Page 37 of Never Say Never

I laugh, my head falling back against the headrest. “If I did, do you think I would have said yes?”

“You two have always been incredibly close.”

I nod, then look down at my hands in my lap. “Tucker has always been in my life. When I think back to every big moment, he was there next to me. It really broke me when our friendship fell apart, Bri.”

“It sounds like you’re happy to have him back in your life.”

“I am. But I just can’t stop wondering what happened to make him push me away back then.”

“You’re going to have to ask him. Only he knows the answer to that.”

I nod, knowing she is right, but with the semi-finals coming up, it will have to wait. Suddenly, headlights shine through the back window of Briar’s car. When the lights turn off, we both look over our shoulders in unison to see Tucker parked behind us.

I whip my head back around. “What is he doing here?” I whisper to Briar.

“Probably wants to get started on your pact.” She smirks.

I swat at her arm. “Nothelping! What do I do?”

“Deep breaths,” she says calmly. “He’s still in his truck. You have time to gather your thoughts, but you better make it quick. And Daisy… follow your heart. It’s never let you down before. It won’t now.”

I nod, then follow her advice and take a couple of long, slow breaths, trying not to freak the fuck out. Briar shuts off the engine and we both slip out of the car. “I’m going inside. I won’t wait up. Call me if you need anything.”

Then Tucker is by my side under the glow of a streetlamp.Fuck, he is beautiful. In the dim, golden light, I notice the turquoise ring around his irises, the coarse layer of scruff covering his jaw, the Roman curve of his nose.

He rakes his hand through his thick, chestnut hair, pushing a few strands back off his forehead. “Hey,” he says, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

“Tucker, what are you doing here?”

He rocks back on his heels and there’s a gleam in his eyes. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.”

“It’s almost midnight. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

“No,” he responds, his lips quirking up in a smile. “Do you have to be at work tomorrow morning?”

“No, but where on earth do you want to take me at this time of the night?”

“Do you trust me?” The tone in his voice is soft. When I don’t respond, his head tilts to one side. “Daisy?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Then one hour, Dais. That’s all I’m asking for. I promise you’ll like it.”

A few minutes later, I’m sitting next to Tucker in his truck with the scent of his cologne obliterating my senses and a Sam Hunt song floating softly through the speakers. I recognize the route he’s taking, heading toward the street we grew up onand our childhood homes. Considering how our relationship has changed over the last few weeks, it feels a little strange.

When he pulls his truck down the long stone driveway of his parents’ place and cuts the engine, I glance at him and notice the smirk on his face.

“What are we doing here?”

“It’s been a long time since you swam in the dark. I thought we should change that.”

The pool.That’s all it takes for my heart to riot against my chest. It has been 10 years since I last snuck out of the house to meet Tucker here. We were just kids then.

“We don’t have swimsuits,” I point out, my mouth as dry as cotton.

His smile widens and even in the darkness, his expression pins me in place. My stomach does a belly flop. I’ve known this man all my life and he has always had this effect on me.

“We don’t need them. Come on, Dais.” He slips out of the truck, rounds the front of it and extends a hand for me once he’s opened my door.

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