We’re laughing at a story Elliott tells us all about one of her son’s latest dating disasters, when Duke’s deep voice rumbles from somewhere nearby.
“Is that my little girl?”
Brooke tenses next to me. Duke is a not a man to mess with. He’s not got much patience for people in general; especially not people who have hurt his girls. I’m suddenly grateful that we’re meeting again for the first time through a screen and not face to face.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Mr. Nash.”
He moves into view behind his wife. His still bulky shoulders fill the screen as his hard face glares at me.
“Tuck.” There’s a long silence after that one word, and I find myself shifting in my seat. Am I supposed to be speaking first? What the fuck do I say?
I know you threatened to break my face if I hurt your daughter, but oops, I did it anyway and now I’m back and asking for forgiveness?
“Saw the race yesterday. You did good.” There’s a collective release of breath when he speaks. The biggest from me.
You did good.
Jesus. Those words, the praise I didn’t realize I needed from the man I looked up to most as a kid is a balm for the loneliness I’ve felt ever since I left home ten years ago.
The conversation takes a relaxed turn after that, and we leave it with promising I’ll be there the next time Brooke heads home for a visit.
She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m already planning how to make that happen as soon as I possibly can.
This is our time, and I’m not letting anyone get between us.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
BROOKE
I’m putting the finishing touches to my makeup when a coffee cup appears next to me. “You going to be okay today?” Tuck brushes his warm lips over the exposed skin of my neck as he presses me into the bathroom counter.
“I hope so. He was so excited the last time I saw him. I just pray his mom is really ready for this.” Today is the first time Jared is seeing his mom since she went into rehab almost six months ago. She’s opted to extend her stay twice now, and I just pray that means she’s really committed to getting clean this time.
“You’ll be there for him, no matter what happens,” he reassures me, dropping another kiss on my neck and giving my ass a squeeze as he moves away to get himself ready. I love that he doesn’t doubt me. He’s so sure that I'll be enough to get Jared through today.
We move around each other as if we’ve always done this. Like we’ve always shared a space. Looking around, I realize just how much of my stuff is here in Tucker’s apartment. I’ve not spent a night away from him. Even when he’s traveled for a race, I’ve managed to work my schedule at The House around him so that I can be there.
Looking down at the coffee cup he just left for me, I'm overwhelmed with the urge to tell him how I feel. I love him. I know it down to my bones, so why haven’t I told him yet?
My eyes find his as he steps out of the huge walk-in shower. I don’t care that he’s still dripping wet. I walk to him and throw my arms around him. Tucker doesn’t question the move; he pulls me closer and presses his lips to mine. As always, the kiss ignites as his tongue presses into my waiting mouth.
“What was that for?” he asks when I pull back to catch my breath.
“I love you.” His body locks at my words, but his eyes turn molten. Leaning down, he surprises me by pushing his shoulder into my belly and lifting me off my feet.
“Tucker!” I yelp as I blink at the sight of his tight ass that’s now mere inches from my face as he stalks into the bedroom. Hefting me up, he throws me onto the mattress. I don’t have time to catch a breath before his hard body is over mine, pressing into me.
“Say it again,” he growls as his hands move to frame my face.
“What?” My scrambled brain struggles to keep up with what’s going on.
“Say it again, Brooke. I need to hear you say the words so I can say them back to you.”
“I love you, Tucker Neal.” I have no idea why, but my throat closes up with emotion when his eyes slide closed at my words. He looks pained, but when he opens his eyes and stares down at me, all I see is love. He doesn’t need to tell me how he feels; he wears it like a badge.
“I love you too. Never stopped. Not for one day.” He swallows deeply, likely pushing down the same lump of emotion I was just hit with. “Thank you for coming back to me.”
By the time Tucker is done showing me just how thankful he is, I am more than late for work, and it isn’t just my wet dress I needed to change out of.
Thanks to the eventful morning, I’ve forgotten all about how nervous I’ve been about how today would go. Jared should be back from his visit by now. By the time I’m pulling up outside The House, I’m a ball of restless energy. Grabbing my bags, I pull my phone out to switch it to silent. There’s an unread text from Tucker.
This morning was amazing. Let me know how today goes. I love you.
I have to refrain from hugging my phone to my chest and doing a happy dance like a lovesick teenager.
“Well, isn’t that quite a smile.” Tony says as he opens the door for me.
“Looks like someone is getting some,” Calvin adds, causing Tony and I to stare at each other with wide eyes.
“I know you’re sixteen now, boy, but we don’t speak to ladies like that. Not ever. You get me?” Tony
