I packed my belongings, zipped my suitcase, and surveyed the room after I made the bed, the odor of fresh laundry permeating my nostrils. Addison’s scent infusing the sheets was gone now. The thought of it sent a weird zing to my heart. It’d been about two weeks since she boarded that bus and left me to deal with many questions I had no answers to. Sure, her heart had been skinned alive by jerks before me. I had many flaws, but I never treated a woman badly. And I’d always been honest with my intentions, never leading one on for no reason. No, my style was to be upfront and respectful.
We’d been apart for two weeks. Two weeks, for Christ’s sake. And still, my vocabulary lacked the words to explain how being away from Addison Wilde made me feel. How empty and colorless everything around me seemed when she wasn’t there to add her own colors to my universe.
My phone rang before I could exit the bedroom. Nick.
“Hey man, still in town?"
“Yeah. Was about to stop by your place to kiss your wife goodbye. Hug your little boy. And maybe see you too while I’m at it.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know you’ll miss me too.”
I let out a loud chuckle. God, I forgot how good it felt to laugh.
After Addison left, I kinda cursed at the world. And drowned my sorrows for a day or two. Until I decided to do a little introspection and think about what I really wished for and where my life should go from this point.
Two things I realized after a whiskey blitz, other than she had a point when she claimed we were jumping on that us-wagon too fast, without thinking it through.
First, I spoke the truth when I told her my player lifestyle was behind me. Doing the same shit I’d been doing for a decade didn’t satisfy me anymore, living the same days over and over with no surprises. Except for a different woman between the sheets. I aimed for more.
Second, what I felt for Addison Wilde was called love. It hadn’t faltered during our weeks apart. Since I lost sight of her at the bus station when she blended into the crowd, I’d been searching for her every minute of the day, hoping she would appear and tell me she was done being afraid and would trust life and give us a chance. I lost count of the number of times I checked my phone in case she sent a message. Even in the middle of the night when I woke up with a start, thinking she was lying beside me or had spoken to me in my sleep.
My father used to say actions spoke louder than words. Than any promises.
And thus, my stay in Green Mountain had jumpstarted my plan, the promise I made, to prove to her I had changed. That my bachelor antics were in the past.
Dahlia was on my team, and every few days, she updated me on her friend’s whereabouts.
“I know you love me,” Nick said, bringing my attention back to him. “You’ll never leave town without a proper hug. No shame in saying so, man. I love you too.”
“Oh Jesus. Married life is taking a toll on you. You’ve become a clingy motherfucker.”
“Look who’s talking,” he added with a laugh. “You’re in love, and you don’t even hide from it. Times are changing. Tucker Philips is evolving. Finally being true to himself. I never thought I’d see this day. Still going forward with your plan?”
“Can’t wait to start redefining my life and my priorities. Tucker 2.0 is coming to a town near you, my friend.”
“Bring your ass over here. We’re having brunch. Dahlia saved you a place at the table. Jack can’t wait to see you too. What else will you do, anyway? Your plane is leaving only at three.”
I breathed out my relief. Yeah, this new version of me was growing on me. “I’ll be there in twenty. Tell Jack-Man, Uncle Tuck will be right there. He better line up his toy trucks. I’m ready for a rematch.”
I finished cleaning up the house, and once I put my suitcase in the trunk of my rental, I slid behind the wheel.
Addison’s and my song started playing on the radio. My pulse quickened. For some reason, even destiny was on my side on this one. I relaxed my stance. Yeah, I was going to win her heart back. Every fragment of it.
And then I’d claim those chunks as mine. Yes, I felt confident. Addison Wilde would be mine. Soon.
After spending all this time in Green Mountain, where life was as laidback as it came, surrounded by people I cared about and who enjoyed my sorry ass too, my apartment seemed blah. The overpriced decor missed the cozy vibe of Dahlia’s old house. The neighborhood missed the charm of Main Street. And my bedroom missed the presence of the woman I hoped I’d share it with.
The place I’d been living in for the last three years felt strange. And foreign. As if I’d walked into someone else’s bachelor pad. It lacked personal touches. And warmth.
A tiny smile played on my lips. The updated version of me was blooming. And I was ready. Excited even.
In the bathroom, I watched my reflection in the mirror after I exited the shower and wiped the steam on the glass.
“Tuck, today is the day. One action every day toward your goal. You can do this. And you’ll win the girl back. I believe in you. Stick to the four-step plan. It can look scary, but it will all turn out fine. You’ve got this.”
I fist-bumped my reflection. Like a fighter about to enter the ring, I stretched my neck on both sides, jumped up and down, rolled my shoulders back, increasing my confidence and cheering myself mentally.
