One of the reasons we clicked so easily is that our marriages didn’t work. We understand each other. Some women see him as a catch, but they want children and he doesn’t. I’m okay being just with him—for now.
“Cash,” Alex says. “We all have cash. Does anyone have an envelope?”
“You don’t need a present,” Tucker says.
“It’s a party, you always need a present. You were raised in the south. You should know better, my friend,” Alex corrects him.
“Ready, I ordered a car seat. It’s expensive enough that we can claim we bought it together and useful enough that they’ll be happy,” Hannah says, tapping her phone, then she looks at me. “You want your name on the card?”
I frown. At the same time, Tucker’s gray eyes flicker with something I can’t read.
“Listen, this is nice—”
“The weather is nice. Babies are adorable. Asses are nice to look at, sweetheart. We aren’t nice,” Zeke corrects me. “You want in or not. From the looks of it, you don’t have a present with you either.”
“Okay, how much do I owe you?”
Hannah shakes her head. “Next time we need a present, you might be the one buying it. We take turns.”
They finally ring the doorbell, and I wonder what I just agreed to.
The party isn’t as big as I expected. Only a few friends from New York came to visit Sienna. The rest are mostly Rocco’s friends.
Who’d have guessed that he has more friends than my sister?
At least Hannah lives next door and keeps her company. She’s friendly, and I like her more than I did when I thought she was Tucker’s fiancée.
When it seems like the party starts dying down, I begin cleaning the kitchen. The car seat isn’t really my present, so I might as well give Sienna the joy of not having to pick up after the party.
“We’re expecting a baby,” Tucker says, as he enters the kitchen carrying some empty glasses.
I look at him up and down, trying to keep my hormones under control, because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to have his babies? At least practice having babies with him.
Then I order myself to focus on the conversation and not on what we could do in the bedroom … or wherever for that matter.
“You might be on your own for that,” I warn him. “There’re no babies in my future.”
“In my family, when there’s a baby, everyone claims the poor child.” He smirks, setting the glasses in the sink and taking the almost full trash bag from my hands. “So, we always say, we’re expecting a baby. Though, I wouldn’t mind having one with you.”
Not sure why I laugh with him. That sexy, deep growly noise makes my heart thump.
“Well, then I guess we’re having a baby,” I agree with him, trying to stop the conversation.
“A girl,” he continues.
“Oh, God!” Hannah enters the room. “It’s painful to see two adults making small talk. What’s next, the weather?”
“Don’t you have anything to do, Nana?” he asks annoyed.
“Sage, Sienna told me you live in Oregon,” Hannah says. “Where exactly is Baker’s Creek? I’m fascinated by all these festivals that she keeps telling us about.”
“It’s close to Mt. Hood and Portland,” I explain.
“Are we going to Mt. Hood?” Alex asks excitedly, as he enters the kitchen. “I haven’t been there in so long. We should go in December.”
“You ski?” I ask curiously.
Tucker shakes his head. “Please don’t ask that. We only allow him to talk about snow, snowboarding, or skiing during winter season.”
“Let’s go, babe,” Hannah says. “We did our part, and it’s time to go to my parents’. It was nice meeting you, Sage. See you tonight, Tuck.”
“She’s not your fiancée,” I state, as I watch her walk away.
“Best friend. I met her when she was sixteen,” he explains. “Almost at the same time I met Zeke and Rocco.”
“What about Ethan?” I ask. “He isn’t part of the band, is he?”
He grins and nods. “If you’re wondering where the bassist is, the one who used to wear a colored rainbow mohawk, that’s Ethan.”
“Kill?” I point toward the dining room. “No, he looks so … different.”
He shrugs. “We’ve known each other since kindergarten.”
“Wow, that’s cool. I don’t think I know where my kindergarten friends are at anymore—or their names.”
Zeke appears in the kitchen right when I’m about to ask more about him. “Tuck, time to go, man.”
Tucker looks at me and then at his friend and sighs. “Are you staying for the night?”
“No, I’m heading home. The bookstore has an event tomorrow,” I explain disappointed. “I have to be there.”
“That’s right. Sienna mentioned you own a bookstore,” Zeke says intrigued. “Any chance you can find us a rare old edition book?”
I pull out one of the business cards I always carry in my jean pocket and hand it to him.
“We’re already working with them, aren’t we?” He shows it to Tucker who nods and glances at me.
“Find me that JK Rowling book, Ms. Heywood,” he commands. “It’s been years.”
“T. Bradley?” I ask a little too excited.
He nods.
“Wow, what a small world.”
“Well, keep us posted, Sage. We have to leave,” Zeke declares with urgency. “The tournament starts in an hour, and we’re not going to make it on time.”
“Tournament?” I ask puzzled.
“My twin brothers play hockey,” he informs me and takes the card away from his friend. “I’ll call you soon. You still owe me a drink.”
“I have a Corbin,” I mumble and clear my throat. “I mean, a boyfriend.”
How can I forget about him?
Tucker nods and places the card on the table. “We already have your information.”
