Remember Love (The Forever Love Series)

by Rhea Rhea

  I feel like my world has been tilted on its axis in less than three days. What the hell will happen when I see him again? I don’t want to move too fast, yet I have a feeling that isn’t how this is gonna work. Everything always comes so natural between the two of us that I don’t think nature will slow down for me. I make the decision in this moment that whatever the future brings for us; I’m not going to fight it.

  I turn on my radio and go into the kitchen to fix myself something to eat. I’m dancing around while making a sandwich, listening to Luke Bryan sing Country Girl and I shake it for him. Hey, it’s Luke Bryan. What girl wouldn’t shake it for him?

  Leaning against the counter as I eat, and I hear a song I haven’t heard in years. The lyrics remind me of Tucker. I stop eating while Miranda Lambert sings about her and Charlie boy. So many things ring true about this song that it could have been written for us, except I was the one who wanted to leave town. And that’s exactly what I did when I turned eighteen.

  I broke every single promise made by two young kids. I left Tucker behind, not because I wanted to, but because I thought that was what he wanted. That can’t be what this is all about. The promises made back then. There has to be more. I’m determined now more than ever to figure this out. I don’t want to end up like this song, and for him to be just a distant memory from way back when.

  If I get the chance, I’m grabbing onto him with both hands and never letting go. I just hope this is really what he wants, and he isn’t out to hurt me because of my choices. Or something I can’t remember from the past.

  No more stressing. I have a whole week to ponder the “what if’s.” I turn down the volume some on my radio. Grabbing my Kindle, I changed into a tank top and shorts. After crawling into bed, I decide to get lost in the fictional world of a good book for a little while. There’s nothing like a good, hot, and steamy read to divert your thoughts from reality to fantasy.

  * * *

  The next few days pass by in a blur. Tucker and I talked via text daily, but it’s only small talk. I don’t think he’s going to make this easy on me and just tell me what it is he wants me to remember. I racked my brain all week. The only things I can think of are the memories of our time on the farm.

  We also spent time together at the town fair each year until he stopped coming around. Maybe that’s what I need to focus on. I swear, I’m almost ready to call a psychic hotline and beg for answers. I lie down on my couch and try to bring that last summer back.

  Tucker and I are on the Ferris wheel, stopped at the top, when I ask him what his mom meant when she said I couldn’t have both her men. Tucker looks over at me, shaking his head, and I notice his cheeks are a little pink. It’s not cold, so he must be blushing.

  “Tucker, why are you blushing?”

  “I’m not blushing.”

  “Uh, yeah you are. You’re cheeks are pink and it’s not cold. So you’re blushing and I wanna know why.”

  Tucker rolls his eyes at me and turns to look out across the town. “She was talking about me, Brenna. She meant you can’t have my dad and me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh? That’s all you have to say?”

  “What else am I supposed to say? You’re not mine Tucker, so why would she say that?”

  Tucker gives me a look that makes me feel like a million butterflies are fluttering their wings inside me. He’s never looked at me like this before.

  “Do you remember all those times we talked about the future?” he asks.

  “Yeah. What about them?”

  “Then you should know. I’ve always been yours, Brenna. You just need to open your eyes and see it.”

  A knock on my door jolts me out of my memory. I swear, people have the worst timing. I had it right there in my grasp. I know there’s more but what? Ugh! I wish they’d stop knocking and go away.

  I heave myself off the couch and walk over to the door. Standing on my tiptoes, I look through the peephole and see it’s my neighbor, Lexi Allen. What could she want? Don’t get me wrong, I like Lexi. She is one of the few people I have associated with since I moved here. But I want to finish my daydream.

  I sling open the door just as she is heading back into her apartment.

  “Hey Lexi, what’s up?”

  “Hey,” she says. “I was just bored and thought I’d see what you were doing.”

  “Not much, I was just lying on the couch, daydreaming.”

  “Oh yeah? ‘Bout what?”

