Chapter 106: Echoes of the Past

Ethan returned to the room a few minutes later, his expression slightly more serious. "Sorry about that," he said, running a hand through his wet hair. "It was my brother. He wants to meet up."

Luca raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the sudden jolt of anxiety. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just the usual," Ethan replied, though his voice lacked its usual confidence. "He's been pushing me to hang out more. You know how family can be."

Luca nodded, his mind racing. The thought of Ethan's brother meeting him made his stomach twist. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was intruding into Ethan's life, a life he barely understood. "Are you going to see him?"

"I should probably go," Ethan said, biting his lip. "I don't want to disappoint him, but I'd much rather stay here… with you." He stepped closer, his gaze searching Luca's face for any sign of what he was thinking.

"What time are you meeting him?" Luca asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the rising tension in his chest.

"In an hour," Ethan replied. He hesitated before adding, "You could come with me if you want. It's just a casual get-together. You'd get to meet him."

Luca's heart raced at the invitation, but the idea of being thrust into Ethan's family dynamic made him uneasy. "I don't know…" he started, looking for a way to decline without hurting Ethan's feelings.

"Come on," Ethan encouraged, stepping even closer. "It'll be fun. Besides, I want you to be part of my life. This is part of it." His earnestness tugged at Luca's heartstrings, making it harder to say no.

After a moment of hesitation, Luca sighed, "Okay, I'll go."

A smile broke across Ethan's face, lighting up his features. "Great! Just let me change first." He disappeared into his closet, and Luca took a moment to gather his thoughts.

As Ethan rummaged through his clothes, Luca felt a wave of unease wash over him. Meeting Ethan's brother meant stepping into a world that felt foreign and intimidating. What if they didn't get along? What if Ethan's brother was nothing like Ethan? The fear of rejection gnawed at him.

"Hey," Ethan called from the closet, pulling out a fitted shirt. "Are you sure you're okay with this? You look a bit pale."

Luca forced a smile, trying to mask his anxiety. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous."

Ethan's expression softened, and he walked over, cupping Luca's face with his hands. "You don't have to be nervous. Just be yourself. I like you for who you are."

His sincerity melted away some of Luca's tension. "Okay, I'll try."

After a few moments, Ethan finished getting ready and turned to Luca with a bright smile. "Ready?"

"Let's do this," Luca replied, taking a deep breath. As they walked out together, a mix of excitement and dread filled him. He wanted to be a part of Ethan's life, but he was acutely aware of the vulnerabilities that came with it.

The drive to the café was filled with light conversation, Ethan's laughter echoing in the small car. Luca tried to match his energy, but his thoughts kept wandering back to the impending meeting. What if things went wrong?

As they parked and walked toward the entrance, Luca's heart raced. He took one last glance at Ethan, who seemed unfazed, his confidence radiating off him. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Inside the café, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with the chatter of patrons and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Ethan spotted his brother at a corner table, waving them over. "There he is," Ethan said, his voice upbeat.

As they approached, Luca couldn't help but feel like he was about to step into a whirlwind of uncertainty. Ethan's brother looked up, and for a brief moment, time seemed to freeze as they locked eyes.

"Ethan! You made it!" his brother exclaimed, his expression shifting to one of surprise as he noticed Luca beside him. "And you brought a friend?"

Luca felt a sudden wave of heat wash over him as he realized he was about to be introduced as more than just a friend. "Uh, yeah. I'm Luca," he said, forcing a smile.

Ethan's brother raised an eyebrow, a sly grin forming on his lips. "Nice to meet you, Luca. Ethan hasn't stopped talking about you."

Luca's stomach dropped, his heart pounding. He shot Ethan a questioning look, but Ethan simply smiled back, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

End of Chapter 106

To Be Continued...