Behind the Stick Page 9

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hey, Wade. Good to see you.” The meat thermometer beeped, and Lydia patted his shoulder. “Excuse me a minute while I get that.”

  “What can we do to help?” Regina asked.

  Lydia issued instructions with the practiced ease of a drill sergeant, and everyone sprang into action to get dinner on the table. Luka grabbed a beer for himself when he was done and held one up for Wade.

  Wade took it with a nod. “Thanks, Luka.”

  Luka liked Wade. Despite Regina’s claims that she’d never date a cop or a fireman, the Harlem police officer had won her over, and they had a happy marriage and a beautiful home. Luka knew the one thing they were missing was children. Regina didn’t talk about it much, but she and Wade had been trying for years.

  “How’s things at the firehouse?” Wade asked.

  “Good. Nothing too wild. Thankfully.”

  “Right?” Wade laughed. “Always a good day when it’s quiet, huh?”

  “For sure. How’s work been for you?”

  “Not bad. A detective at the 28th just put in for his retirement, and my sergeant’s been pressuring me to take the exam.” Wade worked in the bank robbery division of his precinct. “I know the people in the community, and we have a good relationship, so I’m definitely thinking about it. I’m just not completely sure it’s the right move. It would change what I do, and I don’t know that’s what I want.”

  “Sure, I get that.” Luka held out his beer bottle and tapped it on Wade’s. “Here’s to working a job you love, whatever it is.”

  “Amen to that.”

  “Dinner’s ready, everyone!” Lydia called. “I got a text from Ruby saying she’s running late so we should start without her or it’ll all get cold.”

  Once everyone was seated and Tomas had said grace, they all dug in. Luka had just asked Marcus for the salad dressing when they heard the front door open yet again.

  “Ugh. Sorry I’m late.” Ruby hurried into the dining room and paused in front of the empty chair beside Luka, her hands on her hips. “You couldn’t wait ten minutes?”

  “If we waited for you every time you were late, we’d never eat,” Luka teased.

  Ruby’s lateness was legendary in the family, although Luka assumed she managed to arrive on time for work and her musical gigs. She worked in the garment district with a well-known design house, and even in a creative field, he knew chronic tardiness wasn’t tolerated.

  Ruby thwacked Luka on the shoulder and the bangles on her wrist clacked together. “Don’t be mean.”

  Luka pushed back from the table. “How about I get you some wine? Will you forgive me then?”

  “That’s an offer I’ll take.” Ruby kissed Luka’s cheek, the tight coils of her hair brushing his skin. Always fashion-forward, she’d taken to wearing her hair in a sizeable afro lately, and Luka loved it.

  “You would not believe the day I had,” she said, and the babble of voices greeting her followed Luka into the kitchen.

  “Anyone else want anything while I’m up?” he called out.

  “I’ll take another beer,” Wade shouted back.

  When Luka returned to the dining room with the beers and Ruby’s wine, she’d taken the empty seat beside his and was talking with Regina. If Regina was the queen, Ruby was the diva. She’d always been larger than life, putting on shows for the family, creating ever more elaborate costumes and performances for them all. Even now she loved performing. She had a gorgeous voice and commanding stage presence, and she performed at various clubs around the city in her spare time.

  I should take Kyle to one of her shows, Luka thought. He hadn’t been in a while.

  Dinner passed in a blur of good food and catching up. It was rare everyone made it, especially with Luka’s and Wade’s work schedules, but they came together as often as they could.

  Tomas stood when everyone had eaten their fill. “Dishes, Marcus.”

  Marcus grumbled but he stood too and followed Tomas into the kitchen while everyone else broke off into smaller groups. Regina took the seat on Luka’s other side.

  “Ruby said you’re dating someone.”

  Luka stifled a sigh. Never a moment of peace in this family. “I am. His name is Kyle. I rescued him from a fire.”

  Regina wrinkled her nose delicately. “A guy? Nothing serious then?”

  “I never said that,” Luka said, trying to keep his voice pleasant. He’d had enough with family arguments today and Regina knew how to work his last nerve. “I like Kyle a lot. He’s a great guy.”

