, I was thankful to feel the vibration of my phone in my pocket. It was a text from Ashlyn. 

Ashlyn: hows the date going with the tinder hottie??? 

If she only knew the news I had yet to tell her. 

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sorry that this chapter sucks but i'm SO READY TO WRITE A BUNCH OVER THIS XMAS BREAK!!! STAY TUNED. 

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