19. Tucker
Tucker
“Welcome!” River opens the door and the smug smile on his face makes me want to bolt immediately.
I know he’s most likely made a bet on how long it would take for things to happen between Baylee and I since she moved in. I can tell from the look on his damn face.
“You’re such a fucker,” I say under my breath and shake my head.
“Wow, Tucker. In front of two beautiful women. What kind of gentleman are you?” He turns his attention to Baylee.
“Hey. Don’t know if you remember me. I’m River.
” He extends his hand to Baylee as he opens the door for her to walk in.
“And this is my beautiful Gabriella,” he says as he holds her in his arms.
She flaps her arms around, her drool on full display as she babbles. “She says hello and she’s trying to say dada,” River explains.
I roll my eyes because she’s not even six months old yet. I put my items down on the kitchen counter. Clay snorts from the corner, apparently giving up the battle at this point.
The minute the twins are near one another, I see Clay hand over a twenty .
“Motherfuckers.” I point to both of them.
“I don’t know why you even doubt us at this point,” River says. “Isn’t Uncle Malloy just a big dumb-dumb, Ella? Yes he is. Stick with me, I’ll teach you the ropes.” He blows raspberries on her cheek, and she giggles.
“Hi, I’m Clay, the better twin. We’ve met when you’ve come to the station before,” Clay greets Baylee. She’s just watching as the two Nichols brothers interact and I can see her brain try to take it all in.
I tried to warn her that whatever she has seen with them in the past is nothing compared to the two of them outside of the station. She laughed it off, but she’s now getting the full Nichols experience. It’s something else—especially River.
“River, are you embarrassing yourself already?” Kennedy says as she walks into the kitchen from one of the rooms. “Oh, hey, Malloy. Baylee, thank goodness. It’s so good to see you. Clay, you owe me twenty.” She waves her fingers at her future brother-in-law.
“You too?” I look at her horrified.
“Come on, Malloy. Don’t judge.” She gives me a look like I’ve got shit for brains.
Kennedy gives Baylee a hug. “I’m glad you could make it and I’m excited you’re here. I hope you don’t mind the craziness you’ll see tonight. And don’t judge me for the man I’m going to marry.”
“Hey, I’m a catch!” River protests and Ella screams.
“Oh, yes, you’re amazing,” Kennedy says as she walks over to River and gives him a kiss. Ella watches their interaction, and Kennedy goes to grab the sweet baby from River.
“I don’t think so”—he moves his niece away from his fiancée—“she hasn’t had enough uncle time.”
“River, you’ve had her the entire time she’s been here,” Kennedy protests.
“River, let Kennedy have some time with her,” Clay interjects .
“You always side with Kennedy. It’s so unfair,” he whines.
“Yes, because this is preschool,” he deadpans at his brother. “Let Kennedy have some time with Ella please. Pass the baby to her. 1… 2… there we go. Good boy, River.”
Once he hands his niece over, River gives his brother the finger.
“So mature, Riv,” Clay tells him.
Kennedy coos at Ella and sniffs her sweet head. “What is it about sniffing their heads?” I ask Baylee.
“Oh, they have the best baby smell,” Baylee says. “I remember when Catrina was born, and I did the same thing.”
Catrina is Baylee’s oldest niece and everyone doted on her. Now that I think back, it’s true, everyone sniffed her head too.
“Okay, I’m here. Sorry about that. Ugh. I promise no more work calls will interrupt me,” Abby walks out of one of the bedrooms. “Hi, Malloy. Hi, Baylee!” She eyes our newest addition then swings her gaze to her soon-to-be husband.
“Sweetheart, you owe me twenty.” She gives him a sweet smile.
“That’s low. You of all people, Abs!” I protest.
“That’s cute, Malloy. I still like to be part of the bet. You bet on Clay and I, remember?”
“I plead the fifth,” I tell her.
“Okay, could someone clue me in. What the hell is happening?” Baylee finally chimes in.
“Oh, Baylee, first off, you’re an outcast like Clay and I because you’re not part of this posse that watches all the reality shows. You’ll be an outside observer of their rituals. Just stick to me and Clay. Now that you’re with us, we’ll form our own trio. Don’t worry.” River winks at her.
She looks up at me, and I don’t know if she’s scared or honored to be included.
“Second, we bet on everything, and absolutely anything is fair game, including the two of you finally dating,” Kennedy explains with a sly smile taking over her face.
“This shit is stupid!” I yell at the TV.
“I think it’s cute!” Abby says as she takes another bite of her pizza.
“It’s sort of playing with their feelings,” Kennedy says.
“I’m here for it, you guys,” that’s from Marissa, who has joined in via FaceTime.
