Chapter 14
Maria
I peel my eyes open slowly, warm light spilling across the room as the morning sun slips through the curtains in long, golden stripes. For a second, I forget where I am—until the faint scent of laundry soap and something distinctly Tuck settles around me.
A soft smile pulls at my lips before I can stop it.
I can’t believe we stayed again. The thought lingers as last night plays back in flashes—the game on his massive TV, the boys sprawled out, shouting at bad calls.
The easy comfort of it. The way it felt…
normal. Like something I could get used to far too quickly.
Heat curls low in my stomach as I stretch, my muscles protesting just enough to remind me why they’re sore. My grin widens. God…the things I’ve done with Tuck.
The things I want to do again.
A quiet murmur drifts through the wall, pulling me back. I tilt my head, listening. Whispered voices, soft, careful. Josh, I’d bet anything, talking to Marbles like the kitten understands every word. They’ve been taking turns with him, completely devoted. One night with Josh, one with Lucas.
It does something to my chest I don’t quite want to name.
I kick off the covers and push myself upright, padding over to the window.
When I pull the curtains wide, the backyard stretches out in front of me.
Huge, open, empty. Too empty. The kind of space that feels like it’s waiting for something. Or someone.
A strange ache presses against my ribs. Why doesn’t Tuck have a family of his own? Why buy a house this big if you’re not planning to fill it with…life? But that is not my business so I shove it away.
I turn from the window and pull open the dresser, grabbing a fresh pair of pants, a shirt, and the rest of what I need. Living out of a bag makes me twitchy, so I’ve already started claiming space, just a drawer, nothing more. Temporary.
Everything about this is temporary.
My gaze catches on the childhood photo of Tuck again, and I pause. I pick it up before I can stop myself, glancing over my shoulder even though I know he’s not here. He’s on the road. Hours away.
Still…this feels like crossing a line. My thumb brushes lightly over the edge of the picture anyway. There’s something about seeing him little like this, before life turned him into the man I know now.
Across the hall, a door creaks open. I jump slightly and set the picture back, but not before a spark of an idea flashes through my mind.
Footsteps thunder down the stairs, breaking the quiet, and I step out into the hallway.
The sound of the shower running drifts from the bathroom, steam curling under the door.
Josh. Of course. He doesn’t do anything before showering in the morning.
I hesitate, shifting the clothes in my arms, debating whether to wait, but Josh’s showers are legendary. If I wait too long, the boys will be late. I’ll be late.
Which leaves one option.
My gaze slides to Tuck’s door. He said I could use his shower. Still…stepping into his room without him here feels different. More personal. Like I’m crossing into a space that’s entirely his, not the shared parts of the house I’ve already grown comfortable in.
I hover for a second longer, then I push the door open. The room is exactly what I should’ve expected. Clean. Neat. Almost too neat. I glance around, taking it in slowly, a smile tugging at my mouth.
From a bachelor, I would’ve expected a mess. My gaze drifts to the bed as I pass it, the gray striped comforter pulled tight, untouched. I imagine him naked in that bed and it brings on the memory from the kitchen—his hands, his mouth, the heat of him—and I swallow, forcing myself to keep moving.
The closet door is cracked open. I pause. Marbles could get in there. I step closer, reaching to shut it but my hand lingers on the edge of the door. I glance over my shoulder before tugging the closet open, like I might actually get caught. It’s ridiculous—he’s miles away.
Inside, everything is orderly, like the rest of his space. Shirts lined up on one side, pants on the other. Neat. Intentional. Very Tuck.
My fingers drift over the sleeve of one of his shirts before I can stop myself. I bring it to my nose, breathing in slowly, and there it is—that clean, subtle scent I’ve started to associate with him.
My chest tightens.
I miss him.
The realization scares me.
Oh boy.
I shut the closet a little too quickly, like that might shove the feeling back where it came from, and head straight for the bathroom. The shower clicks on, water sputtering, steam beginning to curl into the air.
I grab a towel from the cabinet, then pull open a drawer, searching for a brush since—of course—I forgot mine. Inside is a lineup of the essentials. Deodorant. Toothpaste. Floss. Q-tips. Everything in its place, like he’s got no room for chaos in here either.
I pick up the deodorant without thinking, popping the cap off. The scent hits instantly—sandalwood, warm and familiar—and for a second, I just stand there, breathing it in.
