Free Remember Love by Riley Rhea

really wasn’t expecting him to answer that way.
    “I wasn’t.”
    Wow. Once again, he renders me speechless.
    I say, “Okay. So, you’re staying here tonight, right?”
    “Unless you don’t want me too . I brought some stuff with me in case I stayed.”
    “I want you to stay.”
    Leaning over and turning his face to mine. I place a kiss on his lips. “Go get your stuff while I get ready for bed.”
    Tucker gets up and heads out of my bedroom. I won’t let everything he’s told me tonight stand in our way. Being with Tucker is the most natural thing in the world to me, and I’m holding on with both hands.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Tucker
     
     
    Brenna may have been joking , but I wasn’t. I would marry that girl right this minute if that’s what she wanted. She’s not quite ready for that yet and that’s okay. It will happen someday. I thought I was about to lose her after our conversation about her ex. I hope she understands why I didn’t put a stop to her and Wesley a long time ago.
    Stepping out into the parking lot , I head over to my truck to grab my bag and lean back against the bed to give Brenna a little time to herself. I couldn’t say anything to her then. I hadn’t spoken to her in two years. What was I supposed to do, walk up to her and say, “Hey Brenna, I know I’ve been absent from your life, but Wesley’s a dick. Don’t go there.”
    Yeah , that would have gone over like a lead balloon. Here I was, an eighteen-year-old boy who was in love with his childhood best friend. I’d waited for her to be old enough to date, to share all her firsts with me; I should have fought for her. I shouldn’t have let anyone come between us. But I did and I hope she doesn’t make me pay for that now by throwing away this chance we have right out the window.
    Lost in my own thoughts , I don’t see Lexi getting out of her car until I hear her voice.
    “Hey Tucker, what are you doing out here?”
    “Just grabbing my bag.” Lifting my bag, I shut the door and start walking toward her.
    “Brenna’s letting you stay the night?”
    “Yeah?” This comes out as a question; by the look on Lexi’s face, I think this is something unusual.
    “Really ? Well, that’s a first.”
    “Is it now? Did you think she’d make me drive home tonight?”
    “Actually, yes I did. As long as I’ve known Brenna, no one has ever spent the night at her apartment.”
    Lexi can’t possibly understand how happy she just made me with that little piece of information. I figured she’d dated and moved on with her life like most girls would have. Now I’m curious and I’m thinking Lexi is the best person to ask.
    “ So, you’re saying I will be the first guy to spend the night with Brenna?”
    “Look Tucker , I know what you’re trying to do. You want me to spill all the deets on Brenna, right?”
    I simply nod my head to say “yes” not wanting to say anything that may keep her from continuing. I know I could ask Brenna whatever I want to know but right now I feel like I need to hear what Lexi has to say.
    “Al l right, Tucker, it’s like this. I like you and I know a lot more about you than you know about me. I think you’re the best thing for Brenna and I’m willing to help y’all find your way back to each other.”
    I could almost kiss Lexi right now. “I appreciate all the help I can get.”
    “We partied a lot during freshman year and you know she hung out with a few different guys, but I’m pretty sure that’s all she done. She was pretty drunk one night and she told me all about y’all. From the moment y’all met to the time she moved away. That was the last time she got drunk. Brenna has pretty much been a recluse since.”
    “So , she doesn’t date?”
    “No , she doesn’t date. She goes to school and she studies. If it wasn’t for me busting in on her, I think she’d be alone all the time.”
    “Then I’m glad she has you.” I mean that , too. I don’t want Brenna alone and Lexi seems to