My heart slows down, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s leaving or because he left my card and there won’t be a drink or…
20
Sage
Two things always happen when I visit Seattle. One, Sienna has a party. Two, Tucker is always there. Which shouldn’t matter. This time, I brought Corbin with me.
Nice, reliable, and safe Corbin. He’s a great excuse to stay away from Patrick’s close group of friends. Look, they are nice, but Tucker is part of it.
And learning that he’s dating, just as I was passing by the dining room … never in my life have I understood the term “I felt suckered punched” until I heard Hannah ask, “How was the second date?”
I didn’t wait for the answer. He’s dating.
I shouldn’t care that he’s dating. Just because some nights I replay our first encounter, followed by the dance where I told him let’s start again and he—he wasn’t engaged. He wanted to grab a drink with me, and now I am going out with Corbin.
I huff, dropping onto the couch and grabbing a pen from my purse.
“Can I help you with something?” Corbin asks. “I can write down the presents if you want me to.”
“No, I’m fine,” I say, trying to compose myself.
I shouldn’t care.
Not in the least.
Tucker Decker who?
I don’t regret telling him off at the bar. Not anymore.
He’s, he’s … who is he?
Certainly not the asshole I thought he was. He’s not cold. He’s even funny. Who cares? He’s dating. Come to think about it, I just saw some article about him dating a tennis player. Or was that Ethan?
It doesn’t matter to me. Their love lives don’t affect me. Tucker can be sleeping with the entire country, and I don’t care one way or another. Today, it’s all about my sister, her baby shower, and little baby girl Rokus.
Sienna hasn’t found a good name for her yet, but she has everything else. Hannah and her husband keep her company since her husband travels often.
The way Sienn
a speaks about her makes me jealous in some way. It’s like they’ve become best friends, and now I’m just an afterthought.
“I had no idea your sister was married to Rocco,” Corbin whispers in awe. “Do you think I can get their autograph?”
“Sure,” I answer. “Why don’t you go and ask them?”
Honestly, I don’t get what the big deal is about these celebrities. The Sinners of Seattle are not even playing anymore. But you’d think they’re gods and well, Hannah a goddess.
“Ready,” Sienna asks, sitting next to me on the right, as Corbin is on the left.
“Yes, let’s do this.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take over?” Hannah offers, and I want to hate her for stepping into my role, but with that nice smile and calm aura, how can I?
It actually makes me want to be her friend too.
“I’m positive,” I answer.
“Okay, let me know if you need me,” she offers.
“People can’t be that nice,” I try to mumble to Corbin. However, Sienna catches my words and rolls her eyes.
“What is it?” Sienna asks. “The tattoos, her way of treating everyone with respect, or that she’s always open and friendly.”
“No one can be that happy,” I state.
“She has her days, and even during those times, she brightens your day. I wish you came to visit more often,” she continues. “Patrick’s friends are different from how I imagined when he used to talk about them. They’re … a unit. I just hope Patrick can blend back into their lives. I feel like during his recovery, he lost the link he shared with them.”
“Yet, they’re still around him.”
“Tucker says it’s because that’s what you do for your family. Like with the baby, they want to make sure Patrick knows he isn’t alone.”
She’s speaking a foreign language for us. The one where there’s love, respect, and support among family members. We barely have that between us. I wish…
“Do you guys have a name?” I change the subject.
She shakes her head. “We have a couple of options, Everly, Poppy, or Lyric.”
“Which one is your favorite?”
“Poppy or Everly.”
“Good, Lyric sounds too—”
“Musical,” she jokes.
“It’s all he talks about sometimes. That’s his life you know,” she says sadly. “He loves me but music is what grounds him.”
“Wait, the Sinners of Seattle are back?” Corbin, who has obviously been listening to our conversation, asks.
Sienna shakes her head. “No, Patrick plays for Midnight Buzz.”
“What about you? I thought you were going to set up a practice,” I say, not sure why I hadn’t asked this before.
“There’s so much to do around the house,” she explains and rubs her belly. “I want to be here for her. Having nannies instead of a Mom … I don’t want that for my kids.”
Can they afford this lifestyle?
The house looks expensive. It’s on the north side of Bellevue and next to Washington Lake. I’m wondering if they have money for the hospital bills, the doctors’ appointments. But I don’t ask her anything else because Hannah whistles loud and says, “Okay, let’s see what we got for this sweet baby girl.”
“That’s Corbin?” Tucker asks, as I help Sienna take the gifts to the nursery.
“How was your date?” I respond with my own question.
“What date?”
“Hannah was talking about a date,” I inform him.
He chuckles. “Ethan went out on a date,” he clarifies. “I haven’t found anyone interesting enough. This guy and you—are you serious?”
“It’s new,” I comment and change the subject because I don’t want to discuss my relationship with him. “How are your brothers?”
“Which one?”
“The ones at the hockey tournament?” I clarify and then ask, “How many do you have?”
He sighs, looking at the white room and the unopened boxes. “Who the fuck is going to set up the nursery?”
“Patrick?”
“He’s on tour, I doubt he’ll have time.” He glances at me, and his penetrating gaze pins me against an imaginary wall. Those eyes are stormy, as if a hurricane is passing through with fury. I hold my breath, hopeful. “See you at the next party, Sage.”
