Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

C olson

Every day that I had to leave Tully and head to the station for a long shift was getting harder and harder. She’d somehow just moved into the carriage house with me, spending every night in my bed, and every second I wasn’t at the station, at my side. We hadn’t talked about it, but both of us just naturally found ourselves together. I knew what was happening, at least on my end of the deal. The sex was good—fucking great, actually—but this was about far more.

“That mustache is coming in nicely again,” Joey drawled, throwing his shit in his locker and not bothering to hide his grin.

I ran my finger over it and then tucked in my shirt. “What can I say? Due to popular demand, I had to regrow it. The ladies always like the ’stache.”

Joey snorted out a laugh and gave me the middle finger. Before I could say something smart right back, he whipped his hand behind his back and schooled his face in some kind of Boy Scout look of respectability.

“Good morning, Gigi. You’re looking lovelier than a spring tulip today.”

Now it was my turn to snort. Joey was the original ass-kisser when it came to my mom. He buttered her up and she let him. The two hugged and I hoped Mom brought some cookies or something with her in that loaded-down tote bag of hers. She came by at least once a month with treats for all of us. After a few more over-the-top compliments, Joey let Mom out of his embrace and headed for the break room with the tray of butterscotch brownies she handed him.

“You better save me at least two of them!” I hollered after Joey. The fucker didn’t even look back, which made me nervous. Those guys would eat the whole tray before I got in there if I didn’t hurry Mom along.

“Oh, you let that boy go,” Mom groused, pulling me into a hug. Funny how she called us boys when we were in our forties. “I brought some just for you, honey.” She pulled a baggie of brownies out of that magical tote bag and I snatched them out of her hands like a rabid animal. Her butterscotch brownies were legendary.

“Did I mention how nice you look today?” I said around a huge bite of sugary heaven. It was true. She had on a pretty blue-and-white blouse, stylish jeans, and didn’t even have readers jammed on top of her head, flattening her hair.

Mom pursed her lips. “No, you didn’t. I had to bribe you with sugar first.”

I swallowed my bite and put my arm around her, escorting her to the little area we created just outside the station door, complete with wood bench, planter of flowers, and a side table. I knew better than to start a conversation with Mom when she was feeling feisty. Far better to take Joey’s route and butter her up before she whacked you on the back of the head like you were ten years old.

“Well, that’s my bad, then, Mom. You’re the best mother out there and I should tell you more often. I do appreciate the brownies though. Gotta keep us from starving while we work.”

Mom sniffed like she was still annoyed, but leaned heavily into my side hug. “I didn’t see much work happening, but I’m happy to provide a treat for you boys. You know your dad loved those butterscotch brownies more than any other too. You and him were always so similar.”

That was an abrupt change of topics, but I’d roll with it. “Really? I always thought he and Boon were two peas in a pod with their crazy sense of humor.”

Mom nodded, then laid her head on my shoulder. “Oh, they were, but you have Willy’s strong sense of right and wrong. And stubbornness.” She whistled, then began to chuckle. “That man could hold a grudge when he felt like it.”

Mom didn’t say things just to hear herself talk. She always had a purpose, but this conversation was taking quite the winding route.

“You stop by for a reason, Mom?” I asked, wanting her to get to the point before we had a call come in and I made her mad by ditching her to do my job.

She lifted her head, soft brown eyes clear and wise as she stared me down. “Your father wanted you back in Blueball to unite the family again, which you’ve done. But him telling you to deal with Tully once and for all wasn’t to have you getting your heart broken all over again. Are you sure you know what you’re doing with her?”

I blinked, taking a moment to take that all in. I’d wanted Mom to get to the point, but damn, she sure did pack a punch. “Well, I’m not sure about the heartbreak thing, but I do know I love her. Always have.”

Mom’s face contorted. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

Fuck no, it wasn’t wise, but what could I do about it? My heart had always been Tully’s. “Think of it this way. You still love Dad, right?”

Mom scoffed. “Of course I do!”

“Well, he’s gone. And that fact brings you pain, but it doesn’t stop you from loving him anyway, does it?”

Mom’s lips pursed together. I could tell she wanted to tell me it wasn’t the same thing, but we both knew I had a good point.