  She waved Luka off. “I should set you up with Shawna from the office. She’s a lawyer. Very smart and attractive.”

  “And a woman.”

  “You like women.”

  “I do,” Luka said. “I like men, too. And why is it you act like the men I date are only temporary? You never take the time to get to know them. Never offer to set me up with any of the men you work with either.”

  Regina straightened her shoulders. “I’m just thinking about your future in the long-term. You want a family and that’s a whole lot easier with a woman, Luka. I want what’s best for my brother, that’s all.”

  “What if a white boy is what’s best for me?” Luka shot back, unable to hold back any longer. Regina’s eyes went wide at his tone. “Kyle is the first decent person I’ve met in a damn long time—male or female. I’m not throwing it away just because he happens to be a man and too white for Mom.”

  “Luka—” Regina protested. Their conversation had caught the attention of the others.

  “No, I’m tired of this. I’m happy. Is it so much to ask for my family to be happy about it?”

  Luka stood and pushed back from the table. Marcus and Tomas gave him a startled look as he strode through the kitchen and yanked open the side door. If he didn’t get out of there, he’d say something he regretted. And in a situation like this, it would be like tossing an accelerant on a fire.

  God, his sister drove him up the wall sometimes. Bossy and opinionated, she treated him like a son rather than a brother. Then again, Regina had been a high school senior when their father had died. With Lydia working night shifts, Regina had dealt with Luka’s nightmares of being burned alive. He’d crawled into his sister’s bed, sobbing, and she’d soothed him by singing him to sleep and promising she wouldn’t let the fire get him.

  Luka loved his sister. He loved her like crazy. But sometimes, he wanted to strangle her, too.

  He heard the scuff of sneakers on the concrete, then a ball being dribbled.

  “Want some company?” Marcus sounded hesitant, as if afraid Luka might take his head off. Luka couldn’t blame him.

  “Sure. Toss it here.” Marcus passed the ball and Luka grabbed it and made an easy bank shot off the backboard. “You know, I swear, it’s like Mom and Regina still think I’m a kid.”

  Marcus snorted. “Dude, I’m the baby of the family. They drive me nuts, too.”

  Luka grimaced and caught the rebounding ball. “Yeah. But I really like this guy and I think they’d like him too, if they’d just give him half a chance.” He sank a jump shot next, and Marcus let out a low whistle.

  “They need time,” Marcus said.

  “You sound like Pop.”

  “Well, he’s usually right when he says stuff like that.”

  “Yeah, good point,” Luka conceded. Some of his tension faded as he passed Marcus the ball. Marcus sent it swishing through the net.

  “How are things with you?” Luka asked. “Classes going well?”

  “Busy, but good,” he said. “I should be studying right now but I needed a break.” Marcus had started a master’s program in biochemistry at Columbia University, and Luka knew he’d been stressed.

  “Nothing wrong with giving your brain a rest from time to time,” Luka replied. “Are you still seeing that girl, Kyra?”

  “Nope.” Marcus dribbled the ball a few times then held it against his chest. “We broke it off.”

  Luka
walked over and clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Sorry.” This was a good reminder that other people in the family were dealing with stuff too.

  “Nah. It’s for the best.” Marcus stepped back and dribbled some more. “We’ve gone back and forth a few times but there were things we couldn’t get past.”

  “You want to talk about it?”

  “Nope. Thanks though.”

  Figuring he’d pried enough, Luka held up his hands. “Pass it back,” he called, but the side door opened as he caught the ball.

  “If you want dessert, you’d better come in!” Ruby called out.

  Luka threw the ball back to Marcus. “Well, this was fun, but I’m out. I’m not missing out on Daniela’s pies.”

  Marcus laughed. “Save me a piece, will ya? I’ll put the ball away.”

  Some of the tension in the room had dissipated by the time Luka rejoined his family, and talk had turned to politics and current events as they chatted over dessert and coffee.

  Luka took pieces of both blackberry and apple crumb pies and went for the blackberry first, making sure to get vanilla ice cream on his fork too. He closed his eyes with pleasure at the first bite.