He turns around and walks away. I’m tempted to stop him, but I guess it’s for the best. What was I expecting from him?
I don’t lust after him I just … there’s something unsaid between us that might haunt me forever.
21
Tucker
I roll my shoulders as I get off the plane. This wasn’t the way I planned on spending my Saturday, but family matters, and I’d rather be here. As I walk out of the hangar, I spot Alex waiting for me.
“Where’s Nana?” I ask, because when they pick me up, it’s always the two of them, and sometimes, they even bring their pets. “No Bruno or Draco today?”
“She’s already at the hospital with Sienna. The kids are at home,” he informs me. “Rocco is in fucking London. We’re trying to figure out a way to get him here soon, but it’s at least a twelve-hour flight.”
“Fuck. So much for I don’t need you. I can do this by myself.”
He laughs. “We were in the middle of our cake tasting when we received the call from Sienna. She’s freaking out because the baby is coming a few weeks early.”
“What did the doctor say?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. Text Ethan, he might know more.”
“Where is he?”
“At the hospital with Nana,” he announces and adds, “Before you ask, the last time I heard Zeke was on his way.”
So much for having a peaceful weekend. Nana asked me to come to Seattle to hang out with them. I said no, using work as an excuse. She didn’t buy it. We both know I can do my job from anywhere. I know they’re trying to convince me to move back to Seattle. Neither my employees nor my clients need me to be there to plan their financial futures. I’m just not sure if I want to do it.
Tuck: How’s she doing?
Ethan: She’s in labor.
Nana: Seven centimeters and going. She wants to wait for Rocco. He’s still in London and there’s no way she can hold that baby inside for that long.
Zeke: Is she okay?
Nana: She’s fine. Where are you, Z?
Zeke: A few blocks away from the hospital.
Ethan: I sent the helicopter to Baker’s Creek.
Tuck: Can Sage make it on time?
I shouldn’t care if she arrives or not, but from what I’ve gathered, she’s the closest to Sienna—physically and emotionally. Their brother lives in Singapore and her parents are absent. That’s the best way Sienna describes them.
Nana: I hope so. She should be here in an hour. The hospital gave us authorization to use the helipad. If anything, she’ll be able to meet her niece only a few minutes after she arrives.
Tuck: What’s happening with the medical bills?
Nana: We took care of everything. They have my credit card on file. I can’t understand why they don’t have insurance.
Tuck: Zeke, can you check on Rocco’s contract? Why aren’t they giving him medical insurance? For fuck’s sake, why didn’t he buy a policy? Can he take time off?
Zeke: Dude, I’m not his legal keeper anymore. Just a friendly reminder, I never finished my law degree—nor have I ever practiced. All I know is that the tour ends in November.
Tuck: Fuck, what do we do?
Nana: We’re not responsible for them. Sienna isn’t the first mother who has to see her husband leave after the birth of her child because he needs to work. We’re doing plenty for them.
She’s right. She and Alex decorated the nursery. They bought the furniture and all the baby stuff that they didn’t get during the baby shower.
“Thank you for pitching in,” I tell Alex, as he drives through I-5.
“We’re a family,” he remind
s me. “That’s what we do, help each other. Which brings me to, you have to be at the rehearsal dinner. Hannah is being pretty laid back and patient, but give her just that.”
“I said, I don’t know. Patient? I’m a fucking bridesmaid.”
He fucking laughs.
“Why can’t I be one of your groomsmen?”
“Dude, it’s her wedding. She wants her guys to be … there for her.”
“Did Rocco agree?” I ask.
He glances at me for a second and shakes his head. “He’s on tour. Though, if he’s going to be in town for the baby, he won’t have an excuse.”
“Being in her wedding party should be plenty,” I say.
“Tucker, I’m pretty laid back unless you stress the fuck out of my woman, and you’re currently stressing the fuck out of her.”
“She’s getting Bridezilly.” That’s what Zeke calls Nana, and not because she’s being neurotic about her wedding. It’s just because it’s a good way to tease her.
“No, she just wants to make sure things run smoothly,” he informs me, as we reach the valet parking of Seattle Memorial. “Okay, let’s concentrate on this baby. What’s her name again?”
“They don’t have a name yet,” I remind him. “They want to wait until they see her.”
“Right, Hannah gave them that advice,” he says and grunts. “She’s going to name our children something weird, like Cabernet, Snickerdoodle, or Puffy Face. God help us.”
I laugh and say, “See if you let me be a groomsman, I’d make sure that never happens, but, buddy, you’re on your own.”
Pretending to wash my hands, I get down from the car and make my way to the maternity ward.
When we arrive, Zeke and Ethan are right by the door, ready to escape. Nana is beside Sienna, holding a cup and telling her to keep breathing deeply.
“Concentrate on my voice,” she says and then adds, “I’m so asking for the good drugs when I’m giving birth.”
Not missing a beat, I turn to Alex and say, “Epidural Spearman has a ring to it. Epi for short.”
Us After You Page 12