  I motion for Lexi to come in. Maybe she can help me figure this out. I go into the kitchen to grab drinks for us and then drop down beside Lexi on the couch.

  “So, you know I went home last weekend, right?”

  Lexi nods her head so I continue.

  “I had this feeling, like change was coming. And as soon as I get into town, I ran into Tucker.”

  “Tucker, as in the boy you used to hang out with all the time?”

  Yeah, I had told Lexi one night my whole life story, hence the reason I no longer party. I’m an open book when I’m drunk. Not that I have anything to hide, but people don’t need my whole life history in one night.

  “Yeah, that’s Tucker.”

  “So what happened?” Lexi turns towards me, all ears, so I tell her about the entire weekend, from the moment I got into town to the memory I was thinking about before she knocked on the door.

  When I’m done she seems to be gathering her thoughts. I hope she has something awe inspiring to say, I need all the input I can get.

  “Brenna, I think you need to remember the rest of it.”

  “Thank you, Captain Obvious. Could you tell me something I don’t know?”

  Lexi rolls her eyes at me and mutters something that sounds a lot like “smart ass.” I just smile at her because, once again, tell me something I don’t know.

  She says, “Whatever it is that he thinks you don’t remember is the key of this.”

  “Ugh Lexi. You really aren’t helping at all. I already know this. I’ve been racking my since I saw him on Friday. Is it something that he said and I don’t remember, like a promise we made? Or I made? Or is it the reason he stopped coming around? Do those two things connect or are they unrelated? Was it about Wesley?”

  “Stop. You’re going to drive yourself crazy. You said he was coming here this weekend, right?”

  “Yeah, Saturday.”

  “Well first off, I want to meet him. Second, just ask him.”

  “What if he still won’t tell me?”

  Lexi grins from ear to ear and I know that whatever comes out of her mouth is gonna either get me in trouble, or I’ll want to kiss her for it.

  “Well,” she says, “you do what all other women do when they want something. Distract him with your body.”

  “Are you suggesting I seduce him?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Are you fucking serious right now? It’s been a week and you expect me to throw myself at him?”

  “Oh hell, Brenna, you’ve known him your whole life. It’s not like I’m telling you to go down to the club pick up a stranger and hump his leg. This is Tucker. Your best friend. The one that got away. This is your second chance. What do you have to lose?”

  I drop my head into my hands and groan. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right. What do I have to lose? Whatever he wants me to remember is the key.

  After talking about my man problems, Lexi and I hang out the rest of the night, watching movies and stuffing ourselves with junk food.

  Tomorrow is Saturday and I’m really excited and nervous as hell to see Tucker again. I feel like I’m going on my first date all over again. I’ll get answers from Tucker tomorrow, no matter what I have to do to get them.

  Chapter Seven

  Lexi and I stayed up too late last night watching movies, talking, and painting our nails. You’d think she was getting all prettied up because she was the one going out with Tucker tonight.

  Lexi wants Tucker and I to go to the bar with her for a little w
hile, and I’m thinking a little music and liquid courage may be in order. But since drinking and bars aren’t my thing, I tell her that’s not gonna happen.

  Tucker sent me a text earlier and said he would be here around three. Its noon now so I have plenty of time to get ready. If I just sit around here for the next two hours waiting to get ready, I will drive myself crazy. I grab my Nikes out of my closet and put them on. A nice walk is in order.

  I love spring. Seeing all the trees and flowers bloom, hearing the sound of birds chirping. Spring brings life and new beginnings.

  “Tucker, come look what I found.” I know I shouldn’t stick my hand in this hole, but I can hear them and I don’t see the mama around.

  “What is it?” Tucker drops down on his knees beside me.

  “Raccoons, I think their mama abandoned them or she’s dead.” I pull one baby out and hand it to Tucker, then reach in for the other.

  “Be careful, Brenna.”

  “I have to get them out, Tuck. They will starve if we just leave them here.” I give him a duh look as I pull out the second baby and hand it to him. I think there is another baby inside the hole, so I stick my hand in, secretly hoping that the mama isn’t in there waiting to bite my hand off.