God.
I set it down quickly, like it burned me, and move to the next drawer.
A comb. Not ideal, but it’ll do. The shower heats fast, and I step under it, letting the water wash away the lingering fog in my head.
I don’t linger. By the time I’m dressed, hair combed as best as I can manage, I hesitate for half a second—then reach for his deodorant again.
“Bad idea,” I mutter under my breath.
And do it anyway.
The scent settles against my skin instantly, wrapping around me and squeezing tight. Yeah… this might be a special kind of torture.
Too late now.
The sound of thundering feet and a high-pitched laugh drifts up the stairs as I step out of his room, pulling the door shut behind me. By the time I reach the main level, the chaos is in full swing—two boys and one very fast kitten tearing through the house like a storm.
“Did you guys eat?” I call out, stepping into the kitchen.
A glance around tells me everything I need to know. Bright cereal boxes line the counter—far brighter and far sweeter than anything I’d ever normally allow. Apparently, while I was at school, Tuck took them shopping and let them go wild.
It’s temporary, so I’ll let them have this, for now.
“Yeah,” Lucas calls, already halfway to the stairs. “Gotta shower.”
He disappears in a blur, and a second later Josh walks in, Marbles tucked against his chest. My heart stutters, because the way he takes care of that cat makes me think he’ll be a good father someday, despite the absence of his own.
“Hey, hon,” I say easily. “Did you eat?”
“Not yet.”
“You want me to make you some scrambled eggs?”
Mischief lights up his whole face as he reaches for a box of Cocoa Balls, shaking it triumphantly. “Nope. I’m having these.”
He pours an absurd amount into a bowl, milk splashing over the top and spraying everywhere.
I laugh, pointing a finger at him as I lean against the counter. “Don’t get too used to this,” I warn.
“It’d be really easy to though, don’t you think?” he asks around a big bite of cereal.
I nod as I put a pod into the coffee maker, and glance at him before turning to stare at the sun lighting up the back yard. I sigh, “Mouth closed when eating and yes, it really would be easy to get used to this.”
“One day we’ll have a house like this, Mom.”
I turn to him. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re back at school.” He rubs his hands together. “Lawyers make bank.”
I laugh at that. “Lawyers also have huge loans, kiddo.”
He gives a casual shrug. “Let’s just move in here, then.”
If it were only so easy.
“Tuck is doing us a favor. We’re not going to invade his house forever.”
His grin is playful. “Still don’t think he’s ugly?”
“Josh,” I warn, knowing exactly what he’s up to.
He throws his arms up. “I’m just saying…you’re both single.”
“Just because two people are single doesn’t mean they’re right for each other.”
“He doesn’t like the bunnies. He likes mature women. Like you.”
That catches me off guard. “You seem to know a lot about Tuck.” My stomach knots, worry gnawing at me. I don’t want them to get too close, too attached, when I know it’s not what Tuck wants. That would be disastrous for everyone involved.
“We’re buds. We talk.”
“Okay, well enough talking.” I grab a spoon and point at his bowl. “Eat your cereal before we’re late and remember I’m going on a double date with Declan Hayes soon.”
“I don’t like him.”
My stomach knots at the idea of a double date but my brain tells me if I ever want to find love again, I need to put myself out there, and Declan is a man who loves kids, and still wanted to date me knowing I have two sons.
“You don’t know him and Lucas said he was a really nice man.”
I fix my coffee and sip it as I put together a couple of sandwiches for their lunches. Lucas returns with a shiny face and ruffled damp hair just as Josh finishes eating.
“Okay, teeth brushed, Marbles snuggled and we’re out of here.”
Ten minutes later we’re in my car and I drive the boys to school. “What time does Tuck get home tonight?” Josh asks from the back seat.
“I’m not sure.”
“Are we going to stay at his place tonight?”
“No, I’m sure he’ll want downtime after a game.”
He grumbles from the back seat, like I’ve personally ruined his entire life, and I catch Josh’s eye in the rearview mirror.
“I have class tonight,” I remind them, steering through the busy early morning traffic. “So I need you boys to come straight home after school.” More groans. Louder this time. “Wow,” I mutter. “Such support. I can feel the love back there.”
“Marbles will be lonely,” Josh mutters.
“Tuck is getting home today. Marbles won’t be alone for long.”