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Chapter Fourteen

brYSON

T he hum of the car's engine filled the comfortable silence as we cruised down the winding road to Langston's house. Tucker's hand rested on my thigh, his thumb tracing lazy circles that sent tingles through my body. In the rearview mirror, I caught glimpses of Chloe babbling happily to her stuffed giraffe in the backseat.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. This moment felt perfect—almost too perfect. A nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered that it couldn't last, that something would inevitably go wrong. But for once, I pushed those thoughts aside. I was determined to savor every second with Tucker and Chloe, to bask in the warmth of this newfound happiness.

“What's got you grinning like that?” he asked, shooting me a curious look.

I squeezed his hand, intertwining our fingers. “Just thinking about how lucky I am. This feels too good to be true.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “Better believe it, babe. You're stuck with me now.” My heart skipped a beat at the casual endearment. It was still new, this shift in our relationship, but it felt so natural. Like we'd been heading toward this all along.

We pulled up to Langston's house, the sound of laughter and the enticing smell of sizzling meat drifting from the backyard. Tucker helped get Chloe out of her car seat while I grabbed the pasta salad we'd brought.

As we rounded the corner of the house, I was hit with a wave of warmth that had nothing to do with the weather. Our friends were scattered across the yard, kids running and shrieking with delight. Langston stood at the grill, spatula in hand while his girls chased each other around a tree. Nearby, Noah and Duncan tossed a football with Noah’s son, Curtis and Duncan’s foster son, Jessie.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with their presence!” Duncan called out, waving us over.

“Sorry we're late,” Tucker said with an easy grin. “Someone here insisted on making his pasta salad from scratch.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile. “It's not my fault you have no taste. Store-bought just doesn't compare.”

“Whatever you say, Gordon Ramsay,” he teased, bumping his shoulder against mine.

“Beer?” Langston called from the grill, gesturing with a bottle.

“Please,” Tucker and I answered in unison, sharing a grin.

As we settled into lawn chairs, I felt a sense of belonging wash over me. These guys had become more than just friends—they were family. My chosen family. The easy banter, the shared laughter, the way they'd welcomed me into their fold without hesitation... it was everything I'd always longed for.

Tucker's arm draped casually over the back of my chair, his fingers absently playing with the hair at the nape of my neck. The simple touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I leaned into him without thinking.

“Well, well, well,” Noah drawled, his eyes twinkling. “What do we have here?”

I froze, suddenly realizing how couple-y we must look. Tucker's hand stilled, but he didn't pull away. My cheeks burned as I met our friends' curious gazes.

“Uh, well...” I stammered, unsure how to explain.

Tucker, bless him, came to my rescue. “We're together,” he said simply, squeezing my hand. “Officially.”

For a moment, silence fell over the group. Then Duncan let out a whoop, pumping his fist in the air. “I told you! Pay up, boys!”

My jaw dropped as I watched Noah and Langston grumbling good-naturedly as they pulled out their wallets.

“Wait, you guys were betting on us?” Tucker asked incredulously.

Noah grinned, handing over a twenty to Duncan. “Of course we were. The sexual tension between you two was thick enough to cut with a knife. It was only a matter of time.”

“We had a pool going for when you'd finally get your heads out of your asses,” Langston added with a wink.

I buried my face in my hands, torn between embarrassment and laughter. “I can't believe you guys,” I muttered, but there was no real heat behind it.

Tucker chuckled, pulling me closer. “Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now. You're all terrible friends, by the way.”

“The worst,” I agreed, finally looking up with a grin.

“Ah, but you love us anyway,” Duncan said, raising his beer in a mock toast.

And I did. As I looked around at these men who had become my family, I felt a surge of affection so strong it nearly took my breath away. They'd seen me at my worst, supported me through my freak-outs over Chloe, and now they were celebrating my happiness with genuine joy.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of good food, laughter, and the kind of easy companionship I'd always dreamed of. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the yard, Tucker and I gathered a sleepy Chloe and said our goodbyes. The drive home was quiet, Chloe dozing in her car seat while Tucker and I exchanged soft smiles and lingering glances.

Once home, we worked in tandem to get Chloe ready for bed. I laid out her pajamas while he changed her diaper with a tenderness that should have been impossible for a man his size. We brushed shoulders, fingers, each touch like a spark that flared then faded, begging for more.

