Chapter Twenty
Two Weeks Later…
Tucker
Tucker: What time do you want me over? Should I grab groceries on my way?
I couldn’t fucking wait to get back into Chicago. The second the reels stopped running on our game yesterday, I was out of the media room, leaving my teammates behind as I jumped in my truck and high tailed it to Lexi.
I knew she wouldn’t be getting off work by the time I got into town, so I booked a personal training session with my buddy Desh.
He started his own gym a few years ago and his clientele has boomed since then. He has some big name athletes and celebrities on the books these days. He’s earned it.
This is the perfect way to blow off steam and get my head right before I head over to Lexi’s. Desh usually has good advice too and since he, Luca, and I have been good friends for over a decade, he has a little background knowledge on Lexi and me.
Lexi: No need. My dad offered to grill, and my mom said she’ll make your favorite peach cobbler. Meet me at my parents around 6:30?
Tucker: We’re not making dinner at your place?
Lexi: I thought it would be easier to eat with them. I have all my old sketches there and it’s your first night back at the Benson house. It’s a good chance to settle in.
It doesn’t feel like she’s doing this for my benefit. Something tells me she is using her parents as a buffer.
Fine. It’s the first meeting on the house. I’ll go along … for now.
Tucker: Ok, see you soon.
“Everything ok?” Desh asks.
“Yeah, Lexi made plans to eat dinner with her folks tonight.”
“You were hoping to get her alone?”
“It’s not as if I was planning to jump her tonight. I just wanted some one-on-one time with her.”
I lay back on the bench and reach up for the bar. Desh adjusts the weights and then stands behind to spot me.
I complete a few bench press reps and then hang them up.
“Operation: Win-Lexi-Back-By-Buying-Her-A-House is in full effect?”
“I didn’t exactly buy her a house, but yes. As of tonight, all systems are a go. Except her using her parents to cock-block me.”
“Maybe this is a good thing. You two have had impeccable timing,” he says sarcastically and adjusts my weights again as I lift up to start my next set. “You said you wanted to go slow anyway, right?”
“I think I have to. Everything has to be done perfect this time. I think it’s my last shot.” I sigh at the thought of losing her this time too.
“Then the parental chastity belt is in your best interest. You two can’t seem to keep your hands to yourselves when you’re alone,” he smirks.
We finish up my work out, and I head to the Benson’s an hour early to get showered and wait for Lexi to arrive.
When I get in, Tom is setting up the grill and Sheila is baking in the kitchen.
I give them each a hug and head up for a shower and to unpack my suitcases. I brought enough stuff that I won’t have pack a bag every week.
I walk back down after my shower. Lexi should be here any minute.
Entering the kitchen, my mouth waters at the smell of Sheila’s cobbler in the oven and all the other sides she made up. All my favorites.
I open the fridge and grab a beer immediately. I don’t think to ask first. This place is still my safe haven all these years later. A place I belong.
“Good to have you home, sweetie,” Sheila says as she smiles at me opening my beer.
“Good to be home. Can I help with anything?” I offer.
“Sure. Can you sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on the mac and cheese? Then, pop it in the oven. Set the timer for ten minutes.”
I nod as I walk over to the island to follow direction.
She and I talk about what she’s been up to while we both work diligently in the kitchen. Mostly, she talks about Bronx. Sheila was made to be a grandmother. It’s in her DNA.
I hear Lexi’s car pull up and I want to run out and help her in, but I don’t get many chances lately for time alone with Sheila.
Back when I was a kid, I used to get time with Sheila in the kitchen often. I always appreciated her motherly take on my issues. She always knew how to drag problems I was facing out of me. Even when I didn’t want to share.
She wasn’t a replacement for the mother I’d lost, but she did her best to plug a lot of holes in my heart when I needed it. We grew close over the years. I could count on her. That was something I always knew.
Lexi
Walking in the kitchen, the sight before me surprises me. Tucker and my mom are laughing and cooking together, like old times.
The scene tugs at my heart to see these two haven’t missed a step in their relationship. Not like Tucker and I have. My mother still loves Tucker and Tucker adores my mother. I know that no matter what happens between Tucker and I, my mother will always treat him like a son.
Tucker’s eyes lift to mine as he turns to place the bubbling hot, made-from-scratch mac and cheese –one of Tucker’s favorites – into the oven.
The oven mitts barely covering his huge hands, earning a small snicker from me. He looks so much more domesticated than the Tucker I’m used to seeing on the field in full football pads.
