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I start talking to Lorelei again, but I see her look toward my brother a time or two as if she has no idea what is happening. The rest of her appointment isn’t like the first half, and doesn’t end up being the distraction I need.
When we are done and she stands, trying to hand me money I wave her away.
“Amara—,”
“No, you stopping in is all the payment you’ll offer. I enjoy seeing you and I feel like we don’t all see enough of each other. We have to plan a ‘girls’ night; I miss you all. It’s here and then home every day.”
“Yes, but Tyler is at home,” she wags her brows and then remembers we aren’t alone, but I don’t let it faze me.
“Yes, unless he’s on shift at the station and then it’s too quiet. He calls though and checks on me often. It’s really sweet actually.”
“He’s different,” Lorelei agrees with a smile. “I may not be around him as much as the guys, but anyone who knows the guy he was a year ago, can see that he’s changed. He’s happy, you’re happy.”
The girls and I finally say our goodbyes with plans to get together soon, and the minute they all step out of the door, I busy myself with gathering towels and going into the back.
With my back to the door, I know when Tucker has joined me from the clearing of his throat.
“You plan on ignoring me all afternoon? I’m off work, so I got nowhere else to be."
“Don’t you think that’s sad,” I spin around to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. “So many empty relationships, and so many burned bridges. Yet you’ve been spending weeks questioning my judgment, so focused on the wrongs I’ve committed, and here you are.”
“You have the right to be mad at me.”
“You’re damned right I do,” I take a step toward him. “You’re supposed to be on my side, not fighting against me.”
“I’m sorry,” I go to yell at him once again but stop when I realize he’s apologized. Tucker is never wrong, or so he seems to think. “Don’t you think I feel like an ass for saying that at mom and dads? Amara, I sent you to the hospital because I thought I was better than Tyler. But the truth is I am worse than he could ever be or had been. I’ll never forgive myself for making you as upset as I did. You don’t deserve the shit I’ve been giving you and neither does Tyler. He didn’t do a thing to me, but I’ve been running around holding a grudge I don’t have any right to hold.”
“Why is that Tucker? Why target Tyler?”
“Because it was easier than admitting that I’m a twenty-one-year-old ass still living with his parents. I’ve never once in my life had a meaningful relationship outside of the direct members of my family and I’ve spent my adolescent years in a constant competition of how many women I can juggle at once.”
I stare at my brother.
“All because the one person I want or have ever wanted is married to my best friend and pregnant with their first child.”
“Victoria?” My heart aches for my brother. I always thought there was something about the way he watched her, but she and Logan have been a thing since middle school.
“It is what it is,” he shrugs. “But regardless it doesn’t give me the right to be a dick to you or Tyler and I’m sorry.”
A few seconds pass before he takes a step closer.
“I’ve got a niece or nephew that I’d like to be able to get to know when the time comes. I figure in order to do so; I’ll have to get along with their dad too.”
“That would be nice.”
Tucker chuckles, before wrapping me in for a hug.
“I love you sis,” he says.
“Love you too, even though you’re an ass at times.”
“I know,” he gives me another squeeze. “I’m working on it.”
CHAPTERFORTY-ONE
Amara
Four Weeks before the due date