Loved and Lost is a new take on reality shows that’s been added to our watch parties, and it’s the first episode tonight.
We’ve got all the necessary foods lined up in front of us: pizza, popcorn, cookies, brownies, pretzels, candy of different assortments and then salad.
Kennedy told us we needed some vegetables because she has a wedding in a little over a year and she wanted to feel like she had something healthy in the lineup.
Abby and I succumbed to the request, but the bowl remains untouched. Surprise, surprise.
The concept of the show revolves around people reconnecting with old loves and blindly speaking to them from behind closed doors.
However, their voices are distorted and they don’t know who they’re talking to until they reveal themselves.
So, even though they know these are people they once dated, they won’t know exactly who they are until they reveal themselves at the very end the show.
“Dude, this is just a mind-fuck for the contestants.” I point at the screen.
“Why is it a mind-fuck?” Abby asks. She’s a softie for all these shows.
“Because they broke up for a reason. What if he was awful to her or vice-versa and now they’re forcing them back together?” Kennedy says.
“Exactly,” I agree with her.
“Yeah, I sorta see that point,” Marissa chimes in. “This could get ugly real quick. ”
“Well, I guess we’ll see. Maybe they vetted them for that,” Abby counters.
“You know this shit isn’t real, right?” River chimes in from the kitchen, where he’s standing with Baylee and Clay. The three of them have really started their own little club.
The three of us turn toward them and can’t help scowling.
“You know, no one asked you.” I point at him.
“So hostile,” Clay says. “You sure you want to be around such hostility, Baylee? I’ve got other friends I can introduce you to.”
“You might be right. There’s nothing magical about him.” She gives me a smirk and winks in my direction.
“I feel like there’s more to that, but it’s probably dirty,” Kennedy says.
“Oh, I love dirty things!” Marissa nearly yells from the phone.
“Of course that’s all you heard.” Abby laughs.
“Okay, this conversation is over.” I grab my things. “The verdict is still out on this show, but of course I’ll still watch the dumpster fire it will likely be. Bay, you ready?”
“Sure. Thanks for welcoming me in your crew,” she tells Clay and River. I catch a wink their way.
“What was that?” I point in their direction.
“What?” the three of them question.
“I saw that. Why did you wink at them? You took a bet, didn’t you? I know this game.” I turn toward the girls. “Kennedy, Abs, there’s a bet on us. I know it. They’re ganging up against us,” I declare.
“Spill, Riv.” Kennedy crosses her arms across her chest.
“I’m a vault,” he declares.
“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Marissa eggs on from the phone.
Kennedy walks seductively toward her fiancé and strokes his cheek. Then she whispers something in his ear. I watch and can’t help but smile. Clay rolls his eyes in frustration because he knows his brother will cave.
“No way, really?” River’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas.
Kennedy nods and kisses his cheek.
“Fifty bucks that Malloy will be the biggest fan of the show. Like he’ll likely host the season finale party at his place and even do themed cupcakes and that kind of shit,” River spills.
“What the fuck?” Clay throws his hands in the air.
“I didn’t take the bet.” River puts his hands up as if he’s not guilty.
Marissa’s maniacal laugh echoes from the phone. “This is the best night ever. I almost didn’t hop on because I thought it was going to be a waste of time. You guys are sort of fucking crazy. You know that, right?” She continues laughing.
“River!” Baylee looks at him and I look at her.
“You took the bet against me?” I look at her horrified.
“Come on, Tucker. You know full well, you’ll be heavily invested in this show. I heard rumors of a show you loved called”—she starts snapping her fingers, looking up at the ceiling—“ Road something. Shit, what was it? It was before my time.”
“Holy shit. Road Rules ?” Clay starts laughing. “You liked MTV Road Rules ? That show is ancient. How old are you, Malloy?”
“That was a fucking cool show, okay?”
“Okay, sure,” River chimes in. Both brothers are laughing now.
“Yeah, well, I heard Tucker was really into that show. He’s always been into these reality shows. So, no matter how much you act like you’re not into them, I know you’ll be all in by a few episodes. You’re a sucker for this shit, Tuck.” She gives me a megawatt smile.
I roll my eyes. “Whatever. You’re all against me. We’re leaving before she outs me on more stuff from my past.” I pull on her hand and make my way toward the door.
“Hey, Malloy, call me from your car phone and let me know you got home safely. Better yet, use your rotary phone instead!” Marissa yells.
“Fuck off,” I respond.
I can hear everyone cackling as they close the door.
“I hope you’re happy. I won’t hear the end of that from the firehouse. Clay and River won’t keep their trap shut.” I look down at Baylee.