Chapter Twenty-One
Tucker
The next three week turns out to be the same. Lexi sets up dinner at her parents.
I was bummed the first time she suggested it but now, I sort of think they’re improving my chances.
The four of us together is putting Lexi more at ease with our setup, and the direction Sheila and Tom take the conversations continue to put future in place. Like Easter brunch at the Benson’s and the lake house this summer. All of which, I’ve been formally invited to.
This week is the first week that Carl is officially moved out and we have full access to the house tonight.
My phone starts ringing as I make it into Chicago and head for Desh’s.
Lexi Benson calling…
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi. Can you meet me after the gym? One of the head sales associates for Clayton Custom Home Showrooms said he’d stay later than he usually does today. I’d like to go in and get an idea of cabinet colors, granite slabs, and shower tiling. Some of this stuff we’ll have to order, and since we’re on a tight timeline, we should get some things on their way for the contractor.”
“Sure. I can be there whenever you need,” I tell her.
The sooner I get to see you, the better.
“Great. I can get out of here early now that we got the go-ahead on the project I proposed.”
“They approved your project?”
I can’t help my enthusiasm. Not just because I’m proud of her but because this puts her one more step closer to her goals…which gives her less argument against us being together.
“Yes! I just found out this morning.”
I can hear it her voice. She’s practically giddy with the news.
“Congratulations, baby.” I let it slip on accident.
“Thank you.” Her tone suggests she didn’t hate my term of endearment. I can almost hear her blushing over the phone.
“We should go out to celebrate. My treat. Where do you want to go?”
“Marciano’s?”
The restaurant she suggests is a little hole in the wall Italian place. At night, the whole place is only lit by candlelight and the tiny back patio only has five tables covered by a canopy of old grape vines.
It’s December but they usually have heaters. This place is a dating hot spot, if you know where to find it.
Best part… because it’s the best kept secret in Chicago, only locals frequent it. All of which I grew up with or know me and won’t be star struck. I won’t have to worry about selfies or distractions from fans.
“Wherever you want. I’ll call for reservations.”
“Ok. See you at three-thirty at Clayton’s? Caffeinate. I’m about to put you through the ultimate marathon of shopping. I hope you can handle it.”
“I’m a natural born athlete. I can handle anything,” I say, hearing her chuckle in the background.
“Oh, my sweet sweet Evans. You have no idea what you’re in for.” She jokes with a slightly devilish laugh. I’m loving every second of this conversation.
“Throw anything you got at me. I’ll catch it.”
She laughs. “Yes, I think you will. See you soon.”
“Bye.” I hang up with a smile I’ll be wearing no matter how many reps Desh puts me through today.
*****
Lexi hadn’t been joking. From the minute I walk into the home store, until several hours later, I barely know what hit me. Lexi and Miguel, the sales manager at Clayton’s, had seemingly laid out the entire house and I couldn’t remember a single thing we saw. It was all a blur.
At first, I was reading Lexi’s cues. She was adamant that I pick out all the finishes and fixtures even though I want the house to be her vision.
She tried to pitch me softballs, narrowing my decisions to two. Lexi’s pick and the one she thought I would like based on her extensive knowledge of me.
Knowing Lexi for as long as I have, I knew she had no poker face to speak of. It was easy to identify which of the two options she liked the most. I made sure that was the one I picked.
In all honesty, I didn’t care. Her taste was better than mine and everything she was picking would look the best set together, giving the house the best resale value. Not that I ever intend on selling.
With any luck, this would be the house Lexi and I would grow old in together. Host our kids and, some day, our grandkids.
But if Lexi ever wanted a different house, I wouldn’t blink an eye. She was my home. No building made of wood or brick was going to compare to her. My life’s mission going forward is to make all of Lexi’s dreams come true.
Lexi
Tucker wasn’t playing by the rules during our remodel shopping trip.
I continued to pull the items I thought he’d love the most, but when I’d look over at him for his answer, he’d be studying my reaction to the selection. He wasn’t even looking at the two samples I placed in front of him… he was looking at me.
At first, I thought he wasn’t taking it seriously. Then, it dawned on me halfway through that he was picking the option he thought I wanted.
At the end of our selection, when all the samples that had been selected were put side by side to show the whole picture at once. I asked again. I needed to know if he wanted to change a single thing before we put in the order.
“If you want to change anything, now is the time. Is this what you really want?”
Again, he didn’t look at the samples, laid out perfectly for us to review. His eyes narrowed on me and the intensity of his stare had me fidgeting in place.
“This is exactly what I want.”
In truth, I didn’t have time to argue with Tucker. We really were on a tight time crunch and when Miguel started giving me shipment dates for the items we selected, I was glad we hadn’t waited another day.
If I was designing a kitchen for Tucker, I’d probably go with warm hickory cabinets and black hardware and a stainless-steel sink.
If the house had been for me, I would have picked a true all-white kitchen, complete with a white farmhouse apron sink. Instead, I steered the selections combining feminine and masculine taste.
The kitchen would feature heather grey cabinets, brushed bronzed fixtures and hardware, a hammered copper sink and gorgeous white marble countertops.
