Feel the Fire (Hotshots 3)

“I know I wasn’t the most...enthusiastic about you at first.”

“No, it’s not about you. Promise.” Luis looked him in the eye, making sure he knew Luis meant it. “You’re a good kid. You’re like Blaze. You take a while to warm up. I get it. And your dad having anyone around, that’s new.”

“Yeah.” Hands on his knees, Walker bent forward. “It was new. But also... I want everything to stay the same. Which is stupid, I know.”

“No, I get it. I’ve been there. Change sucks.” Luis wasn’t kidding. He knew that feeling. He’d had it so strongly when his parents had announced their move back to California. Why couldn’t things stay the same? He’d railed against the universe for weeks then. And then later, the year his dad and Mike had died. Time marched on, whether he was ready or not, and he could feel the frustration radiating off Walker because that had been him, more times than he could count. Now as well. He hadn’t wanted to take this trip, and now he didn’t want it to end. Didn’t particularly like everything about his life back home, but he was reluctant to change. It was a mess.

“All my friends are in such a hurry. Can’t wait to get the year started, then homecoming, then prom, then graduation. And it never slows down.”

“That’s life. Never slows down when you want it to.” Unlike Walker, he knew it was futile to try to control time, but man, how he wanted to. He’d tried to savor as much of his time with Tucker as possible, but that had only made it go faster, had made him fall that much deeper and further for the guy. And time would keep on churning, regardless of what he decided now, no matter what words he finally said to Tucker. His back tensed with the knowledge that had dogged him for days now that life only gave so many chances to maximize what little time he did have.

“Yup.” Walker shook his head, eyes glassy and distant as he looked out at the mountains in the distance. “And anyway, I wanted to say that I liked having you around.”

Luis had to swallow hard before he could reply. Tucker sure as hell had done something right with how he’d raised these kids. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Gaze still far off, Walker managed to laugh. “And not just because you’re a good cook.”

“You and your brother and food.”

“Yeah. It’s kinda mind blowing how much we go through in a week, especially during the season. F—man, I can’t believe this is it. Last season.”

“Last times suck.” Now it was his turn to stare off into the distance. Last kiss. Last words. Last chance. But unlike Walker and the finite football schedule, Luis didn’t have to accept things ending here.

“And goodbyes,” Walker added softly.

“Truth.” He patted the kid on the shoulder, even as his own head spun, words finally coming together. I don’t want to say goodbye. There. That was how he could start.

“I heard Mom say you might have to come back for a court case thing. If you come back, will you come to a game?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” First, he had to win back Walker’s dad, but he wasn’t going to mention that here.

“Good.” Walker gave him a tentative grin. “Wade needs the cheering section.”

“I think his ego will be fine either way, but I’ll try.” And he’d try specifically for Walker, because maybe Wade wouldn’t even notice, but Walker would. And that mattered.

“Okay.” Seemingly satisfied, Walker stood up. “I need to get over to Mary Anne’s.”

“Yeah. Be careful, okay?” Luis wished he could say more, wished he had the right advice since the kid was clearly still wrestling with some big things, but he could barely sort out his own life. The last thing he wanted to do was make things harder for Walker.

Walker shrugged. “I’m a good driver.”

“I’m sure. I meant—”

“I know. And I am.”

“Good.” Luis sighed because he’d meant it as more than a safe-sex lecture, which he had a feeling Walker knew too, but if he didn’t want to talk more, Luis wasn’t going to make him. Instead, he sat there a few more minutes after Walker departed, gathering his thoughts. And courage. Because he finally did know what to say, but more importantly what to do. But the real trick might be getting Tucker to listen.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Tucker had grabbed his keys and was heading to his SUV when a familiar car pulled into the driveway.

“Luis? What are you doing here?” Tucker had to blink a few times, wondering if he’d somehow managed to conjure Luis up with the sheer force of wanting.

Licking his lips and seeming uncharacteristically antsy, Luis exited his car to stand in front of him. “I came to talk, but if it’s not a good time...”