  After removing the third baby, I decide to stick my hand back in there and scare Tucker. I scream and jerk away from the hole, cradling my hand so he can’t see that I’m just messing with him. He drops the babies and tries to grab my hand but I won’t let him see it.

  “Let me see!”

  I can hear the fear in his voice. He is genuinely scared that I’m hurt, and it makes me feel like crap for tricking him.

  “I’m fine, Tuck. I was just playing, see?” I hold out both hands so he can see and reach over to pick up all three babies, placing the tiny creatures in my lap. They’re so small their eyes are barely open. I’ll have to get a small bottle to feed and raise them before they can be released.

  Tucker jumps up and stares down at me. I can tell he’s mad, but I’m not scared. Tuck would never hurt me.

  “That wasn’t funny at all! I thought you were hurt!” Tucker yelled. He’s never yelled at me before.

  “I’m sorry.” My eyes well up and a tear rolls down my cheek. I stand up and walk over to the ladder to climb down from the hayloft.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Home.” I sniffle, I can’t believe I’m crying but he’s never yelled at me before, and I don’t like it one bit.

  “Brenna…”

  I’m waiting on Tucker to speak, but when he doesn’t, I turn around to look at him.

  He says, “I’m sorry for yelling, but you scared me. I thought you were hurt. I thought I didn’t protect you.”

  Tucker takes the raccoons out of my arms, lays them carefully on a bale of hay, pulls me close, and hugs me tight. His lips touch my temple. I lean my head back and look up at him. He then does something he’s never done before.

  Tucker kissed me.

  This memory brings a huge smile to my face. The people walking in my direction probably think I’m some kind of crazy, lost in thought one moment and smiling like I just won the lottery the next.

  I was eleven then, so Tucker was thirteen. Hmm. I wonder if that was his first kiss, too. I never thought to ask. And we never discussed it.

  It was all a part of growing up and that wasn’t the last kiss either. I spent my spring break on the farm, so I saw him every day that week. I always hated that we went to different schools. What could I do about it, though? I was just a kid.

  Looking at my watch, I realize that it’s already after one o’clock, so I turn around and head back towards my apartment. I hadn’t realized I walked this far away, so it’s gonna take me a while to get back.

  When I reach my apartment, I’m about to open my door and my phone dings. I pull it out of my pocket to see its Tucker.

  Tucker: Hey just wanted to let u know I’m halfway there.

  Oh shit! If he’s halfway here then I need to hurry up and get ready. Fast.

  Brenna: I thought u said 3?

  Tucker: yeah 3 ur time.

  I smack myself in the forehead, feeling stupid for not considering the time difference.

  Brenna: lol ok :)

  Tucker: need directions from 65.

  I quickly type out the directions and read them again to make sure I got them right before I press send. I open the door and start stripping off clothes, then send a text to Lexi.

  Brenna: get ur ass here now!!!

  Lexi: y?

  Brenna: bc he is about 30min away

  Lexi: OMG on way

  Brenna: doors open

  I hop into the shower. Since Lexi will be here to open the door for Tucker, I can take my time. It’s not like we’re going anywhere. I just didn’t want to be caught sweaty or in my towel. I have to shave everywhere. Why, oh why, didn’t I think of this last night?

  I finish and jump out of the shower to dry off. I comb out my hair and wrap it in a towel. After brushing my teeth and putting on deodorant, I turn to reach for my clothes. Clothes that are not there…meanwhile someone is knocking on the door.

  Oh Hell! I guess he’ll see me in my towel after all because there’s no way to get from the bathroom to my room without being seen. This apartment is mostly all open floor space. You can see into every room except my bedroom and the bathroom from the front door. Why did I move here again?

  I don’t hear voices, so I think I may have time to make a beeline to my room. I ease the bathroom door open and step into the hallway at the exact moment Lexi swings the front door wide open. Bitch did that on purpose! I just know it.