Against my original intentions and with each selection, this house was shaping up to look like us.
To get this house ready before Tucker would start summer training was going to be tricky. I loved a good challenge, though, and I was ready to show my skills after years of watching Tucker on the field.
He was going to see what I did best. I was getting a thrill off showing my own talents.
Being in this showroom, making these huge decisions with Tucker, solidified what I already knew. I wanted this life with Tucker. However it looked.
When we looked through the bathroom showroom, I pointed out sink cabinets I thought would work well in the space. Tucker asked me, “Shouldn’t there be a his and hers?”
When we looked at soaking tubs he asked, “Is this the tub you would pick for yourself?”
When we discussed the granite for the island in the kitchen, he said, “As long as it has enough room for two-and-a-half kids.”
Miguel gave him an odd look. Obviously, you can’t have two-and-a-half kids. I had been referring to being pregnant when I told Tucker about how I envisioned my life one day. Miguel, of course, wasn’t privy to that conversation.
By the time we walked out of Claytons three hours later, the McKinney house, or rather, the Evans house was finally taking shape. And I was in love with it.
Dinner didn’t disappoint either. Tucker had gotten us reservations and the food was delicious but the ambience was what made this place special.
“I’m heading out early tomorrow. I have an appointment with my physical therapist in the morning and then an away game this weekend,” he said.
“Ok. The contractor starts demolition on Monday.”
“Good.”
“My mom said she’ll be available to check on the progress and answer questions if the contractor needs anything during the day. I’ll be checking on them before they leave each evening to make sure things are moving along.”
“Great.”
Tucker’s eyes watch me contently. None of the information I gave him seemed to be of any interest to him. He was deep in thought and I knew those thoughts were about me. The stare Tucker gave me was the one I’d seen right before he made a move.
My body thrummed with exhilaration at not knowing what Tucker might do next.
I could feel the shift in our connection, in our comfortability and in our body language since we left the home store. I was almost sure now that Tucker had bought this house for me. To secure a future with me in it. But he hadn’t admitted to it and I was too nervous to ask.
If I was wrong – if my hunch was incorrect, my heart would be shattered for the hundredth time.
The waiter brought back Tucker’s card and Tucker signed the bill.
As he walked me to my car, the cool winter Chicago night swirled around us. The thought of snuggling up under my blanket on the couch with Tucker sipping on beer next to me while I drink a warm chai tea, gave me all the tingles. Asking him back to my place. Were we there yet? Would he immediately assume sex? Was I ready for that? My time was running out as we stopped in front of my car.
Before he opened the door for me, he waited for me to turn around and face him.
“Lexi?”
“Yes?”
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
I tried to hide the smile demanding to burst from my lips. Goosebumps raced down my arms at his request.
Yes! Please!
Instead, I didn’t answer. I pressed my hands against his muscular pecks. Slowly, my hands journeyed up his body and over his shoulders. I took a step into him as my fingers settled on the back his neck. My breasts pressed firmly against his thick chest, and then I pushed up on my tippy toes and pressed my lips softly onto his.
Our kiss was slow and sweet.
His hands swept around my hips and settled over my butt, pulling me closer against him.
There was no panicked rush between us now. Both of us wanted to savior each moment.
He pulled away first and it took me by surprise. I suspected he’d have me half undressed and laying on top of me in the back seat of my car by now, if I let him.
“What?” I ask.
“This isn’t how this happens.”
“How what happens?”
“You’ll see,” he says as he take a step to the side and reaches for my car’s door handle.
He opens my door for me and I slide in to the leather seat. When he closes it, he steps back a few steps and watched me as I drive away.
My heart beats wildly as I watch Tucker stand on the curb, still watching me leave. I wish now that I hadn’t drove off so soon. I wish I would have demanded more information.
I’ll be up tossing a turning for the rest of the night wondering what he meant. But at least I’ll be tossing and turning with a recent taste of Tucker on my tongue.
*****
The next weekend, Tucker and Luca lose their game away. They were only three more games from a chance at the Super Bowl. I know this loss is going to hurt.
Lexi: I’m sorry about the loss. You played well, though.
Tucker: Thanks. It sucks. I thought Luca and I might have had a shot this year.
Lexi: What’s the plan now?
Tucker: Season’s over. I’m coming home.
He’s coming home. Excitement and nerves fill me.
Lexi: Coming home to Chicago?
Technically, Tucker still has a condo in Indianapolis.
Tucker: Coming home to you.
My heart practically beats a Tucker-sized hole in my rib cage. I read the text a half dozen more times. Each time, my smile widens a little more.
Lexi: When will you be here?
Tucker: Wednesday. We have media and then team meetings before I can leave.
Tucker: I need to pack up the little I have in my condo and then I told Luca I would help him pack up their condo, too. Your dad is driving up tomorrow with a moving van to help us get everything. As long as the storm passes.
Lexi: Yeah. It’s not looking good here.
Tucker: Same. We’re stuck in Green Bay right now. Flights are starting to get canceled. Not sure if we’ll make it out.
Lexi: Ok, let me know what happens.
Tucker: As soon as I know.