Damn, maybe I shouldn’t be staying. My kids have had loss, and I don’t want to set them up for anything like that ever again. But what I do know is that Tuck will always be in their life, because my boys are part of the Bucks family. I just need to be careful not to do anything to shatter that relationship.
Which means, no, there can’t be another round of sex to get him out of my system. I’ll stay tonight to get the kitten settled, then I’ll take the boys back and forth when they need to go, but keep my distance. I’ll make all this clear when we’re alone.
Decision made, I finish packing, and head to the kitchen. I grab a bag and fill it with the chicken, and all the fixing I need to make my dish. I do love cooking for my family and I know how much Tuck will appreciate a home cooked hearty meal. Boots sound on the stairs and I turn to find Tuck entering with Marbles.
Lucas comes in and takes him. “Careful driving to Tuck’s,” I say. “Keys are on the counter.”
He nods and holds the kitten up to his face. “Do you want to meet Ari? She’s my girlfriend. No stealing her.”
I grin and catch Tuck’s eye, and find him smiling at the adorable teen, who always tries to act tough, weaken under the kitten’s spell.
“Come on. Let me show you my bedroom.”
He disappears with the cat, and Tuck moves to the doorway. “What can I do to help?”
“You can carry this bag to the car.” I hand him the groceries, and pick up my overnight bag.
“What are you making?”
“Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta.” He chuckles. “That’s funny?” I ask.
“No, I was just thinking about what Rowyn said to me when they had me over for dinner.” I arch a brow and he continues, “She told me I needed to find myself a partner who loves to cook.”
I cock my head, my voice teasing when I say, “Why don’t you have a partner, Tuck?” His eyes narrow, his hands going in his pockets. “Oh wait, I know the answer to that.” A deep worry moves across his face, and I laugh to let him know I’m playing. “Stella let the boys know that you’re not married because you’re not in love…”
A smile tugs at his lips, but now my curiosity is piqued. What was really behind that worry?
7
Tuck
We get the car loaded, and I slide into the driver’s seat as Maria climbs into the passenger seat. She’s nibbling her bottom lip, eyes flicking to me like she’s wrestling with some secret thought. My chest tightens. Has she changed her mind about hooking up again? Honestly…maybe it’s for the best if she has.
She buckles in beside me, and I back out of the driveway, careful not to scratch the tires on the curb.
“Thanks for coming tonight to help,” I say, trying to sound casual. Honestly, I can’t believe they’re all staying over. What happened to me keeping my distance? But how could I let the poor kitten go back to the shelter and possible euthanasia? I couldn’t and now I have to be careful not to get invested in the boys’ lives.
She turns toward me fully. “It’s the least we can do. You’re homing a cat for my boys. Who does something like that?”
“It’s fine. Big house for one person,” I reply. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll like the company. I’d always thought about getting a dog. I think I might be more of a dog person, but…how fair is it to the dog when I’m on the road all the time? I realize Dani runs the dog kennel. I could easily board it with her. But it just doesn’t seem right.” As I consider that my throat tightens, words catching. “I wouldn’t want to fail it by not being the owner it needed, you know?”
Her gaze flicks to me, intense and unreadable, like she’s sifting through every thought I haven’t said out loud. “Cats are aloof. They don’t need as much as dogs do.”
I clear my throat and continue, forcing the words out. “That’s right, and this way, I get a pet in my home, and he’ll be loved by your boys. No guilt. No?—”
“Failure,” she interrupts softly.
“Right,” I mumble, and she goes quiet, facing forward. For a heartbeat, I let the silence stretch.
“Did you bring your books?” I ask, changing the subject.
She nods. “Yeah. I have to do some reading before tomorrow night.”
“You take night classes?”
“Tuesday and Thursday nights.”
“That’s exhausting,” I say with a laugh.
