10. Tucker #2
Myles never met me in the months he dated Baylee because I kept my distance. So, he won’t connect us together, and he won’t come looking for her at my place, hopefully keeping her safe while we wait for him to be arrested.
Laying hands on someone so precious is something I still can’t wrap my head around. I can’t let my mind go down that road, especially as I’m about to take my mom to the hospital for her treatment. I need to keep myself calm while I prepare for the hours ahead.
Before getting back on the road, I connect my phone to the Bluetooth and pull up my audiobook. Baylee was right, I have to finish my current read. Book club is coming up and I've got to finish Beneath the Sheets .
I laughed when we pulled this book out of the jar last month, but it is an addictive listen.
Kennedy was the one that put this one in and she was giddy when it got chosen.
Her eyes gleamed and I swear I almost gagged.
I know she’s going to be trying some of these fucked up positions with River.
She overshares when we meet, knowing it makes me uncomfortable.
It’s messed up. Although I’m not saying anything because Kennedy is so fucking scary sometimes, especially when she gets riled up.
Days later I find myself at the firehouse, still unable to shake my car ride with Baylee.
We were never together and yet, it looked like she was heartbroken over something I did to her.
Like the realization that my date with Abby was fake broke something between us.
I still can’t figure it out. I’m lost in thought when River saunters in the kitchen.
“Let me get this straight, you have thousands of followers and you know your way around a kitchen? The ladies must be lining up at your door.” He grabs an apple and looks over at our probie with a gleam in his eye.
He loves pointing out that our newest recruit has a huge social media presence when he can barely understand how to post a reel. How are we nearly the same age?
Hunter just smiles his easy-going way as he lines up the lasagna on the tray and continues cooking.
He’s still getting used to all the guys at the station, but he’s quickly learning to tell River and Clay apart.
Hunter is a man of few words, but so far, he’s fit in well with the crew here.
If he’s not cooking, he’s working out with us and helping around the firehouse.
“Hey, Malloy, we still good for a run tomorrow after shift?” River looks over at me.
“Yeah, that works for me. Your brother joining us?” I ask .
“I think so, after he sees his girls.” He’s scrolling through his phone while taking a bite of his apple.
His comment brings a pang to my heart. It’s a reminder of how much I lack in my own life, because I have little to run home to after my own shift.
“You have room for another if I were to join you?” Hunter chimes in.
We both look up to see the probie waiting for a response. River and I swing our gaze to each other then back to Hunter.
We both shrug and I answer, “Sure, why not? But no groupies allowed. We run and don’t stop for selfies with strangers, got it?”
“Yep, no problem!” He flashes his charming smile, something I know probably wins over hearts online.
Clay saunters in, the biggest smile on his face. Since reconnecting with Abby and having his daughter, this guy is always happy instead of sulking. I haven’t known him long, but I have noticed a lightness to him now that his life seems to be coming together with the person he loves by his side.
“Hey man, how’s everything going?” I ask him.
“Good.” He’s looking down at his phone.
“What’s got you smiling like that, man?” River asks his twin.
“Ella’s smiling at everything now and I swear it’s the best phase.” He turns his phone and it’s a video of his daughter babbling and smiling at herself in the mirror.
It’s hard not to react and soon we’re all watching her in amazement. It seems she’s doubled in size since I last saw her, even though I know that’s not the case. I’ll have to text Abby to make sure she brings her to book club so I can snuggle her.
“I think she needs some time with her uncle River. That girl adores me. Last time she saw me, she reached for me instead of this guy.” He juts his chin over to his brother. “I swear she prefers me.” He puffs out his chest.
“Fucking hell. How many times do I have to tell you? She doesn’t think you’re her dad, Riv. You nearly yanked her out of Abby’s arms. You barely give her space when you’re around. I think even she’s exhausted around you.” Clay rolls his eyes.
“My dear, stupid, sad brother,” River begins, reaching over and putting his arm around his brother’s shoulders and bringing him into a hug, “you just can’t admit your daughter loves me more. But it’s okay. Once she can speak, she’ll settle this once and for?—”
As if we’ve conjured her up from thin air, Abby walks in with Ella in her arms.
“Hey, guys!” She’s got a huge smile on her face.
Abby and Clay recently got engaged and I assume she’s walking on cloud nine since then.
For someone who only returned from California a year ago and was pushing Clay away, she’s really settling into this life they’ve built back up again.
I couldn’t be happier for my friend. She looks free and settled, something I envy about her as I feel like my life has taken a turbulent turn recently.