  I need to swing by Sugar Street soon and pick up something sweet to share with Kyle.

  Luka smiled to himself. Funny how his thoughts kept coming back to Kyle. He couldn’t remember the last person he’d dated who’d grabbed his attention so thoroughly.

  “There’s more pie left if you want it, Luka—you don’t have to eat the plate,” Ruby said drily after he’d scraped his dish clean.

  “Ha, ha. Very funny.” He sat back in his chair. “Don’t tempt me. I want more, but I don’t need it.”

  “You and me both. I don’t know how Daniela stays so skinny running a bakery.”

  “One of life’s great mysteries,” Luka agreed. He stood with a groan. “I’m going to head out though. Long day tomorrow.”

  “Hang on a minute, will you? I’ll walk to the station with you,” Ruby said.

  Luka said his round of goodbyes to everyone, making sure he hugged Regina and his mom, though his heart wasn’t fully in it. Lydia gave him a worried look after he’d pulled back.

  “I love you, baby. You be safe.” She said that every time she told him goodbye, and he always answered the same way.

  “I love you too, Mom.” Luka kissed the top of her head. “I will.”

  Luka waited as patiently as he could for Ruby to wrap up her conversations, but he was at last forced to herd her out the door. Ruby’s vibrant yellow heels clacked over the pavement as they walked.

  “How do you manage those damn things?” he asked.

  Ruby shrugged. “Practice.”

  “Better you than me.”

  “Can I see a picture of this white boy you’re dating?” Ruby asked after they’d reached the train station and were waiting on the platform.

  Luka eyed her warily. “I suppose.” He thumbed through his photos until he found a G-rated shot he’d taken of Kyle. Ruby studied it in silence then flashed a sly grin.

  “He’s very good looking.”

  “Why do you sound so surprised?” Luka elbowed her. “He’s also smart and funny, and a successful business owner. What more do they want?”

  “To be sure he’s treating you well. And doesn’t hurt you. You were crushed after Matthew, Luka.”

  “I know.” Luka exhaled. “But it’s like Mom and Regina have already made up their minds.”

  “Give them a little time. They’ll come around,” Ruby said quietly.

  “That’s what everyone keeps telling me!”

  “Well, maybe we know what we’re talking about.”

  “Ugh.” Luka shook himself internally. “How about you? Seeing anyone?”

  “I’ve met a few interesting people of late.” Ruby grinned again. “Broken some hearts.” Ruby was in no hurry to settle down. When Lydia pestered her about being single, she’d reply she was living her best life and didn’t need a man to do it. Their mother would roll her eyes, but it stopped her asking if any of the men Ruby dated were serious.

  “You’re a menace to humankind,” Luka said.

  She hooked her arm into the crook of his elbow. “I try.”

  Loud clicks on the tracks signaled the arrival of their train, and a minute later, Luka followed his sister aboard. He settled into the seat beside her, and when Ruby pulled out her phone, Luka followed suit, unable to resist reaching out to Kyle.

  Hey. How’s your night?

  It only took a few minutes to get a response.

  Good so far. How was your afternoon?

  Not the best.

  Want to come here? Unload your troubles on the bartender and enjoy a drink?

  Luka smiled.

  You don’t have to ask me twice.

  Chapter Seven

  Despite being elbows-deep in an order, Kyle knew the moment Luka walked through Under’s door. The speakeasy had reached capacity within an hour of opening that night and its customers were a lively bunch who filled the space with conversation and laughter. Even so, the air around Kyle buzzed as Luka crossed the room toward him.

  Kyle set a deep purple cocktail on a tray of orders and flashed Luka a smile. Pleasure curled in his belly at Luka’s wink. He looked stupid handsome in black jeans and a thick gray knit pullover under a denim jacket, but his big, beaming Luka-style grin was absent, replaced by tense shoulders and a tight jaw. Worse, Luka’s eyes lacked some of their usual spark.

  Well, that just won’t do, Kyle thought.

  “Can I pour you a drink, Lieutenant?” he asked once Luka had settled into a seat.

