Third Time's the Charm

by K. Evan Coles

  “Do you see anyone else here? Besides, that’s bullshit. I’ll call you Pickle whenever and wherever I want, just like I always have.”

  Luke twisted out of his grasp with a laugh. “God, I hate you.”

  Simon smirked. “You love me and we both know it. I’m a hard habit to break.”

  A movement at the door caught Luke’s eye, and he glanced back to find Finn leaning against the jamb with a smile on his face. Luke’s insides immediately turned to goo. Oh, man, am I fucked.

  “Hey, Doc,” he said.

  “I wondered where you’d got to.” Finn aimed a sheepish glance at Simon. “Gillian wants to know if you plan to share the dessert or keep it all for yourself.”

  Simon tutted. “Of course she does.” He picked up the cake platter and headed for the door. “Will you guys bring the cold brew and creamer when you come back out? They’re both in the refrigerator. The glasses and everything else are already upstairs.”

  “Copy that,” Luke called out. He turned to the glasses he’d abandoned on the counter. “This’ll just take a second,” he told Finn. “Sorry we took so long.”

  “Oh, no worries. Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I don’t know.” Finn searched Luke’s face. “You look stressed,” he said at last. “And I wasn’t eavesdropping, but it felt kind of heavy in here when I walked in.”

  “Oh.” Luke went to the freezer for the ice bucket. “Simon was just listening to me whine. Sometimes, I need to throw things against the wall and see what sticks, and he’s good at helping me get it all out.”

  “Got it.” Finn paused while Luke filled the glasses with ice. “Anything I can help with?” Despite his light tone, Luke swore he saw hurt flash in Finn’s eyes.

  Shit.

  Maybe Finn wanted to be the one Luke turned to for advice. Maybe Luke wanted that, too. He needed to figure out how to do it without tipping his hand, though. Finn liked him—Luke knew that. However, Finn had no idea Luke’s feelings had changed and moved well past ‘like’ toward something bigger.

  “I think there is something you can help with. Do you mind if we table this for another time, though?” he asked. “There are a few details I need to work out before I can take any next steps.”

  Finn said nothing, but he looked puzzled. He seemed to shake it off when Luke leaned in to kiss his cheek.

  “Of course.” Finn smiled. “I’m ready to listen whenever you’re ready to talk.”

  * * * *

  “What do you call a cow who plays violin?”

  Peter pondered Ella’s joke for several moments and finally shook his head. “I give up.”

  “A moo-sician,” Ella replied, her tone so smug Luke let out a snort.

  Peter’s expression appeared unimpressed in the chat window despite the amusement dancing in his eyes. “Jeeze, El. Where the heck are you getting these?”

  “Milk cartons at school,” Luke replied.

  “And friends, too,” Ella added. “But Luke finds the most jokes.”

  Peter eyed his brother. “Get any from the guy you’ve been seeing? Because Ella told me you got yourself a boyfriend.”

  Luke stared at Ella, and she stared right back. “I’ve been dating, yes, but no, he doesn’t give me jokes,” he said for his brother’s benefit. “The guy’s name is Finn, which you no doubt know already, and we’ve been seeing each other about six weeks.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “He’s your boyfriend,” she said, her tone far too dry for any ten-year-old, ever.

  “I never said that.”

  Peter’s expression shifted from curiosity to amusement when Luke turned back to the monitor. As always, he appeared fit and hearty, but there were lines of fatigue on his face, and Luke could see a streak of grease or dirt or God knew what on the shoulder of his green T-shirt. The buzz of other voices rose and fell in the background, and Marines passed behind Peter on occasion, though he seemed not to notice.

  “Six weeks, huh? That’s a pretty good chunk of time,” he said. “You sure he’s not your boyfriend?”

  “He totally is,” Ella cut in.

  Luke ignored her. “No labels yet. Finn works in trauma medicine and his schedule is different from mine but almost as weird, so we’re taking our time getting to know each other.”

  “Sounds pretty grown up,” Peter said, his smile wide and genuine. “When can I meet him?”

  “Soon.” Luke turned to Ella. “Finn met Simon and Gillian today, and I met some of his friends on Friday. I’d like you and your dad and Gram and Pops to meet him too, El. Like next weekend, if Finn can swing it.”

