27. Tucker
Tucker
“Hunter, the minute I think I know you, you surprise me with something else,” I tell him as I walk into his house.
Hunter looks back at me. “Well, don’t be too impressed. I don’t own it. It’s a rental.”
“How did you find this place?” Clay asks as he takes it in.
“The parents of one of my buddies owns it. I was stationed with their son in the Army. He was killed in action and he was one of my best friends. When I was honorably discharged from the Army, his parents offered it to me to rent. I was sort of bouncing around at the time and I decided to take them up on it.”
“It’s pretty cool,” River says. “I love the paneling and the kitchen counter is awesome.” He’s running his hand along the entire island.
“Yeah, my buddy’s dad is a contractor so he put his heart and soul into this place.
I guess they decided to travel the world after Georgie died.
They couldn’t be here anymore. Everything reminded them of their son.
He was an only child and their hearts were broken.
They couldn’t sell the place, which I get, but they also couldn’t stay here all the time. ”
“I understand that,” both Ashton and Clay say .
Hunter invited us over for a guys’ day to BBQ. Ashton tagged along today; Samara’s husband isn’t one to hang out with us often. He isn’t a firefighter, but he’s River and Clay’s friend from childhood. He needed to get out of the house and he’s a pretty cool guy. I don’t mind the extra friend today.
It’s been a week since my mother’s health scare. She’s finally out of the woods and I’m shocked to say she made it out of that dark time. I honestly thought we were going to lose her.
My brother just returned to Ohio today. I thought I was going to have to shove him onto the plane.
He was incredibly hesitant to get in the damn car I called for him.
I do understand the hesitation though. After she coded and was intubated, it was touch-and-go for a while there.
As if a miracle came over her, about twenty-four-hours later, she pulled at the tubing and was awake.
The relief we all felt was something I can’t even describe. Baylee’s parents were there by that point and it felt like we all threw a small party once we saw my mom’s green eyes open and look over at all of us. I think I smiled for two days straight. I was simply on cloud nine for multiple reasons.
Baylee is with her now that she’s situated back at the house, along with a home health nurse my brother and I hired to be with her.
Luckily my mom didn’t argue with us on this.
She agreed it was necessary and Elliott is a kind woman that came highly recommended by the nursing staff at the hospital; she seems knowledgeable about the type of cancer my mother has been diagnosed with.
She has also been very optimistic with my mom’s ability to bounce back after what she just went through.
I’m feeling more hopeful about her being able to continue treatment after we get her feeling better.
“Okay, so let me get this straight,” River starts, “you’re a veteran, you workout, you have a nice place, you’re now a firefighter, you have that smile, and tattoos. Add to the that a motorcycle, second income with this damn social media platform, and you cook? Why aren’t you married?”
Hunter just stands there with a sly smile and shrugs.
“You’re hiding more, aren’t you?” River asks.
“You guys, you’re here to BBQ, not to braid each other’s hair, am I right?” Hunter says.
“Oh, now you’ve intrigued him. He’s like a dog with a bone,” I say.
“Well, that’s what you’re missing. You need a dog,” River says.
“I hear yours is cool. Maybe I should just take her,” Hunter says.
“The fuck you will. My Lola is exactly that—mine. Who the fuck does this guy think he is?” River says to the group.
“The whole package apparently,” Clay says back. “I bet Lola loves him more than you.”
Oh, not the right thing to say, Clay. Yeesh . I start grabbing a few items to take outside to help Hunter start grilling.
“What did you say to me, brother? Take it back. That was below the belt.” He points at his twin.
“I said what I said.” He laughs as he grabs a chip.
“Ella calling me dada is completely happening now. Before it was a cute little joke, now it’s really happening, Clay. Fuck. You.” He flips his brother off.
“Sure, Riv.” He rolls his eyes.
“You just wait,” he tells him.
“Okay, Riv. I’m shaking over here.” Clay smiles.
“Just you wait. You’ll be crying soon,” he taunts. “And I’ll laugh in your face when she is says ‘dada’ this and ‘dada’ that. And she’ll refer to you as CLAY.” He throws his head back and belts out an evil laugh.
“Okay, you guys. Can we start making the burgers? I’m starving,” I yell over my shoulder in hopes I can stop them from arguing .
“You’re exhausting, you know that, Riv?” Clay says back. “I have no idea how Kennedy handles you half the time.”
I close the door behind me and start putting the items down next to Hunter outside.
“Those two are a lot,” he says looking out at his backyard.
“Believe me, I know. But they’re loyal. I’m still getting to know Ashton, but he’s known them since they were kids so he must be a saint.” I laugh.
“Probably true.” Hunter laughs as he grabs items and gets things started for lunch. “Glad to hear your mom is doing better.”
“Thanks, man. Same. Baylee was my rock during the whole thing,” I tell him. Beyond that, if I’m being honest.
She kept me grounded and I don’t know how I would have gotten through it all.
“Listen, I didn’t get a chance to tell everyone, but—” I get interrupted.
“If I have to hear those two bicker a second longer, I might lose it,” Ashton says as he makes his way outside on the patio.
“They’re still fighting over Ella calling River dad first?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s exhausting. Seriously, why does Clay even fall for it?” Ashton shakes his head. “I came over here for a break, but I think my twins are easier than they are.”
“I think you might be right,” Hunter says.
“So Hunter, how’s it going at the firehouse? These guys making your life hell as a probie?” Ashton asks him.
“It’s not too bad, I expected worse.” He flashes his relaxed smile Ashton’s way. “After the Army, I think I can handle just about anything.”
“True. Have you been back to civilian life long?” Ash asks him.