  The corners of Luka’s mouth quirked up at the use of his rank. “I’d love one. What are you mixing up there?”

  Kyle pointed at the purple concoction. “This is Fall to Pieces,” he said. “The rocks glass is a Concord Grape Transfusion, and in the martini glass we have Autumn Apple Cocktail.”

  “Do I sense a theme?”

  “You do. We launched a new menu at the beginning of the month featuring drinks suited to harvest time.” Kyle nodded at Jenna, one of Under’s servers who’d come back to collect the tray of orders.

  “Thanks, Kyle,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Luka exchanged a quick smile with Jenna before his focus returned to Kyle. “So, the menu is seasonal?”

  “Loosely, yes.” Kyle leaned his elbows on the bar. Luka mirrored the gesture, bringing them closer. “We make changes based on the season, but the inspiration can come from anywhere. Colors, flavors, woods, the media. Even people. Anything goes as long as the ingredients are quality and the taste is up to standards.”

  Kyle cocked his head and studied Luka, pondering what he could mix up to put the shine back in his eyes. “Now for you…yeah, I’ve got something in mind that isn’t on the menu. I’ve been playing with the recipe, but I think you’ll like it.”

  He brushed the knuckles of his right hand against Luka’s forearm and straightened. He measured Tincup whiskey and fresh lemon juice into a shaker, then added an egg white and measures of two syrups he’d cooked up over the weekend. He filled the shaker with ice and topped it with the metal tin, then rattled the contents with a flourish that brought Luka’s good humor out of hiding.

  “You’re so extra.”

  Kyle batted his eyelashes. “You like it.”

  “No question.” Luka laughed.

  Kyle poured the mix into a coupe and garnished it with a cherry-speared lemon wedge. Luka raised his eyebrows as Kyle set it down in front of him.

  “This is gorgeous.” He fingered the glass’s base. “What’s it called?”

  “Smokey Sour,” Kyle replied.

  Luka’s eyes twinkled. “You still mixing firefighter drinks, Kyle?”

  “Hah, no—the name is a coincidence. Still mixing drinks for firefighters though. Stefan and Luis were here on their nights off this week.”

  “Yeah? They didn’t mention it. Guess they signed up for
the guest list.”

  Kyle moved to the sink and started washing the equipment he’d used. “They came on separate nights. Stefan brought a couple of friends, and Luis had a date with him.”

  “Trying to impress her,” Luka said, his tone approving. “Go, Luis.”

  “He tried,” Kyle replied. “His girl ordered the Hot Firefighter and Luis practically melted.”

  “Oh, jeez. That boy is a fucking nerd.” Luka’s laughter set Kyle chuckling, too.

  “We’ve had lots of requests for the firefighter cocktails since the party, so I expect I’ll keep mixing them.” He watched with interest as Luka lifted his glass to his lips and sipped.

  “Whoa.” Luka held it away from himself and examined its contents. “Sweet and spicy. Cinnamon, right? And something smoky down low.”

  Kyle nodded. “There’s cinnamon bark for spice and the smoke is from lapsang souchong tea. I made the syrups myself. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s delicious. And that you’re an even bigger nerd than Luis with your syrup making. Totally worth the effort though. My sister, Ruby, would be all over this.”

  Right—the family. Kyle figured one of them had put that wistful expression in Luka’s gaze. He had a sinking suspicion he knew the root of the problem, too. Kyle dried his hands and settled his elbows on the bar again.

  “You told me Ruby works in design, right?” he asked.

  “Yep. Kind of marches to the beat of her own drum, if you know what I mean.” Luka sipped his cocktail again.

  “Sure, I get that. Is she your favorite sister?”

  Luka looked as though he was biting back a grin. “We-l-l… I always say my cousin Daniela is my favorite sister. She’s the baker and buys my affection with food. She couldn’t make dinner tonight, so she sent over dessert and it was phenomenal, as usual. The blackberry pie about killed me.”

  Kyle grumbled. “Dude, you’re killing me here. No fair.”

  “Sorry,” Luka said with a soft laugh. “I thought you’d enjoy trying it yourself sometime actually.”