  Ella pushed her curls over one shoulder. They’d pulled her hair into a side ponytail this week and Luke couldn’t help noting how mature the style made her appear. Ella’s attitude as she glanced at her father left something to be desired, however. “Told ya,” she said to her dad.

  “She said you wouldn’t introduce us to someone unless he was your boyfriend,” Peter said in answer to Luke’s questioning look. “And that you didn’t think it’d be worth it unless you planned to get serious about a guy.”

  Luke exhaled through his nose. Well, Ella had been listening to him at least. “That sounds like me. And, yes, I want you guys to meet him.”

  “Sure, whatever,” Ella said, her tone flat. “He can’t have dinner with us on Friday, though.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because he’s your friend, not mine. Simon’s okay, and Melissa of course, but I don’t want anyone else.”

  “All right, then.” Luke worked hard not to react to the dismissal. “Gram and Pops are taking you to Tanglewood next weekend, so I’ll check with Finn and see if he’s free on Saturday morning.”

  “Sure.” Stone-faced, Ella turned back to her father, who eyed her for a moment before he spoke.

  “Honey, I need to talk to Luke about a couple of things.”

  “Okay. BBL.” Ella glowered at Luke before she stood, and her obvious irritation pricked at him.

  Peter watched her go and turned wide eyes to Luke. “What the hell was that?”

  “BBL means ‘be back later.’ She and her friends use chat acronyms all the time.”

  “No, not that. I meant the mega attitude she showed you, Luke. Ella was kind of channeling Carly just then, and I won’t lie, it’s freaking me out.”

  “Oh, man.” Luke ran a hand over his chin. “Well, this is probably a good time to tell you Ella’s not jazzed about my dating. It’s obvious she disapproves, but she hasn’t come out and said it.”

  “Any idea why?”

  “No. Gillian thinks she might feel threatened by the idea of having to share me with someone. I’ve been effectively single as long as she’s known me and this is new for her, not to mention for you.” Luke aimed a pointed glance at his brother. “You’ve been single since Carly left, too, and I think Ella will show some attitude when you start dating.”

  Peter scowled. “Well, that’s something to look forward to. Has she said anything? About sharing us with other people, I mean?”

  “No. Finn and I see each other mostly when she’s at school because his schedule is crazy and I’m tied up most nights,” Luke said. “We go out if Ella’s got a thing going herself, like a sleepover, but the only reason she knows Finn and I have been out is because I tell her.”

  Peter ran a hand over his hair, the dark coils cut regulation high and tight. “Don’t get me wrong, but is telling her the best idea?”

  “Seems better than lying by omission.” Luke shook his head. “I don’t want to hide who I am, Pete, not when it comes to people who mean something to me.”

  A knowing look spread across Peter’s face. “It’s like that, huh? Love, Luke Ryan style?”

  “Mmm, maybe. Someday.” Luke dropped his eyes and cursed the heat that licked its way across his face. He wanted to crawl under the table when Peter hummed low.

  “Luke.” Peter waited until Luke raised his head. “You’re serious about this guy, aren�
��t you?” he asked.

  “I want to be,” Luke admitted. “We haven’t been seeing each other very long, but I like him. A lot.”

  “Good for you, bro. I can’t wait to meet him.” A weary smile graced Peter’s lips and he waved at his surroundings. “So to speak, anyway.”

  “Me too.” Luke missed his brother so much his chest hurt. “You, uh, got any advice for how to make this thing with Ella easier?”

  Peter’s expression sobered. “Keep being honest with her. You’re right about that. She needs to know that nothing has changed between you and her just because you’ve got a man. I know you love her, Luke, and Ella knows it, too. She’ll understand you’ve got enough love to go around.”

  * * * *

  After Ella went to bed that night, Luke logged ten miles on the treadmill in the basement and rehearsed in his head what he wanted to say to Finn. After he’d stretched and showered, he grabbed his water bottle and dialed Finn’s number. Given the hour and knowing Finn was in the middle of a shift, Luke expected to get his voicemail. He blinked in surprise when Finn picked up instead.

  “Hey, handsome!” Finn’s smile was perfectly audible.

  Luke’s stomach gave a happy flip. “Hey, Doc. Got a minute?”

