Page 93 of Fake Love

“Her mom has this family thing in Arizona and she wanted to take her. So I switch my days for her to go.”

At twenty-one, Lucas has a one year old daughter. He was nineteen when his then girlfriend got pregnant, and from what I understand they tried to make it work between them, but weren’t able to make it work.

“That was nice of you. Someone else would have told her no.”

He gives me a shrug, his eyes on the game. “We may not be together, but just because we aren’t doesn’t mean I have to make things harder for her.”

“So you’re friends?” I ask, wanting to know more about the dynamic he has with his baby mama.

“Yeah,” he nods. “We were never good as anything more. Too much toxic shit and baggage between the two of us, but I’m glad that she’s Mia’s mom. That way if anything happens, Mia is taken care of.”

My stock instantly churns at the last bit. “What do you mean if anything happens?” I whisper and even through the loudness of the game is able to hear me.

Lucas turns to me, giving me a knowing look as if I should know what he is talking about. And in a way, I do.

“I thought you got out.” I whisper to him, a slight hint of anger in my tone.

“I did, but just because I’m out, or at lest think that I am, doesn’t mean that something won’t come knocking at my front door.”

I look over at him, seeing a man instead of a boy that I’ve been used to seeing my whole life.

I guess that’s what happens when you become friends at a young age and get thrown into a world that a little boy has no business being in.

Lucas has become the man he is today not because of his upbringing but because of his decisions and the people he surrounded himself with.

People see the tattoos and the way he dress and automatically think thug, but that’s not who he is. There is more to this man than how he presents himself to the world. They don’t see the little boy that I do, they don’t see the father that he is to Mia.

Without of doubt, I honestly believe that if Mia didn’t come into his life, he would still be a part of the world he didn’t belong in.

Either still part of it or dead.

“How’s my Tia doing?” I ask changing the subject, something that he notices.

“Nice segway there. She’s good, still working at the nursing home but she’s living life the best she can.”

“My dad told me that he told her to move up north.” I say giving him a smirk.

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been trying to get his sister to move up to Seaside. For years it was just playful banter between siblings but then after Lucas’ dad died a few years back that banter became serious talk.

But no matter how hard my dad tries, she won’t move.

“She’ll never leave L.A. As much as she says she hates it here, it’s her home. No matter all the bad that happens, she'll still stay.”

Makes sense given that she didn’t leave after my tío died.

But I have to ask. “Will you ever leave?”

From the look on his face I can tell that he is surprised by my question. I don’t think anyone has ever asked him that before.

After watching Maddox pitch a few more times to get the batter out and to close the inning, Lucas answers. “If I could have, I would have grabbed my mom and left a long time ago. If not the city but at least the neighborhood. I think about it now, especially with Mia. I don’t want her growing up in the same environment I did.”

This is the side that more people would see of my cousin. The one that cares way too deeply about the people that he loves.

“Then do it.” I urge.

Lucas lets out a laugh as Aaron walks up to the batter’s box. “Not that easy.”

“Why not?”

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