We dressed Chloe in the soft glow of the nightlight, our breaths and motions falling into an easy pattern. I couldn’t stop watching him. Everything I’d ever wanted seemed to line up at once. Family. Love. A sense of belonging that didn’t come with an expiration date. The emotions were almost too big, too tangled, but with each passing day, I found it easier to believe.

Chloe fussed, and I took her in my arms, letting her settle against my chest. The sensation of her small weight, of Tucker’s eyes on me, of this life being real, was dizzying. I paced the room, humming nonsense until her eyelids began to droop. It felt fragile, this thing we were building. But as Tucker wrapped an arm around my waist, steadying me, grounding us, it felt unbreakable too.

We laid her in the crib, and I held my breath, waiting to see if she’d stir. Tucker’s hand was warm at the small of my back. Her lips pursed in one last protest, then relaxed as she settled into sleep.

“Finally out,” he whispered, his voice rich with triumph and relief.

I nodded, still feeling like I was dreaming. Like any moment, I’d wake up to find myself in a place where this was impossible, where men like him didn’t stay, where family didn’t mean what I needed it to. But I was here, and so was he.

“You want to watch TV?” he asked, tilting his head toward the living room.

“Yeah. I’ll be down in a bit. Need to shower first.”

His smile was slow and full of unsaid things. “Don’t take too long, Bry.”

I caught his eye as I headed down the hall, the spark in his gaze lighting me up inside. The shower blasted hot water over me, steam filling the room and taking with it the weight of everything that used to be.

Before I’d moved to Lakeside Ridge, my life was one endless rinse-and-repeat. Same hopes, same doubts. I ran my hands through my hair, rinsing the soap out, and thought of how everything had flipped on its axis since he’d walked into this house with his easy grin and calm assurance, teaching me how to trust myself and how to let others in… how to let love in.

I leaned my forehead against the cool tile, letting the water cascade down my back. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and giddy. I loved him. I was in love with Tucker Murphy.

The thought should have terrified me, sent me spiraling into a pit of anxiety and what-ifs. But instead, I felt... calm. Certain. Like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place.

I wanted everything with him. Lazy Sunday mornings tangled in bed sheets. Bickering over whose turn it was to do the dishes. Planning vacations and dreaming about the future. I wanted to build a life with him, to create the kind of family I'd always longed for.

With newfound resolve, I shut off the water and toweled off quickly. My reflection in the mirror caught my eye – cheeks flushed, eyes bright with hope and possibility. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This was it. No more holding back, no more fears about the future. I was all in.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I padded down the hallway, following the soft glow of the TV. Tucker looked up as I entered, his eyes widening slightly as they roamed over my bare chest. The heat in his gaze made my skin tingle.

“Thought you might have fallen asleep in there,” he teased, patting the spot next to him on the couch.

I shook my head, my heart pounding. “No, just... thinking.”

“About what?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly at my serious tone.

I crossed the room in a few quick strides, coming to stand in front of him. His hands automatically reached for my hips, steadying me. I cupped his face in my hands, marveling at the way his stubble tickled my palms. His eyes searched mine, curious and a little concerned.

“Tucker, I...” I swallowed hard, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. “I love you.”

For a heartbeat, the world stood still. Then his face broke into a smile so bright it rivaled the sun. “Bry,” he breathed, pulling me closer. “I love you too. God, I love you so much.”

His lips met mine in a kiss that was equal parts tender and passionate. I melted into him, all my fears and doubts dissolving in the warmth of his embrace. When we finally broke apart, both breathless, I rested my forehead against his.

“I want everything with you,” I whispered. “A life, a family, all of it. I know it's fast, and maybe it's crazy, but I've never been surer of anything in my life.”

His hands slid up my back, pulling me even closer. “It's not crazy,” he murmured against my lips. “Or if it is, then we're crazy together. Because I want all of that too, Bry. I want a life with you and Chloe. I want to build something real, something lasting.”

My heart soared at his words. I straddled his lap, my towel slipping dangerously low on my hips. His eyes darkened with desire as his hands roamed over my bare skin.

“Show me,” I whispered, nipping at his lower lip. “Show me how much you want this... want us. Make love to me.”