Page 42 of Tucker
Tearsstream down my face as I follow Derek onto the highway. I don’t know what I’mcrying for exactly, just this whole situation. A man who blames himself forsomething no one could’ve predicted. A woman wasting away in a hospital roomwhile the world goes on around her. Or myself. A girl who can’t ever seem tofall for the right guy.
It’stime to start over.
It’stime to grow up.
Chapter Twelve
Four Months Later
Leah
“Greatjob!” I fist bump the teenager seated in front of me. “I told you that youcould do it!”
“Nosummer school!” he replies with a grin. “Thanks Ms. Bolt.”
“Don’tthank me. You did all the work.”
Isit back and enjoy the satisfaction I feel when he leaves my office.
I’veonly been working as a counselor at Middlehawk Middle School for a few months,but it’s like I’ve been here forever. It’s difficult sometimes to hear thestories some of these kids tell, and to learn about the things they’vesuffered, but I know I’m helping and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.
Middlehawkis a special school for children with emotional problems, and most of thosestem from some sort of abuse in their past. I know how to relate to them and Itry to teach them to channel that pain into positive things that will help themsucceed.
Ialso love that I get my summers off which gives me time to write. My first bookdidn’t go the direction I intended, but it has been a success nonetheless.Instead of submitting to publishers, I self-published. Even with a great marketingcompany backing me (Derek’s doing. There’s no keeping him out of my business) Ididn’t expect the response I got.
GrowingUp Me made the USA Today bestseller list and stayed there for a few weeks. Themajority of the reviews were fantastic, and sales have been steady. I’m notexactly rolling in money, but between my writing and counseling, I make a goodliving.
Aftersaying goodbye to the students and staff, I pack up my car and head back to myapartment. I only ended up staying at Derek’s for two weeks before I found aplace. A cute little duplex in a nice neighborhood with an elderly lady livingin the other half. It’s quiet and very conducive to writing.
Sincetoday was the last day of school, and therefore work, I’m now free for almostthree months and I have at least two book ideas I’m dying to work on, but itisn’t going to happen today.
Ihave a girl’s night planned with Ayda, Zoe, and Sadie.
Andtomorrow night, for the first time since I moved out, I have a date.
Imet Quinn at the Post Office a few weeks ago. I had a trunk full of boxesloaded with signed books and he helped me lug it all inside. We started talkingand I found out he’s also a writer, studying journalism. We’ve spent the lastthree weeks chatting over text and messenger until he finally convinced me togo out with him.
Myheart isn’t in it, but I know I need to go. I think about Tucker all the timeand I feel like I’ve been mourning the loss of something I never really had.Tucker was never mine, but it didn’t stop me from falling for him anyway.
Ithought I was okay when I left. I knew I was doing the right thing, and Ifigured I’d move on and my infatuation with Tucker would fade. Instead, Imissed him more every day. Whenever Derek or Ayda spoke of him, usually whenthey thought I was out of earshot, I’d hang on every word. I wondered how hewas doing, if he was lonely now, and the thought of him in that big house alonetortured me.
Aydasaw my reaction and tried to get me to go talk to him, but I wouldn’t do it.She doesn’t know why he can’t be with me, and I can’t tell her. She thinks Derekis our only obstacle and it’s just going to have to stay that way.
Girl’snight is being held at my place this time so I give my apartment a quick onceover with a broom and dust cloth before digging out the blender and theingredients for margaritas. Ayda recently stopped breastfeeding so she canactually drink with us this time. The plan is to have a few drinks, then hitthe club before crashing back at my place for the night.
Ican’t remember the last time I went out dancing so I’m really looking forwardto it.
“Comein!” I yell, when I hear a knock at the door.
I’mexpecting the girls so I’m stunned to see Tucker’s large frame filling myliving room doorway. “Really? You just leave your door unlocked and invitepeople in without checking?” he demands.
Mylips pop open with a soft “puh” but that’s the only sound I seem capable of making,which seems to amuse him. “Tucker—I wasn’t expecting it to be you,” I stammer.
“Clearly.”
That’sall he says, just that one word, and I gaze at him, noticing how tired and palehe looks. Something is wrong.
“Comein. Sit down. I’ll grab us something to drink.”
