Pushed Away CH 23

Gia came in to see Luke behind the bar of his club, a smile immediately spread across her face to see him. When she noticed that he didn’t see her walk in, she crouched down below the bar and waited until she was right in front of him. “Boo!” She yelled as she popped up. “Holy shit I thought you were Hells Bells! Oh Hot Stuff don’t do that to the old man!” Luke yelled clutching his chest. “Sorry Luke I couldn’t resist.” Gia said laughing. “Forgiven! Now come over here and give me some love.” Luke said. Gia walked around the bar and gave Luke a big hug, kissing his cheek before she pulled away. “Where’s that wonderful son of yours tonight?” She asked. “He said to tell you to wait here for him, something about enlarging some pictures or something. He left a while ago so he should be back soon.” Luke said. “OK, thanks! I’ll wait for him.” Gia said.

Gia sat at her table in the corner waiting for Lucky. She had stopped by the penthouse and had changed into a black leather mini skirt (which she wouldn’t be able to wear much longer) and a red button up blouse. Her legs were crossed, revealing the mocha color skin of her thighs in the space between her long black boots and her skirt. She sat sipping a glass of ginger ale when she felt the presence of someone standing over her. She raised her head to see a somewhat familiar face. It took her a few moments to figure out where she had seen the man before. “Casey, how are you?” She asked smiling. “I’m doing fine thanks, you look absolutely beautiful tonight.” He said smiling. “Thank you.” Gia said. “Mind if I sit with you?” Casey asked. “I’m expecting a friend.” Gia said. “Well can I sit with you until they get here?” Casey asked. “Sure.” Gia said.

“So, how are you?” Casey asked sitting in the chair across from her. “I’m doing good thanks.” Gia said. “Nikolas told me about you moving out, I’m sorry things are so rough between you two.” Casey said. Gia didn’t know how to react to this. “Well, Nik and I just need a little bit of space between us for a while.” Gia said. “I see. You know he has asked me to take on more of the work at the company so I don’t think he will be quite as busy anymore.” Casey said. Once again Gia did not know how take what he was saying. She was wondering where he was going with this. “You know Gia, if you ever get lonely and want someone to talk to, you can always give me a call and we can talk.” Casey said. Gia’s heartbeat quickened as she realized what he was implying and started to panic. Casey pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “Here, you take this and you can call me any time.” Casey said. Gia decided to take it so that he wouldn’t get mad. He leaned in and tucked one of Gia’s braids behind ear. “I think it’s a shame that your husband doesn’t want you around. He said you were in the way all the time but I wouldn’t mind a distraction like you around.” Casey said. Gia couldn’t move, she felt like crying but she couldn’t get herself to do anything. “Hey what’s going on here?” Lucky asked as he walked up and witnessed the intimate scene between the two. Gia was so relieved to see Lucky, she jumped up and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. “Casey here was keeping me company while I waited for you.” Gia said wrapping an arm around Lucky’s torso. Lucky sensed Gia’s discomfort when he looked at his friend. “Well thank you man but I’m back now so..” Lucky said staring Casey down. Casey got the hint and stood up. He reached out and took Gia’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “Til we meet again Gia.” He said, he turned and walked away. Lucky turned around and watched him leave.

Lucky turned back to Gia to see that she had tears in her eyes. “Gia what did he do to you?” Lucky asked with concern. Gia looked down. “He didn’t hurt me physically. It was just something he said.” Gia sniffed. “Gia, you can tell me.” Lucky said, holding her to him. “He said that Nik told him that I was in the way all the time and that he didn’t want me around.” Gia said crying. “Gia, I’m sure he didn’t mean it how it sounded.” Lucky said. “Lucky, I think he’s right. Nikolas doesn’t want me around. I just get in the way all the time. Well a baby is just going to get in the way too. Maybe it’s better that I stay away from him.” Gia said. “No Gia, don’t listen to that jerk OK? Nikolas is determined to be with you and the baby. I know that. He loves you and he wants you to move back home so that you can be together.” Lucky said. Shocked that he was defending the brother that he was not getting along with. “Now come here and look at these pictures with me.” Lucky said. Gia nodded and walked back over to her seat, not completely convinced. Lucky was secretly thinking that he was going to have a talk with this Casey guy.

“Lucky, do you really think I have a talent for this?” Gia said looking at the pictures that were spread out on the table. Inwardly feeling proud for taking them. “Gia, I am telling you, these are incredible. I can’t believe you have never taken pictures before.” Lucky said. “Well, I have if you count my moms Polaroid.” Gia said. Lucky laughed. “I mean look at the ones of me. I don’t mean to brag but these are model material.” Lucky said. Now Gia laughed. “Yeah this one of you on the rock is gorgeous. You should ask Laura about a job at Deception.” Gia joked. “Oh yeah me the model. Can’t you just see me walking the catwalk?” Lucky said laughing. “Nah, I’ll leave that world to you Hot Stuff.” Lucky teased. Gia made a face at him. “Hey it’s a perfectly respectable career.” Gia defended. “I know it is. But it’s just not my thing.” Lucky said smiling. Lucky looked at Gia, she was smiling but he could tell she was sad. God she’s beautiful, he thought. He had always thought so, even when she was blackmailing Emily way back when they first met. But she was more then beautiful, she was smart and funny and a great friend. He could easily fall in love with her if he let himself. But he saw how much love she and his brother shared and he knew he could never come between them. He had to make sure that they would be together again. He loved Gia, she had become his best friend and he knew her heart belonged to his brother, so he needed to help them reunite. Lucky made a vow that he was going to get the two people he loved more then anything in the world, get back together if it was the last thing he did.