Stuck On You novel Chapter 37

We finished eating and Luca drove me to the warehouse. I sat on the couch and watched their practice. I was without a partner and pregnant, so I couldn’t really practice anyway. I wasn’t even paying to everyone; I was lost in my thoughts. All of the sudden, Luca was standing in front of me, holding out his hand. I looked around and noticed that everyone was gone.

“Come on,” he said softly. I looked at him curiously and took his hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked. He started the music before he came back to me and wrapped an arm around my waist.

“We’re dancing,” he said as he took my hand in his. I sighed and tried to take a step away from him.

“Luca,” I said.

“No,” he said, pulling me to him again. “When you were dancing, you were happy.”

“When I was dancing with Hayden, I was happy,” I corrected him. He sighed and took a step towards me, making me take a step back. One two three, one two three; over and over again. He smiled lightly.

“See? It’s just a simply waltz... Nothing fancy,” he said. I sighed and followed his lead. I didn’t want to admit it, but it was helping. After a moment, I found a small smile creeping on to my face. “There you go,” he said softly. He spun me out and stepped up behind me. We continued the three step with Luca behind me. He picked me up and spun my once bringing me back to face him. I laughed when my feet hit the ground again. I missed dancing. We stopped and Luca smiled lightly at me.

“I haven’t heard you laugh in two months,” he said. I looked at the floor as I blushed. I was beginning to feel guilty for having fun when Hayden was laying in a coma. My smile fell and I covered my face with my hands briefly. I puffed out a breath and pulled my fingers through my hair.

“I can’t,” I said as tears brimmed my eyes. Luca sighed before he pulled me into a hug.

“Everything is going to be okay, Jo. With or without Hayden, you’re a strong girl. You’ll get through it,” he said. I squeezed my eyes shut as a tremor shook me. I didn’t want to think about moving on without Hayden.

“I don’t know how much longer I can do this,” I cried. Luca rubbed my back gently.

“Maybe it’s time for you to get away from here for a little bit,” he suggested.

“I’m not leaving him,” I sobbed.

“Listen, Jo,” he started as he pulled away. He put his hands on my shoulders and bent to look me in the eyes. “Hayden’s outcome is up in the air right now, but you are still alive and well. It doesn’t make any sense to jeopardize you and your baby’s health because of his. Hayden is like my brother and it hurts me to see him that way, but I can’t put my life on pause until he wakes up. He wouldn’t want me to… and he wouldn’t want you to do that either,” Luca said. I sniffled and looked away from him.

“You wouldn’t understand,” I said hoarsely.

“You’re right, I don’t, but I know Hayden. And I know that if he saw you like this right now, he would be mad at you for doing this to yourself,” Luca countered. I let out a shaky breath. I knew he was right, but I didn’t want him to be.

“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” I admitted, letting my shoulders droop. Luca pulled me back into a hug.

“That’s what your friends are for, Jordyn, but you’ve been pushing everyone away… Come stay with me,” he offered. “Just until Hayden wakes up. Being alone in that house, with everything there reminding you of him is only making you spiral faster,” Luca said. I hesitated but I knew he was right. I needed someone to watch me and keep me somewhat sane through this. I finally nodded.

“Okay,” I agreed. Luca took me to my place long enough for me to pack everything I needed and then we were road again. I was looking out the window blankly; watching the scenery pass but not really seeing it. I looked around curiously when we pulled through a gate and up a long driveway to a huge house. I looked at Luca before I looked around confused. I never really thought about where everyone else lived, but I assumed it was an apartment or something. I wasn’t expecting this at all. It was a huge, multi-story, red brick infrastructure. The driveway split in two. The one on the left circled around a water fountain in front of the house and led back to an exit gate while the right side of the driveway continued straight beside the side of the house. We took the straight part of the driveway and pulled into the garage on the side of the house.

Luca didn’t say a word; he only grabbed my stuff and led me inside. My jaw dropped. We went through a small hallway before we emerged in a kitchen that looked like it was made for Bobby Flay. There were TVs set up around the kitchen in various places. From the kitchen, the living room was visible. It had a rustic homey feel to it. There was a huge flat screen mounted on the wall above the a fake fireplace. There were about three couches and a coffee table that fit comfortably in the living room. The right wall was a series of glass doors and windows that led to a patio. There was a round booth tucked away in the corner of the kitchen under a window. The whole house was bright and cheery. The house had a high ceiling. Over to the right, there was a balcony hallway that led to more rooms. It looked like there was a dining room and a study downstairs to the left.

“Luca, you live here?” I said softly, scared it would disappear if I talked too loudly. He chuckled and walked past me towards the front entrance. I followed him. We walked up some stairs to the balcony hallway and even further down the hallway to a room. I nodded over to the room on the other side of the hallway.

“That’s Jason’s room,” he pointed out. “Mine is the master downstairs. You saw the door on the back wall where the TV was?” he asked. I nodded.

“Luca, how is this your house?” I asked. He chuckled and shrugged as he set my things down.

“My grandpa left it for me after he kicked the bucket. Jason and I live here. I know that it seems like a big house, but with Jason and me here, you’ll never be alone… I promise,” he said. I sighed and looked down at my feet.

“Thank you, Luca,” I said gratefully. He hugged me gently.

“We’re always going to be here for you,” he said softly. “Let’s go downstairs. I’ll make you something to eat, and Jason should be home any minute.” I nodded. We walked downstairs to the kitchen. I sat on the stool at the island bar. The kitchen was put to good use. Luca could’ve given Emerald a run for his money. Jason did come home in the middle of Luca’s cooking show. He snuck up behind me and hugged me.

“Hey kitty cat,” he said. I chuckled and put my arms over his.

“Hey Jason,” I said. He kissed my cheek dramatically.

“Luca texted me telling me you were coming over. How long are you staying?” he asked. I shrugged.

“I’m not sure yet,” I said.

“As long as she wants,” Luca said, wiping his hands on a towel before flinging it over his shoulder. Luca turned off the stove and put the towel on the arm of the oven. “Dinner is served,” he added with a smile. He set a plate down in front of me. I was surprised; it was all my favorites, grilled salmon with lemon, mashed potatoes, and spinach. I smiled and took the fork that he offered me. Jason, Luca and I ate dinner before Luca showed me around the rest of the house. I jumped in the shower before I passed out in my new bed in my new room.