“Sorry, what?”
“Nothing.” He sighed again. “I can’t tell you why Luke was here. Unfortunately that is attorney client privilege.”
“Is he working for my dad?” I shouted. “Is he trying to stop me from adopting Shelby?”
“What?” He laughed, and I could see amusement in his eyes. “No, no, Luke is far from working for your dad.”
“What is he doing then?” Lexi leaned forward and spoke in hushed tones. “I don’t want to invade his privacy, but I have to know. Is he in trouble?”
“No, no he’s not.” David played with the files on his desk and looked up with a troubled expression on his face. “I’ve asked him to tell you. But he doesn’t want to. It’s his own choice. I personally think it’s best for everything to be out in the open. It’s time. Let the chips fall where they may.”
“What are you talking about, David?” I sighed, not understanding what he was saying.
“Even the mighty have to fall at some time. But it’s not my decision to make. Luke will do what he wants.” He looked me in the eye then. “But you should know that he is not trying to stop you from adopting Shelby. He is actually trying to help you. He set up a trust in Shelby’s name. And he named you as the conservator. He is willingly to openly support you and your quest.”
“What?” A cold sliver of shock ran through me. “What? Why?”
“He wants to see Shelby looked after and he thinks you will make a good older brother and father figure to her.”
“But I don’t understand.” I frowned. “He can’t just give you money like that.”
“Is that why he came to see you?” Lexi whispered.
“No. That wasn’t the main reason he came to see me. But he inquired about your adoption process. He knows I have a close relationship with the orphanage and the powers that be. He wanted to know what the likelihood was of you being able to adopt Shelby.”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him what I told you. You were a good candidate but you don’t have your own abode or a stable source of income.”
“And then he just gave you a huge chunk of money?” I frowned in disbelief.
“He asked me if I could create a trust for Shelby with some monies he would donate. He asked to name you as conservator and he said he would publicly support the adoption.”
“But how would that help?” Lexi looked as taken aback as I felt.
“They love him at the orphanage. He’s one of their success stories. He got adopted at age six but he never forgot them. He has been volunteering there for years. In fact, when he made his first million, his first major donation was to them.”
“His first million?” Lexi frowned. “He has millions?”
I was just as surprised. “Luke was adopted?” I turned to Lexi and I saw she that she was frozen still with huge eyes.
“I never knew he was adopted.” She blinked and looked at me, blankly. “He never told me he was adopted.”
“I’ve said too much.” David Raynor looked worried. “I can’t talk much longer. Both of you should know that Luke only has your best interests at heart.”
“What does he want?” I stare at the files on David’s table. “I don’t understand it. Why would he do this for me? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Luke has his reasons.” David stood up. “And now, I really need to get to some work.”
“Did Luke buy my mom’s house?” Lexi had tears in her eyes as she questioned the lawyer. “He bought my mom’s house didn’t he?”
The lawyer nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“You need to ask him dear.” David looked at both of us apologetically. “Maybe you both need to speak to Luke. He’s a good man. He looks after his family. He’s a good man.” And, just like that, Lexi and I are out of his office. We stood there staring at each other with shocked expressions on our faces.
“I guess I really don’t know Luke do I?” Lexi’s lips trembled as she played with her hair. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because he loves you.” I was hesitant as I talked, trying to find the right words to explain it to her and myself. “I think he loves you so much that he just wants you to be happy. And, no matter what, he wants you to be okay. He wants to make sure, as best as he can, that you are okay. What a man. He did this for you when he thought you were in love with me.”
“He shouldn’t have done it!” she cried out.
“He did it because you have his heart. You really and truly have his heart.” And then I frowned. “I don’t understand why he would do this for me though. He doesn’t owe me anything.”
“Maybe he did it for Shelby.” We left the office and stood by the big oak tree, instead of getting directly into our cars. “He obviously loves her. And maybe, because you’re her brother, he saw it as the best way to make sure she is happy.”
“But he doesn’t know me.” I frowned. “I was an ass in high school. We weren’t friends and I can’t think he even likes me now, after what happened between you and me. So why would he trust me? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Maybe because he knows what it’s like to be adopted? What it’s like to be given a forever family with people who love him?”
“He has a good family?” I question, wondering what his childhood had been like; wondering about the sort of parents it took to raise a man as good as him.
She nodded and smiled. “They’re wonderful. They support him in everything he does and he does everything he can for them. I guess I understand now, why they seem to appreciate and love him more than life itself. They most probably feel blessed to have a son like him.”
“He’s a great guy.” And then I laughed and she looked at me confused.
“What’s so funny?”
“How did you pick the two of us? He’s Mr. Perfect and I’m the exact opposite. I’ve got a shitty family, I’ve spent most of my life worrying about myself and—”
“—Stop.” She put her finger to my lips. “I never want to hear you doubting yourself again, Bryce. The past is the past. We’ve all made mistakes. But as long as we recognize them and we move on and try to do better in our lives, it’s okay. No one’s perfect, Bryce. Not even Luke. Never put yourself down. You’re a good guy.”