Remember Love (12 page)

Brenna

Now thi
s is what I call a good morning. I wake up with Tucker’s very warm and very naked body curled around mine. I don’t want to move. Instead, I stay right where I am for a little while longer.

Last night was amazing
. I’ve never felt anything like it before. It wasn’t just the sex, either. It was the connection I felt between us. When I’m in Tucker’s arms I feel safe and at peace, like nothing can ever hurt me. When we make love, I feel complete. Like two missing pieces have been found and are snapped back into place together.

Unfortunately,
my bladder is screaming at me. So much for lying here for a while longer. Lifting Tucker’s arm so I can slide over to the edge of the bed without waking him is not as easy as I thought it would be. Not when he tightens his grip and pulls me back to him. Nor does his tight hold help my full bladder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” A sleepy Tucker sounds extremely sexy.

“Bathroom, but if you squeeze me any tighter I won’t make it there.”

I hear him chuckle as his
grip loosens. “So I probably shouldn’t tickle you either, huh?”

Getting out of bed as quick as I can
I say, “No, you probably shouldn’t.”

After taking care of business
, I walk back into his room to see he’s rolled onto his back his arm over his eyes. The sheet is draped across his gorgeous body from the waist down. Only his right leg is spread out on top of the material.

I grab my phone
, wanting to capture this image so I can see it whenever I want.

When I swipe my screen
, I see that I have a text and voicemail waiting. Well, I guess they will just have to wait for a while longer. I find my camera app and snap the picture quickly before he moves.

H
e must have seen the flash because he’s looking at me.

“Did you just take my picture?”

“I did,” I say, smiling. Then I drop my phone into my bag before climbing onto to the bed.

Tucker gra
bs me under my arms as soon as I’m within reach and pulls me up his body. “You know that’s not fair since I don’t have any of you.”

Leaning down
, I place my lips so close to his that with every word they brush against his. “Poor baby, you can take some later.”

T
he tips of his fingers slide up my spine covering my skin with goosebumps. His hands wrap into my hair, tugging me down for a sizzling “good morning” kiss.

I say
, “Mmm, if this is what I get every morning, I may just have to stick around.”

I have no intentions of ever leaving Tucker
, ever, but by the stunned look plastered on his face, I wonder if he doubts me. I thought I made it clear to him last night.

As his eyes search mine, I wonder if he’s looking for
answers. All I can hope is he sees the love I have for him.

“You’re sticking around
, Brenna. I’m never letting you go.”

Placing my palm against his cheek
, I stare lovingly back into his eyes. I want to reassure him in any way possible.

“I’m not going anywhere
. I’m right where I want to be.”

Tucker

When Brenna said she may have to stick around
, I knew she was being sarcastic but that didn’t stop my doubt from creeping. I’ve waited and wished for so long for her. Now that I have her back in my life, I never plan on letting her go again.

But t
hat doesn’t mean that I’m not afraid that she’ll leave me. I can’t let the fear and doubts cloud my head.

Shaking off these thoughts
, I look over to see what time it is. Damn it’s time to get up. My parents are coming by later because they wanted to spend time with Brenna, too. I think they may have missed her just as much as I did.

I sigh.
“We gotta get up and get going. Mom and Dad are coming over later to see you.”

“Where are we going
? And when are they coming?” She gets out of bed.  

M
y brain has trouble forming words as I watch her walk naked across the room. I hold up three fingers to tell her what time they are supposed to be here.

After
she disappears into the bathroom and out of my sight, I find my voice again and holler out that we’re going to the store.

I hear the shower come on
. No, I’m not getting in there with her this time. I’ll stay right here. However, I have to repeat this over and over to keep myself from chasing after her.

Oh
, who the hell am I kidding?

My feet go to the floor and I’m
heading to the shower in seconds.

Brenna opens her eyes and looks me over
when I open the shower door. “I have to wash my hair. Two showers now and I haven’t been able to get that far.” She doesn’t look too upset over my presence if the smile on her face is any indication.

I hold my hands up to
indicating I’ll keep them to myself.

We both manage to actually shower this time before stepping out and drying off. This was not an easy feat
, let me tell you. Not easy at all, but we did it.

We both head back into the bedroom to get dressed
. Brenna’s staring at the bed with her clothes clutched to her chest. Yeah, I know where her head is at. Mine’s right there with it, both of us are thinking the same thing. We both want her sprawled across my sheets. When she looks up and sees me watching her, she shrugs and her cheeks turn red. I love that she blushes.

I turn around to get my clothes
. If I don’t get some barriers between us, we’ll be right back in bed within seconds. I don’t want her to think sex is all we have. I want to show her how much I love her with more than just my body.

After I’m dressed
, I notice she’s left the room while my back was turned. I leave the room to search for my boots, and I find both her and the boots in the bathroom, along with the pile of wet clothes from yesterday.
Better wash those.
I carry them to the washer and throw them in.

In the bathroom,
I slide my boots on, and stand beside Brenna at the sink to brush my teeth. This feels so domestic, and it’s something I want to experience with her on a permanent basis. Both of us smile when our eyes meet in the mirror.

When I’m done
, I step behind her, putting my arms around her waist and pulling her against me placing a kiss on the side of her neck. I know what I have to do. I need to have her here with me every day. There’s no other option. I have to get Brenna to move in with me after she graduates. Now I just have to figure out how to ask her.

Brenna

I check my messages while Tucker drives us to the store. We’ve been so caught up in each other that I
haven’t even thought about it. I bet Lexi is worried. It’s not like me to leave town without telling her and I still haven’t called her or sent her a text to let her know where I am. I unlock my phone and read my text first. It’s Lexi.

Lexi
: Where r u? VM seriously B? PICK UP UR PHONE!!