Dressed in a suit—something I hadn’t worn since the wedding night—I entered the high-rise building where I worked. Zion, the security guard checking our IDs, welcomed me.
“Look who the cat brought back. How was the vacation, Tuck?”
I handed him the two-milk-one-sugar coffee I got him on my way here.
“I missed this while you were gone,” he said, lifting his cup to thank me.
“Vacation was great. I feel like a new man.” This wasn’t far from the truth. I now had objectives and goals. I was focused on my newfound mission. And it filled me with a sense of hope.
“It’s been a long time since I saw a genuine smile on your face, son. It suits you.”
I returned his grin. “Yes, I feel much better. Alive.”
I entered the elevator car, and a small hand stopped the doors before they closed. A girl from an accounting firm in the building I’d encountered a couple of times before flashed me a wide smile and inched closer.
“Tucker Philips. I missed you,” she purred, her fingernails tracing the length of my arm. A chill crossed my body. In the past, I would have relished the attention. Now it made me feel weird. I took a step back to escape her proximity, but instead of giving me my space, she moved forward. “A while back, you promised me a date,” she said with a suggestive wink. “How about tomorrow night? Your reputation precedes itself. I can’t wait to test the merchandise.” Her eyes lowered to my crotch.
I swallowed and shut my eyes.
How did the old version of me live only for this? Everything about this woman touching and seducing me felt wrong. My blood cooled down in my veins. The opposite of what it used to do when a good-looking woman entered my peripheral vision in the past.
I loosened the tie around my neck.
Did the thirty-seventh floor get higher while I was gone? And why did no one else enter the damn car, forcing her to back away?
Jerking my arm away from her grip, I stepped aside.
“I’m sorry. This ship has sailed.”
Her eyes wrinkled, and she watched me with a stunned expression, collagen-filled lips drawn in a pout. “Huh. What do you mean?”
“There’s someone in my life. I’m not doing this,” I motioned with a finger in the space between us two, “anymore. I’m done. Retired from the game.”
She blinked. “You what? I must have heard you wrong. Sasha told me you weren’t the settling type. Unless it’s me. Aren’t you attracted to me?”
I turned to face her. “It has nothing to do with you. I swear. I met someone. She stole my heart; we’re meant to be. End of the story.”
Anyone who knew me would think I was talking nonsense. And yet, it brought me peace.
Jace would roast my ass now. He had no idea how much my life had changed in the last two months.
The doors finally opened on the thirty-third level. The woman offered me one last puzzled look before stepping out. “If you ever change your mind—”
“I won’t.”
And I wouldn’t. No matter how this thing between Addison and me turned out.
“See you, Tucker.”
I nodded, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “Sure.”
I let out a long exhale when the doors closed again. And at that moment, it confirmed I was doing the right thing. There wasn’t any lingering doubt in my mind.
“Whoa, I didn’t see this one coming,” Steven, my boss, said after I revealed my new career choices half an hour later. “You sure?”
“Yes. I’ve been mulling it over for weeks. This is what I must do."
He bobbed his head. “Can you gimme a week to transfer your smaller accounts to simplify your workload? I think the transition would be smoother if you’d do it yourself. Your clients trust you. You’re one of the best in this profession.”
“Sure. I’ll give you five days at the office. And after that, I’ll work remotely.” I scratched the side of my face. “Steven, I wanted to thank you. For giving me the opportunity. For believing in me. Right from the start. It meant a lot. I wouldn’t be here without you, and I appreciate everything you did for me. I couldn’t have found a better mentor. You kept me out of trouble and jumpstarted my professional life.”
He rounded his desk and stood before me. I held my hand out to shake his, but he pulled me into a hug instead.
“Tucker, you’ve always been like a son to me. I saw the potential in you, even when you were still in college. I’ll miss having you around. But I also understand your desire to follow your heart. Mindy and I have been married for twenty-one years. I get the feeling. Remember, my doors will always be open if you change your mind along the way or if you miss me so much that you have to visit.”
“Thanks."
“And that woman of yours is a lucky gal. I hope things work out.” He shook his head. “I’m like a proud papa bird watching his offspring fly off the nest.”
He let out a warm laugh, and I joined him.
“I’ll keep in touch.” He gripped my upper arms and nodded as I added, “I’m around for five more days. Maybe you’ll be happy to get rid of me by then.”
“Never.”
I waved and made my way to my office and closed the door and the blinds, requesting a little privacy to get on with my day. Even if it was the right decision, I still required time to process the idea my life was about to change.
Work remotely. Check.
Elisa had agreed to meet me in the pub that used to be our Friday night watering hole during our college years. I waited for her in a corner booth with a bottle of red and a basket of chicken wings and taquitos. She was a fundamental part of my plan, to put the next step into action.
