Back at Love Ur Lobes, she’d found herself sitting in a high chair with nowhere for her feet to anchor her, no arm rests. No idea what Courtney was going to use to impale her ear with the piece of jewelry and all those unknowns had built up, intimidating her. Coming very close to stopping her from doing something she’d always wanted to do. But Tucker…
Tucker.
He’d pierced his ear for her.
His overreaction to the pain had validated her fears and it turned out, that was exactly what she needed. Just to not feel alone. To not feel as if the world is easy for everyone besides her. Tucker gave her the kind of friendship she’d never dared hope for and leaving him—
No.
No, she wasn’t going to think about that tonight.
“Thank you for what you did back there,” she said, a tug in her breast bone.
“It was nothing, kid.”
“It was something.” She rolled her lips inward. “Does you earring really say bitch?”
“Yup.” The direction of his voice shifted downward. “It’s decorating the cup holder now. My ear healed and pushed the sucker right out. So much for my new swashbuckler vibe.”
“I liked your vibe the way it is, anyway.” Odd, the moment she said that, his energy changed. It hummed like a tuning fork and made her sit up straighter in the passenger seat. “Is everything okay?”
“What? Yeah.” He chuckled, but it lacked his usual warmth. “We just passed a turnoff for the highway that leads to my home town. I guess I just wasn’t prepared to see the name all lit up in big green and white letters like that.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize we were so close.”
“Pretty much passing right by.” His fingers drummed on the wheel. “I’ve been on this highway before. Many times. But nothing looks the same. New billboards. Bushes planted in the center divider…”
It was impossible to miss the forlorn quality to his voice and it shifted something in her stomach. Made her want to reach for his hand.
Instead, she settled back into her seat. They were near enough to his home town that he recognized the highway. That meant they might only be minutes from Tucker’s house. His father. The place he grew up in. She’d been replaying their conversation through the bathroom door since having it and knew deep down he had so many regrets. Regrets he would have to live with for an eternity. There was only a small margin of time left where Tucker’s father would still be living and if he didn’t make things right, he would never have the chance.
And Tucker…he was giving Mary the chance to make things right with her family.
Shouldn’t she try and do the same for him?
This was one of those times she didn’t have an explanation for doing something. But acting on her gut feelings was happening more and more. Since she’d left Enders, she’d been overwhelmed by a need to seduce Tucker. To tempt and touch him.
Now there was a whisper in the air convincing her to bring him home.
Since Mary could remember, she’d had the ability to read the mood and energy of others, but those abilities almost seemed to be expanding in Tucker’s presence. Or perhaps, the change in her surroundings had given them room to grow.
What if she wasn’t simply acting without a reason?
What if she was reading the signature of the universe?
She felt arrogant for even pondering it. Who was she to have the universe’s attention? But she couldn’t discount the whisper that grew louder, urging her toward Tucker back in New York—and now to his birthplace. It was insistent and…felt like an old friend. Trustworthy.
“We should go,” Mary blurted. “To your town. Tonight.”
Tucker barked a laugh. “I’m wanted for questioning in three murders, Mary. I’m already running a pretty serious risk just being this close.”
“Tucker, you’re thinking like a human.”
He considered that a moment. “Thank you.”
“In this case, it’s holding us back. We can easily get ourselves out of a situation with the police, if necessary.” She was so excited her radiance was spinning fast enough to make a whirring noise. “I know the idea of seeing your father again might be scary. I’m scared to face mine again, too. But…won’t you always wonder what if? A hundred years from now, when he’s gone, do you want to sit around wishing you’d said goodbye? What if he’s sorry about the way things were left between you two? Don’t you want to give him the chance to…to purge the regrets?”
“Jesus, you make a compelling case.” She could sense him shaking his head. “But, nah. I’d just be opening up old wounds.”
“Sometimes wounds don’t heal right and need a little surgery.”
Tucker made a sound.
Mary managed to stay quiet for a full minute of driving, before saying, “Why don’t I go trick or treating at your father’s house? I can just knock on the door. You can stay hidden and decide whether or not you want to make your presence known.”