I decide to listen to Lexi’s voicemail before replying to her text.

Where the hell are you? It’s not like you to leave without telling me. You better be with Tucker and you better call me as soon as you get this.

Brenna what the hell
? Answer your damn phone. Don’t make me twat punch you!

Laughing
, I delete her messages and open my inbox so I can text her back.

Brenna: Sorry with Tucker.

Lexi: U could have told me before u left.

Brenna: I know I was in a hurry.

Lexi: y? he’s ok right?

Brenna: yeah everything’s great.

Lexi: u remembered huh?

Brenna: YES!

Lexi: I WANT DEETS!!!

Laughing at her and her
shouty caps, I glance up to see where we are. I have a couple more minutes before we arrive at the store. I’m also not going to text her details. She can wait till I get home for those.

Brenna: Later

Lexi: Now butch!

Lexi
: *BITCH damn you Siri!!!

Brenna: LOL u
have to wait. We r at the store g2g.

Lexi
: UGH!! Fine.

“
Lexi?” Tucker asks, pulling into a parking spot and turning off his truck.

“Yeah
, she was worried. I didn’t tell her I was leaving early and she wants all the details.”

Tucker grins
and kisses me before we get out of the truck. He laces his fingers through mine as we walk across the parking lot and into the store. Unfortunately, you can’t hold hands while pushing a shopping cart. Because Tucker has a difficult time keeping his hands to himself, it takes forever to get everything we need. Not that I’m complaining, but we seriously may get thrown out of this store.

Finally we finish shopping and head
back home. Thinking of Tucker’s house as “home” makes my heart race and my stomach feeling as though butterflies are taking flight. I want to be with him, but what if he doesn’t want to take that step yet?

It’s
okay if he doesn’t. I mean, our relationship has just begun. It’s not like I expect him to move me in with him, or for him to propose anytime soon.

What am I going to do when I graduate
, though? I can stay with Mom or Pa until I find my own place. Or I can also stay in my apartment in Louisville until my lease is up in a few weeks. I guess there’s no reason to stress over my living arrangements just yet.

I’m so lost in my
thoughts; I don’t even realize we’re home until Tucker gets out of the truck. After putting the groceries away, we begin getting everything prepared for supper with his parents. Tucker and I work so well together. We seem to always be in sync, like we’ve been doing this for years. I take this as a sign that we were made for each other.

Yeah
, I’m definitely holding on with both hands and never letting go. There is no way there is someone more perfect for me than Tucker Wade.

* * *

Tucker

Brenna and I barely
finished setting all the food on the table when I hear my parents coming down the drive. We decide to eat on the deck since it’s such a beautiful, clear day.

Brenna is leaning on the rail looking out over the yard much like she was
doing yesterday when I came home. Walking up behind her, I put my arms on the rail beside hers, knitting my fingers into hers and stare off in the same direction where she is gazing.

“It’s beautiful here,
” she says softly, as though speaking too loud will break the spell that’s come over us.

“Yes it is.
” I turn my gaze to her.

She
lifts her head in my direction. Her eyes are so bright. I can see the love and happiness shining through them. “I really like it here.”

“That’
s good because…” I pause for a moment when I hear the sound of car doors shutting, but Brenna is still looking at me, waiting for me to finish. So I continue, saying. “I want you to live here with me.”

Brenna doesn’t say a word
. Instead she answers me with a kiss. A kiss so sweet and soft I will remember it, always. I’m gonna take that as a “yes.”

A voice suddenly blares out
, “Boy, you better get off my woman.”

Bren
na laughs when she hears my dad.

I roll my eyes.
“You got a woman, old man, I call her
Mom
.” I shoot back, as I release Brenna and step away.

My dad
simply laughs at me before he has my woman wrapped in his arms.

Yes
, my woman. He has his own and he better remember that.

I f
eel my mom’s hand on my forearm, so I glance down at her and notice her eyes are a little wet. I put my arm around her shoulder, hugging her to me before leaning down to hear her whispered words. “She looks happy. You both do. It’s been a long time coming.”

That
, it has.

As soon as
Dad releases Brenna, Mom is there to take his place. I can tell Mom is saying something to Brenna by the look on Brenna’s face.

When
Brenna’s eyes meet mine, a beautiful smile spreads across her face. That smile tells me all I need to know right now.

Dad tells me.
“It’s ‘bout time. That’s all I have to say.”

“I couldn’t agree
with you more, Dad.” I give his back a slap and lead him to the table.

After M
om and Brenna finish their greeting, they come over and take their seats. Dad and I follow suit. We are all fixing our plates when Brenna pushes her chair back to stand.

I grab
her hand before she walks away, peering up at her, asking her silently where she’s going.

“Did you not notice we forgot something?”
she says, while gesturing toward the table.

I
see that yes we forgot drinks. “I can get them. You eat.”

“I got it.
You eat. I’ll be right back.”

Reaching out, as if to keep us together forever,
I don’t let go of her hand until her fingers slide across mine as she walks into the house. When I look across the table, I see my parents are both smiling at us. Yeah, I’m smiling too, both inside and out.

Brenna
returns a few minutes later carrying drinks and places them on the table before she takes her seat. I listen as she tells my parents about the last four years, Lexi, and then she gets to the present. I know they are happy she’s here, and we’re finally together. I can see it all over their faces. You would think their long lost daughter had finally come home. Well, I guess she did.

Everything was going great
. Everyone is smiling and laughing… until Dad says his next words, making Brenna’s smile disappear instantly.

“No more breaking my boy’s heart. The day he came home
, tears running down his face that summer, I’d never seen a boy so heartbroken. Well, till the day he came home to tell us you were dating someone else. He probably thinks we didn’t hear him raging and crying late at night, but we did and that about broke us all.”