  I froze in place. My damn feet won’t move. These fuckers have gone on vacation or strike or something. I look up and Tucker is standing in my doorway, staring right at me. I can hear Lexi talking but I can’t make out a word she’s saying. I see Tucker’s head nod but I don’t think he’s really hearing her either.

  Lexi tells him, “Did you know that Brenna eats her boogers? Yep sits right there on the couch picks a winner...”

  That snapped me out of my frozen state.

  “Lexi, you are fucking gross!” I try to yell, but I can’t help but laugh. Really who says shit like that? Oh yeah. Lexi does.

  “Got both y’all’s attention though didn’t it?” Lexi smiles.

  I laugh at her again. She is really funny when she wants to be, but that was pretty gross and thank God Tucker is laughing at her, too.

  “Tucker, this is my obnoxious neighbor and friend Lexi Allen. However, at the moment the friend part is in question. Lexi, meet Tucker Wade.”

  They exchange a “nice to meet you” and I swear Lexi may melt on the spot. She is fanning herself. What the hell? Is she going through menopause? I’m seriously thinking about revoking her friend card right now.

  And why is Tucker staring at me like that? I look down at myself and gasp, oh my Lord, how did I forget I was standing here in nothing but a towel that barely covers anything?

  “Um, I will be back in a few.” I clutch my towel. I have a feeling if I let go of it right now, it’ll either fall off or get hung on an imaginary nail or something. That would be just my luck.

  I shut my bedroom door and drop the towel, ready to head to my closet. As soon as the towel hits the floor, my door flies open. I drop to the ground to scoop it up again when I see Lexi’s flip flops step beside me. I close my eyes and let out a big breath.

  “Lexi, you scared the holy living hell out of me! Ever hear of knocking?”

  “Calm yourself, chick, I was just coming to make sure you were okay and see if you needed any help.”

  “I’m fine. A little embarrassed, but fine.”

  “Why are you embarrassed?”

  “Seriously, did you not just see what happened? I was frozen to the floor, basically naked.”

  Lexi rolls her eyes at me and this just pisses me off. I mean, have some sympathy for me or something.

  “So what?” she says. “He didn’t
seem to mind. Hell, I told him you ate boogers and I don’t think he even caught that until you yelled at me.”

  “I can’t believe you did that either. You just wait. You know payback’s a bitch, right.”

  We’re both laughing now. I rummage through my dresser, looking for undies and a bra. Lexi pushes me away and starts sorting through them, handing me a pair of ice pink lace cheekys and the matching bra. Thank you, Victoria!

  While Lexi is looking through my closet, I grab my bottle of Pure Seduction lotion and get to work making sure I don’t have ashy skin anywhere. I love the scent of this lotion. I prefer it over perfume any day.

  Lexi lays an outfit on the bed as I am pulling on my panties and bra. I’m a little surprised by her choice. Dark jeans, a pale pink tank top, my brown belt that has a big buckle on it, and she has my brown boots in her hands.

  “I was worried you’d dress me like a hooker, ready to hit the corner to pick up tricks.”

  Lexi snorts at that comment and shakes her head at me. I give her the “what?” look.

  “Seriously, Brenna, this outfit works. I don’t think you’ll have any problem seducing him. I can feel the vibes between y’all. I was hearing Al Green’s Let’s Get it On in my head. The way he was looking at you was so intense. I began to wonder if I should leave or grab popcorn and watch as it all unfolds.”

  “I’m not going to seduce him, so get that out of your head.”

  “Are you kidding me right now? Did you see him? I’d have mounted him the minute he walked in the door if he was here to see me.”

  Okay, who wouldn’t laugh at that? I swear I don’t know where she comes up with this shit.

  I say, “I would rather it be natural, as in go with the flow. Trust me, I don’t plan on being the one to say stop.”

  “That’s my girl. Now get dressed. I can’t look at your sexy ass any longer or I may have to start questioning my sexuality.” She slaps me on the ass before she walks out the door.