This is the Tucker I want.
Not the football star.
But he’s one in the same. Isn’t he? And in all reality, aren’t I falling for them both? The whole package?
It’s his determination, perseverance, and drive that sets him apart from all other men I’ve met. That’s what makes him so irresistible.
He smiles at me and then turns back to give my mother his full attention as they discuss the neighborhood watch that she’s a part of.
“Here Lexi…” my mom says. “Can you take the salmon and asparagus out to your dad? I think he’s ready for them.”
“Sure,” I say as I walk up to the items already wrapped in foil, sitting on a tray on the island.
Tucker doesn’t break eye contact with my mom as he reaches for the fridge, pulls out a hard cider, pops the top and hands it to me.
I smile up at him but he’s still deep in conversation about the ‘recycle sniper’ who has the neighborhood busy bodies in a stir about their soda cans being stolen. I love how deeply committed he’s taking her concerns.
I could kiss the man right now.
I pull the items off the granite countertop and head for the back deck where my dad is gauging the temperature. Right as I slide the glass door open to the backyard, I glance back at Tucker.
He’s checking out my ass.
When he looks up to notice I caught him, he winks and takes a long pull of his beer. My body clenches between my legs at the way he’s looking at me with no shame.
I smile back before I step out, closing the door behind me.
After dinner, my dad suggests we use his study to go over the sketches I drew in high school. They might have been juvenile at the time but I feel my design ideas still held up.
Tucker and I spend a couple more hours going over the designs I had in my sketches and the walk through he and I had done two weeks ago.
I make notes of all the additions he says he would like – mostly to the gym and theater room. The rest of the changes are ones that I suggest.
“Whatever you think, Lex,” he says for probably the hundredth time.
“This is your house.”
“But I’m asking what you want.” He says, looking back at me contently.
You. Just you.
Tucker looks down at the labradoodle that I doodled in the bottom left-hand corner of one of the pages as he speaks.
“Do you still want what you told me you wanted before?”
“A husband, two-and-a-half kids and a labradoodle?” I laugh.
“Named Doug?”
“Duane.” I correct him.
“Oh yeah, that’s right.” He smiles up at me.
“No,” I say.
Concern coats his face.
“I think there should be a Beagle named Daisy, too. The kids will probably be into sports, and I work too much. Duane would be lonely without a friend.”
He laughs and nods.
“We wouldn’t want Duane to be lonely.”
“No, we wouldn’t.” I say, our eyes locking.
Tucker gently brushes his finger around the back of my neck. He’s going to pull me in for a kiss and I already know I’m going to let him.
“Lexi…” Tucker says softly.
“Yes?” I say, almost breathless.
“Dessert anyone?” my mom calls as she walks through the double doors of my dad’s office with two plates of cobbler and a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Tucker let’s go of me instantly and we both act like a couple of kids that almost got caught making out. I guess being in your parents’ house will have that effect on you. I laugh to myself.
The smell of cinnamon and sweet peaches makes my mouth water. So does the idea of kissing Tucker. But my mother’s cobbler can’t be denied… and neither can my feelings for the man sitting next to me.
“You two making any progress?” she asks.
“Yeah, I think we’re at a good stopping point.” I look over at Tucker to confirm.
He nods.
“We’ll come out and eat with you and Tom,” Tucker says as he takes both plates from my mom and follows her out.
An hour later, I yawn at the island, our plates licked clean.
“I better get going. I have a long day tomorrow,” I say.
“I’ll walk you out,” Tucker offers.
“Night sweetie,” my mom says.
“I’ll see you in the office, Lex,” my dad informs.
Tucker walks me to my car. The cold December air swirls around us.
Tucker opens my door, and I climb in to start it. He shuts it as I roll down the window.
“Are you headed back tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yeah. I’m going to hit the gym with Desh in the morning and then get lunch with my sister before I head out of town.”
“You and Luca have an away game this week, right?”
“Yeah, Dallas.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. I’ll be back next week. Same time.”
“Ok. I should have a better detail layout by then. My team got the measurements of the house last week and should have it on the CAD system before the end of the week.”
“Sounds good. Text me when you get home so I know your safe.”
“I will. Have a safe flight.”
“I will.”
After how close he came to kissing me tonight, I expect him to lean in and kiss me, but he doesn’t. He pats the window seal and then steps back.
“Night, Lex.”
“Good night, Tuck.”
I roll up the window and drive off the curb… desperate for more than just peach cobbler.