Page 66 of The Long Game

Tucker uses his key to unlock the house. The image of Tucker unlocking this particular house and calling it home is a little overwhelming. I’ve seen his broad shoulders fill this doorway a million times in my dreams.

I can’t stop the fantasy flashing through my mind of Tucker leading me into this house, years down the road, with onetoddler tucked under his arm and another sitting on his shoulders. I take a deep breath as I follow him inside.

I had told Tucker years ago that I imagined living in this house with kids and a dog. I left out the part where I always picture it would be him I would share that life with. If I had been more forthcoming, would things have been different?

"I’ve only ever been inside the first floor when your family was invited for dinners. Even though I think I’ve been in this house at least a dozen times, I forgot what it looked like inside," he says.

"You’ve only seen the first floor? And you bought it without even remembering what the house looks like? That doesn’t seem like you. You’re not that impulsive. In fact, this whole purchase doesn’t seem like you. Why this house? Why now?"

"It just seemed like the right time to put down roots. I know this area the best, and Mr. McKinny said he’d be willing to sell when my sister asked around to a few neighbors. And your parents being my neighbors? That was a huge bonus."

What about me? I’m only a few blocks away.

"You’re a bachelor and you bought the biggest house in the neighborhood."

"I won’t be a bachelor forever, Lex," he says as he locks eyes with me.

This night is about putting our friendship back together. Isn’t it?

I’ve pushed him away so many times for my career. And then the one time I was ready to commit, I found him with someone else and promptly gave him back his Super Bowl ring.

He couldn’t possibly be thinking about putting down roots with me, was he?

"Right, of course." I look away.

"How about you give me the grand tour?" he says.

"I’ve only been as far as the second story guest bathroom," I admit.

"How? You had pages and pages of design drawings for this house. How have you only seen so little of it?"

I shrug.

"Ok, well I will tell you what Idoknow," I start.

I start walking further into the house, peeking into the room to the right, that’s a large rectangle. Its set up as an office and library, of which takes up most of the entire right side of the first level. I want to make sure my memory as a kid still matches as I haven’t been inside this house in years.

I turn into the left archway right off the entry that leads into the formal living room as I begin my explanation.

"The first floor boasts a large library and office to the right." I point across the way to the room I just looked inside of. "The left side was remodeled by the McKinny’s in the early nineties with a massive kitchen. "

"Right," he says as he takes in the room with a new set of eyes.

I point to the two fireplaces. One in the living room space and one in the dining room.

"One of my very favorite features in this home, is that every room still has their original fireplaces throughout the entire house. The craftsmanship in this house is incredible."

"You really love what you do, don’t you?" he says.

I turn to glance back at him, our eyes locking. It’s the first time he’s seen me in my element, and for the first time since I’ve known Tucker, something in his eyes finally tells me that maybe he’s starting to understand why my career is so important to me.

This is my creative outlet–where I get to work with my father, and create spaces that bring people joy, relaxation… whatever they come to our resorts to feel.

"Yes, I do." I tell him. "This job gives me the freedom to dream and create. I’m getting to do what I’ve always wanted to do. I’msure you can understand that. You’ve hit the pinnacle of your career. It feels good, doesn’t it?"

He looks around and then glances back down at me. "Somedays, yeah. But it’s the kind of career that will also takes more than it gives. It’s exhausting sometimes."

I know what he means. The hours I pull in a week are long yet still rewarding.

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