“Hey, baby.” Clay pries River’s arm off him to make his way to his fiancée and daughter. “What are you doing here?”
Abby looks to Clay and gives him a quick kiss. “Oh, I was in the neighborhood, walking with Ella. The weather is so nice, and I thought we’d take advantage of it. I brought some snacks for you.”
I see Abby’s eyes lock on something behind Clay, and it registers why she’s really here. I can’t help the laugh that escapes; I know her motives and I narrow my eyes at her.
“So you were just in the neighborhood, huh?” I ask her.
“Yeah, Malloy, I was,” she says.
“Well, give me my niece, then.” River makes grabby hands toward Ella.
“Let me have my daughter first, man,” Clay demands.
“Dude, you live with them. Let me have my time with her first.” River’s tone is no-nonsense while I keep my eyes on Abby the entire time. Her cheeks flush and I can’t believe Clay is oblivious to why she’s really here.
Abby makes her way to the island in the kitchen while the Nichols brothers continue to fight over the baby. Abby stands next to me, and I continue to lean against the counter, watching her stand there. I know she’s waiting for me to introduce her to Hunter. He’s still putting together the lasagna.
Abby elbows me when she realizes I’m stalling, and I laugh again.
Because I have no intention of making this easy on her, I push a little more, “Oh, you want me to introduce you to our newest member at Station 10?”
“Yes, please.” She smiles sweetly, although she’s speaking through gritted teeth.
“Tyler Hunter, I would like to introduce you to Abby Morris, soon to be Abby Nichols, again .” I emphasize the again part. “Abby, this is Hunter, our newest addition.”
“Nice to meet you. You look familiar. Have I seen you before?”
I roll my eyes. She’s fucking killing me, I snort, and she glares at me.
“Abby, cut the act. I told him I had a friend who knew he was famous online. Remember I took that selfie on your first day? This is who I sent it to.” I throw her a Cheshire grin.
“You’re demoted, asshole,” she whispers.
“Fat chance. You love me.” I wink at her.
“What’s happening here?” Hunter asks about our exchange.
“He’s a pain in my ass,” Abby explains. “And yes, it’s true, I do know who you are. Malloy doesn’t let me get away with anything. He’s lucky I love him... but not like that.” She turns toward me and sticks her tongue out.
“Real mature for a mom,” I tell her.
“Fuck off, Malloy.” She turns away from me and toward Hunter. “I follow you on my social media and it’s really cool to see your workouts. I can’t believe you ended up at this firehouse of all places.”
Hunter watches us for a few extra seconds, probably thinking we’re both lunatics, but then he smiles at us, and continues working on the food.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah, I left the military with a following. Once I got to civilian life, I needed something to feel like myself again and working out was really for mental clarity, so I continued with it. Never thought it would take off like it did. Joining the fire academy felt like another way to connect with a community here and now here I am. I appreciate the support.”
“Maybe you should tell him when you watch his videos, Abs.” I laugh as I grab a carrot and take a bite.
“Malloy, don’t you have something else to do?” Abby smacks my arm.
“No, this is really the highlight of my day.” I smile back.
“When do you watch my videos?” Hunter asks, with a confused expression.
“Yeah, Abby, when do you watch Hunter’s videos?” River and Clay ask at the same time as they walk up to the counter, Ella cooing in River’s arms. I guess River won the battle once again.
“I think this conversation is done. Clay, why don’t you show me around? I don’t think I’ve seen the firehouse since you came back from leave.” She’s already pulling Clay away from the kitchen, but not before she shoots me a murderous glare.
I throw a huge smile her way and another wink to solidify how much I adore her.
“Oh, but Abby, this conversation was just getting good. When again?” River won’t drop it.
She makes her way back to put her belongings down on the chair, all while glaring at her future brother-in-law .
“When I’m breastfeeding. You happy now, you assholes?
” She looks at me and River. “You’re not an asshole, Hunter.
You seem absolutely lovely . It was wonderful meeting you.
Don’t hang out with these dick pickles if you know what’s good for you.
They’ll just corrupt you.” She gives him a sweet smile.
Then she looks over at River and I one more time and points at us both, giving us the middle finger.
“Abby, come baby. I’ll show you around a bit. Maybe we can make out in a dark corner while River has Ella.” He chuckles.
“Oh, sounds hot,” she says. The minute she catches up to him, he slaps her ass and laughs.
As much as I give her shit, my heart squeezes because a part of me aches for a love as pure as what she has with Clay. I hope at some point I can find what she has. I long for a love that ignites all the corners of my life, even after it gets enveloped in darkness.