  “I’ve got five, actually—my break’s almost up.” Voices rang out in the background.

  “Busy night, huh?” Luke asked.

  “Mm-hm. Must be a full moon because this place is hopping like a jackrabbit on crack.”

  Luke laughed. “These obscure metaphors you pull out of nowhere give me life, you know. I’ll make it quick. You feel like having lunch with me tomorrow? I have a proposition for you.”

  “Ooh, I’m intrigued. And yes to lunch. There’s a burger place near your office I’ve been meaning to try, and I’ll meet you there on one condition.”

  Luke bit his lip against a grin. He’d noticed Finn’s mood turned playful any time strange things were afoot in the ED. “Okay, shoot.”

  “Explain to me why Simon calls you Pickle.”

  “Oh, boy.” Luke tipped his head back and cackled. “You heard that, huh?”

  “I heard it and, no lie, I kind of love it.”

  “Finn, no. You cannot co-opt that terrible nickname!”

  Finn’s quiet laugh sent delight curling through Luke. “Oh, I don’t want to co-opt it, but I do want an explanation.”

  “Ugh.” Luke covered his eyes with one hand. I am going to nail Simon’s ass to the wall tomorrow.

  “C’mon, baby.” Finn’s bantering tone turned on a dime, going deep and rumbly and, oh man, Luke liked that. “I think you owe me one, considering you’ve kept that fantastic nugget of information from me all this time.”

  Luke blew a noisy breath out through his nose. He liked it when Finn played dirty. “Okay. It started with a joke about a deer and a dill pickle.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Finn climbed the steps of the brownstone Luke called home and tried to ignore the way his insides trembled. Standing before the building’s glossy black doors, he clutched the bag of bagels he’d bought on his way over and tried to find his chill. Goddamn, he was nervous. Hardly surprising given he was about to meet Luke’s family.

  The nerves weren’t all bad, though. Finn hadn’t hesitated to accept Luke’s invitation to brunch with the Ryans, and he genuinely looked forward to meeting more of the people Luke loved. However, he hadn’t changed his mind about taking his time getting to know Luke, and the idea of splitting Luke’s time with a ten-year-old girl still boggled his mind. Finn thought he was up to the challenge, though. He just wished his heart would stop trying to beat its way out of his chest.

  He rang the doorbell for Number 4 and shifted his weight from one foot to the other before the speaker crackled.

  “Dr. Thomason, I presume?” Luke asked, his voice booming.

  “The one and only,” Finn called back and smiled when the lock buzzed open.

  Once inside the foyer, his eyes went wide. He stared at the enormous, ornate spiral staircase that snaked around the building’s interior toward the upper floors and, glancing up, spied Luke at the halfway point. Luke waved at Finn and trotted down another flight.

  “Holy shit.” Finn’s voice rang through the space. “Those must be an absolute bitch with shopping bags.”

  “Even worse if you’re drunk,” Luke called back.

  “Oh, man.” Finn walked forward to meet Luke as he hit the landing and Luke wrapped him up in a hug. “Sorry I’m late. The line at the bagel place was nuts.”

  “You’re fine.”

  I am now.

  Finn reveled in the strong arms around him. His hospital shifts had made it impossible for him to see Luke all week, but every bit of tension and overwork melted away as he pressed his nose against Luke’s shoulder and breathed him in.

  Luke hummed low in his throat. “You smell nice. You stop at home after your shift?”

  “Yes, to feed Daisy,” Finn said. “She didn’t even bother getting off her ass to greet me.”

  Luke chuckled. He pulled back and caught Finn’s eye. “Aw. How are you doing otherwise?”

  “I’m good. Glad to see you.”

  Luke gave him a soft smile. “Me too. Doesn’t seem fair you got stuck working two doubles in a five-day stretch.”

  “Eh, it happens. I have the next two days off. That means I’ll have plenty of time to catch up on lots of things.”

  Finn held his breath at the emotions that flashed in Luke’s eyes, all fondness and longing and something intense he couldn’t put a name to. Then Luke kissed him and every rational thought in his brain fled.

