Page 67 of Reckless With You

“What was that?”

“Stop blaming yourself. You are not whatever the fuck he said, or what Beth said. Everybody loves being around you. And you are always there for us. You’re allowed to need help once in a while. And we both know that I’m not here right now because you need me. I’m here because I want to be. So, fuck him. Okay?”

I just stood there, trying to nod as his words slid over me.

Everything was happening so fast, and yet not fast enough. Because I was trying to think about Tobey, wondering exactly what I had done wrong, but all I could do was look at the man in front of me.

All I could do was think about his words. And what he meant.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Kissing me again.

I wrapped my arms around him and nestled against his chest. “I’m sorry, too.” I paused, my voice low. “I hate that he’s done this.”

“At least you didn’t blame yourself that time.” He rubbed his hand down my back.

“I just want things to go back to normal.”

“Amelia?”

“Yeah?”

“This might be your new normal. So, I guess you’re going to have to figure that out, too.”

“I guess so.”

“But you’re not alone. You’ve got your family. You’ve got your friends. And you’ve got me.”

I didn’t ask him to promise. Didn’t ask him to tell me he was sure. Because, honestly, I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to guarantee that. And after thinking that I’d had that promise with Tobey for years and finding out that everything had been a lie, I really didn’t want to hear another pledge like that.

So I pushed those thoughts from my head and just leaned into Tucker’s hold.

I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. But for now, I was going to pretend that everything was okay. Because, honestly, it had to be.

And in Tucker’s arms, I thought maybe that could be the truth.

Chapter 14

Amelia

“So,are you going to tell me what you’re hiding?” Zoey asked as she helped me work in the greenhouse in my backyard.

I had put one in a year before thanks to city permits. It wasn’t a large one, but it was big enough that I could work on my plants when I was at home, even in the dead of winter.

It was my happy place. My safe spot.

But, as my best friend glared at me, I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be safe for long.

“What do you mean?”

Zoey just narrowed her eyes.

“Okay. You are going to have to tell me exactly what’s going on in that mind of yours. Because I know you’re hiding something. And it’s grating on you. Is it Tobey? Tucker? You guys seem so good right now. But then again, I thought you were doing okay with Tobey, so what do I know?”

I winced, shaking my head.

Erin sat in the corner, not speaking, but looking at both of us as we talked.

I’d brought them over to have an afternoon off, but they had wanted to work in my greenhouse. Now, I regretted it.