“I love Tully. Always have, always will. I’ve tried to stop loving her, but I haven’t been successful, and quite frankly, I’m done trying. If she feels the same way, that’s great. But if she doesn’t…well, I’m no worse off than I’ve been the last nineteen years. At least now, I can still enjoy her company.”

Mom was silent for a few more minutes. A butterfly landed on the flowers in the pot next to us. I always wondered if loved ones could send signs from the beyond. Something to let us know they were still around. I doubted Dad would send a pretty butterfly though. More like another deranged rooster to crow at all hours of the day and night.

“I see where you’re coming from.” Mom nodded, staring at the same butterfly as it flitted from one flower to another. “A mother just wants to see her babies happy. That’s why I’m sticking my nose in your business.”

“I am happy, Mom. I’m glad to be back in Blueball. I’m glad to be on the crew here. And I’m happy with Tully.” I ran my fingers across my mustache. “So happy I’m even growing my mustache back.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “Ugh! That thing again?”

I broke a butterscotch brownie in half and handed it to her. We ate while we chatted about her animals, the latest gossip in Blueball that wasn’t about me and Tully, and when she last talked to Boon. Dad was right to bring me back to Blueball. Mom needed her boys around and we needed her. Even if we tried to pretend we were big, strong men who didn’t need their mother meddling in their affairs.

She eventually left, but only after visiting with all the guys, including Captain. I pretended I couldn’t overhear her giving him an earful about almost cutting me off the payroll to solve his budget issues. She didn’t even let him have one of her brownies, even after he assured her that because of the fundraiser, that wouldn’t happen.

The whole shift was slow, so the boys and I got a good night’s rest and even got in two workouts. Hattie McGhee, Blueball librarian, and Rosemary Roberts, Blueball Elementary’s principal, walked by the station three times while we were working out the next morning. Frank and Danny made sure to flex and grunt as they lifted weights. I didn’t bother looking at the ladies. Tully was the only woman on my mind and in my heart. I could have denied it when Mom cornered me, but what was the point? I’d spent most of my life loving Tully, and now it was so engrained in me, I knew I’d never stop.

Gabi swung by the station the next day to pick up Joey at the end of his shift. They planned to hit up Grass for lunch while the kids were in school. I envied the way they’d built a life together, best friends and clearly still in love with each other too. I wondered if Tully and I could ever get there or if that level of trust and love had passed us by.

“Hey, how are you and Tully?” Gabi asked, pulling me in for a hug as Joey packed up his bag.

“Good.” I didn’t need yet another female sticking her nose in my business. Mom was plenty.

Gabi nodded. “Yeah, it’s been nice having her back. Frankie’s even stopped talking about leaving Blueball, which is entirely due to Tully talking up the town.”

“Hmm,” I gave a noncommittal response. I had yet to ask Tully what her long-term plans were. I wasn’t even a little bit sure she’d choose Blueball. She’d been in such a hurry to leave this place back in the day. Seemed odd to think now she wanted to stay here.

“Her agent kept blowing up her phone while we were shopping the other day. I told her to take the call but she wouldn’t.” Gabi kept talking like her words weren’t setting off alarm bells in my head. “I keep telling her that her social media posts are taking off and she needs to parlay that into some kind of business opportunity.”

“My stomach is growling, woman.” Joey came out of the station with his bag slung over his shoulder. He hooked his arm around Gabi’s waist and hustled her to her car. “See you in two days, loser!” he tossed over his shoulder.

I watched them leave, brain spinning. Gabi wasn’t wrong: Tully was insanely talented. Maybe her talents were wasted working just one house at a time with Em’s crew. Maybe her agent had a new show to talk to her about. Maybe she’d be leaving Blueball again. And me.

Prowling back into the station, I packed my own bag and slammed the locker shut. I hadn’t gotten more than two steps out of the station when Tully’s fancy SUV pulled into the parking lot. She rolled down her window, curly hair rustling in the breeze, a big smile on her face.

“Hop in, hotshot!”

The frown I’d been working on slid away. It couldn’t last in the presence of Tully. “Where we going?” I had my truck here, but I could leave it for now.

