Page 73 of The Long Game

Fine. It’s the first meeting on the house. I’ll go along … for now.

Tucker: Ok, see you soon.

“Everything ok?” Desh asks.

“Yeah, Lexi made plans to eat dinner with her folks tonight.”

“You were hoping to get her alone?”

“It’s not as if I was planning to jump her tonight. I just wanted some one-on-one time with her.”

I lay back on the bench and reach up for the bar. Desh adjusts the weights and then stands behind to spot me.

I complete a few bench press reps and then hang them up.

“Operation: Win-Lexi-Back-By-Buying-Her-A-House is in full effect?”

“I didn’t exactly buy her a house, but yes. As of tonight, all systems are a go. Except her using her parents to cock-block me.”

“Maybe this is a good thing. You two have had impeccable timing,” he says sarcastically and adjusts my weights again as I lift up to start my next set. “You said you wanted to go slow anyway, right?”

“I think I have to. Everything has to be done perfect this time. I think it’s my last shot.” I sigh at the thought of losing her this time too.

“Then the parental chastity belt is in your best interest. You two can’t seem to keep your hands to yourselves when you’re alone,” he smirks.

We finish up my work out, and I head to the Benson’s an hour early to get showered and wait for Lexi to arrive.

When I get in, Tom is setting up the grill and Sheila is baking in the kitchen.

I give them each a hug and head up for a shower and to unpack my suitcases. I brought enough stuff that I won’t have pack a bag every week.

I walk back down after my shower. Lexi should be here any minute.

Entering the kitchen, my mouth waters at the smell of Sheila’s cobbler in the oven and all the other sides she made up. All my favorites.

I open the fridge and grab a beer immediately. I don’t think to ask first. This place is still my safe haven all these years later. A place I belong.

“Good to have you home, sweetie,” Sheila says as she smiles at me opening my beer.

“Good to be home. Can I help with anything?” I offer.

“Sure. Can you sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on the mac and cheese? Then, pop it in the oven. Set the timer for ten minutes.”

I nod as I walk over to the island to follow direction.

She and I talk about what she’s been up to while we both work diligently in the kitchen. Mostly, she talks about Bronx. Sheila was made to be a grandmother. It’s in her DNA.

I hear Lexi’s car pull up and I want to run out and help her in, but I don’t get many chances lately for time alone with Sheila.

Back when I was a kid, I used to get time with Sheila in the kitchen often. I always appreciated her motherly take on myissues. She always knew how to drag problems I was facing out of me. Even when I didn’t want to share.

She wasn’t a replacement for the mother I’d lost, but she did her best to plug a lot of holes in my heart when I needed it. We grew close over the years. I could count on her. That was something I always knew.

Lexi

Walking in the kitchen, the sight before me surprises me. Tucker and my mom are laughing and cooking together, like old times.

The scene tugs at my heart to see these two haven’t missed a step in their relationship. Not like Tucker and I have. My mother still loves Tucker and Tucker adores my mother. I know that no matter what happens between Tucker and I, my mother will always treat him like a son.

---