“Gosh, I’m having a date with the famous Tucker Philips. Women are going to throw daggers at me now. How are you doing?” she asked after I rose to my feet to greet her and kiss her cheek.
“Great. You look beautiful. I swear you look younger than me now. What’s your secret?” I wiggled my eyebrows. “Hamilton?"
She slapped my forearm and laughed, tilting her head back. She resembled her brother so much right now.
“Why do I feel I’m right?” I teased.
Her laughter died, and she shook her head. “Tuck, you have a special talent. It’s like you can always tell what I’m up to. Seriously, how do you do it?”
“No talent, just observant. I spent the evening with Barry last month after a playoff game, and the entire time, he couldn’t stop gushing about you. I just put two and two together.” I shrugged, and she failed at hiding her smile, seated before me, her chin propped on her closed fist, a love-induced expression in her eyes.
Barry Hamilton, the star of the Chicago Busters, was Elisa’s long-time friend from college.
“Fine, Barry asked me out on a date. We’ve been spending more time together in the last year. I’m just not sure what to make out of it. We’ve been best friends for a long time. He’s friends with Jace too. I’m not sure if getting together is the right thing to do. For all parties involved.”
“What is it that you want?”
“I wish it was a simple question,” she lamented.
“It is. Or it should be.” I paused. “And in his defense, you won’t know unless you give it a shot.”
Yeah, I was rocking this new Tucker 2.0 I’m-fluent-in-relationship-drama persona.
She took a sip of her wine and leaned back in her seat.
“I guess you’re right. When did you grow up? Become reasonable? So full of wisdom? Where’s the guy only looking for a quick romp in the sheets and a fun time?”
I pasted a cocky smirk on my lips. “I have my moments,” I teased.
“Fine. You got me. I had feelings for Barry back in the day. And I know he did too. But he got recruited in the league and said he didn’t have a place for love in his life. Timing wasn’t on our side.”
I nibbled on a chicken wing. “Things change. People change. Life goes on.”
“The rejection was hard, even if it made sense at the time. I got burned. My heart got crushed. It was hard after that, being just friends with him.”
Her confession reminded me of Addison’s. Elisa poured more wine into my glass, and my attention snapped back to her.
“I knew a guy just like that. Afraid to commit. Actually, that’s part of the reason why I wanted us to meet.”
She offered me a pointed look and folded her arms over her chest. “Tell me more, Tuck. I’m curious now. You were mysterious over the phone. Talk. The last time you asked for my help was at the fundraiser when you were being stalked by that unhinged woman and we pretended to be madly in love for a few hours.”
“Oh, that was an epic night.” I shook my head, unable to get rid of my stupid smile at the memory. “Jace wanted to kill me when he thought you and I had slept together. Came to my place, challenging me to a fistfight.”
Elisa cupped her mouth. “Oh God, I didn’t know about that. My brother can be a tad protective sometimes.”
“Like I said, epic.” I sipped my wine. “Be honest, though. We had fun.”
“Yes, being with you is never boring. That’s why you’ve always been my favorite. Shhh. Don’t tell Nick,” she added with a wink.
I drew a cross over my heart. “I won’t. Your secret is safe with me as long as you don’t tell Jace I love you more than I love him.”
Elisa chuckled and held out her hand. We shook on it. “Tucker Philips, we have a deal. Now tell me why I’m here.”
“Nothing bad, I promise. You won’t have to save my ass this time. Or pretend anything. You’ll actually be proud of me.”
“Shoot.”
“I met a girl. And I fell in love.”
My smirk doubled in size while Elisa spat her wine and covered her mouth with a napkin, her eyes big and inquisitive. “Okay, say it again, and don’t mess with me this time.”
In between catching up, I told her about Addison.
“That’s the woman Barry told me about. Said you two looked cozy together and that she could hand you your ass without blinking. She made an impression on the team.”
“Hamilton has such a big mouth.” Laughter crossed my lips.
“We’ve been telling each other almost everything for as long as I can remember. It’s a gift and a sin all at once.”
I cleared my throat. “Yes, I’ve become accustomed to the feeling.”
“Tuck, will you take me to your place?” she teased with a quirked brow when we exited the pub three hours later.
With my palm resting on her lower back, I walked her forward. “You bet.”
“Can’t wait to see how huge it is. I’ve heard great things about it. I hope the rumors are true. I would hate to be deceived if it doesn’t meet my expectations. Or the ideas I’ve formed in my head about you. And your place.”
I winked. “Woman, be prepared to be astonished. Tucker Philips never does anything half-assed. He always gives his best shot.”
Elisa’s contagious chuckle warmed my insides. I loved being able to joke around with my friend.
“Lead the way.” She snaked her arm through mine, and side by side, we made it to my condo, four blocks away.