Page 6 of Tucker
Joyand excitement rush through me at the prospect of having this beautiful placeall to myself for six whole months.
“I’llhelp you get packed up in the morning,” Ayda promises.
* * * *
WhateverAyda said to convince Derek to be cool with my moving out has faded by morning.
“It’salmost winter,” he argues. “What are you going to do if it snows and the powergoes out?”
Witha snort, I shake my head. “I’ll run out and play in it until I get frostbite.”
Derekshoots Ayda a look when she giggles. “It’s not funny.”
Aydathrows her arms around him and drops a kiss on his lips. I’m kind of fascinatedby the way my huge, scary brother just melts at her actions. I hope I findsomeone to love me like that someday.
“She’sa grown woman, babe. I’m sure she could start a fire in the fireplace. Now,grab that last box and let’s go.”
Througha lot of grumbling and protests, Derek helps me get all my stuff moved intoTucker’s place—my place for the winter.
Tuckerhas his truck loaded with a couple of suitcases when we arrive. He walks methrough what needs to be done for the animals on a daily basis, with Derekfollowing along behind us.
Afterhe pulls away a few minutes later, I practically have to shove Derek out thedoor as he keeps giving me warnings you’d give a teenager left home alone forthe first time.
“I’llbe fine. Now, let me enjoy my solitude and go be with Ayda and Ollie,” I tellhim, giving him a hug. “Love you.”
“Loveyou too, critter.”
Finally,he’s gone and I’m alone for the first time in a long time.
Myfirst night alone, I plan to eat junk food and veg out watching television. Ican start writing tomorrow. After all, I have six months and it feels like aneternity right now.
Chapter Two
Tucker
Great.Just fucking great. Everything fell through and it turns out I’m not leavingtown after all. Leah isn’t going to be happy when she has to go back to Dareand Ayda’s after only two days.
Iknow I’m just distracting myself from the devastation of the news I receivedtoday, but it’s something I can’t even think about right now. Instead, I focuson the drama I know is coming when I get home. The drive is interminable and Imake a last minute stop for a bottle of bourbon. Something tells me I’m goingto need it.
It’sdark when I arrive and a wonderful smell smacks me in the face as I let myselfin the kitchen door.
Leahstands at the counter in a t-shirt that barely brushes her hips, and the wayblood fills her cheeks when she sees me, I assume she’s not wearing muchunderneath.
“Sorry,should’ve called and warned you,” I mumble, rushing from the room.
Thesight of her creamy skin, and those shocked blue eyes sent a wave of lustthrough me that was immediately followed by guilt. I can’t be with anyone, letalone Dare’s little sister. She’s just a kid. Okay, so she’s in her twenties,but she’s still ten years younger than me. I can’t think with my cock.
WhenI go back downstairs a few minutes later, Leah is dressed in leggings andpulling a pan out of the oven. “What are you doing here?” she asks, placing apan of lasagna on the table.
“Ilive here.”
“Notfor the next six months.”
“Planhas changed,” I reply. Yeah, I’m being a dick. I hate to disappoint her. Idon’t want to see the sad look on her face when she realizes she has to go. Shedoesn’t look sad when she replies, though. Her glare makes me want to lookbehind me and make sure the paint isn’t peeling from the wall.
“Well,mine hasn’t.” She shoves a plate and silverware toward me. “What’s going on?”
“Myplans fell through. I’m not leaving.”