“It’s a surprise.” Her eyes were twinkling, which meant something amazing was ahead. I threw my bag in the back seat and climbed in.

Tully let out a holler and tore out of the parking lot, tires squealing. Despite my mood, I found myself laughing. “What the hell is going on?”

“We’re having a picnic. Now be quiet or I won’t let you eat dessert.”

My hand found its way to her thigh. “Dessert, huh?”

She shot me a grin and then paid attention to the road as we wound through downtown Blueball. “Did you have a good shift?”

This felt like everything I’d ever wanted, shooting the shit with Tully at the end of the workday. The same scene I’d watched with Joey and Gabi and felt jealousy. I couldn’t pretend any longer that I was just in this for the sex. It was so much more.

“Has your agent been trying to get ahold of you?” I asked abruptly.

Tully’s leg tensed under my hand, which wasn’t a good sign. I snatched my hand away and studied her expression. She was good at acting now, but her eyes could still give her away.

“Yeah, she has. Why?”

“I guess I’m just wondering if you’re making plans for a new show. Making plans to leave.”

Tully pulled off the road onto the hunting trail that led to the vacant land behind the high school football field. The car bounced over the pot holes until we made it to the spot all the teens made out at back in our day. The huge trunks of the pine trees made for good cover, and so did the branches that reached up into the sky and blocked out the sun. Tully shut off the car and turned to me.

“No, Colson. I’m not making any plans to leave. In fact, I haven’t even listened to her voicemail.” She pulled her phone out of her back pocket. “Here. I’ll show you.”

Her thumbs flew over the screen for a minute. Then she turned it around so I could see what she wrote. The picture she attached was a selfie of her and the rest of the crew on their jobsite. They were sweaty and so covered in sawdust to be almost unrecognizable. It was a hilarious picture.

Me: Sorry for not responding, but I’m happily employed here in Blueball with zero plans to come back to Hollywood. Hope all is well with you.

She waited until my gaze met hers over the phone, indicating I’d read the text. Then she turned the phone around and hit send before tucking it back in her pocket.

“I’m not leaving,” she said quietly, looking deep into my eyes.

The anxiety that had crept in the second Gabi made her comment about the agent slowly drained away. But, fuck, my heart felt battered knowing this woman could still bring me to my knees.

Tully tilted her head. “How about we eat dessert before lunch?”

I lifted an eyebrow and she shot me a grin before climbing over the center console and into the back seat. She wiggled out of her jeans and tossed her tank top at my face. I found myself climbing back there before she got her bra off. I may have cursed a few times, and there were several bruises already developing, but I managed to get naked with Tully in the back seat of her car, worries from earlier forgotten.

Her foot braced on the passenger seat headrest and the top of my head was jammed against the back window, but none of that mattered as I slid inside her heat. Why was every time so fucking good with her? I didn’t believe in magical pussy, but maybe it was the whole woman who was magical. The seat belt was digging into my thigh, but that didn’t stop me from acting like a goddamn teenager with his first backseat action. My skin held miles of goose bumps, she felt so good. Hopefully I wasn’t hurting her with my fast pace. The top of her head was hitting the door handle but her moans seemed like pleasurable ones, not pain. I was barely holding on by a thread, hoping I could get her there before I lost control.

Tully’s eyes fluttered shut. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders, giving me something else to focus on instead of her pussy contracting around me. She shouted my name and arched her back on her orgasm, spurring me to thrust faster and harder in the cramped space.

“Aghh!” I shouted, spilling into her a few seconds later with an intense pain in my hamstring cutting short the pleasure. I whimpered and fell on top of her, grabbing for my leg.

Tully started giggling in between pants of air. “What…the hell…happened?”

I buried my nose in her neck and gritted my teeth. “Hamstring cramp. Did an intense leg workout yesterday with the boys.”

I ended up having to slide out the back door, bare ass first, to stretch out my hamstring. The woodland creatures got an eyeful, I was sure. Tully’s peals of laughter carried us all the way home where we finally ate the picnic lunch she packed. I really, really hoped the high school hadn’t posted cameras around that part of the property in recent years.