Page 76 of Never Say Never

“Even if.”

He knocks back the last of his whiskey before taking his glass over to the kitchen sink. “I think we should all call it a night.”

“I think you’re right.”

“Everything okay in here?” I turn to see Daisy standing in the entrance to the kitchen, looking hesitant but hopeful.

“Everything is just fine, sweetheart. Come here.” Uncle Randy holds his arms wide for Daisy and she steps into them. He pulls her into his chest and presses a kiss to her hair. “Love you, Daisy.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

Then her gaze shifts to me. “Come on, Tuck, let’s get going.”

We say our goodbyes and then leave, thankful the night is over. We drive back to my house on Haven Harbor knowing this isn’t the end of us.

At least, not yet.

TWENTY-EIGHT

FEELS A LOT LIKE GOODBYE

Tucker

It’s our last night together before Daisy leaves, and we’re spending it at her apartment. Daisy’s flight to Rome is tomorrow afternoon. I’m flying out to New Hampshire the day after that to meet with a potential recruit. We had debated going out tonight with friends, having a little send-off party, but in the end we decided on a quiet night in at her place with some take-out Mexican food from Cocina Caliente.

Since our relationship news blew up at Daisy’s parents’ house a few weeks ago, things with our families have been as good as we could have expected. Aunt Vic and Uncle Randy have been great. My dad hasn’t been in touch, but I’m hardly surprised by that. I’ve talked to my mom on the phone a couple of times, and she’s assured me that she’s working on him. I’m not holding my breath and honestly, I couldn’t care less. I’ve had Daisy in my arms every night, and that has been good enough for me. More than good enough.

Being in a relationship—the first one I’ve had in my life, as crazy as that sounds—feels good and surprisingly natural to be a couple. Sometimes I wonder if I was subconsciously just waiting for Daisy all along. I think it’s the real reason I never wantedmore with any of the girls I hooked up. They weren’t Daisy. No one has ever come close.

It feels like we’re getting to know each other again. A long time ago, I knew absolutely everything about Daisy, but it’s been years since we’ve been close, since we’ve shared secrets with each other. One of my favorite things about being with Daisy, is learning about her all over again—her likes and dislikes, her go-to lunch order, her 10-minute bedtime skin care routine. Well, that and the incredible amount of sex we’ve been having. She’s become an addiction, like a needle straight to my vein, giving me the most incredible high.

We’ve talked about our dreams for the future—about my hopes to coach in the NFL, and her dream to visit more of the world. There is so much we want to see and do together, but for now I’ve just been busy counting down the days until Daisy leaves and enjoying every second I have with her in the meantime.

We just finished the last of our tacos, and Daisy is now sitting on her bedroom floor in the middle of a pile of clothes. I watch as she stuffs another shirt in her already very full suitcase.

“Are you going to be able to carry that thing? You realize the buildings in Italy are a 108 billion years old and don’t have elevators?”

She shoots me a scowl. “I’ll be fine. I can always ask for help.”

“How? You don’t speak Italian.”

Pushing up off the floor, she walks to where I’m sitting on the edge of her bed, then softly strokes my cheek. “I can figure it out. I’ve travelled to foreign countries before.”

She has a point. But the closer it gets to Daisy getting on that plane, the worse my mood gets. The thought of her an ocean away with a 6-hour time difference is torture, but I know I need to try harder. I really am happy for her. This is Daisy. She’salways been interested in seeing the world and going on new adventures, and I’d be a dick if I didn’t support that.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me going?” she asks as my hands move to the back of her thighs pulling her between my parted legs.

“Tuck,” she says, leaning into my grasp. “Tell me the truth. Are you worried about me going away?”

“A little.”

“Why?”

She runs a hand through my hair before tipping my chin up to face her. “What’s going on, baby?”

I press my lips to her chest, inhaling her. “I’m worried things will change with us.”

“Tucker, you know I’m coming back home to you, right?”

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