“I got back about three years ago. I traveled during that time around the States before I settled on Boston. Jerry and Scarlet had reached out when I was traveling and told me about wanting to rent their home out, so I jumped on the opportunity.” He throws the first few burger patties onto the grill while River and Clay join us outside, unfazed by the heated discussion we left them with in the kitchen.
“You two finally figure everything out?” Ashton asks them.
“Of course.” River smiles.
“You made a bet, didn’t you?” I roll my eyes.
“Always,” Clay answers, clinking his glass with mine.
“You two are so annoying with your bets,” Ash chimes in. “And yet we’ll all take a side and throw money in by the end of it. My money is on Clay winning this as he is the actual father and she lives with him.”
“I’m very persuasive, you know.” River looks way too confident.
“You’re ridiculous, Riv,” I tell him.
“Malloy, you really don’t know me, do you?” He laughs. “Back in the sixth grade, Clay’s girlfriend couldn’t even tell us apart.”
“You really are a dick. This asshole went half a lunch period sitting next to her acting like me until I showed up. You know how embarrassed she was when she realized it wasn’t me she was sitting next to? She broke up with me the next day.” Clay shakes his head as he takes a drink of his beer.
“Well, you found out she wasn’t for you thanks to your loyal brother,” River retorts.
“It’s not like I was going to marry her, man,” Clay answers back.
“Do you have a speaker or something so we can play some music to drown them out?” I look at Hunter. “This is just going to keep going on and on.”
Hunter makes a face before walking off, hopefully in search of a speaker. As much as the Nichols brothers might bicker, it’s the exact distraction I needed after the stressful week I had with my mom being in the hospital. The only thing I’m missing is my girl by my side.
I pull out my phone and open up my texts to find the latest photo she sent me of her with my mom sitting on the couch smiling into the camera.
My whole heart is staring back at me in that selfie and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for those two.
It’s a reminder that Baylee proved to me that we’re a team and I owe her for loving me with her entire soul.
I got a ride from River this morning, leaving my truck with Baylee in case something came up with my mom. This is my first shift back since my mom got sick. Yesterday was the BBQ and I spent the evening over at my mom’s house, while Baylee had to study with a group at the library.
My mom looks much better than she had been prior to her incident.
She seems to be getting her appetite back, however, she has taken a break from the chemo since that was what prompted the heart attack.
We have an appointment coming up to evaluate how we’ll move forward.
From the tests performed at the hospital, it seems there wasn’t any damage to her heart wall with the cardiac arrest, which is a relief.
The one-eighty our lives have taken in such a short time has really put everything into perspective.
I’m just grateful she’s still here and I look at everything around me and feel like I’m looking at my life with a whole appreciation I didn’t have before.
I’m not taking any second with those I love for granted and I think the amount I’ve told Baylee I love her is starting to make her crazy.
I woke her up this morning to tell her and she nearly threw a pillow at my face.
Granted, she was out studying until an ungodly hour, so she had every reason to be pissed, but I couldn’t be gone on a twenty-four hour shift without telling her how much I’d miss her.
She had to know and, of course, I had to kiss her all over before I walked out that door.
She forgave me after a few orgasms, obviously. The smirk on my face gets River’s attention.
“You’re thinking something dirty, aren’t you?” He parks his truck.
“None of your damn business.” I look over at him.
“Oh, it’s really dirty then.” He laughs.
“Fuck off,” I tell him. “Also, thanks for the ride.”
“No problem,” he says as he hops out. “Glad I could help.”
We start walking in and Clay catches up to us as he yawns. “Morning. Ella was up all night teething. I might need an I.V. of coffee,” he says on another yawn.
“Maybe our captain could make his famous coffee today for ya,” Riv tells him.
“I’ll need it on rotation,” Clay says. “It’s brutal. I never knew it could be this bad.”
“Sorry, man.” I clap him on the shoulder.
“It’s fine. Abby has a huge deadline today for a design. Hopefully Ella gives her a few hours this morning because we’re both dragging.”
We make our way in, greeting some of the guys from the last shift.
Once we put our things inside, we make our way back to get updates from the last shift.
It was busy for the guys so we go about getting our supplies checked.
I start going through the checklists and moving along the truck.
River and Clay, along with the others, are doing the same.
The banter is the same as always, the familiarity of it all feels like exactly what I need, as I recognize that my family here is truly formed with these guys.
They’re the brothers I gained without even realizing.
It’s only then I notice we’re a man short. I look over my shoulder, taking note that I don’t see Rios anywhere. I walk around the truck and count the number of guys and see we are truly missing him in rotation. I walk into the station and don’t see him anywhere.
“Hey, Cap, did Rios report in today? Or did he call out for today’s shift?” I ask.
At first he looks at me confused. He grabs his clipboard and checks, shaking his head. “No, he should be here. You sure he’s not out there?”
“I didn’t see him. Maybe I missed him. I’ll go check again,” I tell him.
“I’ll try his phone just in case,” my captain says.
I make my way out, concern coursing through me. As much as Rios and I aren’t on speaking terms, we still have a history. He’s been my best friend more than not for most my life. And now, if anything, he’s my family, so I can’t help but worry that he hasn’t called to check in. That’s unlike him.
I do another check of the station without any sign of him anywhere.
I ask the guys and now I have a few others looking for him.
His car isn’t in the lot, nor have any of them heard from him.
I’m in the kitchen, while some others are looking for him in the locker room.
I’m standing talking to River and Clay. Hunter is looking down at his phone, wondering what we should do, when we hear some commotion from the front of the station.
“Where is he?!”
I know immediately it’s Rios; at least I know he’s alright. The guys look around in confusion at Rios’s tone.
I pocket my phone and prepare myself for what’s coming. The moment the door swings open, I see the fury on his face.
“You fucking married my sister?!”