Jared couldn't help smiling at Nate's infectious grin with an added fist pump. He'd fake-dated sports fans before. In the whole Christmas swan incident, the brother of the girl he was fake-dating had been a huge football fan and wore a jersey to the black-tie event. At least he’d had an excuse for his part in releasing the swan because he’d been three sheets to the wind on free champagne after his team had won something or other.
The burgers arrived, and Luka didn't argue when Nate asked for the game of Lemmings to end. Whether that was because Luka was hungry or because he just respected his dad, Jared couldn't tell, but dad and son exchanged grins and fell on their respective burgers like hyenas on a fresh kill. They ate the same way, with dedicated silence, until they were halfway through, and then they started to talk. About the weather, homework, Rhea's Bar, it was a mish-mash of everything, and they asked Jared questions. Nate was genuinely interested in Jared's studies and his career aspirations. Plus, he was so damn thankful that he'd been around to rescue Luka, which he repeated often. Luka had chocolate ice-cream for his dessert, pronouncing it the best thing he’d ever tasted and his absolute favorite, and all too soon it was time to leave.
Jared walked with them for a short while, just because he didn't want the dinner part of this meet-up to end. It would be easy to be friends with Nate. Hell, he wasn't going to deny that he felt attraction, but whether he'd ever act on that, given his upcoming exams, was open to debate. Luka tugged him to one side when Nate had to take a call. After securing his journal under one arm, Luka rooted through his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. They were out of sight of Nate, Luka had made sure of that, and he spoke in a low but urgent voice.
"If I give you two dollars for the dinner thing, will you be my dad's friend another fifteen times?"
"I don't need the money, Luka. I enjoyed the dinner."
His face fell, and tears began to swim in his eyes. "Please," he whispered. "I want him to be happy."
"How about you give it to me next time I see you." Jared had already decided that maybe he'd check out Rhea's Bar, see Nate in his natural environment, maybe talk some more, but he didn't need the payment for friendship.
"No." A single tear spilled on Luka's cheek, and Jared's heart cracked a little. "This is a contract as it said on Mr. and Mrs. Bryant & Waites website."
"Oh, Luka, sweetheart," Jared whispered, and then in a moment of sheer idiocy, he took the coins and got a hug in return.
And as he waved the little family off, he only had one thought in his head.
What the hell have I agreed to?
Chapter Four
“Luka,” Nate called, turning down the volume on the TV.
“Mmm.”
“What have I told you? No sleeping in the tub.” Nate switched off the television and got to his feet. He sighed as he entered the hallway to find Luka’s discarded clothes on the floor outside the bathroom.
“But it’s soooo warm and bubbly,” Luka mumbled, making a squeaking sound as he slid lower in the bathtub. “And I wasn’t sleeping. I’m not tired. I’m relaxing.”
Not tired? Nate had been ready to offer Luka matchsticks to prop his eyes open while he was trying to finish his neglected homework before his bath.
“Relaxing, sure.” Nate picked up Luka’s sweater. He folded it over his arm, smoothing the woolen material. “You know, you sounded like your mom just then. She’d have spent hours in the tub if she could have gotten away with it,” he said, smiling fondly at the memory.
“Maybe she was a mermaid,” Luka chimed.
“A mermaid, huh?” He separated which of Luka’s clothes needed to go into the hamper and which needed to be put away. “She did love the ocean.” Memories of the three of them visiting his parents in Florida came to mind. He’d always thought there’d be more vacations, more memories, more time.
There was the sound of splashing, and Nate stuck his head round the door to see Luka had turned onto his stomach, gripping the back of the tub as he kicked his feet in the foamy water.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“Well, if Mom was a mermaid, then I’m half a mermaid.”
“Aren’t you too big to play mermaid?” Nate shook his head. “Anyway, mermaid or not, it’s nearly time for bed. So, hurry up. And don’t make a mess.”
“Okay.” Luka stopped kicking and slipped about in the bath to turn around. He cupped some water in his hands, watching it pour through his separated fingers.
“Ten minutes max,” Nate said and caught the cheeky grin that spread across Luka’s face. “I’m such a pushover,” Nate muttered as he walked to Luka’s bedroom.
Having put away Luka’s things he made his way to the kitchen and checked his cell phone. Both Abi and Gregg had messaged to assure him everything was going smoothly at Rhea’s. They were both hardworking, reliable assets to the bar, and extremely understanding when it came to Luka. Gregg had worked with Nate for a long time, had been the one to call Nate out when he’d buried himself in the work, ignored his grief.
I should find a way to thank them properly.
He placed his cell on the dining table. The bar wasn’t his concern for the rest of the evening. His shift would have been over by now, and he’d have been on his way home to see Luka to bed.
He rubbed his brow, heard Luka in the hallway.
“Do you want a hot chocolate?” he called.
“Yes,” Luka shouted back,