  Finn didn’t have an addictive personality. He’d smoked his share of weed and he still enjoyed alcohol in moderation, but he’d never been interested in anything harder. He was addicted to Luke Ryan’s kisses, though. As potent as any drug, they soothed Finn’s fatigue, melted the aches in his muscles and lit a fire in his belly. He clutched at Luke without even thinking.

  Luke smiled against Finn’s lips. “Mmm. Easy, Doc.”

  “Oops. My bad.” Finn bit back a laugh.

  “S’okay. If we were alone, I’m not sure we’d make it up the stairs.” Luke gave him another squeeze and let go. “C’mon. Let’s go up before I do something I won’t regret but may be hard pressed to explain.”

  A soft smile on his face, Luke scanned Finn from head to toe. He straightened Finn’s collar and smoothed the hair off his forehead, those touches easing the rough edges of Finn’s nerves.

  They caught up as they climbed the stairs, though neither mentioned the elephant in the stairwell, namely the rest of the Ryan family’s plans to go out of town. Luke’s parents were taking Ella to Lenox until Sunday and if Finn thought about what he and Luke could get up to in that time, he’d maul the man where he stood, family and bagels be damned.

  Luke stopped outside his apartment door, a shy smile on his face. “Thanks again for doing this.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Luke.”

  “I know. I want to, though. And, hell, you may change your mind about it after you get to know them. Pops is easygoing, but Mom may give you the third degree. Ella, too, probably. Ugh.” He took Finn’s hands in his. “I should apologize in advance.”

  A sweet, mellow pleasure thrummed through Finn. “Don’t worry about it. Between my mother and Paul, I’ve been through my fair share of interrogations. Just relax for me, okay?”

  The next fifteen minutes passed in a blur for Finn, punctuated by smiles and greetings and hugs from Luke’s mother. Brad and Joanna were in their late fifties, both fair-haired and fit, with a bright energy Finn recognized in Luke. Ella was a quieter presence in the hubbub of activity, and while she shook hands and almost smiled at Finn, her sharp gaze never left him.

  “I’ll take those, Finn.” Joanna gestured for the bag of bagels in the crook of Finn’s arm. “I’ll stick them in the warming oven while we finish up cooking. There’s coffee if you’d like some, and a pitcher of virgin Bloo
dy Mary if you’d rather avoid caffeine.”

  “I make it a habit never to avoid caffeine,” Finn said, and Brad clapped a hand on his shoulder.

  “Good man,” Brad replied. “I’ll be right back with your cup.”

  Finn’s nerves kicked up again as he turned to Ella. He rarely interacted with children outside of the ED, and those were instances already outside of ordinary, to say the least. Ella stood tall and willowy in a peasant blouse and jean shorts and, yep, was still watching him. She’d arranged her dark hair in a series of knots that formed a kind of stylized Mohawk and made her appear more grown-up than Finn had expected. However, her features still held the soft, baby roundness of a child, and he felt stodgy and ridiculous while they made small talk.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, Ella.” He sensed a barely suppressed eye-roll, but Ella simply nodded.

  “Yeah, same—Luke talks about you all the time. He was nervous you wouldn’t make it.”

  Luke scowled. “I wasn’t nervous.”

  “Yes, you were.” Ella stared at her uncle. “You told Simon at dinner last night.”

  “I said Finn might be too tired to make it. His schedule’s been tough all week, and sometimes a person needs sleep more than breakfast.”

  “Oh, breakfast first,” Finn said. “I can’t sleep on an empty stomach, no matter how tired I am. That said, I usually stick a protein bar in my face and hope for the best.”

  Ella wrinkled her nose. “Protein bars taste like flavored chalk.”

  Luke laid one big palm over her forehead. “Who’s the one who keeps emptying my supply of CLIF Bars?”

  Trapped in Luke’s grip, Ella slid her gaze sideways to his and grinned. “CLIF Bars are different!” she protested.

  “Yeah, different because they’re mine.” Luke let her go and tweaked one of her buns with his fingers. “Why don’t you go see if Gram and Pops need help with breakfast while I show Finn around?”

  Finn’s stomach rumbled loudly enough for all of them to hear.

  “Damn.” Ella scanned Finn up and down, her eyebrows high while Luke chided her about her language. “Good thing Gram made extra bacon,” she murmured before she turned on her heel and headed for the kitchen.