Page 102 of Spotlight Hearts

Not the stage kind of nervous—the quiet, stomach-twisting kind that comes from meeting someone’s parents as their actual boyfriend. I’ve met Dax and Luca’s mom before, but that was as bandmate Kai. This feels different. Bigger.

Luca reaches over and squeezes my thigh once.

“You’re overthinking it,” he says. “They already like you.”

I nod, but my hands still feel clammy.

The front door opens before we even reach it.

Luca’s mom steps out first, smiling wide and bright. She’s wearing a simple sweater and jeans, hair pulled back, looking nothing like the wife of a rock legend and everything like someone who’s genuinely happy to see us.

“Luca! Kai!” She pulls Luca into a tight hug first, then turns to me without hesitation and wraps me up, too. “I’m so glad you’re here. Come in, come in. I made too much food, as usual.”

“It’s good to be here, Mrs. Clark,” I say over her shoulder.

She squeezes just a little tighter. Her hug is warm and real and exactly what a mother’s hug should feel like. She releases me and leads us inside. Saying over her shoulder, “You can call me Beth or Mom if you want, Luca’s friends growing up always called me Mom.” Then she calls out, “Dax, Luca is here, and he brought his friend, Kai.”

I can feel my stomach knot at her words. Friend. Is that what he told her we were?

“Boyfriend, Mom. We’re together.” Luca reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together without hesitation.

His mom’s eyes widen for a split second, then she smiles again, a little flustered but genuine. “Oh! Yes, of course. Boyfriend. I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to say it that way. Old habits, I guess. I’m still getting used to the change.”

She looks genuinely sorry, and a little awkward as she fidgets with the hem of her sweater. “I thought…well, you know, you were with Whitney for so long…but that’s not important. What matters is that you’re happy. And if Kai makes you happy, then I’m happy. I just want you to have the kind of love story your father and I have. The real kind.”

Luca squeezes my hand. “He makes me so happy, Mom. He really does.”

She nods quickly, still looking a bit embarrassed but clearly trying to move past it. “Good. Then welcome, Kai. Officially. As Luca’s boyfriend.”

The knot in my stomach loosens a little.

Dax appears from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel. He looks exactly like I remember—laid-back, easy smile, the kind of guy who could command a stadium but chooses to help his wife in the kitchen as if he’s got all the time in the world.

“Kai,” he says, voice warm. He pulls me into a quick, one-armed hug, clapping me on the back. “Good to see you again. Especially now that you’re officially putting up with my kid full-time.”

Luca groans. “Dad.”

Dax grins wider. “What? I’m just saying—keep my boy happy, and we’ll get along great. Hurt him, and I still know how to hide a body. Rock star perks.”

His gaze shifts to Luca, the teasing edge sharpening a tiny bit.

“Still got a lot to prove though, don’t you, kid? Even with the name and the talent, you’re still earning your place every night on that stage. Don’t forget that.”

I feel Luca tense beside me. We’ve had enough conversation that I know that he feels like he’s been given every bit of fame he’s earned. Before I can think too hard about it, I speak up.

“Actually,” I say, “Luca’s already earned his spot in Eclipse. We wouldn’t be the band we are without him. He works harder than anyone gives him credit for.”

I pause, glancing at him.

Including me, if I’m being honest.

“The nepotism stuff… being your son… that’s not the full story. He’s earned every stage he’s stood on.”

Dax studies me for a second. I brace myself for him to call me out—to laugh it off, or tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about.

Instead, his grin softens into something real.

“Well said,” he replies, giving a single nod. “Glad to hear someone else sees it, too.”