Page 56 of Part of Forever
“I did not pack my bag,” I say, clutching it in front of me. I feel oddly exposed, even though the tank top is looser than most of my leotards. I watch him swallow as he looks at me, and then his eyes meet mine.
“Um.” He clears his throat. “I might just kill your brother. I swear I told him to pack you something warm to sleep in because it gets cold.” The words make me shiver as I register the cool air on my skin, but his eyes don’t leave mine.
“It’ll be fine, there’s lots of blankets, right? And you’ll just get to hold me all night.” I trust him, and I trust what he promised, but the thought of spending the night in his arms thrills me. “That is what you wanted, right?”
“Mhm,” is all he says. “I’m gonna go change.”
I’m scrolling through social media when he comes out in a long-sleeved shirt and pajama pants. Much warmer and much more appropriate given the circumstances. “This cabin doesn’t have heat, but it has Wi-Fi?” I ask, as he crawls under the covers and settles in next to me, not touching yet.
“I cannot explain my grandparents to you,” he says, which makes me laugh.
“Well, it makes for a more interesting night.” I put my phone on the nightstand and turn toward him. “Now what? I’m too wired to sleep.” It’s true—I don’t want to stop talking, because I know the second it’s quiet, I’ll think about Grace being mad at me. “What do you want to do? Truth or Dare? Twenty questions? Make out?”
“As much as I’d love to make out with you, maybe later?” Tucker smiles at me.
“Twenty questions, it is. When did you first get into music?” I ask, and then I shiver in the cool air. It might be May, but in a small cabin like this in the mountains, it’s a lot colder than by the beach. He wraps his arms around me, pulls me against his chest, and our legs tangle together. I rest my head on his pillow, a few inches away from his face.
“Whew, that’s an easy one,” he says breathlessly, like he can’t believe I’m here in his arms. “Mom was always playing music. We didn’t have a TV until I started middle school, so we just listened to music—mostly country. I was five when I asked for my first guitar. Mom got a second job to pay for lessons.”
“Wow. That was really awesome of her.” I don’t have to wonder what it’s like to have a mom who supports your dreams. I just wish sometimes that my mom didn’t only live vicariously through me. It’s so much pressure when you’re living your own dream and your mom’s. “Your turn.”
“Um, okay.” He thinks for a second. “What’s your favorite dessert?”
“I’m more of a savory gal,” I remind him, even though I know he already knows that I’d pick fries or chips or popcorn over anything sweet. “But, I really, really love Erin’s cinnamon rolls, so I’m really looking forward to one of those tomorrow morning. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”
“I’m right where I want to be.” He brushes his nose against mine. “But I’d love to go back to Nashville after graduation if I can. I’d love to show it to you.”
“I’d like that,” I say honestly, and push away the thoughts ofwhenthat could happen. We’re going to graduate soon, and then he’ll start touring and I’ll be heading to Paris.
“Why do you look sad?” he asks me.
“Do I?” I ask. “I wasn’t meaning to look sad. It’s been a longweek, I’m tired, but trust me, I’m not sad to be here with you. And that totally counts as your question.”
“Fair enough,” he says.
“What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?” I ask him.
“Another easy one, darlin’.” He winks at me. “Get a record deal.”
“You’ll definitely do that someday,” I say, and I hope he can tell how much I believe in him; how much I know that he’s going to get everything he wants. “You’re going to be famous, I can just feel it in my bones.”
“Thank you,” he says quietly. “What’s one thing you want to do before you die?” I freeze in his arms. “Sorry, I know that’s a rough question considering your past with cancer and all, but you’re here still, and fine, and I’m still fine, but I’ve been thinking about that lately. Especially since you told me about the tumor.”
I nod, forcing myself to be calm and collected. I am fine. I’m alive and well. “I know I could say something about dance,” I start and my voice cracks—I don’t know why I’m so emotional about this. “But I don’t think that’d be a truthful answer. I think I’d love to see The Nutcracker again, on a stage. I haven’t seen it in years, partially because I was in it for about four years and then they haven’t shown it at any local theaters the past few years. But I’d love to see it again. And I’d love to spend at least one more night with you.”
“Well, it’s a good thing we’ve got a lot of time together. I’d love to see The Nutcracker with you. And maybe we can make this happen again,” he says, and his eyes are dark as he stares down at me. I kiss him. Tucker is frozen at first, but then he moves, pulling me closer to him. My top shifts and his hands brush the skin of my lower back, which makes him pull me even closer. I kiss him harder.
I run my hands through his hair, full of desire. He slows his lips and pulls away slightly.
“Whoa.” He lets out a shaky breath, and when I lean in to kisshim again, it’s like he can’t refuse. I slip a hand up the back of his shirt, feeling his cool skin against my flaming fingers, and he lets out a groan, which makes me smile, and I pull him closer when his phone rings.
“Leave it,” I say, kissing his neck, but he’s already reaching for his phone. I see the name on the screen. It’s Erin.
“Can’t, it’s Aunt Erin,” he says, and I move away just enough so he can answer the call. “Hello?”
I can hear her over the speaker because it’s so quiet in the cabin.
“Tucker,” she starts, and I know whatever she has to say next won’t be good based on her stern tone. “Grace told me where you took Rosie tonight. I’ve called Catherine and she’s on her way over here.” I bury my face in my hands. I should have guessed thatthisis what she would do. She’d tell my mom about my first ever romantic getaway, if that’s actually what this is.
