Page 78 of Absolutely Pucked
Boden had softened, though he still looked angry. “You knew what was going to happen when we found out, Ford. I just…I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either. But it happened, and there’s nothing I can do to change it.” Ford licked his lips. “You also know that Tucker wasn’t a saint though, right? Yeah, Killian did some bad shit, but Tucker isn’t blameless.”
Boden said nothing.
A second later, before anyone else could respond, the front door opened and my brother walked in. He looked better than he did when we were in Vegas. We hardly spent any time together while we were there. I saw him for one breakfast, two lunches, and a dinner before it all fell apart.
He’d avoided me like the plague, and I was trying to make myself feel better about who I was marrying and why.
I would have given anything to take it all back.
Tucker came to a halt in the living room, and I could see that his vision was more clear. The scars over hiscornea weren’t as profound as the last time I’d seen him, and he zeroed in on me right away. He stood taller somehow.
I kind of loved that for him.
“Someone better explain what the fuck is going on right now, or I’m going to blow a gasket,” Tucker said, his voice eerily calm. “Deo’s in the car with an alibi, and if that fails, bail money.”
Ford looked at me, his expression utterly helpless. I was not going to let him take the fall.
“About two months ago, Ford and I met at a club,” I said. “He didn’t recognize me at the time.”
Tucker’s gaze snapped to Ford, who lifted his hands in surrender. “He had a whole mountain man beard thing going.”
Tucker grunted, then looked back at me. “And?”
“And we slept together,” I said. “I didn’t know who he was to you that night. And when I came back into town, I met up with him again and told him who I was. Things in my life were…complicated. I didn’t have anywhere to go, so Ford took me in.”
Tucker blinked, then took a breath and burst into laughter. It didn’t sound kind. “Holy fucking shit. Did Delia kick you out because you cheated on her with my best friend? I mean, she fucking deserves it, but my God, you need to find Jesus.”
Bile rose up against the back of my throat. “I didn’t cheat.”
Tucker’s laughter died in his throat. “Oh? Did you even get down the aisle? Or did she throw you out before the vows?”
“We did get married. It didn’t last. She’s fucking my boss.”
I couldn’t tell if Tucker wanted to laugh again. I’d never seen that expression on his face before. “Do I need to say shit about karma, or…”
“Trust me, I get it.” My voice rasped against the back of my throat, painful and tight. “I came back into town because I wanted to talk to you about…about her. About Delia.”
“Oh, fuck no,” Tucker started.
“I changed my mind when I realized you were happy. I didn’t want to ruin that, and I realized it didn’t matter how or why she and I happened.”
After a long pause, he scoffed. “You didn’t want to ruin my happiness, so you moved in with my best friend, and…oh God, are you two still screwing each other?”
I swallowed heavily, glanced at Ford, then said, “Yes. We are.”
Tucker blinked. “Really? Please explain that to me like I’m five. What fucking possessed either of you to do that and not even tell me about it!”
“I know it was the wrong choice. We were going to tell you, but…” I trailed off. There were no real excuses for what we’d done.
Tucker bit both of his lips between his teeth and breathed heavily through his nose. “So why now?” He stopped, and his eyes widened. “Ah. Boden came over and found you touching butts.”
Ford flushed. “We were sleeping, but…yes. He found out.”
“Jonah found out before him,” I added, “and hegave us an ultimatum. We had to tell you, or he would. We planned on it being today, but Boden got here before we were up.”
Tucker smiled a bit at that, for a brief second, his expression so fucking fond. “Ah, Jonah. That little shit. So you were blackmailed into the truth?”
